Moving to Burbank: The Ultimate Guide

Welcome to beautiful Burbank, CA. We are a city unique unto the rest of the Greater Los Angeles Area. We are an incorporated city, which means we have our own local government, police department, fire department, utilities and school district. On average the Burank Police and Fire Departments have a 4 minute response time within the city of Burbank and our schools are some of the highest rated in the county of Los Angeles. Living in Burbank is convenient, community focused and fun.

Burbank History and Population

Burbank is located in the eastern part of the San Fernando Valley, in the county of Los Angeles, 12 miles from the downtown area of the City of Los Angeles.

May 1, 1887 our lovely city was founded by Dr. David Burbank, a local dentist who raised sheep where Warner Bros. studios stands today. In the 1920’s Burbank was introduced to the world of aviation when Lockheed Aircraft Company built their plant for the production of airplanes . During WWII Lockheed’s Burbank plant produced 19,000 planes for the war effort and grew the city’s population with over 90,000 of their employees. The 1920’s also brought the motion picture industry to Burbank. Burbank was also the original “Hollywood” where silent film makers and stars gathered, lived and produced movies. Warner Bros. was the first motion picture company to release a full all-talking movie from their Burbank Studios. Other large studios such as Columbia Pictures, and Walt Disney made Burbank their headquarters. Burbank has been a city of potential since its inception. Walt Disney once planned to build the orignal Disneyland in Burbank, UCLA also thought at one time that they’d build their campus in the hills above Burbank. Our city has had many exciting moments and still continues to be a place where people love to move to, live in and explore.

City Tree Crape Myrtle

City Flower California Lilac (Ceanothus)

Housing Housing units 44,309 (April 2010 U.S. Census data)Average household size 2.52 (2008-2012 U.S. Census data)

City Government – City Charter adopted in January 13,1927; Council/Manager form of government Number of City Employees: approximately 1,400

City Council Mayor – Bob Frutos, Vice Mayor – Jess Talamantes, Council Member – Konstantine Anthony, Council Member – Nick Schultz, Council Member – Sharon Springer
City Manager Justin Hess

Area – 17.155 Square miles

Assessed Valuation (2009) – 100% of real cash value, $18,286,291,575

Transportation

Air – Bob Hope Airport caters to 4.9 million travelers per year on six major carriers, with more than 70 flights daily. Nearby Los Angeles International, Ontario, and El Monte (small aircraft) provide additional hubs for travel.

Bus – Southern California Metro Transit Authority

Rail – Metro and Amtrak WaterPorts of Los Angeles (San Pedro) and Long Beach are 20 miles south.

Highways and Freeways – The Golden State Freeway (5) bisects Burbank, connecting the city to the metropolitan freeway system and transcontinental highways. The 134 Freeway cuts through the south tip of the City.

Facilities – Churches, 55 – Libraries, 3 – BTAC (Burbank Temporary Aid Center), Burbank Family Housing, Boys and Girl Club, YMCA, Joclyn Adult Day Center

Economic Development InformationEducational – Please see each school’s website on the Burbank Unified School District website

Financial – Nineteen banks.

Health – Saint Joseph Medical Center, LA County health center.

Parks and Recreation –

22 parks totaling 2,199.57 acres, of which 141.13 are developed, including: 2 municipal swimming pools
20 tennis courts
3 community/gymnasium facilities
2 senior citizen centers
13 ballfields
1 outdoor concert amphitheater
1 municipal golf complex, including regulation 18 holes – 113.29 acres, driving range, 3-par course, 9-hole course.

Utilities

Water – Burbank Water & Power (updated March 25, 2019)
27,864 meters
14,193,000 gallons – average daily
276 miles of potable water mains (plus 34 miles of reclaimed water mains)

Electric – Burbank Water & Power (updated March 25, 2019)
52,422 meters409 miles of transmission and distribution lines407,000 KW – generating capacity322,000 KW – annual peak demand

Gas – Southern California Gas Company

Hollywood Burbank Airport

For over 90 years the Hollywood Burbank Airport has been a treasured aspect of the city. The city is spoiled with one of the best and most convenient airports in California. Travelers can rent vehicles on site and have the convenience of local hotels and restaurants close by. With 2 terminals and 14 gates and flights departing daily around the country, as well as, connecting to long haul flights, passengers will be sure to want to fly in and out of Hollywood Burbank Airport every time.

Burbank Weather

Climate – 63 degrees average yearly temperature. Average yearly rainfall is 12.1 inches based on a 100-year average. Average humidity is 61%. Prevailing winds are in the southwesterly direction with a mean hourly speed of 2 to 4 MPH.

Altitude – Elevation is 484 to 957 feet above sea level.

Average Home Price in Burbank

Average home price in Burbank is $845,000.

Burbank Average Commute Times

Average commute times from Burbank to:

Best Restaurants in Burbank

Burbank has a variety of cuisines and eateries to explore and enjoy. You can find just about anything you’re craving within city limits.

Restaurants –

For a list of restaurants and reviews from Burbank locals, Click here

Burbank Events

Burbank is full of fun, family friendly and adult events.

Burbank Arts Festival
Burbank Beer Festival
Burbank Winer Wine Walk
Burbank International Film Festival
Starlight Bowl 4th of July fireworks Show (weather permitting)
Starlight Bowl Summer Concert Series

Outdoor Activities in Burbank

Burbank’s outdoor spaces and activities are vast. Our community is one that loves to get out in the fresh air for some fun, fresh air and exercise. We have a large number of public parks throughout the city that offer playgrounds for children to play on or families to enjoy a weekend birthday party in or a quick game of pickup basketball on the courts.

