Photo: John Phelan · CC BY 3.0Burlington spent more per resident in 2022 than 83% of similar towns
Burlington’s town government spent $164.6 million on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, about $5,790 per resident. That is its newest year reported to the Census Bureau. Water and other utilities ($4.2 million) are counted separately.
What stands out about how Burlington is run
Read from the town’s budget and official records.
$5,790 per resident in 2022: more than 83% of them
Burlington’s day-to-day spending in 2022 ($5,790 per resident, hospital and utilities left out) against 30 Massachusetts towns and townships of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools: the median was $4,548, and the middle half spent $4,076–$4,993. Burlington spent more than 83% of them.
Includes sewer and trash ($8.4 million), as the Census Bureau counts them. Later years come from a Census sample, so the comparison stays on 2022. How Town Hall compares budgets →
Massachusetts towns and townships of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools, 2022 Census of Governments (every government counted that year; Burlington itself left out).
About $5,790 per resident a year, or $15.86 a day
Schools are part of the town’s budget, so they lead the receipt: 58% of day-to-day spending.
Thank you for being a neighbor
Burlington runs its own schools, so school spending is part of this budget. Comparisons are with Massachusetts towns and townships of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools.
No trend yet
Burlington reported only 2022 to the Census Bureau (2024 is an estimate), so there is no trend yet.
full-time in March 2025, up from 1,028 in 2022. Both are Census estimates.
The typical homeowner pays $6,165 a year
Every local property tax on the home: town, schools and county. About 0.83% of the home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts.
Typical yearly bill next door and statewide
The Housing page’s calculator splits a monthly payment into loan, tax and insurance at Burlington’s rate.
Can I afford it? →The median bill homeowners report to the Census survey (bills of $10,000+ are reported as “$10,000+”). The effective rate is that bill ÷ the median home value: a rough guide, not the official tax rate.
Tax bills are one input to Burlington’s Cost of living grade. Cost of living in Burlington →
Who’s in charge in Burlington
Names change after every election, so we link to the source that keeps them current.
Burlington’s meeting calendar isn’t in our feed yet. The town posts agendas and minutes on burlington.org ↗.
One full-time town employee for every 27 residents
On the payroll in March 2025, from the Census Bureau’s Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll (a Census estimate). Residents: the Census population in the 2022 finance file (28,432).
By department full-time, plus part-time, March 2025
The Census reports one month’s payroll (March); yearly figures are that month × 12, an estimate. Part-timers count half in the bar lengths.
Burlington School District
Burlington’s K–12 school district. The schools are run by Burlington, so this money is part of the budget above.
Of the $27,508 per pupil, $18,110 goes to the classroom (teachers, aides, supplies); the rest to buses, buildings, counselors and administration. Building projects and debt payments aren’t in the per-pupil figure.
Massachusetts districts overall: 49% local, 43% state, 8% federal.
School year 2023–24. Census Bureau school finance survey.
How Burlington voted in 2024
Official results for Burlington’s own voters, as certified after the November 5, 2024 general election, with the county and the state beside them.
Kamala D HarrisDemocrat57.7%8,218 votes
Donald J TrumpRepublican39.1%5,569 votesOthers: 3.2% (460 votes).
Most votes in Burlington: Kamala D Harris
Middlesex County: Harris 68.0%, Trump 28.9% · Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%
of Burlington’s 20,120 adult citizens voted for president in 2024. Across Massachusetts: 67%.
Votes ÷ citizens of voting age (Census CVAP, 2020–24 ACS).
Most votes in Burlington: Elizabeth Ann Warren
Middlesex County: Warren 66.5%, Deaton 33.3% · Massachusetts: Warren 59.8%, Deaton 40.0%
Most votes in the district: Seth W Moulton
Whole-district result
President, 2024: Burlington, its county and the state
| Harris | Trump | Others | Votes | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 57.7% | 39.1% | 3.2% | 14,247 |
| Middlesex County | 68.0% | 28.9% | 3.1% | 814,832 |
| Massachusetts | 61.2% | 36.0% | 2.8% | 3,473,668 |
Official 2024 general election returns, as certified (MIT Election Data + Science Lab). Percentages are of votes for candidates; blank and spoiled ballots aren’t counted. Candidates are listed by votes, and party colors are neutral on purpose.
