Prior to the colonization of the area by the Spanish Empire in the late 18th century, the Tongva village of Wapijanga was the major point of influence in what would come to be referred to as Chino Hills.

[10] Due to its topography of rolling hills, Chino Hills was primarily rural prior to the mid-1970s; most land was utilized for equestrian purposes and for dairies, except for the multi-use purposes of the State of California, promoting jobs for the community through day labor from the Chino Institute for Men on Central Avenue.

Rapid and extensive housing developments followed throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, only slowing down in recent years.

Most neighborhoods are arranged in a village-type format with strategically placed shopping centers and parks designed to be within walking distance of nearby homes.

Some incidents of damage were reported, but no fatalities or severe injuries occurred as a result.

The earthquake was felt as far south as San Diego and as far north as Las Vegas.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.8 square miles (116 km2), much of which is undeveloped rolling hills, including the Chino Hills State Park.

Undeveloped hills form the western border, which also serves as the San Bernardino – Orange County line.

There were 23,617 housing units at an average density of 527.8 per square mile (203.8/km2), of which 18,421 (80.3%) were owner-occupied, and 4,520 (19.7%) were occupied by renters.

The area was the fictionalized location of the initial Martian spacecraft's landing in 1953's The War of the Worlds.

In the film, Pastor Collins, a resident of nearby Corona, California, refers to the meteor as having landed "halfway to Pomona".

[21] Subsequent geographical references by Colonel Heffner indicate the landing place as somewhere near "Carbon Canyon".

[23] One such example is Overlook Park, which spans 1.5 acres (0.61 ha) and features scenic views of the Pomona Valley, Chino Hills, and San Gabriel Mountains.

The five city council members meet on the second and fourth Tuesday of each month, with opportunity for residents to voice their opinion during the open forum.

[3] 2023 Cynthia Moran Chino Hills voted for Donald Trump over Kamala Harris in 2024.

[31] In the state legislature following the 2020 elections, Chino Hills is located in the 29th Senate District, represented by Democrat Josh Newman (politician), and in the 55th Assembly District, represented by Republican Phillip Chen.

In the United States House of Representatives, Chino Hills is split between California's 35th congressional district and California's 40th congressional district, represented by Democrat Norma Torres[32] and Republican Young Kim[33] respectively.

Law enforcement services in Chino Hills are provided by the San Bernardino County Sheriff's Department.

Chino Hills has contracted with the sheriff's department for law enforcement services since its incorporation in 1991.

[37] Chino Hills is served by Omnitrans' OmniLink demand-response service open to the general public.