Pacoima

About Pacoima

Pacoima is one of the San Fernando Valley's oldest neighborhoods, with a large population living within the community's 7 square miles. The neighborhood is home to a large Hispanic community, and provides convenient access to the larger Los Angeles metropolitan area and the Pacific Coast.

The History of Pacoima

The area that's now Pacoima dates back tens of thousands of years, with a prehistoric past that's evident in the historic La Brea Tar Pits. The first humans to inhabit the area were the Tataviam Band of Mission Indians. The Native Americans chose the name Pacoima for the area, from a word that translates to "running water." Spanish missionaries arrived in the late 1700s, and the Mexican government eventually used the land for sheep grazing.

In 1873, a Santa Clara senator purchased the land, giving way to the creation of the town of Pacoima. The arrival of the Southern Pacific Railroad Station was a major catalyst for the town's growth. Pacoima evolved into an agricultural hub, producing large crops of citrus, apricots and peaches. In 1915, the city of Los Angeles annexed the community.

Jobs in Pacoima

Together, Pacoima and Los Angeles County are home to many schools and universities, television and motion picture studios, hospitals, health care facilities and entertainment complexes. These establishments provide a large variety of jobs for locals in Pacoima and other neighboring communities.

The University of California, Los Angeles, and California State University employ thousands of education professionals, while Commerce Casino and Six Flags-Magic Mountain provide a number of entertainment and hospitality jobs. In the area, you'll also find Warner Bros. Studio, Walt Disney Co., Sony Pictures Entertainment and Fox Networks, the county's largest television and film employers. Kaiser Permanente, Cedar-Sinai Medical Center and Miller Children's Hospital offer many jobs in the health care industry.

In Pacoima and throughout the Los Angeles area, the largest industries include trade and transportation, professional and business services, education and health services, and leisure and hospitality. If you're planning to join the local job market, these quickly-growing industries have the most jobs to offer.

Pacoima Schools

Pacoima schools fall under the jurisdiction of the Los Angeles Unified School District, the second-largest school district in the nation. You also have a large number of charter and private schools to choose from throughout the Greater Los Angeles area.

If you're interested in pursuing a college degree, the nearby University of California, Los Angeles, and California State University are two of the area's largest campuses.

Resources for Moving to Pacoima

Here are a few quick resources to help you plan your move to Pacoima:

• Utilities: The Los Angeles Department of Water and Power, Southern California Gas and Southern California Edison are the central utilities providers in the area. Your specific provider will depend on where you live in Pacoima.
• Garbage and Recycling: Curbside collection of trash and recyclables is available for most areas of Pacoima.
  
• Transportation: Pacoima is part of the larger Los Angeles transit network, with several bus routes running through the community.
  

Pacoima Housing

The most affordable Pacoima neighborhoods tend to be near Whiteman Airport and the Hansen Dam Recreation Center, while the area's priciest homes are typically located along Laurel Canyon Boulevard. Pacoima is slightly more affordable than other neighborhoods in Los Angeles, though the median home price is still well above the national average.