Burlington, North Carolina Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Burlington, North Carolina had a total population of 59,610, the 18th largest city in North Carolina, with a median household income of $56,880, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
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 | 58,599 | 59,610 | +1.7% |
| Median household income | $54,941 | $56,880 | +3.5% |
| Median home value | $188,700 | $199,200 | +5.6% |
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 diverse community with significant representation from multiple racial and ethnic groups.
State average: 58 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Burlington Rankings in North Carolina
Explore North Carolina Rankings
Other Cities in Guilford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Greensboro | 301,198 | $61,515 | 17.0% | $244,800 |
| High Point | 116,245 | $64,561 | 15.7% | $235,800 |
| Kernersville | 27,830 | $71,918 | 12.6% | $290,700 |
| Archdale | 12,087 | $64,757 | 5.2% | $198,000 |
| Summerfield | 11,116 | $160,275 | 7.1% | $521,900 |
| Gibsonville | 9,467 | $95,861 | 5.8% | $298,000 |
| Oak Ridge | 7,744 | $155,385 | 3.6% | $529,300 |
| Stokesdale | 6,004 | $121,071 | 5.6% | $379,100 |
| Pleasant Garden | 5,060 | $88,204 | 9.7% | $223,500 |
| Forest Oaks | 4,293 | $107,604 | 20.4% | $349,300 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rocky Mount | 54,297 | $55,534 | $165,700 | 22.9% | 19.7% |
| Kannapolis | 57,890 | $73,836 | $276,400 | 29.7% | 12.6% |
| Jacksonville | 71,279 | $57,697 | $210,100 | 26.3% | 12.7% |
| Chapel Hill | 61,607 | $85,989 | $613,700 | 76.6% | 18.6% |
| Wilson | 48,370 | $52,485 | $210,700 | 24.5% | 23.0% |
Population Overview
Burlington is a mid-sized community located in North Carolina, within Guilford County. The total population is 59,610. It ranks as the 18th most populous out of 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina.
Age Demographics
The median age in Burlington is 40.1 years. This is 3% higher than the state median of 39.1 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Burlington is $56,880. This is 21% lower than the state median of $72,388. It is also 30% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 16.4%. This is 25% higher than the state poverty rate of 13.0%. The unemployment rate is 6.5%. This is 38% higher than the state rate of 4.7%. The median home value is $199,200. Housing costs are 31% lower than the state median of $288,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x. 53.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 66.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Burlington is a highly diverse community where no single racial or ethnic group constitutes a majority of the population. Black or African American residents account for 29.3%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (19.5% vs 11.3%).
Education
29.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 17% lower than the state rate of 35.6%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 86.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Burlington, North Carolina 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 North Carolina state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 772 Census-designated places in North Carolina. 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, North Carolina?
Burlington, North Carolina has a population of 59,610 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Burlington, NC?
The median household income in Burlington is $56,880, which is 30% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Burlington, NC?
The poverty rate in Burlington is 16.4%. This means approximately 9,690 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Burlington, North Carolina?
Burlington's population is 44.3% White, 29.3% Black, 19.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.8% Asian.
What is the median home value in Burlington, NC?
The median home value in Burlington is $199,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.5x.
How educated is Burlington, North Carolina?
29.6% of adults (25+) in Burlington hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 9.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.