Boston (May) High hopes in higher learning
Portland, Ore. (June) Rose City blooms
St. Louis (July) At home in the Heartland
Greenwich, Conn. (August) Northeast gem
Charlotte, N.C. (September) Queen City shakeup
Washington, D.C., Metro (October) Steady as she goes
Phoenix (November) Highs and lows in the Valley
Brooklyn, N.Y. (December) Taking in Manhattanites
Orange County, Calif.
POPULATION: 3.1 million (as of January 2008)
OCCUPANCY: 95.5%
MEDIAN AGE: 33
MEDIAN HOUSEHOLD INCOME: $78,950
AVERAGE RENT: $1,521
UNEMPLOYMENT: 4.8% (as of May 2008)
NOTABLE: Orange County’s economy is larger than all but 31 nations in the world. The area is home to the world-famous Disneyland Resort and Knott’s Berry Farm; Newport Beach’s Fashion Island, an outdoor shopping center encircled by gardens, palm trees, and a huge koi pond; and Huntington Beach (Surf City USA), featuring the longest recreational pier in the state.