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About Burlington, WA

About Burlington, WA

A tight-knit agricultural city on the banks of the Skagit River

Located on the banks of the bending Skagit River, the regional hub and former railroad town of Burlington is about as close to Vancouver, Canada as it is to Seattle. However, it’s that distance from Washington’s largest metropolitan area that helps shape Burlington's appeal. The towering glacier-covered volcano of Mount Baker, about 50 miles northeast, is visible on clear days, while riverfront parks allow residents to tend to community gardens or play baseball with the Skagit Valley as a peaceful backdrop. Over 9,000 people call Burlington home, with agribusiness, woodworking, oil refining and the casino industry providing a solid local economy. Access to Interstate 5 puts Burlington within an hour and a half’s drive from Seattle and a 30-minute drive from Bellingham.

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Burlington residents enjoy the breath taking views of the Skagit River.
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The Skagit Casino Resort near Sedro-Woolley and Burlington has plenty of entertainment.
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Trails and events along and beyond the bending river

Bordered by farmland to the west and north and by the Skagit River to the east and south, Burlington is deeply immersed in nature. The Burlington Dike Trail takes hikers, cyclists and dog-walkers down gravel and dirt paths leading from the Burlington Disc Golf Course to Skagit River Park’s playfields, baseball diamonds and playground.

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Go for a hike overlooking the Skagit River at Burlington Dike Trail in Burlington.
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Take the family to the playground at Skagit River Park in Burlington.
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Lush streetscapes and new developments in Burlington

Burlington’s housing stock primarily originates from the 1970s to 2000s, although some residences were built as far back as the 1920s and the postmodern homes of the Burlington Hill development were constructed as recently as 2024. There are manufactured homes built from the 1970s to the 2000s as well as more-recently built condos and townhouses. Burlington’s median home price of $575,000 is well below the Seattle median and the Bellingham average. That being said site-built bungalows and ranch-style homes as well as multi-story homes with styles varying from Dutch Colonial to postmodern can sell for as high as $1.6 million. Many streets eschew sidewalks in favor of gravel walkways, and houses tend to feature lush gardens and ample shade from tall evergreens.

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Find serenity in a postmodern home with breath taking views in Burlington.
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Make everlasting memories in a ranch-style home surrounded by nature in Burlington.
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A small, but diverse shopping scene along George Hopper Road

At Burlington’s southern end, the Burlington Crossings shopping mall is full of big-box retail conveniences like The Home Depot and PetSmart. On the other side of George Hopper Road, a Costco and the Outlet Shoppes at Burlington add variety to the city’s shopping scene. Dining options are just as diverse; Burlington Boulevard alone is home to a Chinese buffet, a Mexican restaurant, a Thai eatery and several brand-name outlets. Though Burlington itself is not home to any casinos, many of its residents are employed at the Swinomish Casino near Anacortes or the Skagit Casino Resort up Interstate 5.

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For pet supplies, head to PetSmart at the Burlington Crossings in Burlington.
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Burlington residents get their groceries and more at Costco.
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Innovative education at Burlington-Edison High

The Burlington-Edison School District serves Burlington’s students and receives a B-minus from Niche. Burlington-Edison High School itself scores a B, and has STEM programs in aviation and cybersecurity. Skagit Valley College is a couple miles south, across the river, and offers two-year programs.

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Burlington-Edison High School near Bay View is a highly rated school in the area.
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For extended learning, Burlington residents attend Skagit Valley College.
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Keeping safe in Burlington

According to an October 2024 FBI report, Burlington’s violent crime rate is well below the state average. Like the rest of coastal Washington, Burlington contends with the common risk of flooding, and the city offers detailed flood maps on its website to help residents stay prepared.

Interstate access to big cities and local healthcare

Interstate 5 connects Burlington to Bellingham 25 miles to the north and south to Everett within 40 miles and Seattle within 67 miles. For commuters who wish to skip a long highway drive, they may opt to take buses from the Chuckanut Park & Ride and, if bound for Seattle, transfer to the Puget Sound Transit light rail. Burlington sits just across the Skagit River from Mount Vernon’s Skagit Valley Hospital.

Jacob Adelhoch
Written By
Jacob Adelhoch
Jake Chaplin
Photography Contributed By
Jake Chaplin
Austin Lewis
Video By
Austin Lewis

Burlington by the Numbers

37
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Burlington, WA

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

Bay View Elementary School
#1 Bay View Elementary School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Lucille Umbarger Elementary School
#2 Lucille Umbarger Elementary School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Washington Elementary School
#3 Washington Elementary School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
West View Elementary School
#4 West View Elementary School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Centennial Elementary School
#5 Centennial Elementary School
C
Niche
2
GreatSchools
Lincoln Elementary School
#6 Lincoln Elementary School

Best Public Middle Schools

Bay View Elementary School
#1 Bay View Elementary School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
La Venture Middle School
#2 La Venture Middle School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Lucille Umbarger Elementary School
#3 Lucille Umbarger Elementary School
C
Niche
3
GreatSchools

Best Public High Schools

Burlington Edison High School
#1 Burlington Edison High School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Mount Vernon High School
#2 Mount Vernon High School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Burlington Edison Alternative School
#3 Burlington Edison Alternative School
3
GreatSchools

Best Private Schools

Skagit Adventist Academy
#1 Skagit Adventist Academy
A
Niche
Burlington Little School
#2 Burlington Little School
Salish Sea Deaf School
#3 Salish Sea Deaf School

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Cindy Kelly
(425) 428-5254
Cindy Kelly combines an industry expert's know-how with a compassionate devotion to client service that is impeccably sincere and honest.

When it comes to buying or selling Cindy consistently garners praise for her transparent approach, her faultless discretion, and her ability to position and present homes in their best light. Her client's confidentiality and confidence in the process are her highest goals, and their trusted referrals and glowing reviews reflect her tireless efforts.

With 19 years in the business, Cindy has earned a reputation for her commitment to her client's success and her tenacious negotiation skills. It is no surprise that she averages more than $40 million in closed sales each year serving clients throughout the Eastside and Seattle.

In her free time, she enjoys home, gardening, her two Afghan Hounds, great wine, hanging out with her dearest of friends and clients, and enjoying all the beauty that living in the Pacific Northwest affords.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.