Burbank is a medium-sized city with a projected population (in the year 2007) of around 108,000. It is situated within Los Angeles County, California, United States.
There are two main distinct areas within Burbank. One is nestled on the foothills and slopes that eventually give rise to the Verdugo Mountains. Situated in this area is downtown, the civic centre, and several 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 many entertainment and media companies such as Warner Bros. Entertainment, Warner Music Group, The Walt Disney Company, Cartoon network, The CW Television network, NBC Universal, PBS, Viacom and Nickelodeon.
More people go to work in Burbank then reside 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 employed 125,871 people in the year 2005 whereas Glendale, a nearby city, hired only 74,149 people. Burbank is the top of the list with regards to employment numbers and payroll for the media, entertainment, internet, and telecommunication fields, making $4.2 billion in payroll and having a total of 64,949 positions.
As the above evidence supports, nearly all of Burbank's economy is based upon the entertainment trade. Burbank is responsible for much of the real production, though Hollywood is still considered the home of entertainment. In addition to the businesses stated above, ABC, DIC Entertainment, New Wave Entertainment, Dick Clark Productions, and Insomniac Games likewise have facilities or offices within Burbank.
Burbank was before home to the largest airport within the state of California, and in tribute to these roots the Burbank Empire centre opened in 2001, with a strong theme of aviation. The center itself cost $250 million and was made by Zelman Development Company. It is situated on Empire Avenue where "Skunk Works" and other Lockheed Properties were once located. The companies inside the centre are prospering, and by 2003 many of the restaurants and retailers were ranked within the top national performers in the franchise, if not the top. Over eleven 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.