Population 19,648 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in San Fernando
Household size in San Fernando
| Period | San Fernando | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 3.81 | 3.14 | 3.04 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 3.92 | 3.20 | 3.10 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 3.83 | 3.16 | 3.09 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 3.76 | 3.01 | 3.01 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | −0.13 | −0.03 | −0.03 |
Households in San Fernando are large by national standards, averaging 3.76 people against 2.65 for the U.S. That usually means more families with children at home. Household size has edged down from 3.81 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only 68 of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people have larger households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in San Fernando
| Period | San Fernando | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 29.4 | 35.6 | 35.8 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 32.2 | 36.7 | 36.8 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 35.0 | 38.0 | 37.9 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 37.2 | 39.5 | 39.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +7.8 | +4.0 | +3.1 | +2.3 |
The median resident of San Fernando is 37.2 years old, a few years younger than the national median of 40.1. The median age has climbed from 29.4 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Residents skew youngest in the south and oldest in the center.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in San Fernando
| Period | San Fernando | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 21.5% | 14.3% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 21.2% | 14.1% | 13.5% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 13.0% | 12.5% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 16.9% | 12.3% | 12.3% | 11.6% |
| Change | −4.6 pts | −2.0 pts | −1.2 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in six households in San Fernando (16.9%), well above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 4.6 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. San Fernando has a higher share of single-parent households than the great majority of California cities.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in San Fernando
Renters in San Fernando
| Period | San Fernando | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.0% | 48.8% | 42.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 41.7% | 50.8% | 45.2% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 45.1% | 51.4% | 45.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 36.5% | 51.6% | 44.1% | 34.8% |
| Change | −9.5 pts | +2.8 pts | +1.5 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting in San Fernando is about as common as it is nationally: 36.5% of households rent, against 34.8%. Renters make up a smaller share here than in the Los Angeles area overall (51.6%). Among homeowners, 33.5% have no mortgage at all, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is down 9.5 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in San Fernando
| Period | San Fernando | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.0% | 7.0% | 8.7% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 5.8% | 6.7% | 8.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.4% | 6.6% | 7.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.8% | 6.7% | 7.3% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.8 pts | −0.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in San Fernando than nationally: 7.8%, against 9.6% for the U.S. The Los Angeles area as a whole looks much the same. Vacancy has risen 1.8 points since 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in San Fernando
| Period | San Fernando | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1954 | 1965 | 1972 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1956 | 1966 | 1973 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1958 | 1966 | 1974 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1954 | 1969 | 1976 | 1980 |
| Change | +0 | +4 | +4 | +6 |
The housing in San Fernando is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1954, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The newest homes are mostly in the west, the oldest in the east. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 16 have older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in San Fernando
| Period | San Fernando | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,185 | $1,328 | $1,298 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,248 | $1,415 | $1,379 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,517 | $1,755 | $1,721 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,815 | $2,279 | $2,229 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$630 | +$951 | +$931 | +$606 |
Rent in San Fernando runs $1,815 a month at the median, utilities included, above the U.S. median of $1,571. Even so, rents here are lower than in the Los Angeles area as a whole ($2,279). Rents are up $630 a month from 2006–10, a 53% rise, a slower climb than the nation's. Rent takes 41.4% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in San Fernando
Bachelor's degrees in San Fernando
| Period | San Fernando | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.5% | 29.7% | 29.1% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.5% | 30.7% | 30.1% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 12.7% | 33.7% | 32.9% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 14.8% | 37.6% | 36.3% | 35.6% |
| Change | +5.3 pts | +7.9 pts | +7.1 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in San Fernando: 14.8% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 5.3 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend. San Fernando has a lower share of college graduates than at least four in five California cities.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in San Fernando
| Period | San Fernando | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 56.0% | 76.7% | 79.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 58.0% | 77.7% | 80.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 62.8% | 80.0% | 82.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 64.4% | 82.1% | 84.2% | 89.3% |
| Change | +8.5 pts | +5.4 pts | +4.3 pts | +4.3 pts |
Just over a third of adults in San Fernando never finished high school, well above the national share: only 64.4% have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3% nationally. The share with a diploma is up 8.5 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Of the 689 California cities with 5,000+ people, only 61 have a lower share of high school graduates.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in San Fernando
| Period | San Fernando | Los Angeles area | California | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 12.5% | 8.5% | 9.2% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.8% | 10.6% | 11.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 3.8% | 5.8% | 6.3% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 7.0% | 6.7% | 6.6% | 5.4% |
| Change | −5.5 pts | −1.7 pts | −2.6 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment runs high in San Fernando: 7.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Since 2006–10, unemployment has fallen 5.5 points, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
San Fernando compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Fernando | 3.76 | 37.2 | 16.9% | 36.5% | 7.8% | 1954 | $1,815 | 14.8% | 64.4% | 7.0% |
| Sylmar | 3.77 | 37.8 | 15.2% | 31.4% | 5.0% | 1974 | $2,175 | 19.9% | 72.6% | 7.3% |
| Pacoima | 4.26 | 36.2 | 18.1% | 41.1% | 4.4% | 1963 | $2,034 | 10.6% | 57.9% | 7.4% |
| Mission Hills | 3.28 | 42.9 | 9.4% | 24.8% | 4.1% | 1961 | $2,533 | 24.2% | 78.6% | 4.8% |
| Granada Hills | 2.98 | 44.8 | 7.8% | 26.8% | 5.1% | 1964 | $2,768 | 40.3% | 89.6% | 8.5% |
| North Hills | 3.35 | 36.2 | 17.3% | 60.6% | 4.3% | 1970 | $2,045 | 22.0% | 71.7% | 7.7% |
| Panorama City | 3.45 | 38.7 | 14.9% | 44.6% | 3.6% | 1963 | $2,064 | 21.6% | 71.4% | 8.0% |
| Sun Valley | 3.63 | 37.7 | 12.6% | 41.1% | 7.3% | 1963 | $2,259 | 22.9% | 70.1% | 8.2% |
| Northridge | 2.85 | 40.7 | 8.8% | 43.2% | 7.0% | 1978 | $2,733 | 48.0% | 90.5% | 5.6% |
| Van Nuys | 2.77 | 37.5 | 13.3% | 66.7% | 5.2% | 1969 | $2,000 | 31.4% | 77.6% | 8.5% |
| Sunland | 2.68 | 44.5 | 6.3% | 33.9% | 9.5% | 1960 | $2,028 | 31.0% | 87.5% | 6.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Mount Vernon, IL · Newton Center, MA · Newport, TN · Newington, VA · New River, AZ · New Canaan, CT · Neosho, MO · Murphy, TX · Mountlake Terrace, WA · Newtown Square, PA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up San Fernando. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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