Portraits: Kamala D Harris: official vice-presidential portrait, Lawrence Jackson, The White House, 2021; Donald J Trump: official portrait, Shealah Craighead, The White House, 2017. All are U.S. government works in the public domain. A race shows photos only when every candidate has an official portrait; otherwise every candidate in it gets initials.
From town hall to Washington
Every level of government that speaks for Burlington.
- 1Your townTown governmentOfficials: burlington.org ↗
- 2Massachusetts HouseState representatives
- 3Massachusetts SenateState senator
- 4GovernorStatewide
- 5U.S. HouseYour representative in Congress
- 6U.S. SenateBoth represent all of Massachusetts
Democrat · Republican · other or independent. Tap a name for their official page.
How Burlington compares with the towns next door
Burlington spent $5,790 per resident in 2022; the 5 neighbors that reported 2022 spent $3,950 to $8,443. Towns that run more services spend more. Tap a town to see its page.
| Town | Day-to-day, per resident (2022) | Tax bill |
|---|---|---|
| Billerica | $3,950 runs schools | $6,358 |
| Woburn | $4,307 runs schools | $5,354 |
| Wilmington | $4,837 runs schools | $7,704 |
| Bedford | $7,497 runs schools | $10,000+ |
| Lexington | $8,443 runs schools | $10,000+ |
| Burlington | $5,790 | $6,165 |
Day-to-day spending in 2022, the last year every government was counted, for governments that reported it; hospital and utilities left out. Tax bill: the typical homeowner’s bill (Census ACS, 2020–24).
Reach Burlington’s government
The official site has phone numbers, hours and forms. Neighbors add the rest to the Handbook.
Questions about Burlington’s government
How much does Burlington spend per resident?
About $5,790 per resident on day-to-day services in the year to June 30, 2022, as reported to the Census Bureau. In 2022, the last full count, its $5,790 was more than 83% of 30 Massachusetts towns and townships of 25,000–49,999 that run their own schools.
What is the property tax rate in Burlington?
Homeowners report a typical bill of $6,165 a year (Census ACS, 2020–24), about 0.83% of the typical home’s value, vs 1.07% across Massachusetts. For the official rate per $1,000 of assessed value, see burlington.org.
Who runs Burlington’s government?
See burlington.org for current officials. We name an official only when a public source lists a current term, and none does for Burlington yet.
How did Burlington vote in 2024?
For president, Kamala D Harris 57.7%, Donald J Trump 39.1% (14,247 votes, official results). Middlesex County: Harris 68.0%, Trump 28.9%. Massachusetts: Harris 61.2%, Trump 36.0%.
How many people work for Burlington?
1,065 full-time and 300 part-time employees in March 2025, with a March payroll of $9.0M (about $107.6M a year if every month were the same); Census Bureau estimates.
Who represents Burlington in the state legislature?
State Senate District Fourth Middlesex (Cindy Friedman) and State House District 21st Middlesex (Ken Gordon). The House district also covers two neighboring towns. Listed by Open States; districts from the Census Bureau.
Ask neighbors about Burlington’s government
Neighbors who’ve been to the meetings can help.
Budget and staff: U.S. Census Bureau, Census of Governments (2022, every government) and Annual Survey of State and Local Government Finances (2023–24, a sample) and the Annual Survey of Public Employment & Payroll; day-to-day spending is current operations, with hospitals, utilities and airports apart. School district: Census school finance survey, 2023–24. Property tax: Census American Community Survey, 2020–24. Elections: official 2024 returns via the MIT Election Data + Science Lab; turnout uses Census citizen voting-age population (CVAP, 2020–24). Officials: Open States, names shown only with a current term (checked October 9, 2026). Districts: Census Bureau (119th Congress, 2024 state districts); legislators: Open States and congress-legislators. How Town Hall works →