West Hills

West Hills, San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California

West Hills is the mixture of residential and commercial neighborhood in the western San Fernando Valley, Los Angeles, California. Previously the home of many Native American tribes and early Spanish and Mexican era was part of Mission de San Fernando. West Hills was established in western Canoga Park and retained since 1987.

West Hills is bordered with Chatsworth Reservoir on the north, Canoga Park on the east, Woodland Hills on the south, Hidden Hills on the southwest and Bell Canyon on the west.

The neighborhood experiences warm (but not hot) and dry summers, with average temperatures around 71.6 °F. West Hills has a warm-summer Mediterranean climate, abbreviated “Csb” on climate maps.

According to 2000 United States census 30,814 inhabitants in the 8.53-square-mile neighborhood or 4,551 people per square mile, among the lowest population densities for the city. The median age was 39 which is old for both county and city. West Hills was moderately diverse ethnically with a high percentage of white residents. The breakdown was whites, 70.9%; Latinos, 11%; Asians, 11.3%; blacks, 2.5%; and others, 4.3%.
The number of population raised up to 41,426 by 2008 with median yearly household income $103,008 a high number in Los Angeles. The percentage of households that earned $125,000 and up was high for county. A high percentage 87.4 housing stock, apartments and houses were held by the owner whereas the lower percentage 12.6% was occupied by the renters.
According to United States census of 2010, 38,814 inhabitants were spending life 10,626 households. The ethnic racial breakdown was 78.89% White, 11.97% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 2.11% African American, 0.36% Native American, 2.80% from other races, and 3.82% from two or more races. 9.26% of the population were Hispanic of any race.

West Hills is considered home to veterans of World War II and Korean War were resident of West Hills and they are 11% of the total population of neighborhood which is a high rate for the city and the county. The neighborhood has been used for testing war weapons like rocket and missile, nuclear reactor research and fuel reprocessing, and high technology defense systems.

The neighborhood has several headwaters of Los Angeles River which instigate from Northwest San Fernando Valley. Many other small creeks supply stormwater and suburban runoff water to the Los Angeles River, and several are considered year-round creeks. From Simi Hills two headwaters Bell Creek and Dayton Creek originates inside Santa Susana Field Laboratory.

By 2000, 38% inhabitants were 25 and older had earned a four-year degree which is a high percentage for both the city and the county. Master degree holders also in high percentage in the county. List of public schools in West Hills is as follows:

  • Capistrano Avenue Elementary School, 8118 Capistrano Avenue
  • Enadia Way Elementary School (Enadia Technology Enriched Charter School), 22944 Enadia Way
  • Hamlin Street Elementary School (Hamlin Charter Academy), 22627 Hamlin Street
  • Haynes Elementary School, 6624 Lockhurst Drive
  • Justice Street Elementary School, 23350 Justice Street
  • Nevada Avenue Elementary School, 22120 Chase Street
  • Pomelo Drive Elementary School, 7633 March Avenue
  • Welby Way Elementary School, 23456 Welby Way
  • Ivy Academia Entrepreneurial Charter High School, 7353 Valley Circle Boulevard

The Private schools are;

  • New Community Jewish High School, 22622 Vanowen Street
  • Chaminade College Preparatory, high school, 7500 Chaminade Avenue
  • Parkhill School, 7401 Shoup Avenue
  • Crane Academy of Excellence, K-12, 23119 Vose Street
  • Kadima Day School, 7011 Shoup Avenue
  • Shepherd of the Valley Lutheran, elementary, 23838 Kittridge Street

Platt Branch Library is being operated by Los Angeles Public Library at 23600 Victory Boulevard, Woodland Hills.

West Hills is rich in historic landmarks and city parks. The list of the parks is as follows;

  • Knapp Ranch Park serves outdoor unlighted sports facilities: baseball diamond, basketball courts, a children’s play area, picnic tables, and tennis courts; Wooded Vista and Twisted Oak Drive west section offers walks, a picnic area, and panoramic views.
  • The West Hills Sports Center/Adam Bischoff Soccer Fields offers pocket park, recreation center, and soccer fields.
  • Mae Boyar Recreation Center has basketball courts and a playground.
  • Taxco Trails Park, a pocket park offers children’s play area and picnic tables on Platt Ave.
  • Lazy J Park is a pocket park with a children’s play area on Valley Circle Blvd.
  • Chase Park has a children’s play area and picnic tables.
  • Hidden Lake Park, a neighborhood park at Lees Lake, Sedan Ave.
  • Castle Peak Park, a small open space park for picnics on Valley Circle Blvd.
  • Four Oaks Park is a neighborhood pocket park, with a children’s play area and picnic tables, on Cohasset and Melba Ave.