Burbank’s hills and surrounding areas are loaded with hiking trails ranging from beginner to advanced hikes. Also living in the hills of Burbank is DeBell Golf Course where golfers can hit 18 holes while enjoying the gorgeous views of the Verdugo Mountains, possible sightings of local wildlife and fabulous views.

Weekends play host to the Burbank Farmers Market. Opening early in the morning until 1pm in the City Hall parking lot vendors offer a wide variety of goods from fresh locally sourced fruits and vegetables to organic honey and honey products, fresh baked breads, handmade tamales, artisan soaps, potted plants for your garden and so much more.

Burbank’s Parks and Recs. Department offers team sports for adults and children as well as group classes.

Burbank Celebrities

Burbank is home to many different kinds of people as well as many of Hollywood’s most famous. You may be surprised to know celebrities such as Ron Howard, Blake Lively, Tim Burton, Eric Balfour, Annette Funicello, John Hamm, Debbie Reynolds, and so many more graduated from our very own Burbank High School and John Burroughs High School.

It’s not uncommon for residents to be stopped at a stop light next to the Tonight Show’s previous host Jay Leno in one of his many classic vehicles.

photo credit:Lee Stranahan

School District

Burbank Unified Schools are highly rated and one of the main reasons people move to Burbank. Burbank has eleven elementary schools, three Jr. High Schools and two High Schools throughout the city.

“The Burbank Unified School District is one of the most high-achieving, competitive school districts in the Los Angeles area, with an Academic Performance Index (API) score continuously well above county and state averages. The majority of Burbank’s campuses are above 800, California’s target for a “high performing school.” Various classes and learning options are offered, including distance learning, independent study and online classes, available during the day and evening at several locations.

Alternative Education Programs – A range of alternative programs for students who are more successful in non-traditional settings, including a state-honored continuation high school, a community day school and several alternative special education programs.

Arts for All – A K-12 comprehensive arts program that focuses on a sequential standards-based curriculum and equity of access. The Burbank Arts Education Foundation has been formed to provide ongoing financial support for visual and performing arts.

Business Academies – Programs at Burbank and Burroughs High Schools offer integrated classroom instruction and work-based learning opportunities to prepare students for the world of business and finance.

California Distinguished Schools – All elementary, middle and high schools have been honored with this designation.

Career Technical Education – Classes provide technical skills and provide opportunities to explore a variety of potential careers. These classes range from Culinary Arts to Small Aircraft Engine Report and Video Production.

Child Development Programs – Child care and programs are offered from infancy through the age of 12. Horace Mann Pre-School serves almost 200 children from infants through Pre-Kindergarten.

Comprehensive Curriculum – A rigorous academic program K-12. Among supplemental programs in our elementary schools are gifted and talented education (GATE), special education, instrumental and vocal music groups, and English language development. Additionally in the secondary school: Regional Occupation Program (ROP), career academies, CIF athletics, college prep advanced placement, extracurricular activities, and more.

Elementary P.E. Program – Physical Education specialists provide a comprehensive, standards-based program for students in grades 3-5. Excellent teachers and support – Nearly 100% of classroom teachers are “highly qualified” based on federal “No Child Left Behind” guidelines. Many teachers and support staff are bilingual, including Spanish, Korean and Armenian.

Modernized Facilities – Every campus is upgraded and modernized. Technology in the classroom enhances the curriculum at all grades.

Parent Involvement – PTAs are active in every school, plus many booster clubs support particular programs. More than 1,000 parents take advantage of the many opportunities to volunteer.

Peacebuilders – This program, integrated into all elementary classrooms, focuses on character education and conflict resolution.

Service Learning – Community service is combined with experiential learning and reflection, resulting in civic responsibility and benefits to the community.”

*all school district content is from Burbank Unified School District Website

Schools and their Neighborhoods

Burbank Hills, Burbank North Estates

Horrace Mann – Child Care and Education
Thomas Jefferson Elementary School, grades K-5
George Washington Elementary School, grades K-5
Ralph Emerson Elementary School, grades K-5
Joaquin Miller Elementary School, grades K-5
John Muir Middle School, grades 6-8
Burbank High School – grades 9-12

Burbank Rancho Equestrian District

William McKinley Elementary School, grades K-5
Jordan Middle School, grades 6-8

Burbank Midtown, Magnolia Park

Theodore Roosevelt Elementary, grades K-5
R.L Stevenson Elementary, grades K-5
Thomas Edison Elementary, grades K-5
Walt Disney Elementary, grades K-5
John Burroughs High School, grades 9-12

Burbank Media District, Toluca Woods

Providencia Elementary, grades K-5
Bret Hart Elementary, grades K-5
Luther Burbank Middle School, grades 6-8

Burbank Neighborhoods

Burbank’s Neighborhoods are all lovely and each have their own quality that makes them unique. Some neighborhoods are filled with younger families with kids around the same age groups who are all out and about socializing and spending time together, some neighborhoods are a little quieter with folks who go out for a morning or evening stroll with their pet or significant other while enjoying the cool breezes that blow through the trees on a warm summer night, or those that like more communal living like a townhouse or condominium where the amenities of the building allow them a luxury such as a swimming pool or built in BBQ area and entertaining space for friends and family. Most Burbank neighborhoods are within minutes of shopping, dining, entertainment and some of Burbank’s larger corporate employers such as Disney, Nickelodeon and Warner Brothers.

Magnolia Park

Burbank Hills

Burbank North Estates

Burbank Rancho Equestrian

Burbank Media District

Midtown Burbank

Toluca Woods

Cabrini Villas