The San
Fernando Valley is a geographic area which includes several cities and
a large portion of the City of Los Angeles. This political reality can make
finding statistics about the San Fernando Valley a frustrating and/or time-consuming
experience since the boundaries you may want to use for the valley or a community
within it may or may not correspond to the boundaries used by those who have
compiled available statistics and facts. Always check to see what geographic
boundaries were used when the data was collected. In many cases smaller areas,
such as city planning districts, zip codes or census tracts, may need to be
used to define the geographic area of interest and then the data for each
of these smaller areas added together to get the total you want. The point
of this page is to identify relevant sources to simplify the process of finding
statistics and facts about the San Fernando Valley. Some links are to files
in PDF format, i.e. they
must be viewed with an
Adobe Reader, which is free if you need it.
City links for cities at least partially in the San Fernando Valley
- City of Los Angeles.
Many communities within the San Fernando Valley are part of the City of
Los Angeles. (Examples include: Arleta, Canoga Park, Chatsworth, Encino,
Granada Hills, Lake View Terrace, Mission Hills, North Hollywood, North
Hills, Northridge, Pacoima, Panorama City, Porter Ranch, Reseda, Sherman
Oaks, Studio City, Sun Valley, Sunland, Sylmar, Tarzana, Toluca Lake, Tujunga,
Van Nuys, Valley Village, West Hills, Winnetka, and Woodland Hills.)
- City of Burbank including History
of Burbank
- City of Calabasas
including Important
Dates in Calabasas History and Calabasas
History
- City of Glendale including
Glendale
History Links
- City of Hidden Hills
- City of San Fernando
Sources for compilations of statistics on the entire San Fernando Valley
Statistics and Facts by Topic
Jump to: Population
| Economic | Crime | Environment
| Education | Health | Political
| History
Local Population Statistics Online
- Data from the Census Bureau's 2005 American Community Survey
for the San Fernando Valley Sub-County Census District, with comparisons
to the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, the State of California
and the United States, is available on the sites of both the San Fernando
Valley Economic Research Center and the San Fernando Valley Virtual Library.
Both sites allow you to adjust the display to view general, social, economic,
or housing characteristics.
- SFVERC
ACS Data (San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center).
Use the choices on the left side (near the bottom of the page) to select
the general, social, economic or housing survey data. In addition to
the data on the San Fernando Valley as a whole, the page also includes
a link to a special run of 2005 American Community Survey data for the
County’s planning areas (and designated subareas of these) plus
links to relevant maps.
- Census
Bureau Report on the San Fernando Valley (San Fernando Valley Virtual
Library). Data from the 2005 American Community Survey for the San Fernando
Valley Sub-County Census District with comparisons to the City of Los
Angeles, Los Angeles County, the State of California and the United
States. Use the tabs at the bottom to select the data category.
- Census Data for the
San Fernando Valley and SFVERC
Zip Code Data have summary statistics for the San Fernando Valley (as
a whole and for communities within the valley)
- American
FactFinder (Census Bureau). Population and housing facts, including
easy access to Census 2000 data/maps, on incorporated cities and--if you
use census tracts or zip code boundaries--parts of cities. For data or maps
of communities within the City of Los Angeles (i.e. Northridge, Chatsworth,
Pacoima, etc.) zip code or census tract geographies should be used. Note:
The Oviatt Library online guides Finding
Census 2000 Data by Zip Code and Finding
Census Tract Data on the Internet provide detailed directions on using
American Factfinder to find Census of Population and Housing data when the
geographic area of interest is smaller than a city. See also the next entry
on this list, which provides some compilations of Census 2000 data.
- Demographic
Research Unit Statistical Reports (City of Los Angeles Planning Department).
Census data from 2000 and 1990 with 2005 estimates; data is by Los Angeles
City community planning areas (such as Encino-Tarzana and Northridge), by
census tract, and by Area Planning Commission (e.g. North Valley and South
Valley). See also Community
Plan Profiles and Statistics.
- City of Burbank
2000 Census Data (City of Burbank)
- Calabasas Statistics
(City of Calabasas)
- Glendale Census
Information (City of Glendale)
- Hidden Hills
Demographics (City of Hidden Hills)
- San
Fernando City Demographics (City of San Fernando)
- Community
Information by Zip Code (Oviatt Library) includes Information
about People and Households by Zip Code
- County and City Data
Book (Census Bureau). Easy to use source for statistics about Burbank,
Glendale, and other cities within the valley. (Print
version of County and City Data Book also available). Older editions
are also available online, see County
and City Data Books (University of Virgina), which provides access to
the 1944 through 2000 County and City Data Books.
