Overview

Burbank is a mid-sized city on the southeastern edge of the San Fernando Valley in Los Angeles County. Located about 12 miles northwest of Downtown Los Angeles, it had a population of roughly 103,340 at the 2010 U.S. census. Burbank is best known as a center for motion picture, television and animation production and for having several large retail and industrial areas.

Geography and city layout

The city occupies a compact footprint between residential neighborhoods and commercial corridors. Its land use mixes studio lots, office parks, retail strips and single-family residential areas. Public parks, municipal buildings and small business districts are distributed across several neighborhoods, giving the city a balance of urban and suburban character.

History and development

Burbank began as agricultural land in the 19th century and transformed as Southern California grew. The community incorporated in the early 20th century and expanded through land sales and development tied to Los Angeles’s broader growth. Over decades the arrival of studios and related businesses reshaped Burbank from orchards and farms to a specialized media economy.

Economy, studios, and culture

The local economy is dominated by entertainment and media enterprises. Major production and post-production facilities, corporate offices, animation studios and technical vendors are concentrated in and around the city, including world-famous studio campuses such as Walt Disney Studios and other major production companies. Retail and service industries support residents and the workforce; the city also hosts large national retailers, including the United States' largest IKEA store at the time of its opening.

Transportation and landmarks

Burbank is served by a regional airport offering commercial flights and by freeway and local transit connections that link it to greater Los Angeles. Landmarks include historic studio lots, museum and tour opportunities related to film and television production, and civic attractions such as performing arts venues and public parks.

Notable distinctions

Although relatively small in area, Burbank has outsized influence in entertainment production; it is often described as a media hub because of the concentration of studios and ancillary businesses. The city's mix of residential neighborhoods and industry, plus its proximity to central Los Angeles, make it a distinct example of a specialized suburban city within a major metropolitan region.