FOCUS

The quaintness of Capistrano Beach presents a striking picture-post card panorama.

This quiet, tranquil town--with its palatial homes, beautiful beach and ocean bluff land--is one of Orange County’s oldest coastal communities.

Residents of Capistrano Beach go to the polls next month to decide whether they should incorporate with Dana Point to become one city. If the vote is yes the transformation will take place next January.

Plans for a major redevelopment of the area were halted by the Orange County Board of Supervisors after a feasibility study showed the project would meet with difficulties.

Oilman Edward L. Doheny Jr., who gave Capistrano Beach its name and is partly responsible for its beginnings, wanted to build a Spanish village on the site. However, Doheny was murdered before he could realize that wish. The Doheny State Beach is named after him and is a reminder of his dreams.

COMMUNITY PROFILE: CAPISTRANO BEACH

Statistics

Population: (1987 est.): 6,940

Median household income: $33,901

Median home value: $125,055

Racial/ethnic mix: white, 91.4%; Latino, 13.8%; black, 0.3%; other, 8.4%

(Total is more than 100% because racial/ethnic breakdowns overlap)

Education

Adults over 25 Years of school completed:

0-11 years: 17.5%

12 years: 28.9%

13-15 years: 28.9%

16+ years: 24.8%

Median years completed: 13.3

Population

By sex and age In hundreds

MALES: 0-5,14-17,25-34,45-54, 65+

FEMALES: 6-13,18-24,35-44,55-64

Median Age: 38.3 years

Source: Donnelley Demographics