Burlington, North Carolina Population 2026
Updated April 2026 · US Census ACS 2023 5-Year Estimates
The population of Burlington, North Carolina is 58,599 as of the 2023 American Community Survey, making it the 18th-largest city in North Carolina. The median household income is $54,941, the median home value is $188,700, and the median age is 39.6.
The population has grown 19.9% since 2010 (51,172 → 61,365).
58,599
Population
1903
People / sq mi
$54,941
Median Income
$188,700
Median Home Value
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Burlington covers 30.8 sq mi of land at 1903 people per square mile.
About Burlington, NC
The poverty rate is what most separates Burlington from the typical city: 15.4% of residents live below the federal poverty line, against 12.4% nationally. Burlington is a city in North Carolina with a population of 58,599. It ranks #18 among cities in North Carolina by population.
Incomes run on the lower side: a median household income of $54,941, below the US median of $78,538. Roughly 15.4% of residents fall below the poverty line, above the national 12.4%. Property is affordable here, the median home worth $188,700, with typical rent around $1,030.
Roughly 28.7% of adults have a bachelor’s, below the national 35.0%. Most workers commute: only 8.2% work from home, below the national 14.0%, and the average commute runs about 24 minutes each way.
The elevated poverty rate is the context for the rest of the profile in Burlington: it pulls on median income, housing tenure, and the share of residents with a college degree.
Burlington city Population History (2010-2024)
The city of Burlington city had a population of 51,172 in 2010 and 61,365 in 2024, a 19.9% growth over 14 years. The peak was 61,365 in 2024. Average annual growth rate: 1.32%.
61,365
Population (2024)
51,172
Population (2010)
61,365
Peak (2024)
1.32%
Avg Annual Growth
| Year | Population |
|---|---|
| 2010 | 51,172 |
| 2011 | 51,169 |
| 2012 | 51,198 |
| 2013 | 51,314 |
| 2014 | 51,475 |
| 2015 | 51,867 |
| 2016 | 52,180 |
| 2017 | 53,121 |
| 2018 | 53,911 |
| 2019 | 54,606 |
| 2020 | 57,547 |
| 2021 | 59,272 |
| 2022 | 59,580 |
| 2023 | 60,350 |
| 2024 | 61,365 |
Race & Ethnicity
| White | 48.8% |
| Black or African American | 30.3% |
| Asian | 0.0% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 1.7% |
| Two or More Races | 0.0% |
Economy & Income
$54,941
Median Household Income
$31,875
Per Capita Income
15.4%
Poverty Rate
3.7%
Unemployment Rate
Housing
$188,700
Median Home Value
$1,030
Median Rent
54.9%
Owner-Occupied
Education
86.5%
High School+
28.7%
Bachelor's+
Commute
0.0%
Drive Alone
79.4%
Public Transit
8.2%
Work From Home
24.3 min
Avg Commute
Community Profile
26.6%
Foreign Born
80.6%
Non-English at Home
6.9%
Veterans
12.6%
With Disability
89.7%
Health Insurance
94.3%
Internet Access
Employment by Industry
| Professional, Scientific & Management | 30.1% |
| Manufacturing | 15.3% |
| Education, Health Care & Social Services | 9.2% |
| Finance, Insurance & Real Estate | 8.6% |
| Construction | 7.1% |
| Arts, Entertainment & Food Services | 4.7% |
| Information | 4.4% |
| Retail Trade | 3.3% |
| Public Administration | 3.2% |
| Transportation & Warehousing | 1.1% |
| Agriculture & Mining | 0.2% |
Largest cities in North Carolina
Largest counties in North Carolina
Part of North Carolina
Metro areas in North Carolina
City rankings
Frequently Asked Questions
Burlington, North Carolina has a population of 58,599 according to the US Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey 5-year estimates, making it the 18th-largest city in North Carolina.
The median household income in Burlington, North Carolina is $54,941, with 15.4% of residents living below the federal poverty level.
The median home value in Burlington, North Carolina is $188,700, with median monthly rent at $1,030 and a homeownership rate of 54.9%.
The median age in Burlington, North Carolina is 39.6 years. The population is 47.5% male and 52.5% female.
The population has grown 19.9% since 2010 (51,172 → 61,365).
Where to stay in Burlington
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Statewide data for North Carolina
Population, race, income, age, and trends across North Carolina
Data from the American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year estimates.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS, 2026.