Burlington is a city located in Des Moines County, Iowa. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 26,839. It is the county seat of Des Moines County. Burlington is the home of Snake Alley, the crookedest street in the world, and has been called the Backhoe Capital of the World.

Burlington was the first capitol of Iowa. The government used "Old Zion", the first Methodist Church in Iowa (located near what is now 3rd and Washington streets), to conduct business of the day. There are several businesses and famous people that originate from this city; two prominent examples are the CB&Q Railroad that evolved into the Burlington Route and today exists as the Burlington Northern - Santa Fe railroad, and an individual, Aldo Leopold, the well-respected naturalist. Other notable people born in Burlington: Dr. Wallace Carothers, inventor of Nylon, William Frawley, known as Fred Mertz on the "I Love Lucy" show and Bart Howard, composer and writer of the jazz standard "Fly me to the Moon".

Burlington's roots are in transportation and manufacturing. Located on the Mississippi River, Burlington was a bustling river port in the steamboat era and home to the Chicago, Burlington and Quincy Railroad. Even today one of the main East-West lines of the Burlington Northern Santa Fe Railroad crosses the Mississippi at Burlington.

Geography

Burlington is located at 40°48'29" North, 91°6'57" West (40.808153, -91.115726)¹.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 38.4 km² (14.8 mi²). 36.4 km² (14.1 mi²) of it is land and 2.0 km² (0.8 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 5.26% water.

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there are 26,839 people, 11,102 households, and 7,105 families residing in the city. The population density is 737.6/km² (1,910.1/mi²). There are 11,985 housing units at an average density of 329.4/km² (853.0/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 91.59% White, 5.04% African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.66% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.90% from other races, and 1.43% from two or more races. 2.06% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There are 11,102 households out of which 29.2% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% are married couples living together, 12.0% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.0% are non-families. 31.0% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.36 and the average family size is 2.94.

In the city the population is spread out with 24.5% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 22.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.2 males.

The median income for a household in the city is $33,770, and the median income for a family is $40,912. Males have a median income of $33,238 versus $23,003 for females. The per capita income for the city is $19,450. 12.6% of the population and 10.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.9% of those under the age of 18 and 8.9% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.

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