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CITY · 2020 ACS

Burien

Washington · 52,066 residents · 10.039 sq mi
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The short version

Burien has roughly average household income, with a median household income of $71,233. The city has grown rapidly, with population up 63% since 2000. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $419,500.

At a glance
Wealthier
above the US median
US median: $66,278
Mid-age
median age 39.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
28% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 62%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
52,066
+63%since 2000
from 31,881 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
5,186 / sq mi
+63%since 2000
from 3,176 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
39.3
+2%since 2000
from 38.4 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
22K30K39K47K55K1990201020202024Burien
202452K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$71,233
+14%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $41,577 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$38,290
+61%since 2000
from $23,737 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
47.4%
+16.8 ptssince 2009
from 30.6% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
12.2%
+2.7 ptssince 2000
from 9.4% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade9.7%
US avg: 10%
Information9.4%
US avg: 11.1%
Wholesale trade9.2%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance8.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical7%
US avg: 4.7%
Other services4.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Transportation & warehousing3.9%
US avg: 2.5%
Public administration2.2%
US avg: 4.7%
Arts, entertainment, food1.5%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services1.2%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.7%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.6%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0.1%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$419,500
+62%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $172,100 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$1,365
+36%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $666 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
54.6%
−1.8 ptssince 2000
from 56.4% in 2000
45.4% rent
Afford Score
5.9
+42%since 2000
from 4.1 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Burien on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic71.5%(22,799)
Black5%(1,587)
Hispanic / Latino10.7%(3,397)
Asian7%(2,219)
Other0%
Diversity Score50.2%(15,998)
2020
White, non-Hispanic44.8%(23,341)
Black7.4%(3,836)
Hispanic / Latino24.5%(12,756)
Asian14%(7,313)
Other6%(3,134)
Diversity Score86.3%(44,940)
Diversity Score
86
+72%since 2000
from 50 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
27.9%
+6.6 ptssince 2000
from 21.2% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
83.7%
−1.1 ptssince 2000
from 84.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
8.3%
+2.5 ptssince 2000
from 5.8% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.4 min
+72%since 2000
from 16.5 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
66.7%
−5.2 ptssince 2009
from 71.9% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
8.1%
−2.2 ptssince 2009
from 10.3% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.7%
−2.5 ptssince 2011
from 8.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.8%
−1.5 ptssince 2011
from 69.3% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.9%
−29.1 ptssince 2009
from 61.0% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
51.8%
+2.3 ptssince 2009
from 49.5% in 2009
Female
48.2%
−2.3 ptssince 2009
from 50.5% in 2009
Foreign born
25.1%
+4.5 ptssince 2009
from 20.6% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
10.4%
−71.8 ptssince 2013
from 82.2% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

Places similar to Burien

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Compare Burien to nearby cities

BURIEN VS
White Center
Income$87,189+22%
Home value$645,200+54%
Population14,886−71%
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BURIEN VS
SeaTac
Income$81,104+14%
Home value$519,700+24%
Population34,578−33%
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BURIEN VS
Tukwila
Income$78,381+10%
Home value$489,000+17%
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BURIEN VS
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Income$90,969+28%
Home value$655,200+56%
Population17,638−66%
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Frequently asked

How many people live in Burien, Washington?

Burien, Washington has about 52,066 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Burien, Washington?

The typical household in Burien, Washington earns about $71,233 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Burien, Washington expensive?

In Burien, Washington, the median home is worth about $419,500, and the typical rent is about $1,365 a month.

How educated are people in Burien, Washington?

About 27.9% of adults age 25 and over in Burien, Washington hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Burien, Washington?

About 12.2% of people in Burien, Washington live below the federal poverty line.

Has Burien, Washington grown since 1990?

Yes, Burien, Washington has grown since 1990. The population has added about 26,977 residents, a change of about 108 percent over that period.

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

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