CINDY FRAZIER | cindy.frazier@latimes.com

SCENIC: Woods Cove in Laguna Beach. According to U.S. Census figures, Laguna’s population went down by about 1,000.

One reason for drop is people having second homes here, not primary residences. County total grows by about 6%.

BY ALEXANDRA BAIRD

Real estate prices and more homeowners declaring Laguna Beach residences as second homes could account for a slight dip in the city’s population.

About 1,000 fewer people lived in Laguna Beach in 2010 than in 2000, according to the latest figures from the U.S. Census Bureau.

In 2000, the population of Laguna Beach was 23,727; in 2010, it was 22,723. This is in contrast to the total population of Orange County, which grew by about 6%.

Prudential Realtor Kristine Torrance said the most likely cause is a combination of factors: people moving out of town to less expensive areas, and more people having second homes in Laguna Beach and not declaring them as their primary residences.

“Laguna is such a hot market,” Torrance said. “It’s very valuable, and it holds its value really well, so it’s really strong from an invest-

See LAGUNA, page C39