How big is Burlington, how fast is it growing, and what does it have more of than you might think? Numbers will not tell you what it feels like to watch the sun set from the pier, but they do tell a story about who lives here, how the city is changing, and what it has to protect. This guide pulls together the key facts and figures about Burlington, Ontario, from Statistics Canada's 2021 Census, Halton Region, and the City of Burlington's Horizon 2050 strategic plan.
A note on the data: census figures are from 2021, and the City's profile reflects its own more recent figures, which it verified as of July 2026. Statistics Canada's next census was scheduled for 2026, so some of these numbers will update when results are released.
Burlington's Population and Growth
How Many People Live in Burlington?
The 2021 Census counted 186,948 people in Burlington, making it the 28th largest city in Canada and the 13th largest in Ontario. The City's more recent profile in Horizon 2050 puts the 2025 population at 199,484, which is about 12,500 more people than the census count, with annual growth of around 2%. Because the two figures come from different sources and dates, treat them as a range rather than an exact comparison.
How Has Burlington's Population Changed?
Burlington has grown steadily, but the pace has slowed in recent census periods.
Census year | Population | Change from previous census |
|---|---|---|
2006 | 164,415 | n/a |
2011 | 175,775 | 7% |
2016 | 183,315 | 4% |
2021 | 186,948 | 2% |
To put that in perspective, Burlington started as a village of about 750 people in 1873. For the full story of how it got from there to here, read the surprising history behind Burlington, Ontario.
How Does Burlington Compare With Its Neighbours?
Burlington is the second largest of Halton Region's four municipalities, and it grew more slowly than its neighbours between 2016 and 2021.
Municipality | 2021 population | Growth, 2016 to 2021 |
|---|---|---|
Burlington | 186,948 | 2% |
Oakville | 213,759 | 10% |
Milton | 132,979 | 21% |
Halton Hills | 62,951 | 3% |
Halton Region | 596,637 | 9% |
Burlington accounts for roughly 31% of the region's population, while Oakville accounts for about 36%.
How Old Is the Average Burlington Resident?
The average age in Burlington was 43.3 in 2021, older than the Halton Region average of 40.2. About 63.2% of the population is working-age. The City's profile also notes an average of 1.7 children per census family and that 67% of residents have a post-secondary education.
How Is Burlington Organized?
The city is made up of 20 unique neighbourhoods across six wards.
Burlington's Homes and Households
Homes: the 2021 Census counted 74,891 private dwellings, of which 73,180 were occupied by usual residents, up 2.5% from 2016.
Housing types: about half (50%) of occupied dwellings in Burlington were single-detached homes in 2021.
Income: the City's profile lists a median household income of $110,000 in 2020.
Size: Burlington covers about 186 square kilometres, which works out to roughly 1,000 people per square kilometre.
Burlington's Parks, Trails, and Nature
This is where the city punches above its weight, according to the City's own profile:
213 kilometres of trails, including 6.8 acres of sandy beach
127 parks, including nine leash-free dog parks, 105 playground locations, and one conservation area
30% tree canopy coverage across the city
2,400 acres of landscaped gardens and nature preserves
More than 50% of the city is greenbelt, used for agriculture, natural heritage, and recreation
Those numbers explain why Horizon 2050 treats nature as a core part of the vision and why tree canopy, parkland, and trail kilometres are among its key measures of progress.
Burlington's Community Life by the Numbers
200+ community-organized public festivals a year
Eight City-operated community centres, with 11 ice pads at seven arenas, two outdoor pools, one wading pool, nine splash pads, and a dedicated seniors' centre
Seven libraries, including six full-service branches
Two museums
Two City-operated cultural spaces, the Student Theatre and the Music Centre
Burlington's Economy and Connections
4,965 large and small businesses
67% of residents participate in the labour force
Key industries include manufacturing, food and beverage, professional and technical services, biomedical and life sciences, and information and communications technology
Three GO stations along a 32-kilometre rail corridor
Three major highways: the 403, the QEW, and the 407
What the Numbers Tell Us
A few themes stand out:
Growth has slowed, but expectations haven't. Burlington grew 2% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses while neighbouring municipalities grew faster, and the City's more recent figures point to continued growth. How that growth is managed is the central question of Horizon 2050.
A green city. More than half the city is greenbelt, and it has a tree canopy and trail network that most cities envy.
An established community. With a higher average age than the regional average and half of homes single-detached, Burlington is a mature suburb working out how to add homes of different types.
A lot of public infrastructure. Eight community centres and seven libraries mean the raw ingredients for community life are already here.
These are the same themes that run through Burlington's strategic plan and the planning process that shapes what gets built next.
Burlington Facts FAQ
What Is the Population of Burlington, Ontario?
The 2021 Census counted 186,948 residents, and the City's profile puts the 2025 population at 199,484.
How Fast Is Burlington Growing?
Burlington grew by 2% between the 2016 and 2021 censuses, and the City's profile cites annual growth of about 2%.
Is Burlington the Biggest City in Halton Region?
No. According to the 2021 Census, Oakville is larger at 213,759 residents, with Burlington second at 186,948.
How Big Is Burlington?
Burlington covers about 186 square kilometres, and more than half of it is greenbelt.
How Many Parks Does Burlington Have?
The City counts 127 parks, including 105 playground locations and nine leash-free dog parks, plus 213 kilometres of trails.
What Is the Median Household Income in Burlington?
The City's profile lists a median household income of $110,000 in 2020.
The Bigger Picture
Numbers are useful because they let us see the city as a whole: who lives here, what we have, and what we are choosing to protect. But the numbers only tell part of the story. They can't measure the pride of a neighbourhood, the volunteers behind a festival, or the friendship that starts on a library bench. As Burlington grows, the real test will be whether the next set of numbers, and the lives behind them, reflect a city that is still connected, still green, and still home.
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Disclaimer
Please note that the information in this blog is for general guidance only and may not always be up to date or accurate. We recommend double-checking details directly with local cities, businesses, or official sources before making any plans or acting on the information. We are not a news outlet, and while we do our best to make sure information is accurate, sometimes we make mistakes. It is always best to verify with official sources. The inclusion of any business, individual, event, or service on the Burlington 365 platform does not constitute an endorsement, recommendation, or guarantee of its quality, performance, or reliability. Users are solely responsible for conducting their own research and due diligence before engaging with any third-party businesses or services listed on the platform.