Sylmar is a moderately diverse neighborhood in the San Fernando Valley region of Los Angeles, California.

Historically, known for its profusion of olive orchards, Sylmar can trace its past to the 18th century and the founding of the San Fernando Mission. In 1890, olive production was begun in a systematic manner. The Sylmar climate was also considered healthy, and so a sanitarium was established, the first in a series of hospitals in the neighborhood.

There are fourteen public and eight private schools within Sylmar.

Population

In 2009, the Sylmar Chamber of Commerce estimated that the population was approximately 90,000 residents. This a substantial increase over the 2000 U.S. census counted 69,499 residents in the 12.46-square-mile Sylmar neighborhood—or 5,579 people per square mile, among the lowest population densities for the city. In 2008, the city estimated that the population had increased to 79,614. In 2000 the median age for residents was 28, considered young for city and county neighborhoods.