- Demographic
Research Unit (California Department of Finance). A variety of demographic
reports on cities and counties. Source for current population estimates
for incorporated cities (Burbank, Glendale, etc.) in California.
- RAND California
(Oviatt Library subscription). Numerous statistical databases on California,
many of which include data at the city or zip code level. Many tables are
based on government data.
- Counting California
(California Digital Library). Includes data for areas as small as the city
level from a variety of federal, state, and local agencies. Useful for the
incorporated cities in the valley. Communities within a city (i.e. Northridge
and other communities within the San Fernando Valley part of the City of
Los Angeles) are not listed separately.
- Pre-2000 population statistics
- The Census Bureau
Publications collection includes many older Census of Population
and Housing publications in .PDF format (most have city-level data rather
than census tract data). For other Census of Population and Housing
data before 1990, ask
a librarian for assistance with print sources. (Be prepared; researching
part of a city may involve considerable work adding up figures for many
census tracts).
Local Economic and Housing Data
- Data from the Census Bureau's 2005 American Community Survey
for the San Fernando Valley Sub-County Census District, with comparisons
to the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County, the State of California
and the United States, is available on the sites of both the San Fernando
Valley Economic Research Center and the San Fernando Valley Virtual Library.
Both sites allow you to adjust the display to view general, social, economic,
or housing characteristics.
- SFVERC
ACS Data (San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center).
Use the choices on the left side (near the bottom of the page) to select
the general, social, economic or housing survey data. In addition to
the data on the San Fernando Valley as a whole, the page also includes
a link to a special run of 2005 American Community Survey data for the
County’s planning areas (and designated subareas of these) plus
links to relevant maps.
- Census
Bureau Report on the San Fernando Valley (San Fernando Valley Virtual
Library). Data from the 2005 American Community Survey for the San Fernando
Valley Sub-County Census District with comparisons to the City of Los
Angeles, Los Angeles County, the State of California and the United
States. Use the tabs at the bottom to select the data category.
- Economic Alliance of the San
Fernando Valley Virtual Library. Statistics and many reports on the
geographic San Fernando Valley. Some files require either Adobe Reader or
Powerpoint.
- San Fernando Valley Economic
Research Center including information about its San
Fernando Valley Economic Report, a report which the Oviatt Library owns
in print as Report of Findings on the San Fernando Valley Economy.
- SFVERC
Zip Code Data includes income statistics based on indvidual income tax
return data (San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center).
- FFIEC
Census Reports (Federal Financial Institutions Examination Council)
includes recent estimates of Tract Median Family Income by census tract
number within a county or metropolitan area. (Note: other data at this site
is from the year 2000 unless specifically labelled otherwise).
- Economic Census (Census Bureau) includes Zip
Code Statistics from the Economic Census and Geographic
Area Series reports with 2002 data by state, county, and cities. Some
1997 and 2002 Economic Census data is also searchable in American
FactFinder.
- Zip Code Business
Patterns by NAICS
(Census Bureau). Total number of establishments and number of establishments
by employment-size classes by detailed industry. Data on mid-March employment,
first quarter payroll, and annual payroll are summarized by ZIP Code without
industry detail. Data are collected annually. See also the earlier Zip
Code Business Patterns by SIC.
- Community
Information by Zip Code (Oviatt Library) includes Business
Statistics by Zip Code.
- CSUN Geography Department
Master's Theses By Region / Los Angeles County - San Fernando Valley
The CSUN Geography Department Map Library, as well as the Oviatt Library,
owns copies of these Master's Theses. (Search Oviatt Library's Library
Catalog by author or title for details about a specific title).
- United Chambers of Commerce of
the San Fernando Valley includes links to a number of local business
organizations, including its Chamber
of Commerce members, some of whose sites provide neighborhood profiles
or other factual information about San Fernando Valley communities.
Airport data
Housing, building permits, and home sales
- Los
Angeles. Times Home Sales. Home sales information by community name
as well as city.
- Demographic
Research Unit Statistical Reports (City of Los Angeles Planning Department).
Data on building permits by Los Angeles City community planning areas such
as Encino-Tarzana and Northridge. There are 14 of these planning areas in
the Los Angeles part of the San Fernando Valley. Some tables include totals
for the Los Angeles city parts of the Valley.
- Residential Vacancy Data
(City of Los Angeles Housing Department). Some tables are by community planning
area name, others by zip code or census tract.
- Interactive City Maps (City
of Los Angeles). Offers land and property information, 2000 demographic
information at the census tract level, flood zone information in a map form,
and more.
