Burlington, Iowa Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Burlington, Iowa had a total population of 23,728, the 23rd largest city in Iowa, with a median household income of $59,000, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 13.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x.
Burlington Quick Facts
How Burlington Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 23,800 | 23,728 | -0.3% |
| Median household income | $55,274 | $59,000 | +6.7% |
| Median home value | $115,800 | $114,300 | -1.3% |
How Burlington Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
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: 31 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Burlington Rankings in Iowa
Explore Iowa Rankings
Other Cities in Des Moines County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West Burlington | 3,189 | $48,542 | 23.8% | $124,000 |
| Mediapolis | 1,928 | $75,543 | 9.7% | $179,700 |
| Danville | 930 | $80,192 | 15.5% | $158,500 |
| Beaverdale | 910 | $57,357 | 27.1% | $170,900 |
| Middletown | 322 | $56,750 | 15.0% | $163,600 |
| Oak Hills | 137 | $250,000+ | 8.8% | $373,900 |
| Yarmouth | 85 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
| Kingston | 77 | $73,333 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Sperry | 73 | $67,050 | 0.0% | N/A |
| Augusta | 26 | N/A | 0.0% | N/A |
Cities Similar to Burlington
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Muscatine | 23,489 | $58,117 | $153,600 | 21.1% | 19.1% |
| Clinton | 24,322 | $60,230 | $118,200 | 20.8% | 18.5% |
| Fort Dodge | 24,827 | $60,649 | $144,100 | 21.7% | 15.9% |
| Ottumwa | 25,430 | $61,103 | $106,300 | 20.8% | 17.2% |
| Coralville | 23,234 | $69,144 | $298,500 | 56.0% | 13.0% |
Population Overview
Burlington is a small city located in Iowa, within Des Moines County. The total population is 23,728. It ranks as the 23rd most populous out of 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa.
Age Demographics
The median age in Burlington is 42.5 years. This is 10% higher than the state median of 38.6 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Burlington is $59,000. This is 21% lower than the state median of $75,059. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 13.2%. This is 19% higher than the state poverty rate of 11.1%. The unemployment rate is 3.9%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 3.6%. The median home value is $114,300. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $208,000. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.9x, Burlington is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 70.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 71.7%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Burlington is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.6%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.6% vs 3.8%).
Education
22.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% lower than the state rate of 31.4%. Nationally, 35.7% 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, Iowa is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Iowa state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,017 Census-designated places in Iowa. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Burlington, Iowa?
Burlington, Iowa has a population of 23,728 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Burlington, IA?
The median household income in Burlington is $59,000, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Burlington, IA?
The poverty rate in Burlington is 13.2%. This means approximately 3,099 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Burlington, Iowa?
Burlington's population is 80.9% White, 6.6% Black, 4.8% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Burlington, IA?
The median home value in Burlington is $114,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.9x.
How educated is Burlington, Iowa?
22.5% of adults (25+) in Burlington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 6.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.