Van Nuys is the most populous neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley, a region of Los Angeles, California. It is centrally located within the Valley and houses key facilities like the Van Nuys Airport and the Valley Municipal Building. The neighborhood is a major transportation hub, contributing significantly to the Valley's economy and infrastructure.
In 1909, the Suburban Homes Company, led by Hobart Johnstone Whitley, bought 48,000 acres of land and planned the development of Van Nuys, Reseda, and Canoga Park. Henry E. Huntington extended the Pacific Electric Railway through the Valley.
Van Nuys was founded in 1911 and named after Isaac Newton Van Nuys, a rancher and entrepreneur.
On May 22, 1915, Van Nuys was annexed by Los Angeles after the completion of the Los Angeles Aqueduct, which supplied necessary water resources. The town became the first new stop on the Pacific Electric Railway's San Fernando Line.
The rural areas, including Van Nuys, were annexed into the city of Los Angeles in 1915.
In 1917, day trips from as far as Alhambra were organized for potential buyers interested in five-acre farms in Van Nuys.
The Art Deco Valley Municipal Building (Van Nuys City Hall) was constructed in 1932, becoming a landmark and the start of the present-day Government Center complex.
General Motors opened their South Gate Assembly factory in 1936.
General Motors opened the Van Nuys Assembly plant in December 1947 to supplement production at their South Gate facility.
Valley Presbyterian Hospital, a 350-bed facility designed by William Pereira, was founded in Van Nuys in 1958.
Parts of the 1984 film "The Terminator" were filmed in Van Nuys.
In October 1989, GM announced that Camaro and Firebird production would move from Van Nuys to Sainte-Thérèse.
In 1991, a 45-block area of Van Nuys, including Magnolia Woods, was redesignated as part of Sherman Oaks due to resident petitions and original deeds.
Van Nuys Middle School relocated to Sherman Oaks in 1991 but retained the name "Van Nuys."
The General Motors Van Nuys Assembly plant closed in August 1992 after producing 6.3 million vehicles.
The Plant shopping center opened in 1999 on the former site of the General Motors Van Nuys Assembly plant.
By 2000, 15% of Van Nuys residents aged 25 and older had a four-year degree, while a high percentage (43.1%) had less than a high school diploma.
The 2000 U.S. Census recorded 136,443 residents in Van Nuys, with a median age of 28. The area had a high percentage of residents aged 10 or younger and 19 to 34.
In October 2005, the Metro Orange Line opened with two stations in Van Nuys: Van Nuys station and Sepulveda station.
In 2008, the median yearly household income in Van Nuys was $41,134. Renters occupied a significant portion (73.9%) of the housing stock.
In 2009, some Van Nuys neighborhoods were allowed to join Lake Balboa, Valley Glen, and Sherman Oaks, purportedly to increase property values. This move was criticized by Council member Tony Cardenas as potentially racially motivated.
The Social Security Administration closed its Van Nuys branch on Van Nuys Boulevard in 2011 and moved to Panorama City.
Sepulveda Boulevard was resurfaced between Victory Boulevard and Oxnard Street in May 2014, coinciding with the launch of the "Great Streets" project on Van Nuys Blvd.
A new Los Angeles County family services building was constructed at Van Nuys Blvd. and Saticoy Street in 2016.
The North Los Angeles County Regional Center, operated by the California Department of Developmental Services, relocated from Sherman Way in Van Nuys to Chatsworth in 2016.
The Van Nuys and Sepulveda Metro G Line stations are scheduled to be rebuilt on elevated bridges by 2024.
The East San Fernando Valley Light Rail Transit Project, planned to run along Van Nuys Boulevard, is scheduled to open by 2031.