- Enterprise Geographic Information
System (Housing and Urban Development Department). Creates maps that
combine information on HUD's
community development and housing programs with the Environmental Protection
Agency's environmental data. Area to be mapped can be set by Zip Code, city,
state, or street address--which allows you to map local neighborhoods.
- Neighborhood Knowledge Los Angeles.
To use the LANews
databases about the City of Los Angeles, you must log in, create a password
for yourself, and agree to the rules of the site. Then select Data &
Maps to get to LA News. Data is provided
on complaints filed with the Department of Building and Safety, residential
contruction permits, Department of Water and Power liens, tax liens, etc.
Some information is by Zip Code or census tract number, some is by Council
district, some on a street name basis (you enter the street name and range
of addresses on the street). Be sure that you understand the reason for
the usage agreement; use the data you find responsibly and kindly, being
aware that the information can be out of date. Maps of Los Angeles census
tracts are available online if you need to find a census tract number for
an area or need to check the geographic boundaries of a specific local census
tract. Site offers choice of English or Spanish language.
- RAND California
(Oviatt Library subscription). Numerous statistical databases on California,
many of which include data at the city or zip code level. Many tables are
based on government data. In addition to the economic data by city, includes
Housing Foreclosure Statistics and Housing Prices/Transaction Statistics
by zip code.
- Counting California
(California Digital Library). Includes data for areas as small as the city
level from a variety of federal, state, and local agencies. Useful for the
incorporated cities in the valley. Communities within a city (i.e. Northridge
and other communities within the San Fernando Valley part of the City of
Los Angeles) are not listed separately.
Community Plans
Local Crime Statistics Online
Local Environment Statistics and Facts Online
- Where You Live (Environmental
Protection Agency). Search by zip code for environmental data from several
databases.
- Hydrologic Report
(Los Angeles County Department of Public Works). Data relative to Los Angeles
County for precipitation, evaporation, runoff, erosion control, dam operation,
water quality monitoring, conservation and groundwater. Includes some data,
such as Precipitation
readings, from San Fernando Valley locations.
- Water Quality
Report for parts of the City of Los Angeles, including a report for
the San Fernando Valley.
- Current Air
Quality Data (South Coast Air Quality Management District). Some reports
include data for the east and west San Fernando Valley.
- Current Weather Conditions (National Weather Service) for:
- Current Weather Conditions
at CSUN (CSUN Geography Department)
- San
Fernando Valley Superfund Sites (Environmental Protection Agency)
- Interactive City Maps (City
of Los Angeles). Offers land and property information, flood zone information
in a map form, and more.
- Community
Information by Zip Code (Oviatt Library) includes Environmental
Information by Zip Code.
- Enterprise Geographic Information
System (Housing and Urban Development Department). Creates maps that
combine information on Housing and Urban Development's community development
and housing programs with the Environmental Protection Agency's environmental
data. Area to be mapped can be set by Zip Code, city, state, or street address--which
allows you to map local neighborhoods.
- CSUN Geography Department
Master's Theses By Region / Los Angeles County - San Fernando Valley
The CSUN Geography Department Map Library, as well as the Oviatt Library,
owns copies of these Master's Theses. (Search the Oviatt Library's Library
Catalog by author or title for details about a specific title).
- Topographic maps (Topozone). Includes
an online topographic map for the San Fernando Valley. (Do a place name
search for a specific community or for San Fernando Valley). Various scales
are available, depending on how much detail is desired. Older and more recent
local topographic maps are available from other sources. Check with the
CSUN Geography Department's Map
Library for print format topographic maps.
- TerraServer includes
a topographic map and aerial photographs of the valley.
- Archive
of ShakeMaps of Major Earthquakes includes, in the section for Southern
California, the San Fernando Earthquake (1971) and the Northridge Earthquake
(1994).
Local Education Facts
- Ed-Data (Education Data Partnership)
includes reports and profiles of schools and school districts, among other
information.
- California's Standardized Testing and
Reporting program includes School, District, County, and State Reports.
- Information
about Schools in California (Oviatt Library). An online guide to finding
test scores, statistics and more about public and private schools in California.
- Local School District websites usually include lists of schools, test
scores, statistics, etc.
- Community
Information by Zip Code (Oviatt Library) includes Education
Information by Zip Code.
- Office of Institutional
Research at California State University,
Northridge provides demographic and statistical research about the University.
- Enrollment:
Service Area Research Project Atlas. Dominant areas of attendance for
four local universities.
