City profile · Iowa · Census ACS 2023

West Burlington, IA

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

3,184
Residents
$48,289
Median income
$126,700
Median home
$1,063
Median rent (state)

West Burlington - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, West Burlington lands in the 17th percentile for household income and the 0th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

17th
percentile, household income
20th
percentile, home value
25th
percentile, median rent
0th
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: West Burlington, IA

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 3,184 residents in West Burlington, a small town within Iowa. West Burlington households earn a median of $48,289 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 18.9%. Typical homes in West Burlington are valued around $126,700, and the median resident age is 35.9 years. 21.9% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 56.6% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 40 residential building permits were authorized in West Burlington (Building Boom), up 400% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. West Burlington's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: FBI UCR reporting places total crime at 9780.8 incidents per 100,000 residents, above the national average (voluntary agency reporting, reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Living costs in Iowa run below the national norm: the state registers 87.8 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Well Below Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,063 per month. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Iowa's average monthly utility costs around $212 (state average). Natural-hazard exposure scores 55.8 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Moderate).

Population

3,184 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Iowa

Median Household Income

$48,289 /yr

Poverty 18.9%

Cost of Living Index (state)

87.8 (US=100)

Well Below Average - BEA RPP 2024, Iowa average

How does West Burlington compare to other US cities?

West 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 17% higher than other cities
Home value 20% pricier than other cities
Median rent 25% pricier than other cities
Safety 0% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Iowa, West Burlington ranks #141 of 141 Iowa cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares West Burlington against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Iowa only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Iowa-relative analysis

Poverty Rate is West Burlington's strongest outlier among Iowa cities

Among the 858 Iowa cities PlainCities tracks with reported poverty rate data, West Burlington ranks #57 - the 93rd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares West Burlington only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#777 of 845
8th percentile in Iowa
Median Gross Rent
#212 of 858
74th percentile in Iowa
Median Home Value
#375 of 849
56th percentile in Iowa
Poverty Rate
#57 of 858
93rd percentile in Iowa
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#264 of 858
69th percentile in Iowa

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Iowa only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

17thIncome percentile
0thSafety percentile

17th percentile nationally for median household income · 0th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

West Burlington's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

West 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 32 Avg. percentile National median
West 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 West Burlington's home value compares nationally

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

$126,700 Among the most affordable more affordable than 80% 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%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). This entry sits in this band. $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. West 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 - West Burlington, IA West Burlington, IA's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not West 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 West Burlington, IA median $48,289/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%
West 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 West Burlington, IA. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.9%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 18.9%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 56.6%

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

Population
3,184
Median Income
$48,289
Median Home Value
$126,700
Median Age
35.9
Poverty Rate
18.9%
Labor force participation
56.6%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.9%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
9780.8
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
190.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
9590.3
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.

Schools

Total Schools
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
3,100 residents3,200 residents3,300 residents3,400 residents 202020212022202320242025 3,197 residents 3,358 residents ▲ +5.0%
West Burlington's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
40
housing units authorized
Single-Family
0
detached homes
Multifamily
40
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
12.6
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 8
2020 8
2021 0
2022 0
2023 37
2024 40

Permit volume increased 400% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Drive Alone
74.7%
Carpool
15.4%
Public Transit
2.4%
Walk
3.4%
Work from Home
2.3%
Other
1.8%

Based on 1,362 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 West 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

Tipton
3,111 people
Solon
3,092 people
Tama
3,079 people
Garner
3,062 people
Milford
3,315 people
Williamsburg
3,347 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to West Burlington's 3,184 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Six Mile Run, NJ
3,185 people
Vado, NM
3,185 people
Brightwaters, NY
3,185 people
Delhi, NY
3,185 people
Belville, NC
3,183 people
Carmel-by-the-Sea, CA
3,186 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to West Burlington's $48,289 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Jackson, NC
$48,292 median income
Petersburg, WV
$48,286 median income
Greenville, GA
$48,295 median income
Queen City, MO
$48,295 median income
Caroga Lake, NY
$48,295 median income
Midvale, ID
$48,281 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - West 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 West Burlington, IA - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 85.7% 6.2% 7.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.1% White 85.7% Black or African American 6.2% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.5% Two or more races 7.6% 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 West 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
West Burlington (this city) 3,184 $48,289
Tipton 3,111 $67,625
Solon 3,092 $111,597
Tama 3,079 $61,944
Census ACS 5-year FIPS IA FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about West Burlington, IA?

What is the population of West Burlington, IA? +

3,184 people live in West Burlington, IA according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

The median household income in West Burlington is $48,289 per year, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in West Burlington? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for West 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 West Burlington, IA safe? +

West Burlington has a total crime rate of 9780.8 per 100,000 residents, which is above 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 West Burlington, IA? +

West Burlington's median home value sits at $126,700, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, 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.