Smaller West Burlington is big in schools, parks and opportunity
West Burlington is the newer counterpart to its larger and more established sister city of Burlington, Iowa's first capital. Despite a population of about 3,000, compared to Burlington's 24,000, this area punches above its weight in terms of schools, outdoor spaces, shopping and industry. It took on the brunt of Burlington's westward expansion and today has many of the area's newer homes. Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center began expanding here in the 1990s, bringing with it many jobs and supportive businesses.
West side sees new builds while older homes fill the core
Newer single-family home, condo and townhouse developments have taken shape on the town's west side. A variety of single-family homes can be found in the town core, where residential streets are often flanked by trees and sidewalks. Early styles include gable-front properties, bungalows and American Foursquares, often with front porches. Other styles include ranch, bi-level and New Traditional dwellings. The median price for single-family homes is about $160,000, slightly higher than in Burlington but still significantly lower than the national median.
Pool, playgrounds and sports leagues are outdoor highlights
Three city parks offer playgrounds, green space and other outdoor amenities. Community Park opens its public pool and hosts baseball and softball games and practices in the summer months. "Burlington no longer has a public pool, so that is one advantage that West Burlington has right now," says John Mercer, broker at Midwest Realty, which is based in town. Pat Klein Park features wheelchair-accessible equipment and the city's largest picnic shelter. Lauers Park has grassy open space and an updated climbing net and walking path. The Burlington Regional Rec Plex hosts league play and various tournaments and special events.
Big box stores thrive although restaurants are few
Walmart, Target and Menards are based in West Burlington. The indoor Westland Mall has lost its anchor stores but still has a 10-screen movie theater. "West Burlington, for the size of the town, has a ton of retail," Mercer says. Comparatively, he says there is room for more dining options. Locals enjoy the family-owned Broadway Bar and Grill, serving up burgers, sandwiches and a Sunday brunch buffet. Just east, specialty shops, boutiques and eateries are located in downtown Burlington.
B-rated public schools and two-year college degree programs
Kids can attend West Burlington Elementary School, which gets a B from Niche, and West Burlington Junior-Senior High School, which earns a B-plus. Both are centrally located in town. "If you have multiple kids in the school system, they're all in the same area," says Mercer, whose own kids attend school here. The West Burlington Independent School District expanded its preschool program in 2025 to include 3-year-olds. High schoolers can take dual-credit courses at Southeastern Community College. The college offers associate degrees and a transfer programs to bigger colleges and universities. "They have a lot of great programs, and they're right across from the hospital, so they have a great nursing program," Mercer says. "That's a big attraction to the area, too — having the community college out here."
Annual celebrations throughout greater Burlington
The Fourth of July is a West Burlington highlight, with a day-long celebration that includes kids' activities, vendors, bike races, a cruise-in and fireworks. In May, the Snake Alley Criterium brings in bicyclists from across the globe. Competitors race through a 14-block course. The Old Couch Music Fest is an outdoor showcase of regional folk, bluegrass and country music in August. Also popular is Snowbull, the state's only three-day indoor bull riding event. Music festivals, farmers' markets and 5K races add to the annual calendar.
Easy drives, light traffic and multiple ways to get around town
Many residents rely on cars to get around, although other transportation options are available. "It's a pretty small town — it's very drivable," Mercer says. "Traffic is almost nothing." U.S. Route 34 is the main artery running through Burlington and West Burlington. Fixed and on-demand bus routes, via Burlington Urban Service, also connect the two cities. Pedestrians can utilize the multi-use paths and sidewalks. Southeast Iowa Regional Medical Center is a main employer and healthcare provider with around-the-clock emergency care, surgical services and diagnostic imaging. "The hospital is a huge driver for our area," Mercer says. Southeast Iowa Regional Airport, about 5 miles south, offers direct service to Chicago via Contour Airlines.
