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CITY

Burlington

Iowa · 23,336 residents (2025 est.) · 14.408 sq mi
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The short version

Burlington has notably lower household income than the US average, with a median household income of $59,000. Population has declined 12% since 2000. 22% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 36%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $114,300.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 42.5
US median: 38.9
Less educated
22% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Stable housing
home values roughly flat, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
23,728
−12%since 2000
from 26,839 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
1,647 / sq mi
−12%since 2000
from 1,863 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 281
Median age
42.5
+12%since 2000
from 37.9 in 2000
US average: 38.9

PEP 2025 EST:23,336 residents (Census Bureau Vintage 2025, released March 2026)

Population, 1990 – 2024
23K24K25K27K28K1990201020202024Burlington
202424K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$59,000
−4%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $33,770 in 2000
US average: $82,259
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$34,430
+77%since 2000
from $19,450 in 2000
US average: $44,673
Households earning $100K+
38.2%
+19.1 ptssince 2009
from 19.0% in 2009
US average: 53.3%
Poverty rate
13.2%
+0.6 ptssince 2000
from 12.6% in 2000
US average: 12.5%
Income inequality (Gini)
0.438
−4%since 2010
from 0.455 in 2010
US average: 0.476
Workforce by industry, 2024
Retail trade16.9%
US avg: 9.9%
Information12.5%
US avg: 10.8%
Wholesale trade4.7%
US avg: 6.9%
Finance & insurance4.7%
US avg: 5.9%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 5.1%
Other services3.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Public administration3.3%
US avg: 4.8%
Transportation & warehousing2.4%
US avg: 2.2%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing1.3%
US avg: 1.6%
Construction1%
US avg: 1.2%
Education & health services0.7%
US avg: 0.9%
Arts, entertainment, food0.7%
US avg: 1.9%
Manufacturing0.3%
US avg: 0.4%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$114,300
Unchangedinflation adjusted, since 2000
from $62,700 in 2000
US average: $376,019
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$924
+16%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $437 in 2000
US average: $1,442
Owner-occupied
70.6%
+0.5 ptssince 2000
from 70.2% in 2000
29.4% rent
Vacancy rate
10.0%
−0.6 ptssince 2009
from 10.5% in 2009
US average: 10.0%
Owner cost-burdened
14.8%
−5.6 ptssince 2009
from 20.3% in 2009
US average: 22.9%
Renter cost-burdened
42.3%
−3.5 ptssince 2009
from 45.8% in 2009
US average: 47.4%
Afford Score
1.9
+4%since 2000
from 1.9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Gentrification Score
45
RELATED:See current rent listings in Burlington on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic90.6%(24,328)
Black5%(1,332)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(554)
Asian0.6%(171)
Other0%
Diversity Score18.4%(4,925)
2024
White, non-Hispanic80.9%(19,192)
Black6.6%(1,573)
Hispanic / Latino4.8%(1,134)
Asian1.5%(360)
Other6.2%(1,469)
Diversity Score41.9%(9,937)
Diversity Score
42
+128%since 2000
from 18 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
22.5%
+6.4 ptssince 2000
from 16.1% in 2000
US average: 35.6%
High school or higher
93.6%
+9.5 ptssince 2000
from 84.0% in 2000
US average: 89.6%
Graduate degree
6.9%
+1.1 ptssince 2000
from 5.7% in 2000
US average: 14.0%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
16.1 min
+51%since 2000
from 10.7 min in 2000
US average: 26.5
Drive alone to work
80.2%
−1.5 ptssince 2009
from 81.7% in 2009
US average: 68.9%
Carpooled to work
11.3%
−0.7 ptssince 2009
from 12.0% in 2009
US average: 8.5%
Public transit
1.1%
+0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.7% in 2009
US average: 3.2%
Worked from home
5.1%
+3.1 ptssince 2009
from 2.0% in 2009
US average: 15.0%
Walked to work
1.2%
−0.5 ptssince 2009
from 1.7% in 2009
US average: 2.4%
Biked to work
0.1%
−0.4 ptssince 2009
from 0.6% in 2009
US average: 0.4%
No vehicle available
8.7%
+0.5 ptssince 2009
from 8.2% in 2009
US average: 8.3%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
3.9%
−5.6 ptssince 2011
from 9.4% in 2011
US average: 5.2%
Labor force participation
61.3%
−1.1 ptssince 2011
from 62.4% in 2011
US average: 63.5%
Self-employed
12.7%
+1.9 ptssince 2009
from 10.8% in 2009
US average: 13.1%
Management & professional
33.1%
−28.6 ptssince 2009
from 61.7% in 2009
US average: 42.5%
Section 08

People & community

Male
48.7%
+0.1 ptssince 2009
from 48.6% in 2009
Female
51.3%
−0.1 ptssince 2009
from 51.4% in 2009
Foreign born
2.8%
+0.6 ptssince 2009
from 2.1% in 2009
US average: 14.1%
Veterans
8.4%
−39.6 ptssince 2009
from 47.9% in 2009
US average: 6.2%
With a disability
17.4%
+1.0 ptssince 2012
from 16.4% in 2012
US average: 13.3%
Uninsured
4.8%
−84.2 ptssince 2013
from 89.0% in 2013
US average: 8.4%
Broadband at home
85.4%
+12.1 ptssince 2017
from 73.3% in 2017
US average: 91.0%
English only at home
95.8%
−0.8 ptssince 2016
from 96.6% in 2016
US average: 77.7%
Spanish at home
1.8%
+0.2 ptssince 2016
from 1.6% in 2016
US average: 13.6%
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Compare Burlington to nearby cities

BURLINGTON VS
Fort Madison
Income$50,705−14%
Home value$94,200−18%
Population9,935−57%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
BURLINGTON VS
Mount Pleasant
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Home value$160,900+41%
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BURLINGTON VS
Monmouth
Income$61,138+4%
Home value$86,800−24%
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BURLINGTON VS
Keokuk
Income$52,711−11%
Home value$104,300−9%
Population9,510−59%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Burlington, Iowa?

Burlington, Iowa has about 23,728 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Burlington, Iowa?

The typical household in Burlington, Iowa earns about $59,000 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Burlington, Iowa expensive?

In Burlington, Iowa, the median home is worth about $114,300, and the typical rent is about $924 a month.

How educated are people in Burlington, Iowa?

About 22.5% of adults age 25 and over in Burlington, Iowa hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Burlington, Iowa?

About 13.2% of people in Burlington, Iowa live below the federal poverty line.

Has Burlington, Iowa grown since 1990?

Yes, Burlington, Iowa has shrunk since 1990. The population has lost about 3,480 residents, a change of about -13 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

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