Burlington city, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Burlington city, Iowa has a total population of 23,800, the 23rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $55,274, which is 24% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.9%.
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x.
Burlington city Quick Facts
How Burlington city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 30 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Burlington city Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Des Moines County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Burlington city | 3,184 | $48,289 | 23.2% | $126,700 |
| Mediapolis city | 1,930 | $71,250 | 9.7% | $167,300 |
| Danville city | 966 | $82,917 | 11.3% | $148,600 |
| Middletown city | 319 | $64,167 | 11.4% | $144,300 |
Cities Similar to Burlington city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscatine city | 23,567 | $59,332 | $146,900 | 21.2% | 16.5% |
| Clinton city | 24,425 | $57,493 | $115,400 | 21.6% | 18.2% |
| Ottumwa city | 25,352 | $56,994 | $92,400 | 20.1% | 18.9% |
| Fort Dodge city | 24,788 | $61,769 | $128,900 | 20.1% | 14.4% |
| Coralville city | 22,846 | $66,508 | $286,000 | 57.3% | 12.3% |
Population Overview
Burlington city is a small city located in Iowa, within Des Moines County. The total population is 23,800. It ranks as the 23rd most populous out of 1,018 cities and towns in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Burlington city is 42.8 years. This is 11% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Burlington city is $55,274. This is 24% lower than the state median of $73,147. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 30% lower. The poverty rate stands at 15.9%. This is 45% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.0%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 17% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $115,800. Housing costs are 41% lower than the state median of $195,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.1x, Burlington city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 68.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 71.5%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Burlington city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.4% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 5.6%.
Education
23.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 25% lower than the state rate of 30.9%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 93.6%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Burlington city, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,018 Census-designated places in Iowa. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Burlington city, Iowa?
Burlington city, Iowa has a population of 23,800 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Burlington city, IA?
The median household income in Burlington city is $55,274, which is 30% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Burlington city, IA?
The poverty rate in Burlington city is 15.9%. This means approximately 3,752 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Burlington city, Iowa?
Burlington city's population is 82.4% White, 5.6% Black, 4.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Burlington city, IA?
The median home value in Burlington city is $115,800. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.1x.
How educated is Burlington city, Iowa?
23.0% of adults (25+) in Burlington city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.