City Information of Burbank, CA

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Burbank, CA: Demographics and History

The city of Burbank, California has a history that is as unique and interesting as the people and industries that have called it home. Despite the confusion caused by an alternately named area school (Luther Burbank Middle School), Burbank, CA was named after businessman and dentist Dr. David Burbank. He is the perfect example of an entrepreneur who was in the right place and the right time and had the presence of mind to realize it and take advantage of it… the embodiment of the American Dream.

It must have seemed absurd to friends and family when Dr. Burbank sold a tract of his land in the San Fernando Valley to a railway company for $1. But he was thinking ahead. He knew that once a railway pierced his land he would be able to sell other tracts of it for a much higher price. This is exactly what happened. He later sold to land speculators for a quarter-million dollars. After the area had been developed to a significant extent it became the city of Burbank on July 8, 1911. Burbank’s 100th anniversary is just a couple years away.

Early on, Burbank became a central energizing factor in World War II. The presence of Lockheed made it a war-industry town. This was mixed with the growth of the entertainment industry which has now overtaken the defense industry as the predominant business in town. It is probably still most famous as the home of the Tonight Show with Johnny Carson, but has been the home to many a screen-production. It used to be that Johnny’s announcer would satirically call it “beautiful downtown Burbank”, but the irony of the comment has subsided as the city has come into its own… it truly is a beautiful place to live.

Burbank CA is unique in that it is so close to downtown LA while also having plenty of industry and commerce of its own. It serves as both a bedroom community and a hub of activity for many. It’s a place that has many job opportunities for those who want to work there while offering quiet respite for those who want to live there. The versatility and centrality of the city has boosted its population to over 100,000. They are well served by their own police and fire departments as well as by their own hospital and esteemed schools. The city retains its own community-feel while being in the heart of Los Angeles activity.

The demographics of Burbank show it to be fairly multi-cultural. The White Non-Hispanic population sits at just under 60% and the Hispanic population makes up almost 25%. Beyond this there is a significant presence of Filipinos (3.3%), Koreans (2.2%), and African Americans (2.1%) — which should continue to grow. The Asian population is significant as well, divided almost equally among Chinese (0.9%), Japanese (0.8%), Indian (0.7%), Vietnamese (0.6%), and others (0.7%). 1.2% of Burbank’s population is American Indian.

Burbank CA is a diverse community open to all people. It has a unique history and is always a focal point in the American consciousness. With all of the employment and recreational opportunities in this fine Californian city, those looking to buy a home here might just find themselves — like the town’s namesake — in the right place at the right time.

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