Norco's housing market is defined by its equestrian zoning. Many properties sit on lots of an acre or more, with room for stables, corrals, arenas, and horse trailers, and much of the housing stock consists of single-story ranch-style homes, some with attached or detached equestrian facilities. The city's animal-friendly municipal codes protect this large-lot, rural character from denser redevelopment. In addition to single-family homes, Norco includes some smaller-lot and multifamily areas, but the dominant pattern is low-density, horse-oriented residential property.

Norco is organized around its horse trails and large-lot parcels rather than conventional suburban subdivisions. Many residential streets are lined with homes that include stables, arenas, and turnout areas, connected by a citywide network of equestrian trails. The Equestrian Historic District preserves some of the city's most historically significant horse-country areas. Commercial activity clusters along the main corridors, while the hills and the Santa Ana River frame the community's edges.

Norco's identity is inseparable from horses. Trail riding, boarding, rodeo, and youth equestrian activities are part of daily life, and the George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center draws riders and spectators for shows and events throughout the year. The city's large-lot, animal-friendly character gives it a rural, Western feel unusual for Southern California. Residents trade the density of neighboring cities for space, privacy, and a community built around outdoor, horse-centered living, while still reaching regional employment centers by freeway.

Norco is served by the Corona-Norco Unified School District, one of Riverside County's largest districts, which also covers the cities of Corona and Eastvale along with several nearby unincorporated communities. Norco High School anchors secondary education within the city, and the district operates a full network of elementary, middle, and high schools. The district's size and range of programs, combined with the area's family-oriented, equestrian character, make school access a central consideration for households moving to Norco.

Norco is situated near Interstate 15, which runs along the city's western edge and connects to Corona, Ontario, and points south toward San Diego. State Route 91 and State Route 60 provide additional east-west access to Riverside and Orange County. The city's large-lot layout makes it primarily car-dependent, though regional employment centers in Corona, Riverside, and Orange County are within commuting range by freeway.

Recreation in Norco centers on the equestrian lifestyle, with miles of horse trails, boarding stables, and the George Ingalls Equestrian Event Center hosting competitions and shows. Beyond horses, residents enjoy the Santa Ana River corridor and nearby regional parks in Riverside County, as well as access to Lake Mathews and the hills that frame the city. The historic Lake Norconian grounds, now a government facility, remain a notable landmark of the city's resort-era past.