Population growth as a yearly percentage has slowed considerably as the City has matured. Between 1970 and 1980, population increases averaged 20% per year. Between 1980 and 1990, the average increase dropped to 8% per year; and since 1990, the annual increase has averaged 2% per year.

Because the City of Irvine is a relatively new City and started with a young population base, only 12.7% of Irvine's population was in the over-55 category in 1990. By the year 2020, however, 28% of the City's population is expected to be over 55. Where today there are about 21,000 residents over the age of 55, in 25 years that number is expected to grow to over 60,000.