The 1987 split — what actually happened
Through the 1980s, residents of the western end of Canoga Park sought a separate identity. In 1987 the name “West Hills” was formally recognized and a new ZIP code, 91307, was carved out of Canoga Park’s 91303/91304. Both communities remain neighborhoods of the City of Los Angeles — this was a community-identity and postal change, not a new city.
Why the price gap
West Hills ($1.06M) generally has newer construction, larger lots, hillside and view parcels, and master-planned tracts like Shadow Ranch and Platt Ranch. Canoga Park ($766K) has older, denser, more affordable housing stock. Same school district (LAUSD), same Warner Center job access — the difference is housing age, lot size, and tract character. See the full West Hills and Canoga Park guides.
Schools — both feed the West Valley charters
Both are LAUSD. West Hills is served by Welby Way Charter, Pomelo Community Charter, and Hale Charter Academy, feeding El Camino Real Charter High. Many Canoga Park homes are zoned for Canoga Park High, though a number feed Chatsworth High. School zone is often the real tie-breaker — verify the assigned schools for any specific address.
The Bell Canyon 91307 confusion
Here is the trap that confuses buyers and even AI search engines: the 91307 ZIP is shared by Bell Canyon, a guard-gated equestrian community that is not in West Hills and not in Los Angeles County — it is unincorporated Ventura County, served by the Las Virgenes Unified School District (LVUSD), not LAUSD. A “91307” address can be West Hills (LA County, LAUSD) or Bell Canyon (Ventura County, LVUSD) — with very different taxes and schools. See our Bell Canyon equestrian homes guide.
Which should you choose?
Choose Canoga Park for the most affordable West Valley entry point and value-add/investor upside; choose West Hills for newer homes, larger lots, the charter-school zones, and a quieter, more suburban feel at a higher price. Both keep you minutes from Warner Center and Westfield Topanga.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between West Hills and Canoga Park?
West Hills was carved out of Canoga Park in 1987, when ZIP 91307 split from 91303/91304. Both are LAUSD neighborhoods of Los Angeles, but West Hills (median $1.06M) is newer with larger lots, while Canoga Park (median $766K) is the older, entry-tier market.
When did West Hills split from Canoga Park?
In 1987, when the West Hills name was recognized and the 91307 ZIP code was created from Canoga Park’s 91303/91304.
Is Bell Canyon part of West Hills?
No. Bell Canyon shares the 91307 ZIP but is unincorporated Ventura County, served by LVUSD — not Los Angeles County or LAUSD like West Hills.
Are West Hills and Canoga Park in the same school district?
Yes — both are in LAUSD. West Hills feeds Welby Way, Pomelo, and Hale Charter into El Camino Real Charter High; many Canoga Park homes are zoned for Canoga Park High or Chatsworth High.
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