Don’t sleep on San Fernando Valley! The Valley is one of the most iconic areas of Southern California, world-famous for its incredible views and connections to the entertainment industry. There are six major San Fernando Valley cities, each with beautiful homes for sale and family-friendly attractions.
Each city in San Fernando Valley is worth considering when you’re planning to move to the Los Angeles area. Before you call a moving company, you should do more research on San Fernando Valley cities and find the perfect one for you. Here’s what you should know about cities in San Fernando Valley, including data from the US Census.
San Fernando Valley
San Fernando Valley California (SFV) is an urbanized, well-developed valley in southern California. Where is the Valley in California? It’s north of the Los Angeles basin and lies in between several mountain ranges, including the Verdugo Mountains and the San Gabriel Mountains. What metropolitan area is San Fernando Valley a part of? All of the Valley lies inside of Los Angeles County, meaning SFV is a part of the Los Angeles metropolitan area.
Numerous Indigenous communities made their homes in the San Fernando Valley CA for thousands of years. Spanish settlers arrived in 1769 and turned San Fernando Valley California into a farming community. The State of California joined the United States in 1850, and SFV became American property. The area remained a hub for agriculture until the early 1900s, when developers started building residential and commercial properties in the area. What is the Valley named after? The Valley was named after Saint Ferdinand, a Spanish king from the 13th century.
What is San Fernando Valley famous for? San Fernando Valley is best known for its connections to the film industry. Walt Disney Studios and Warner Brothers have their studios in the valley. Many celebrities have homes in the community, and you may be able to see them while living in San Fernando Valley cities.
San Fernando Valley is a hub for tourism and attractions. However, it is a livable area for residents looking for good jobs and great schools. The Valley contains over 160,000 businesses, including major companies like Bank of America, Wells Fargo, and The Cheesecake Factory. The Valley California contains several notable colleges, including California State University Northridge (CSUN) and Pierce College.
The Valley of Los Angeles contains numerous parks and green spaces perfect for outdoor activities and excursions. Sepulveda Basin Recreation Area has soccer fields, baseball diamonds, and picnic tables. If you’re looking for kid-friendly attractions, you can take your children to Serrania Park, which has play areas for children and family-friendly hiking trails.
San Fernando Valley CA has a subtropical Mediterranean climate, with long and hot summers and short and mild winters. Temperatures and weather conditions vary slightly depending on where you live, but all cities in San Fernando Valley have average temperatures higher than 50 degrees all year round. Over 50% of days are clear, mostly clear, or partly cloudy, and less than one foot of rain falls during the year on average.
- San Fernando Valley population: 1,838,599
- San Fernando Valley California median age: 38.4
- San Fernando Valley median household income: $78,810
- San Fernando Valley CA median price of housing: $669,000
- San Fernando Valley area: 438.1 square miles
- San Fernando Valley population density: 4,196.8 people per square mile
- San Fernando Valley educational attainment: 82.8% of residents have graduated high school, 36.5% have a bachelor’s degree
Cities in San Fernando Valley
There are only six San Fernando Valley cities, including Los Angeles, which lies mostly outside the Valley. Here is a list of cities in the San Fernando Valley in order of population.
1. Los Angeles
Five major Los Angeles neighborhoods lie inside the San Fernando Valley. Here is a list of them in order of population.
Van Nuys
Van Nuys CA is the largest Los Angeles neighborhood by population in the valley. It is 8.99 miles big, so the population is spread out, and the East San Fernando Valley community is not dense.
Van Nuys’s nickname is “The Heart of the Valley” because the community is the civic center of the Valley California area. The Van Nuys Government Center contains government buildings and public services, including the Van Nuys Branch of the Los Angeles Public Library. Van Nuys Airport is a community airport used by thousands of residents for private flights every year.
Van Nuys California is popular amongst families; nearly 26,000 children live in the neighborhood, comprising more than one-quarter of the population. You can find numerous public schools to send your children to, including Van Nuys Senior High School. Van Nuys High School has a graduation rate of 87% and is well-known for its successful science bowl teams. The high school is also home to the West Valley Occupational Center where you can receive occupational training and take English as a second language classes.
