Burlington, IA

Iowa

Burlington is a small city in Iowa with a population of 23,800. Residents earn $55,274 per year, which is 26% below the national average.

3.1 /5.0
B Good
23,800 Population 1,652/sq mi density
$55,274 Median Income $35,815 per capita
$115,800 Home Value $120,861 Zillow
$931 Median Rent
52°F Avg Temperature
629 Violent Crime/100K 3,381 property/100K
B
Overall
3.1 / 5.0
Good overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B+
Economy
3.7 / 5.0
$55,274 median income, 2.5% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$115,800 home value, $931/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
629 violent crimes/100K (65% above avg)
C+
Education
2.8 / 5.0
23.0% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $55,274
26% lower than US avg
Home Value $115,800
59% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 629/100K
65% higher than US avg
Bachelor's+ 23.0%
32% lower than US avg
Median Rent $931
20% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 35.8%
12% higher than US avg
Unemployment 2.5%
31% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.3%
1% lower than US avg

How Burlington Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population23,800
Median Age42.8 yrs
Density1,652/mi²
Male / Female49% / 51%
Largest GroupWhite 84%

Economy

B+
Median Income$55,274
Per Capita$35,815
Unemployment2.5%
Poverty12.3%
County GDP$2,924M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$115,800
Rent$931
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$120,861

Crime

F
Violent629/100K
Property3,381/100K
Murder7.8/100K
Assault446/100K
Burglary780/100K

Health

Obesity35.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression22.7%
Heart Disease5.7%

Climate

Avg Temp52°F
AQI43 (Good)
Rain37.9 in/yr
Elevation624 ft

Education

C+
Bachelor's+23.0%
High School+93.6%
School Score5.73

Community

2024 VoteR 57% / D 42%
Commute17 min
EV Stations3
Libraries2

Is Burlington a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Burlington receives an overall livability score of 3.1 out of 5.0, earning a grade of B. Key strengths include low unemployment, affordable housing, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include elevated crime rates, below-average incomes. Burlington offers a solid quality of life with a good balance of affordability, safety, and opportunity.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Burlington is $55,274, 26% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 2.5%. 12.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Burlington is $115,800, 59% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $931 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.1x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

With 629 violent crimes per 100,000 residents, public safety is a notable concern — this is significantly above the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 3,381 per 100,000, 72% above the national average.

Education

23.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 93.6% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.7/10.

Climate & Weather

Burlington experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 52°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Burlington has a population of 23,800 with a density of 1,652 people per square mile. The median age is 42.8 years, 10% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (83.5%), with 1.2% Hispanic, 5.7% Black.

Population

23,800
Total Population
1,652
People / sq mi
42.8yrs
Median Age
10% above US avg
14.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 48.6%
Female 51.4%

Race & Ethnicity

Burlington vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only95.8%
22% above US avg
Spanish4.2%
69% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Burlington vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Burlington is $55,274, which is 26% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 2.5% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Burlington vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$55,274
26% below US avg
Per Capita Income$35,815
Avg Weekly Wage$1,014
IRS Avg AGI$78,958

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment2.5%
31% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.3%
1% below US avg
Establishments (County)1,405
County GDP$2,924M

Business (County)

Restaurants101
Healthcare142
Retail168
Manufacturing47

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$4,670
33% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.03%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time17.1 min
Work from Home4.8%

Walkability

The median home value in Burlington is $115,800, 59% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $931 (20% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $120,861.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$115,800
59% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$120,861
Median List Price$89,900

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Median List Price$89,900
$/Sq Ft$74
Homes Sold18
Sale-to-List Ratio94.6%
Price Drops17.0%
Inventory100

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$931
20% below US avg
Zillow Rent (ZORI)$881

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$738
1 Bedroom$788
2 Bedrooms$989
3 Bedrooms$1,282
4 Bedrooms$1,420

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied68.7%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$4,670
33% above US avg
Effective Rate4.03%
In Burlington, 35.8% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 22.7% report depression. 27.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Burlington vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity35.8%
12% above US avg
Diabetes10.3%
Heart Disease5.7%
High Blood Pressure30.7%
Asthma10.5%
COPD6.8%
Stroke3.1%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking21.8%
Physical Inactivity27.7%
Depression22.7%
Mental Distress18.8%
Physical Distress13.2%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate96.1%
Checkup Rate76.9%
Premature Death9,424/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.7/10
Exercise Access82.3%
Healthcare Facilities142
Burlington has a violent crime rate of 629 per 100,000 residents, 65% above the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 3,381 per 100,000 (72% above US avg). The murder rate is 7.8 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Burlington vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent628.8/100K
65% above US avg
Murder7.8/100K
23% above US avg
Rape62.1/100K
Robbery112.6/100K
Assault446.4/100K

Property Crime

Total Property3,381.0/100K
72% above US avg
Burglary780.2/100K
Theft2,429.9/100K
Vehicle Theft170.8/100K
Arson34.9/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
FEMA Disasters91

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Burlington has an average annual temperature of 52°F (11°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 76°F in July. Annual precipitation is 37.9 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 43.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-4°C) 76°F Jul (24°C)
Annual Average51.9°F
4% below US avg
January Average24°F (-4°C)
July Average76°F (24°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall37.9 inches
0% below US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median43.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation624 ft (190 m)
Area14.4 sq mi (37.3 km²)
Population Density1,652/sq mi
Coordinates40.8071°N, 91.1237°W
County FIPS19057
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 20K+. 23.0% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (32% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 15.1-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 56.8%
D 41.8%

Winner: Republican by 15.1 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+23.0%
32% below US avg
High School+93.6%
School Test Score5.73
C+ Education Grade (2.8/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 5Nonmetro — Urban 20K+
Population Density1,652/sq mi
Total Area14.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations6
Public Libraries2
Healthcare Facilities142
Restaurants101
Retail Stores168

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)4
FEMA Disaster Declarations91
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute17.1 min
Work from Home4.8%

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