- Los Angeles Community Colleges Research
Reports. Many of the reports include statistical data about individual
campuses in the Los Angeles Community Colleges District, including Los
Angeles Valley College, Pierce
College and Los Angeles Mission
College. See also the planning or research office for each of these
local community colleges:
- Glendale
Community College Demographics
Local Health Statistics and Facts Online
- San Fernando
Valley Service Planning Area Reports and Statistical Data (Los Angeles
County Department of Health Services - Public Health SPA2
- San Fernando Valley
Area Health Office). Includes maps of the service planning area (SPA),
the health districts within the planning area and numerous statistical reports.
Note: The county's San Fernando Valley service planning area is larger than
the geographic San Fernando Valley; the Los Angeles County Children's Planning
Council provides a convenient service
planning areas map that shows the areas included in each of the county's
service planning areas.
- Assessing
The Community's Needs: A Triennial Report on the San Fernando & Santa
Clarita Valleys 2004 (PDF)
- The
Health of the Residents in the San Fernando Valley Service Planning Area
of Los Angeles County, December 2000 (PDF)
- The Health
of the Residents in the San Fernando Valley Service Planning Area of Los
Angeles County, December 1999 (PDF)
- Racial/Ethnic
Distribution of Population in SPA 2, by Health District (PDF)
- Poverty Status
in SPA 2, by Health District (PDF)
- Births in
SPA 2, by Health District (PDF)
- Mortality
in Los Angeles County 2001 (PDF) includes some data by Service Planning
Area (SPA).
- Leading Causes
of Death in SPA 2, by Health District (PDF) includes 1997 data.
- Health Status
of Population in SPA 2, by Health District (PDF)
- Alcohol
and Drug Problems in SPA 2, by Health District (PDF)
- Primary Diagnosis
for Hospital Admissions in SPA 2, by Health District (PDF)
- 1996-1997
Service Planning Area (SPA) and Health District Profile Report. See
also Oviatt Library location information for print copies of Service
planning area and health district profiles report.
- 1995 Health
District Profiles . See also Oviatt Library print
holdings of Health District Profiles.
- Key Indicators
of Public Health by Service Planning Area 2005 (PDF)
- Key
Indicators of Public Health by Service Planning Area 2002-2003 (PDF)
- Summary of Key Indicators
of Public Health by Service Planning Area 1999/2000.
- Health
District and Service Planning Area Surveillance Report, Annual Report 1997.
- Zip
Code Data Book (United Way of Greater Los Angeles). Zip code data/estimates
on demographic, economic, and health topics for communities in Los Angeles
County. There is a choice of viewing data for all Service Planning Areas
or choosing the specific one of interest. Includes both tables and maps.
Many tables are based on government data. The San Fernando Valley service
planning area is larger than the geographic San Fernando Valley; the Los
Angeles County Children's Planning Council provides a convenient service
planning areas map that shows the areas included in each of the county's
service planning areas.
- Community
Information by Zip Code (Oviatt Library) includes Health
Information by Zip Code.
Political Information
Proposed San Fernando Valley secession from the City of Los Angeles
Who Represents You?
Contact Local Politicians
San Fernando Valley History
- San Fernando
Valley History Digital Library (Oviatt Library). Digital images of historically
significant documents, manuscripts, photographs and related graphic materials
from public and private collections in the San Fernando Valley.
- Oviatt Library at California State
University, Northridge.
- Use the Library Catalog
to find books about the San Fernando Valley and its communities. Tip:
Search by subject or subject keyword for San Fernando Valley or the
name of the specific community/city in which you are interested. Some
local information can also be found in books about the City of Los Angeles
or Los Angeles County.
- Oviatt Library owns all years of the Daily News and the Los
Angeles Times newspapers (all but the most recent issues are on
microfilm). California State University, Northridge students, faculty,
and staff also have access to recent years of the Los Angeles Times
and Daily News online via Proquest
Newspapers (Oviatt Library subscription). The Ovatt Library also
subscribes to ProQuest
Historical Newspapers Los Angeles Times for use by California State
University, Northridge students, faculty, and staff who need access
to historical newspapers online.
- The Urban
Archives includes additional local history materials; use their
Guide
to Collections.
- Other
Library Catalogs links to the online catalogs of other local libraries.
- CSUN Geography Department's
Map Library has several historical collections including:
- Online Archive of California brings
together historical materials from a variety of California institutions,
including museums, historical societies, and archives. Some materials are
online; many are simply identified in terms of which institution (and which
of their collections) has relevant manuscript and other archival materials.
Created and maintained by Mary
M. Finley
Questions or comments: mary.finley@csun.edu
Links checked: 23 January 2008