- Van Nuys population: 112,460
- Van Nuys population growth: 10.5% increase between 2010 and 2020
- Van Nuys area: 8.99 square miles
- Van Nuys CA median age: 36
- Van Nuys California median household income: $40,800
- Median price of homes for sale in Van Nuys: $831,500
- Van Nuys crime rate: 2,515 offenses per 100,000 people
- Map of Van Nuys California
Northridge
Northridge is best known for CSUN. US News ranks CSUN in the top 25 regional universities in the Western United States. The college offers over 100 bachelor’s and master’s degrees, including film production. The CSU Botanical Gardens and the Donald E. Bianchi Planetarium are located in Northridge, and both are open to the public.
CSUN is prominent in Northridge, but Northridge CA is not necessarily a college community. You can find many public schools for your young children, including Northridge Academy High School. If you prefer private schools, your kids can attend Highland Hall Waldorf School, San Fernando Valley Academy, and St. Nicholas School.
Northridge CA is also suitable for singles. Over 40% of Northridge residents have never married, and roughly 70% live in households without children. You have many options for studio and one-bedroom apartments for rent Northridge, though the average cost of Northridge apartments is $2,314 a month. Most buildings are located close to CSUN’s campus, but you can find other complexes a few blocks away. Many buildings, like Parc Ridge Apartments have luxurious features like on-site fitness centers, conference rooms, and 24/7 security.
- Northridge CA population: 75,274
- Northridge population growth: 0.4% decrease between 2010 and 2020
- Northridge area: 9.47 square miles
- Northridge CA median age: 35
- Northridge median household income: $80,700
- Median price of Northridge homes for sale: $1,054,000
- Northridge crime rate: 2,311 crimes per 100,000 people
- Northridge California map
Reseda
Reseda is well-known amongst residents of San Fernando Valley cities as a suburb-style community. Reseda CA is predominantly residential, with very few tourist attractions. The neighborhood contains several grocery stores like Valley Marketplace Reseda, so you don’t have to go far for essential items. Reseda Park is a small community park with sports fields, barbecue pits, and play areas for children.
Most properties in Reseda are single-family homes; 59 of the 83 properties sold in the neighborhood in August 2023 were single-family properties. Most properties cost less than $1 million, but they cover over 1,300 square feet and contain at least two bedrooms. Most Reseda homes were built during the mid-20th century, yet the homeowners have renovated them so they have contemporary features like solar panels. If you prefer to live in a townhouse or condo, you can also find various options in Reseda California. Reseda condos are of similar size to Reseda homes for sale, and they have features like attached garages and walk-in closets.
- Reseda population: 69,054
- Reseda population growth: 5.7%
- Reseda area: 5.9 square miles
- Reseda median age: 37.5
- Reseda median household income: $57,800
- Median price of houses for sale in Reseda: $800,000
- Reseda crime rate: 1,984 offenses per 100,000 people
- Reseda map
Panorama City
Panorama City was Valley California’s first planned community, so it’s a very walkable and well-organized neighborhood with clear commercial and residential blocks. Kaiser Permanente Panorama City Medical Center is in the heart of the community, so Panorama City CA is a good place to live for people who need to visit their doctors regularly. You can also find Seafood City Supermarket and restaurants like In N Out Burger in the center of the neighborhood.
Panorama City California has several community centers for children and seniors. The Sepulveda Recreation Center has tennis courts, swimming pools, and gymnasiums available to the public. Mid Valley Senior Citizen Center provides meals and organizes special events for seniors living in Panorama City.
