Burbank is a medium-sized city with a projected population (in 2007) of around 108,000. It is located in Los Angeles County, in the state of California, United States.
There are two major distinct areas within Burbank. One is nestled on the slopes and foothills which eventually give rise to the Verdugo Mountains. Located in this area is downtown, the civic centre, and various key neighbourhoods. The other main area stretches 12 miles (19 kms) north of downtown Los Angeles to the flatlands in the eastern end of the San Fernando Valley. Burbank is considered the "Media Capital of the World" and is home to lots of media and entertainment companies such as The Walt Disney Company, Warner Bros. Entertainment, Warner Music Group, NBC Universal, Cartoon Network, The CW television network, Nickelodeon, PBS and Viacom.
More individuals commute to work in Burbank then live there. The San Fernando Valley Economic Research Center at California State University- Northridge reported that the combined payroll for the private business sector in Burbank was 5.7 billion (in the year 2005). The CSUN's economic researchers report that the private sector in Burbank hired 125,871 individuals in the year 2005 whilst Glendale, a nearby city, employed just 74,149 individuals. Burbank is the top of the list with regards to employment numbers and payroll for the media, entertainment, internet, and telecommunication fields, generating $4.2 billion in payroll and having a total of 64,949 positions.
The majority of Burbank's economy is based on the entertainment trade, as the above evidence supports. Even if Hollywood is considered the home of entertainment, Burbank is responsible for much of the actual production. In addition to the businesses stated above, ABC, DIC Entertainment, New Wave Entertainment, Dick Clark Productions, and Insomniac Games likewise have facilities or offices in Burbank.
The city is home the largest airport in the state of California, and to the Burbank Empire centre. The Burbank Empire centre was opened in 2001 and has a strong theme of aviation. The center was made by Zelman Development Company for $250 million. It is located on Empire Avenue where "Skunk Works" and various Lockheed Properties were before located. The companies inside the centre are prospering, and by 2003 many of the restaurants and retailers were ranked in the top national performers in the franchise, if not the top. Over 11 percent of Burbank's sale tax revenue comes from the Burbank Empire Centre. This does not include the neighboring Costco, which is also part of the Empire Center Development.