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San Fernando Valley
Demographic Information
California’s 27th Congressional District, is comprised of the San Fernando Valley. The San Fernando Valley is a geographical area roughly bounded by the Santa Susana Mountains to the north and west, the Santa Monica Mountains to the south, and the San Gabriel Mountains to the east. It lies wholly within Los Angeles County and includes the cities of: Burbank, Calabasas, Glendale, Hidden Hills, and San Fernando, as well as the Valley portion of the City of Los Angeles.
The more than 1.75 million people who live in the Valley exceed the populations of all but the four largest cities in the United States – New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston. The Valley’s population has increased 3.5% since the 2000 Census.
The Valley Census Report shows that Valley residents spend, on average, nearly a half-hour (29.4 minutes) commuting to work, which is 8% longer than the average Californian and 13% longer than the average American. Congressman Sherman highlighted figures from the first-ever Valley Census Report to convince officials in Sacramento to direct Prop 1B funding to Valley transportation projects, such as carpool lanes on the 5 and 405 Freeways.
Valley residents, on average, are more educated than other parts of the City and County with 118,575 people with graduate or professional degrees and another 239,705 with bachelor’s degrees. Since 2000, the Valley has had a 16.6% increase (59,689) in those with bachelor’s or advanced degrees. Valley residents have access to renowned colleges and universities, such as California State University, Northridge, Woodbury University, Pierce College, Valley College, and Mission College.
In 2008, the median home value as self-reported on the American Community Survey form by respondents in the Valley ($560,500) was higher than Los Angeles County or California, and was nearly triple the U.S. median home value ($197,600). In contrast, home sale prices have dropped precipitously as evidenced by the current median Valley home price. According to the CSUN San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center, the median Valley home price fell from $410,000 in November 2008 to $355,500 in November 2009 – a 13.3% decrease.
Also in 2008, over 50% of Valley homeowners (119,700) were spending 35% or more of their income on housing. Overall, the median monthly mortgage and homeowner’s costs have increased nearly 10% ($2,381 to $2,630) since 2000.
Poverty remains a significant economic barrier for many Valley families (10.5% or over 55,680 households with incomes below $15,000), justifying the Valley’s requests for housing funds, as well as economic development and social service programs, including federal Community Development Block Grants (CDBG).
Snapshot of the San Fernando Valley
With Comparison to the City of Los Angeles as a Whole
| 2000 | 2008 | 2006-2008 |
| Population | Population | Population |
| SFV – 1.69 million | SFV – 1.75 million | SFV – 1.73 million |
| LA – 3.69 million | LA – 3.80 million | LA – 3.74 million |
| Race/Ethnicity | Race/Ethnicity | Race/Ethnicity |
| SFV | SFV | SFV |
| White – 44% Latino – 38.9% Af-Am – 3.7% Asian – 9.5% | White – 41.8% Latino – 42.4% Af-Am – 3.6% Asian – 10% | White – 43% Latino – 41.2% Af-Am – 3.4% Asian – 10.2% |
| LA | LA | LA |
| White – 29.6% Latino – 46.5% Af-Am – 10.8% Asian – 10% | White – 28.9% Latino – 49.1% Af-Am – 9.5% Asian – 10.2% | White – 29.4% Latino – 48.4% Af-Am. – 9.6% Asian – 10.3% |
| Below poverty level (people) | Below poverty level (people) | Below poverty level (people) |
| SFV – 15% LA – 22.1% | SFV – 13.1% LA – 19.4% | SFV – 12.8% LA – 18.9% |
| Median Household Income | Median Household Income | Median Household Income |
| SFV – N/A LA – $36,687 | SFV – $58,511 LA – $48,882 | SFV – $58,185 LA – $48,610 |
| High School Graduate or Higher | High School Graduate or Higher | High School Graduate or Higher |
| SFV – 73.5% LA – 61.4% | SFV – 78.2% LA – 72.7% | SFV – 78.5% LA – 73% |
| Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | Bachelor’s Degree or Higher | Bachelor’s Degree or Higher |
| SFV – 27.3% LA – 25.5% | SFV – 31.1% LA – 28.9% | SFV – 30.8% LA – 29.2% |
| Foreign-Born Residents | Foreign-Born Residents | Foreign-Born Residents |
| SFV – 39.9% LA – 40.9% | SFV – 39.9% LA – 40.9% | SFV – 39.9% LA – 40.9% |
| English-Only Households | English-Only Households | English-Only Households |
| SFV – 44.2% LA – 42.2% | SFV – 40.4% LA – 39.7% | SFV – 41.6% LA – 40.2% |
| Driving to work alone | Driving to work alone | |
| SFV – 73.5% LA – 66.4% | SFV – 74.8% LA – 67.1% |
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center
