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Burlington city, Vermont Demographics & Population 2026

Largest CityThe most populous city in Vermont

As of 2026, Burlington city, Vermont has a total population of 44,649, the 1st largest city in Vermont, with a median household income of $68,854, which is 12% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 23.0%.

Key Takeaways

Burlington city Quick Facts

Population 44,649
Median Household Income $68,854
Median Home Value $400,200
Poverty Rate 23.0%
Unemployment Rate 4.6%
Median Age 26.7 years
Homeownership Rate 39.8%
Affordability Ratio 5.8x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 60.5%
High School Graduation Rate 94.4%
Diversity Index 28/100
Population 44,649 1st of 178
Median Income $68,854 average
Poverty Rate 23.0% 85% higher national
Median Home Value $400,200 top 10%

How Burlington city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

4.6% Unemployment Rate State: 3.7% | National: 5.2%
64.2% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 39.8%
Renter 60.2%
Affordability Index Expensive
5.8x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

28out of 100
Low Diversity

A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.

State average: 18 | National average: 60

Education

Burlington city Rankings in Vermont

#1 Population of 178
#75 Median Income of 178
#23 Education of 178
#14 Home Value of 178

Other Cities in Chittenden County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
South Burlington city 20,488 $97,229 8.1% $399,600
Essex Junction city 10,720 $94,423 6.6% $376,800
Winooski city 8,198 $77,020 14.3% $350,700

Cities Similar to Burlington city

These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
South Burlington city20,488$97,229$399,60065.1%8.1%
Rutland city15,747$55,000$176,40032.2%15.3%
Essex Junction city10,720$94,423$376,80050.3%6.6%
Bennington CDP8,888$53,839$185,10035.1%12.4%
Winooski city8,198$77,020$350,70056.2%14.3%

Population Overview

Burlington city is a mid-sized community located in Vermont, within Chittenden County. The total population is 44,649. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 178 cities and towns in Vermont.

Age Demographics

The median age in Burlington city is 26.7 years. This is 38% lower than the state median of 43.0 years. Only 11.0% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in Burlington city is $68,854. This is 12% lower than the state median of $78,024. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 12% lower. The poverty rate stands at 23.0%. This is 124% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.3%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 26% higher than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $400,200. Housing costs are 38% higher than the state median of $290,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x. 39.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 45% lower than the state average of 72.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in Burlington city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.5% of the population. Asian residents account for 3.7%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (3.6% vs 1.2%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.7% vs 1.6%).

Education

60.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 42% higher than the state rate of 42.6%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.4%. Notably, 27.5% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Burlington city, Vermont 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 Vermont state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 178 Census-designated places in Vermont. For official data, visit data.census.gov.

Free data download: Get all Vermont city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the population of Burlington city, Vermont?

Burlington city, Vermont has a population of 44,649 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What is the median household income in Burlington city, VT?

The median household income in Burlington city is $68,854, which is 12% lower the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in Burlington city, VT?

The poverty rate in Burlington city is 23.0%. This means approximately 8,549 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of Burlington city, Vermont?

Burlington city's population is 84.5% White, 3.6% Black, 3.3% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.7% Asian.

What is the median home value in Burlington city, VT?

The median home value in Burlington city is $400,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.8x.

How educated is Burlington city, Vermont?

60.5% of adults (25+) in Burlington city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.