- Panorama City population: 66,861
- Panorama City population growth: 1.1% increase between 2010 and 2020
- Panorama City area: 3.65 square miles
- Panorama City CA median age: 34.7
- Panorama City California median household income: $46,100
- Median price of houses for sale in Panorama City: $686,500
- Panorama City crime rate: 2,063 offenses per 100,000 people
- Panorama City map
Canoga Park
Canoga Park is a hub for the Hispanic and Latino communities of Los Angeles. Over 60% of residents identify as Hispanic or Latino, 15 percentage points higher than the city average. Over 10,000 residents were born in Mexico, and more than 2,000 residents were born in Guatemala and El Salvador. Canoga Park CA is also home to thousands of people of Asian descent, with nearly 2,000 residents being born in the Philippines.
Canoga Park California is family-friendly, and your children can attend a range of terrific schools. Canoga Park High School is the oldest high school in West San Fernando Valley. The school is home to unique communications and engineering magnet programs, allowing students to specialize in fields like photography, journalism, and environmental science. Lanark Park is in the center of the community and is a popular site for cheer, tennis, and track and field events.
- Canoga Park population: 61,127
- Canoga Park population growth: 2.3% decrease between 2010 and 2020
- Canoga Park area: 4.35 square miles
- Canoga Park CA median age: 36
- Canoga Park California median household income: $56,100
- Median price of Canoga Park homes for sale: $700,000
- Canoga Park crime rate: 3,134 offenses per 100,000 people
- Canoga Park map
2. Glendale
Glendale CA is the largest city completely inside of San Fernando Valley. It is one of the leading cities for major businesses in Southern California, with companies like DreamWorks and LegalZoom having their headquarters in Glendale. You can find several shopping malls in Glendale, including the Glendale Galleria, which has major retailers like JCPenney and Clarks.
Roughly 40% of Glendale’s population identifies as being of Armenian descent. You can find Armenian churches, restaurants, and community centers throughout the city, such as the Armenian Relief Society and St Gregory Armenian Church. Glendale is also home to many people of Korean, Filipino, and Persian descent.
- Glendale population: 196,534
- Glendale population growth: 2.5% increase between 2010 and 2020
- Glendale area: 30.6 square miles
- Glendale CA median age: 42.9
- Glendale median household income: $74,488
- Median price of Glendale homes for sale: $1,275,000
- Glendale crime rate: 1,700 offenses per 100,000 people
- Glendale map
3. Burbank
Burbank CA’s nickname is the “Media Capital of the World,” thanks to the many entertainment companies that have their headquarters in the city. Nickelodeon, Cartoon Network, The Walt Disney Company, and other major corporations have offices here.
Burbank CA is the best community for shoppers in the Valley. You can shop at several different malls in the city, including the Burbank Mall and the Burbank Empire Center. IKEA Burbank is the largest IKEA store in America, covering over 450,000 square feet. Burbank Airport is the only airport in San Fernando Valley CA with a direct rail connection to Downtown Los Angeles, making it a good place for people who own private planes or commute frequently.
- Burbank population: 107,335
- Burbank population growth: 3.9% increase from 2010 and 2020
- Burbank area: 17.35 square miles
- Burbank CA median age: 39.1
- Burbank median household income: $82,246
- Median price of Burbank homes for sale: $1,217,500
- Burbank crime rate: 2,585 crimes per 100,000 people
- Map of Burbank CA
4. San Fernando
San Fernando CA is a quiet and comfortable suburb of Los Angeles. Unlike other cities in San Fernando Valley, it has no strong connections with the entertainment industry. This means that San Fernando has fewer attractions than other SFV cities, but the attractions in San Fernando California are unique and top-rated. The city contains numerous small parks, including Las Palmas Park, which contains a playground and picnic areas. San Fernando Swap Meet is the largest outdoor swap meet in the Valley and contains 1,000 vendor spaces.
San Fernando has the fastest growing economy in the Valley. The median household income grew by 3.8% between 2019 and 2020, and the median property value grew by 9.3% in the same time period. The Los Angeles Unified School District (LAUSD) employs over 2,000 people in San Fernando, making the city one of the best places in the Los Angeles metro area for teachers and faculty.
