Burlington, NC Demographics

A map of Burlington's Population by Race

Race	2024 Pop	2020 Pop	2024 %	2020 %
White	26,399	25,810	44.3%	45.0%
Black	17,438	16,118	29.3%	28.1%
Hispanic	11,641	11,491	19.5%	20.1%
Multiracial	2,066	2,030	3.5%	3.5%
Asian	1,685	1,353	2.8%	2.4%
Native American/Other	381	501	0.6%	0.9%

Burlington, North Carolina has an estimated population of 59,610, an increase from the 57,303 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 44.3% White, 29.3% Black, 19.5% Hispanic, 3.5% Multiracial, 2.8% Asian, and 0.6% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Burlington, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Burlington is about as racially diverse as it was in the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than North Carolina overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Burlington, that probability was 67.6% in 2020 and 67.8% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Burlington is ranked the 18th most populous place in North Carolina, out of 776 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Burlington was ranked the 18th most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Burlington's White Population

26,399 residents of Burlington, or 44.3% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Burlington is significantly lower than in North Carolina overall, where 60% of the population is White. Burlington ranks 624th statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Burlington's White population has grown by an estimated 2.3%. White residents' share of Burlington's population has decreased from 45.0% to 44.3%.

Burlington is less White than neighboring Elon (79% White), Glen Raven (56.5% White), Alamance (74.6% White), Gibsonville (63.5% White), and Graham (53.9% White).

Burlington's Black Population

17,438 residents of Burlington, or 29.3% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Burlington is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 20% of the population is Black. Burlington ranks 202nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Burlington's Black population has grown by an estimated 8.2%. Black residents' share of Burlington's population has increased from 28.1% to 29.3%.

Burlington is more Black than neighboring Elon (9.6% Black), Glen Raven (16.5% Black), Alamance (2.9% Black), and Graham (22% Black). Burlington is less Black than neighboring Gibsonville (30.5% Black).

Burlington's Asian Population

1,685 residents of Burlington, or 2.8% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Burlington is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 3.3% of the population is Asian. Burlington ranks 99th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Burlington's Asian population has grown by an estimated 24.5%. Asian residents' share of Burlington's population has remained roughly unchanged at 2.8%.

Burlington is more Asian than neighboring Glen Raven (0% Asian), Alamance (0.5% Asian), Gibsonville (0.7% Asian), and Graham (0.7% Asian). Burlington is less Asian than neighboring Elon (4.2% Asian).

Burlington's Hispanic Population

11,641 residents of Burlington, or 19.5% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Burlington is higher than in North Carolina overall, where 11.3% of the population is Hispanic. Burlington ranks 56th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Burlington's Hispanic population has grown by an estimated 1.3%. Hispanic residents' share of Burlington's population has decreased from 20.1% to 19.5%.

Burlington is more Hispanic than neighboring Elon (3.2% Hispanic), Alamance (16.7% Hispanic), Gibsonville (2.6% Hispanic), and Graham (18.2% Hispanic). Burlington is less Hispanic than neighboring Glen Raven (21.1% Hispanic).

Burlington's Native American/Other Population

381 residents of Burlington, or 0.6% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Burlington is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 1.4% of the population is Native American/Other. Burlington ranks 306th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Burlington's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 24.0%. Native American/Other residents' share of Burlington's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.6%.

Burlington is more Native American/Other than neighboring Elon (0.3% Native American/Other), Alamance (0% Native American/Other), and Gibsonville (0% Native American/Other). Burlington is less Native American/Other than neighboring Glen Raven (0.7% Native American/Other), and Graham (1.3% Native American/Other).

Burlington's Multiracial Population

2,066 residents of Burlington, or 3.5% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Burlington is comparable to the share in North Carolina overall, where 4.1% of the population is Multiracial. Burlington ranks 421st statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 776 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Burlington's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 1.8%. Multiracial residents' share of Burlington's population has remained roughly unchanged at 3.5%.

Burlington is more Multiracial than neighboring Gibsonville (2.7% Multiracial). Burlington is less Multiracial than neighboring Elon (3.7% Multiracial), Glen Raven (5.2% Multiracial), Alamance (5.3% Multiracial), and Graham (3.9% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.