U.S. Census Bureau Releases San Fernando Valley Report

SHERMAN OAKS, CA – At the request of Congressman Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks), the U.S. Census Bureau has prepared the San Fernando Valley Census Report.  The updated Valley Census Report offers a more current demographic snapshot of the San Fernando Valley to help community organizations, businesses, and government leaders make better-informed decisions affecting the Valley’s future.  The report’s data will also help the region secure its fair share of funding for highway and transit improvements, housing, and social service programs.

“We rely on the Valley Census Report to fight for the Valley’s fair share of funding in Sacramento and Washington, DC.  The report reveals important information about the Valley’s rich cultural diversity, educated workforce and entrepreneurial spirit, as well as the challenges facing many Valley families and homeowners during these tough economic times,” said Congressman Sherman.

The Census Bureau prepared the updated Valley Census Report at the request of Congressman Sherman using detailed data from the 2007 American Community Survey.  The first report was released in December 2006, also at Sherman’s request.

The Valley Census Report reveals that, compared to the average American, Valley residents make more money, spend more of it on housing, and endure longer commutes to work.  The more than 1.76 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 over 4% since the 2000 Census.

The Valley Census Report shows that Valley residents spend, on average, nearly a half hour (28.7 minutes) commuting to work, which is 5% longer than the average Californian and 12% longer than the average American. 

The report discloses that the Valley, on average, is more educated than other parts of the City and County with 112,000 people with graduate or professional degrees and another 248,000 with bachelor degrees.  Since 2000, the Valley has had a 61,000 increase (20.4%) in those with bachelors or advanced degrees.

In 2007, the median home price in the Valley ($633,900) was higher than the City of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County or California, and was more than triple the U.S. median home price ($194,300).  These figures from a year ago stand in stark contrast to the current Valley housing market.  The CSUN San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center reported last month that the median Valley home price fell to $405,000.

Also in 2007, nearly 40 % of Valley homeowners (115,300) were spending 35% or more of their income on housing.  Overall, the median monthly mortgage and homeowner’s costs have increased 8% ($2,381 to $2,572) from 2000 to 2007. 

The report also shows that poverty remains a significant economic barrier for many Valley families (10.6% or over 62,000 households with incomes below $15,000), justifying the Valley’s requests for housing funds and economic development and social service programs.

Bob Scott, Director of the Mulholland Institute and past chairman of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association (VICA) explained the importance of this data in better understanding the issues impacting the Valley housing market.  “It is a real challenge to cover mortgage costs if you purchased or refinanced at the recent market peak.  It is extremely useful to see how the San Fernando Valley region is faring compared to other urban areas – to assess any instability, and to understand what we need to do to steady our local economy.  We have to understand and be prepared to deal with market realities”, said Scott.

“As the economic development and business assistance program serving the San Fernando Valley, having access to Census data for this region is absolutely critical to the work we do” said Bruce Ackerman, President and CEO of the Economic Alliance of the San Fernando Valley.  “It allows us to tell the story about what is happening to our businesses, and to anticipate the types of services and programs they may need based on economic trends and patterns.”

The San Fernando Valley also shines as a haven for innovators and entrepreneurs,” added Dr. Daniel Blake, Director of the San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at California State University, Northridge.  According to Dr. Blake, the San Fernando Valley census data reveals that 13.2% of the Valley’s workers are self-employed in their own unincorporated business.  This compares favorably to 8.9% for California, and 6.7% for the U.S.  “These comparisons suggest that the Valley is very hospitable to the innovative and entrepreneurial among us,” said Blake.

In April 2007, the U.S. Census Bureau announced that it was considering the elimination of some of the Census County Division (CCD) designations.  In response, Congressman Sherman and many Valley-area elected officials and organizations called upon the Census Bureau to continue providing specific census data for the San Fernando Valley.  In February 2008, Congressman Sherman announced that the Census Bureau will continue reporting and publishing census data specifically for the San Fernando Valley after 2010. 

2000   Population SFV – 1.69 million LA – 3.69 million   Race/Ethnicity ·         SFV White – 44% Latino – 38.9% African-American – 3.7% Asian – 9.5% ·         LA White – 29.6% Latino – 46.5% African-American – 10.8% Asian – 10%   Below poverty level (people) SFV – 15% LA – 22.1%   Median Household Income SFV – N/A LA – $36,687   High school graduate or higher SFV – 73.5% LA – 61.4%   Bachelor’s degree or higher SFV – 27.3% LA – 25.5%   Foreign-born residents SFV – 39.9% LA – 40.9%   English-only households SFV – 44.2% LA – 42.2%   Source: U.S. Census Bureau, San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center

2007   Population       SFV – 1.76 million              LA – 3.80 million   Race/Ethnicity ·         SFV White – 43.4% Latino – 40.8% African-American - 3.4% Asian – 10.1% ·         LA White – 29.5% Latino – 48.4% African-American – 9.8% Asian – 10.3%   Below poverty level (people) SFV – 12.6% LA – 18.5%   Median Household Income SFV – $56,395 LA – $47,781   High school graduate or higher SFV – 78.5% LA – 72.9%   Bachelor’s degree or higher SFV – 31.1% LA – 29.5%   Foreign-born residents SFV – 40.2% LA – 39.9%   English-only households SFV – 42.2% LA – 40.6%   Driving to work alone SFV – 75.9%              LA – 67.7%