- San Fernando population: 23,966
- San Fernando population growth: 1.3% increase between 2010 and 2020
- San Fernando area: 2.37 square miles
- San Fernando CA median age: 36.7
- San Fernando California median household income: $64,581
- Median price of houses for sale in San Fernando: $669,000
- San Fernando crime rate: 1,393 offenses per 100,000 people
- San Fernando map
5. Calabasas
Calabasas CA is one of the wealthiest cities in San Fernando Valley. Calabasas California lies between the Santa Monica Mountains and Santa Susana Mountains, providing incredible views that you can’t find elsewhere in the region. You can go for hikes in the mountains and adjacent green areas, such as Juan Bautista de Anza Park, making Calabasas a great community for outdoor activities.
The city is roughly 30 miles outside of Downtown Los Angeles, so you can escape the city entirely and enjoy a quaint community to live in. You can explore other parts of Los Angeles County, including Agoura Hills and Thousand Oaks, from your home in Calabasas. You can buy mansions and ranch-style homes that cover over 3,000 square feet. These homes are perfect for large families and contain incredible amenities like covered patios, pools with swim-up bars, and private putting greens.
- Calabasas population: 23,239
- Calabasas population growth: 0.8% increase between 2010 and 2020
- Calabasas area: 13.74 square miles
- Calabasas California median age: 41.8
- Calabasas median household income: $132,838
- Median price of Calabasas homes for sale: $1,584,000
- Calabasas crime rate: 1,230 offenses per 100,000 people
- Calabasas California map
6. Hidden Hills
Hidden Hills California is a city and gated community with a unique country aesthetic. The city has no sidewalks or street lights, and most homes for sale are estates and mansions covering at least 7,000 square feet. Hidden Hills is exclusively residential, but it borders the Ventura Freeway, which contains numerous restaurants and stores. It also borders the Upper Las Virgenes Canyon Open Space Reserve, a wildlife park with miles of hiking and biking trails.
Hidden Hills California is the safest community in the Valley. The overall crime rate is 71.4% lower than California’s statewide average, and only one violent crime occurred in Hidden Hills in 2020. Your chances of being a victim of crime overall are 1 in 135.
- Hidden Hills CA population: 1,725
- Hidden Hills population growth: 6.8% decrease between 2010 and 2020
- Hidden Hills area: 1.69 square miles
- Hidden Hills CA median age: 46.3
- Hidden Hills median household income: $250,001
- Median price of Hidden Hills homes for sale: $15,000,000
- Hidden Hills crime rate: 730 offenses per 100,000 people
- Hidden Hills map
Map of San Fernando Valley Cities
You can find the best cities in San Fernando Valley using this map of cities in San Fernando Valley CA.
FAQ
What Cities Are Included in San Fernando Valley?
There are only six cities in SFV: Los Angeles, Glendale, Burbank, San Fernando, Calabasas, and Hidden Hills.
What Is the Most Populous City in San Fernando Valley?
Los Angeles is the most populous city in the Valley California, though not all of Los Angeles is in the Valley.
What Is the Wealthiest City in the Valley?
Hidden Hills is the wealthiest city, with a median household income of over $250,000.
Which City Is the Largest in Land Size in the Valley?
Glendale is the largest San Fernando Valley city, covering 30.6 square miles.
What Is the Most Crowded City in the Valley?
Panorama City is the most dense community in the Valley Los Angeles, with a population density of 18,318.08 people per square mile.
Is San Fernando Valley Expensive?
Living in San Fernando Valley cities can be expensive, but you can find high-paying jobs with numerous companies, including Disney Studios.
Which San Fernando Valley Cities Are Right for You?
The San Fernando Valley is a bustling, family-friendly place to live. You can pick a comfortable and unique neighborhood of Los Angeles to live in or the safest cities in San Fernando Valley, like Hidden Hills.
But before you start living in the Valley, you need to figure out moving to the Valley. Movegreen has the most reliable team of San Fernando Valley movers. Call 866-684-7336 to receive a free moving estimate today.
