A new poll from the University of California, Irvine (UCI) found that residents are evenly divided over whether the American dream is still possible in the county. Instead, many are questioning whether Orange County is still a place where they can achieve it. The results suggest Orange County residents are more pessimistic than Americans overall. In a 2024 national survey, 53% of Americans said the American dream was still achievable. About 28% of Orange County residents said it means having financial security and stability.