Census study targets the Valley

The U.S. Census Bureau has completed a first-ever report on the demographics of the San Fernando Valley.

Prepared at the request of Rep. Brad Sherman (D-Sherman Oaks) and Los Angeles County, the report is aimed at helping community organizations, businesses and government leaders make better informed decisions affecting the Valley's future.

Compared to the average American, Valley residents make more money, spend more of it on housing and endure longer commutes to work, according to the report. The more than 1.74 million people who live in the Valley exceed the populations of all but the top four cities in the United States: New York, Los Angeles, Chicago and Houston.

“Having specific and official data about the Valley will help to establish our Valley identity and help us fight for state and federal funds,” Sherman said. “It will also help attract businesses to the Valley by showing that we offer an educated workforce and a strong consumer market.”

The report shows that Valley residents spend an average of 29 minutes commuting to work which is 7.4 percent longer than the average Californian and 15.5 percent longer than the average American.

The report also shows there is significant poverty in the Valley. More than 72,000 households have incomes under $15,000.

“At the same time, the median home price in the Valley ($524,800) is higher than the city of Los Angeles, Los Angeles County or California, and is more than triple the U.S. median home price ($167,500),” Sherman said. “This information will help us make the case for Valley homeowners on a number of issues, such as increasing the conforming loan limit to make more low-cost mortgages available, and

preserving the income tax deduction on mortgage interest. These two issues are particularly important to the typical Valley homeowner.”

According to Robert L. Scott, chairman of the Valley Industry and Commerce Association , “The place called the San Fernando Valley has been hiding in plain sight. Now we are giving the place an identity so people can get a better sense of what we are all about.”

The entire report is available online at BradSherman.house.gov.