Burlington: Economy & Jobs
Households in Burlington earn a median $71,109 (1.4× below Chittenden County median $96,759; 1.1× below Vermont median $81,203), with homes at a median value of $444,800. The surrounding county supports 103,301 jobs (avg $73,186).
- $97,077 avg taxable income per return — higher than the median household income (vs Vermont $80,410).
Income & Affordability
Median household income $71,109 — near the Vermont median ($71,109). Poverty rate 20.5% (U.S. average ~12.5%).
| Affordability · Price To Income Ratio | 6.3× |
|---|---|
| Affordability · Rent To Income Pct | 27.8% |
| Affordability · Interpretation | expensive |
| Irs Income · IRS tax returns filed | $87,480 |
| Irs Income · Total Adjusted Gross Income (thousands) | $8,492,266 |
| Irs Income · Average AGI per return | $97,077 (vs Vermont $80,410) |
| Income Estimate | $78,460 |
| Median Household Income | $71,109 (at Vermont median) |
| Poverty Rate | 20.5% |
Sources: IRS SOI 2022 · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Economic Character
Qualitative classification derived from Census occupation, industry, and income data — workforce composition (white-collar/blue-collar), top employing sector, and income tier.
| Economic Character · Workforce | white_collar |
|---|---|
| Economic Character · Top Industry | Education Healthcare |
| Economic Character · Income Level | middle-class |
| Economic Character · Median Income | $71,109 |
Employment & Workforce
Employment + workforce stats. The county-level employment count covers all jobs within the county, not just town residents. Unemployment rate 2.8% — below the U.S. average of ~4%. 19% work from home (U.S. average ~15%).
| Commuter Profile · Mean Commute Min | 18.70 |
|---|---|
| Commuter Profile · Work From Home Pct | 19.0% |
| Commuter Profile · Profile | short commute |
| Employment · Avg annual employment (county) | 103,301 |
| Employment · Total annual wages (county) | $7,560,212,868 |
| Employment · Average annual pay | $73,186 |
| All Occupations · Employment | 300,760 |
| Unemployment Rate | 2.8% (at Vermont median) |
Sources: BLS QCEW 2023 · BLS Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics (OES) · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Industry Sectors
Major industries by establishment count from Census County Business Patterns (2022). Sectors are NAICS-coded; counts are county-wide employer establishments.
| Agriculture · Total Farms | 22 |
|---|---|
| Agriculture · Land In Farms Acres | 5,573 |
| Agriculture · Avg Farm Size Acres | 253.30 |
| Agriculture · Top Commodities | Crop Totals, Animal Totals, Milk, Field Crops, Other, Horticulture Totals |
| Business Patterns · Establishments (employer count) | 5,676 |
| Business Patterns · Total Employees | 87,358 |
| Business Patterns · Annual Payroll Thousands | 5,413,760 |
Sources: USDA NASS Census 2022 — county FIPS matched · Census CBP API — county FIPS match
Local Business Mix
Retail and service businesses by category (Census CBP NAICS-coded). Counts cover the surrounding county, not just the town. Reflects the everyday commercial mix residents can access.
| Local Businesses · Grocery Stores | 47 |
|---|---|
| Local Businesses · Convenience Stores | 20 |
| Local Businesses · Liquor Stores | 7 |
| Local Businesses · Gas Stations | 78 |
| Local Businesses · General Merchandise | 13 |
| Local Businesses · Clothing Stores | 16 |
| Local Businesses · Pet Stores | 7 |
| Local Businesses · Bookstores | 5 |
Sources: Census CBP — NAICS detail codes
Dining Scene
Eating + drinking establishments by NAICS category (Census CBP 2022) — full-service restaurants, fast-food, bars, coffee shops. County-level counts.
| Dining Scene · Full Service Restaurants | 163 |
|---|---|
| Dining Scene · Fast Food | 128 |
| Dining Scene · Bars | 34 |
| Dining Scene · Coffee Snacks | 54 |
Sources: Census CBP NAICS 722
Banking
FDIC-insured bank branches with addresses. Branch density correlates with population — fewer branches per resident in lower-density areas.
Branches (13)
SNAP & Food Access
USDA-authorized SNAP retailers — supermarkets, super stores, convenience stores, and other locations where SNAP benefits can be redeemed. Per-1K density tracks food access.
Sample (5)
| Nearest Snap · Name | The Shopping Bag |
|---|---|
| Nearest Snap · Total In Area | 37 |
Chamber of Commerce
IRS-registered chamber of commerce organizations matched to this town. Reflects the IRS Exempt Organizations BMF; some chambers operate informally and may not appear here.
| Chamber Of Commerce · Name | LAKE CHAMPLAIN REGIONAL CHAMBER OF COMMERCE |
|---|
Sources: IRS EO BMF · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Spending & Tax
Federal spending flowing to the surrounding county — direct payments, grants, contracts, loans (USAspending.gov).
| Federal Spending · Federal Spending Fy2024 | $1,862,569,939 |
|---|---|
| Federal Spending · Per Capita | 11,065.45 (vs Vermont $9,878) |
| Federal Spending · Population | 168,323 people (vs Vermont 7,220) |
Sources: USAspending API
Other
| Pct Drove Alone | 45.6% |
|---|---|
| Pct Public Transit | 17.0% |
| Pct Walked | 19.0% |
| Retirement Score · Median age | 26.8 years (vs Vermont 39.4y) |
| Retirement Score · Ss Household Pct | 20.4% |
| Retirement Score · Hospitals Nearby | 1 |
| Retirement Score · Va Access | Yes |
| Retirement Score · Factors | hospital access, VA nearby |
| Retirement Score · Rating | fair |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12