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South Burlington city, Vermont Demographics & Population 2026

2nd Largest2nd most populous city in Vermont

As of 2026, South Burlington city, Vermont has a total population of 20,488, the 2nd largest city in Vermont, with a median household income of $97,229, which is 25% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 8.1%.

Key Takeaways

South Burlington city Quick Facts

Population 20,488
Median Household Income $97,229
Median Home Value $399,600
Poverty Rate 8.1%
Unemployment Rate 5.0%
Median Age 38.8 years
Homeownership Rate 60.1%
Affordability Ratio 4.1x
Bachelor's Degree or Higher 65.1%
High School Graduation Rate 98.3%
Diversity Index 33/100
Population 20,488 2nd of 178
Median Income $97,229 top 20%
Poverty Rate 8.1% 35% lower national
Median Home Value $399,600 top 10%

How South Burlington city Compares

Economy & Housing

Employment

5.0% Unemployment Rate State: 3.7% | National: 5.2%
73.5% Labor Force Participation

Housing Overview

Owner 60.1%
Renter 39.9%
Affordability Index Moderate
4.1x home value to income ratio

People & Demographics

Diversity Index

33out 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

South Burlington city Rankings in Vermont

#2 Population of 178
#23 Median Income of 178
#17 Education of 178
#16 Home Value of 178

Other Cities in Chittenden County

CityPopulationMedian IncomePovertyHome Value
Burlington city 44,649 $68,854 23.0% $400,200
Essex Junction city 10,720 $94,423 6.6% $376,800
Winooski city 8,198 $77,020 14.3% $350,700

Cities Similar to South Burlington city

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

CityPopulationMedian IncomeHome ValueBachelor's+Poverty
Rutland city15,747$55,000$176,40032.2%15.3%
Essex Junction city10,720$94,423$376,80050.3%6.6%
Burlington city44,649$68,854$400,20060.5%23.0%
Winooski city8,198$77,020$350,70056.2%14.3%
Montpelier city8,038$79,175$349,20066.2%7.3%

Population Overview

South Burlington city is a small city located in Vermont, within Chittenden County. The total population is 20,488. It ranks as the 2nd most populous out of 178 cities and towns in Vermont.

Age Demographics

The median age in South Burlington city is 38.8 years. This is 10% lower than the state median of 43.0 years.

Economy, Income & Housing

The median household income in South Burlington city is $97,229. This is 25% higher than the state median of $78,024. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 24% higher. The poverty rate stands at 8.1%. This is 21% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.3%. The unemployment rate is 5.0%. This is 36% higher than the state rate of 3.7%. The median home value is $399,600. Housing costs are 38% higher than the state median of $290,500. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x. 60.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 72.8%.

Race & Ethnicity

The largest racial or ethnic group in South Burlington city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 80.8% of the population. Asian residents account for 8.7%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (8.7% vs 1.6%).

Education

65.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places South Burlington city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 53% 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 98.3%. Notably, 27.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for South 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 South Burlington city, Vermont?

South Burlington city, Vermont has a population of 20,488 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

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

The median household income in South Burlington city is $97,229, which is 24% higher the national median of $78,538.

What is the poverty rate in South Burlington city, VT?

The poverty rate in South Burlington city is 8.1%. This means approximately 1,638 residents live below the federal poverty line.

What is the racial makeup of South Burlington city, Vermont?

South Burlington city's population is 80.8% White, 1.6% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 8.7% Asian.

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

The median home value in South Burlington city is $399,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.1x.

How educated is South Burlington city, Vermont?

65.1% of adults (25+) in South Burlington city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 27.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.