Rancho Santa Margarita () is a city in Orange County, California, United States. One of Orange County's youngest cities, Rancho Santa Margarita is a master-planned community. The population was 47,949 at the 2020 census, up from 47,853 at the 2010 census. Although it is named for Rancho Santa Margarita y Las Flores, which was in San Diego County, the city limits fall within the borders of Rancho Mission Viejo. At 20 characters long (22 including spaces), it is the longest city name in California.
History
left|thumb|The ruins of the Trabuco Adobe, built by [[Californios in 1810, at the Acjachemen village of Alume. In 1810, the Trabuco Adobe was constructed near the village as an outpost of Mission San Juan Capistrano.
The city seal has the brands of Rancho Mission Viejo and Rancho Santa Margarita and Las Flores on the border, with artwork containing Santiago Peak in the background. The tower in the foreground symbolizes the Rancho Santa Margarita Lake Tower.
Hughes Aircraft Company's Microelectronic Systems Division moved to Rancho Santa Margarita in May 1988 from Irvine. In August 1992, the Hughes plant closed its facilities and moved the division to Carlsbad, California due to budget constraints in the aerospace industry.
Rolling Hills Estates had the longest city name in California with 19 letters until January 1, 2000, when the title was ceded to Rancho Santa Margarita (20 letters) upon the latter's incorporation.
The city is a general law city and operates under the council-manager form of government. Rancho Santa Margarita is a contract city. Police services are provided through contract with the Orange County Sheriff. Fire protection services are provided through the Orange County Fire Authority.
Geography
thumb|left|[[Oso Creek|Upper Oso Reservoir.]]
Rancho Santa Margarita is located at (33.641518, −117.594524). It occupies much of a high plateau known as Plano Trabuco.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of . of it is land and of it (0.27%) is water.
Rancho Santa Margarita is bordered by the city of Mission Viejo on the west, the census-designated places Coto de Caza and Las Flores on the south, the unincorporated Trabuco Canyon on the north, and the Cleveland National Forest on the east.
Vehicular access is provided by California State Route 241 (a toll road), in addition to several surface streets. Santa Margarita Parkway and Antonio Parkway are the city's major thoroughfares, with Avenida De Las Banderas, Avenida Empresa, Avenida De Las Flores, and Alma Aldea being minor thoroughfares. In addition, Alicia Parkway terminates in the city providing access to Mission Viejo.
Climate
Rancho Santa Margarita, like most of southern California, generally has a Mediterranean climate.
Economy
Top employers
According to the City's 2020 Comprehensive Annual Financial Report, the top 10 employers in the city are:
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! #
! Employer
! # of employees
|-
| 1
|Applied Medical
|2,700
|-
| 2
|O'Connell Landscape Maintenance
|1,000
|-
| 3
|Saddleback Valley Unified School District
|288
|-
| 4
|Target
|255
|-
| 5
|Lucas & Mercier Construction
|250
|-
| 6
|Capistrano Unified School District
|215
|-
| 7
|Control Components Inc.
|200
|-
| 8
|PADI
|180
|-
| 9
|Santa Margarita Catholic High School
|175
|-
| 10
|Car Sound Exhaust System
|150
|}