City Guide
Burbank
Media City of the West
From Verdugo Ranch Lands to Studio Lots: How a San Fernando Valley city became synonymous with television and film production
Located in the eastern San Fernando Valley, Burbank sits between the Verdugo Mountains and the Los Angeles River, bordered by Glendale, North Hollywood, and the city of Los Angeles. Known internationally for its concentration of media studios, Burbank combines a substantial industrial and entertainment employment base with residential neighborhoods, a walkable downtown, and direct access to regional transportation corridors.
Indigenous and Early History
The Burbank area lies within the traditional territory of the Tongva people, with the nearby Verdugo Mountains and Los Angeles River corridor providing resources for seasonal gathering and settlement. Spanish colonization incorporated the land into the vast Rancho San Rafael, later subdivided among the Verdugo family heirs.
During the Mexican and early American periods, the landscape supported cattle ranching, dry farming, and limited settlement. The terrain — a mix of valley floor and rising foothills — would later appeal to developers seeking suburban tracts within commuting distance of Los Angeles.
Founding and Early Development
Dr. David Burbank purchases over 4,600 acres of Rancho San Rafael land and establishes a sheep ranch.
The Southern Pacific Railroad arrives, and Burbank sells a right-of-way and townsite, spurring the formation of a settlement bearing his name.
Burbank incorporates as a city on July 8, consolidating local governance as the San Fernando Valley's population grew.
Early aviation and film-related activity begins arriving in the valley, foreshadowing the city's 20th-century economic identity.
Early Burbank developed as an agricultural and railroad community. Farms, orchards, and packing houses lined the valley floor, while a modest commercial district formed along San Fernando Road and Olive Avenue. The city's location along rail lines and, later, highways positioned it for industrial growth.
Twentieth-Century Growth
Burbank's transformation into a media capital accelerated after World War II. Major studios established permanent facilities in the city, drawing thousands of workers in production, post-production, and corporate roles. Lockheed's presence in adjacent areas further strengthened the valley's aerospace and manufacturing employment base.
First National Pictures (later Warner Bros.) establishes studio operations in Burbank.
Walt Disney Studios moves to Burbank, where it remains headquartered.
Postwar suburban housing expands across the valley floor; NBC and other broadcasters establish Burbank facilities.
Burbank-Glendale-Pasadena Airport (now Hollywood Burbank Airport) opens, enhancing regional air connectivity.
Television production became a defining industry. The city's nickname, "Media Capital of the World," reflects the concentration of studios, soundstages, and network operations that continue to employ residents and attract visitors for tours and tapings.
Economy and Employment
Burbank's economy is anchored by entertainment, media, and related professional services. Warner Bros. Studios, Walt Disney Studios, and NBCUniversal operations represent major employers, supported by a network of production services, post-production facilities, and creative industry vendors.
Hollywood Burbank Airport provides commercial air service and generates aviation-related employment. Retail and hospitality businesses along San Fernando Boulevard, the Burbank Town Center, and the Empire Center serve residents and studio workers. Providence Saint Joseph Medical Center and other healthcare providers add to the local employment base.
Market and Housing Context
The 2020 U.S. Census recorded 107,337 residents and 46,467 housing units across Burbank's 17.34 square miles. Housing types include single-family homes in postwar neighborhoods, condominiums, and apartment buildings concentrated near downtown and major arterials.
Census housing data indicates a mix of owner-occupied and renter-occupied units, with multi-unit structures representing a significant share of the housing stock. Many homes date from the 1940s through 1970s, reflecting the valley's postwar building boom. Downtown and corridor-adjacent areas include newer mixed-use and apartment developments.
Living in Burbank
Burbank offers diverse recreational and cultural amenities. The Downtown Burbank district features restaurants, shops, and the Burbank Town Center along San Fernando Boulevard. The Starlight Bowl hosts outdoor concerts, and the Burbank Aviation Museum documents the city's aerospace and aviation heritage.
City parks include Johnny Carson Park, McCambridge Park, and the Stough Canyon Nature Center in the Verdugo Mountains. Educational institutions include Burbank High School, John Burroughs High School, and campuses of the Burbank Unified School District.
Burbank Today
107,337
Population (2020 Census)
17.34 sq mi
City Land Area
1911
Year Incorporated
46,467
Housing Units (2020 Census)
Government and Civic Life
Burbank operates under a council-manager form of government with five council members. The city provides police, fire, public works, library services, and planning functions. City Hall on Olive Avenue anchors municipal operations in the downtown core.
Media and Studio Culture
Studio tours, audience tapings, and industry events integrate entertainment production into daily civic life. The city maintains relationships with major studios on traffic, filming permits, and infrastructure. Burbank's identity as a working media city distinguishes it from primarily residential valley communities.
Geography and Environment
Burbank occupies the eastern San Fernando Valley floor, rising toward the Verdugo Mountains on the south and the San Gabriel Mountains to the east. The Los Angeles River runs along the city's eastern boundary. Mediterranean climate conditions support landscaping and outdoor recreation throughout the year.
Open space in the Verdugo Mountains provides hiking trails and wildlife habitat at the urban-wildland interface, where fire preparedness is an ongoing regional concern.
Transportation and Connectivity
Interstate 5 and State Route 134 traverse Burbank, connecting the San Fernando Valley to downtown Los Angeles, Glendale, and the San Gabriel Valley. Hollywood Burbank Airport offers domestic flights. Metro bus routes serve the city, and the Metrolink Antelope Valley Line stops at the downtown Burbank station.
The city's grid of arterial roads links studio districts, residential neighborhoods, and commercial centers within a compact geographic footprint.
Looking Forward
Burbank addresses housing supply, studio expansion, airport operations, and downtown vitality through ongoing planning efforts. Mixed-use development near transit, infrastructure upgrades, and water conservation programs reflect priorities common to San Fernando Valley cities. The entertainment industry's evolution toward streaming and digital production continues to shape local employment and land use.
The City's Character
From sheep ranch to studio lots, Burbank has repeatedly adapted its economy while maintaining a cohesive civic identity. Residential neighborhoods, a revitalized downtown, and the visible presence of major studios create a city where creative industry and suburban life intersect in distinctive ways.
"In Burbank, the soundstages and backlots are not background — they are the city's economic heartbeat, woven into a valley community that has made media production part of its civic DNA for nearly a century."
Whether attending a downtown event, hiking in the Verdugos, or passing the studio gates that have produced generations of film and television, visitors and residents encounter a San Fernando Valley city defined by creativity, industry, and a enduring connection to the entertainment economy.