City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

Burlington, IA

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Burlington - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

23,800
Residents
$55,274
Median income
$115,800
Median home
$1,063
Median rent (state)

Burlington - the verdict

Burlington ranks in the 28th percentile for household income and the 27th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

28th
percentile, household income
16th
percentile, home value
25th
percentile, median rent
27th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Burlington, IA

Iowa's Burlington is a small city, with 23,800 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Burlington brings in $55,274 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.3%. Home values in Burlington run a median of $115,800, and the median resident age is 42.8 years. Educational attainment runs 23.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 10 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 66% from five years earlier. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2239.4 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, near the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 51.2°F with 41.0 inches of precipitation per year and 21.8 inches of snowfall.

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Iowa at 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Well Below Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,063 monthly. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Iowa run around $212, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 16.2 minutes, with 79.8% driving alone and 4.8% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 55.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

23,800 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$55,274 /yr

Poverty 12.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does Burlington compare to other US cities?

Burlington measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 28% higher than other cities
Home value 16% pricier than other cities
Median rent 25% pricier than other cities
Safety 27% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Iowa alone, Burlington ranks #126 of 141 Iowa cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Burlington's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Iowa, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

28thIncome percentile
27thSafety percentile

28th percentile nationally for median household income · 27th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Burlington's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Burlington's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 45 Avg. percentile National median
Burlington's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Burlington's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$115,800 Among the most affordable more affordable than 84% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). This entry sits in this band. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Above this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Burlington $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Burlington, IA Burlington, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Burlington, IA-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Burlington, IA median $55,274/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Burlington, IA's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Burlington, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.5%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
23,800
Median Income
$55,274
Median Home Value
$115,800
Median Age
42.8
Poverty Rate
12.3%
Labor force participation
57.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2239.4
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
413.8
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1825.6
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Climate

Avg Temperature
51.2°F
Annual Precipitation
41.0"
Annual Snowfall
21.8"

Schools

Total Schools
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
23,200 residents23,400 residents23,600 residents23,800 residents24,000 residents24,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 23,965 residents 23,336 residents ▼ -2.6%
Burlington's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
10
housing units authorized
Single-Family
10
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.4
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 29
2020 33
2021 38
2022 10
2023 11
2024 10

Permit volume decreased 66% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
16.2 minutes
Drive Alone
79.8%
Carpool
11.5%
Public Transit
0.7%
Walk
1.5%
Work from Home
4.8%
Other
1.7%

Based on 11,114 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Iowa - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$95
avg/month
Natural Gas
$75
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$42
avg/month
Total Utilities
$212
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Iowa state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Iowa state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Burlington sits in

Cost of Living Index
87.8
Well Below Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,063/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
55.8 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Iowa

Muscatine
23,567 people
Johnston
24,196 people
Clinton
24,425 people
Coralville
22,846 people
Fort Dodge
24,788 people
Ottumwa
25,352 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Burlington's 23,800 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Bayonet Point, FL
23,787 people
Roseburg, OR
23,773 people
Pickerington, OH
23,828 people
Webster Groves, MO
23,771 people
Belton, TX
23,769 people
Fountain Hills, AZ
23,768 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Burlington's $55,274 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Rockland, ME
$55,276 median income
Slippery Rock, PA
$55,272 median income
California City, CA
$55,271 median income
Hancock, MI
$55,278 median income
Dawn, MO
$55,278 median income
Ponca City, OK
$55,270 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Burlington, IA Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Burlington, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 83.5% 8.1% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.0% White 83.5% Black or African American 5.7% Asian 1.4% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.9% Two or more races 8.1% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Burlington compares to nearby Iowa cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Burlington (this city) 23,800 $55,274
Muscatine 23,567 $59,332
Johnston 24,196 $103,430
Clinton 24,425 $57,493
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Burlington, IA?

What is the population of Burlington, IA? +

Burlington, IA has a population of 23,800 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Burlington, IA? +

In Burlington, the typical household earns $55,274 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Burlington? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Burlington; the closest available measure is the Iowa state average, a cost of living index of 87.8 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Well Below Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Iowa vary by metro area.

Is Burlington, IA safe? +

Burlington has a total crime rate of 2239.4 per 100,000 residents, which is near the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Burlington, IA? +

A typical home in Burlington is worth $115,800, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Burlington? +

The average annual temperature in Burlington runs 51.2°F, 41.0 inches of precipitation, and 21.8 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.