Population 43,355 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Burlington
Household size in Burlington
| Period | Burlington | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.08 | 2.35 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.35 | 2.36 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.39 | 2.33 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.03 | 2.31 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.05 | −0.04 | −0.03 |
Burlington is a place of small households, averaging 2.03 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has edged down from 2.08 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Vermont city with 5,000+ people has smaller households.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Burlington
| Period | Burlington | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 30.9 | 40.9 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 31.2 | 42.3 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 31.9 | 43.5 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 32.2 | 44.2 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.2 | +3.2 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 32.2, Burlington is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has climbed from 30.9 in 2006–10, as it has nationally. No other Vermont city with 5,000+ people is younger.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Burlington
| Period | Burlington | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.6% | 10.0% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 8.0% | 9.6% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 6.7% | 8.9% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 6.0% | 8.6% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.5 pts | −1.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are relatively rare in Burlington: 6.0% of households, against 11.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.5 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only two of the 23 Vermont cities with 5,000+ people have a lower share of single-parent households.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Burlington
Renters in Burlington
| Period | Burlington | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 59.5% | 28.6% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 59.1% | 29.1% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 63.7% | 29.2% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 57.8% | 26.8% | 34.8% |
| Change | −1.6 pts | −1.8 pts | +1.5 pts |
Most households in Burlington rent: 57.8% of occupied homes are rented, far above the national share of 34.8%. Expect more apartments, and more turnover, than in owner-heavy areas. The renter share is down 1.6 points from 2006–10, even as the national share rose. Only one other Vermont city with 5,000+ people has a higher share of renters.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Burlington
| Period | Burlington | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.3% | 15.3% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 3.3% | 15.8% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.6% | 17.5% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 3.9% | 15.7% | 9.6% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | +0.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Burlington: just 3.9% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy is down 2.4 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Only one other Vermont city with 5,000+ people has a lower vacancy rate.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Burlington
| Period | Burlington | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1953 | 1967 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1951 | 1969 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1957 | 1971 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1962 | 1973 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +6 | +6 |
Burlington is a place of older homes: half were built before 1962, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1953 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southeast, the oldest in the center.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Burlington
| Period | Burlington | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $973 | $878 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,083 | $947 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,203 | $1,043 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,635 | $1,306 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$662 | +$428 | +$606 |
The median renter in Burlington pays $1,635 a month for rent and utilities, close to the national median of $1,571. Rents here are higher than in Vermont overall ($1,306). Rent has climbed $662 a month since 2006–10, up 68%, faster than rents rose nationally. Rent takes 35.4% of the typical renter's income, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Burlington
Bachelor's degrees in Burlington
| Period | Burlington | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 48.4% | 34.7% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 50.7% | 36.0% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 54.3% | 38.8% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 65.0% | 44.6% | 35.6% |
| Change | +16.7 pts | +9.8 pts | +7.2 pts |
Burlington is highly educated: about two-thirds of adults 25 and older (65.0%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 16.7 points, in line with the national trend. Of the 23 Vermont cities with 5,000+ people, only two have a higher share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Burlington
| Period | Burlington | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 89.9% | 90.8% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.0% | 91.7% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 93.5% | 92.8% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 95.7% | 94.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +5.7 pts | +4.0 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Burlington: 95.7% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. That is in line with the rest of Vermont. The share with a diploma is up 5.7 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Burlington
| Period | Burlington | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 8.2% | 5.9% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 9.2% | 6.3% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 4.5% | 3.6% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.4% | 3.5% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.8 pts | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts |
Jobs have been a little easier to find in Burlington than nationally: unemployment was 4.4%, against 5.4%. Even so, the rate is higher than in Vermont overall (3.5%). Unemployment is down 3.8 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Burlington compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 2.03 | 32.2 | 6.0% | 57.8% | 3.9% | 1962 | $1,635 | 65.0% | 95.7% | 4.4% |
| Winooski | 2.13 | 33.6 | 9.7% | 62.4% | 6.1% | 1967 | $1,642 | 55.1% | 81.1% | 1.0% |
| South Burlington | 2.24 | 38.8 | 7.9% | 39.9% | 4.4% | 1987 | $1,948 | 66.0% | 98.2% | 3.7% |
| Colchester | 2.32 | 43.2 | 9.9% | 27.1% | 10.2% | 1981 | $1,214 | 40.3% | 96.3% | 3.6% |
| Essex | 2.33 | 40.4 | 6.4% | 32.3% | 3.6% | 1987 | $1,606 | 56.7% | 96.9% | 2.2% |
| Shelburne | 2.38 | 50.4 | 12.9% | 28.3% | 9.4% | 1985 | $2,168 | 71.4% | 99.0% | 3.5% |
| Williston | 2.29 | 45.4 | 10.4% | 24.4% | 9.0% | 1993 | $1,883 | 54.5% | 96.4% | 1.8% |
| Shelburne Falls | 2.34 | 49.2 | 14.0% | 28.2% | 8.8% | 1985 | $1,225 | 67.3% | 99.8% | 3.8% |
| West Milton | 2.52 | 42.6 | 4.1% | 21.4% | 13.2% | 1988 | $1,509 | 44.6% | 95.7% | 0.7% |
| Willsboro Point | 2.46 | 53.6 | 6.3% | 2.8% | 48.0% | 1964 | $858 | 42.5% | 97.5% | 5.8% |
| Port Kent | 2.58 | 46.9 | 12.2% | 17.9% | 24.3% | 1981 | $1,151 | 35.1% | 93.4% | 7.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Vestavia Hills, AL · Morrisville, NC · Muskogee, OK · Navarre, FL · Oakley, CA · Pahrump, NV · Pine Bluff, AR · Prosper, TX · Richmond, IN · Hamtramck, MI
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Burlington. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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