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Burlington, NC

Frequently asked questions

Burlington, NC

Burlington is a city in Alamance and Guilford counties in the U.S. state of North Carolina. It is the principal city of the Burlington, NC Metropolitan Statistical Area, which encompasses all of Alamance County, in which most of the city is located, and is a part of the Greensboro–Winston-Salem–High Point, NC Combined Statistical Area. The population was 57,303 at the 2020 census, which makes Burlington the 18th-most populous city in North Carolina.

Located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, Burlington is characterized as having mostly flat land with a few rolling hills. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.82 square miles (82.4 km²), of which 30.27 square miles (78.4 km²) is land and 1.55 square miles (4.0 km²) (4.87%) is water.

Alamance County was created when Orange County was partitioned in 1849. Early settlers included several groups of Quakers, many of which remained active in the Snow Camp area, German farmers, and Scots-Irish immigrants.

The need of the North Carolina Railroad in the 1850s to locate land where they could build, repair, and do maintenance on its track was the genesis of Burlington, North Carolina. The company selected a piece of land slightly west of present-day Graham. On January 29, 1856, the last spikes were driven into the final tie of the North Carolina Railroad project, uniting the cities of Goldsboro and Charlotte by rail. The next day, the first locomotive passed along the new route. When the iron horse arrived in Alamance County, locals referred to it as "the eighth wonder of the world".

Not long after this historic opening, the railroad realized a pressing need for repair shops. With Alamance County's position along the new line, it became the logical choice for the shops' location. After several debates concerning where the shops would be located, Gen. Benjamin Trollinger, a progressive Alamance County manufacturer, made an offer that settled the matter. Gen. Trollinger owned land just northwest of Graham, and he convinced several other prominent citizens owning adjacent lots to join him and sell their property to the railroad. 57 buildings were constructed between 1855 and 1859, including structures for engine and machine shops, carpentry, blacksmithing, houses for workers and railway officials, and company headquarters. For a brief period, railroad directors changed the name of the official name of "Company Shops" to "Vance" (1863–1864), and the village returned to the "Company Shops" moniker in July 1864. During the Civil War, Company Shops remained a small village without many public utilities/services like churches or schools. It was only in 1863 that company stockholders approved city street layouts and the sale of private property in the village. However, properties used for commercial purposes still had to be leased by the company and couldn't be bought. In 1866, the village was officially incorporated as "Company Shops."

Health and wellness are essential aspects of life in Burlington. The city prioritizes the well-being of its residents with accessible healthcare facilities and numerous recreational opportunities. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Burlington Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include  Super Fitness, O2 Fitness, and Anytime Fitness. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Burlington, such as the Rock Creek Trail and Haw River Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Burlington, NC are Children's Museum of Alamance County, Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum, and Alamance Battleground.

Population: 60,032 (2023). ZIP code: 27215. Area code: 336. Elevation: 673 ft (205 m). Area: 31.82 sq mi (82.41 km²).

FAQs

How big is Burlington, NC?

Located in the Piedmont region of North Carolina, Burlington is characterized as having mostly flat land with a few rolling hills. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 31.82 square miles (82.4 km²), of which 30.27 square miles (78.4 km²) is land and 1.55 square miles (4.0 km²) (4.87%) is water. The climate in this area is characterized by relatively high temperatures and evenly distributed precipitation throughout the year. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Burlington has a Humid subtropical climate, abbreviated "Cfa" on climate maps.

What is the crime rate in Burlington, NC?

With a crime rate of 47 per one thousand residents, Burlington has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 21. Within North Carolina, more than 94% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Burlington.

What is Burlington, NC famous for?

Seeds of a new industry had already been planted. Several small textile plants had begun operations, and these soon were joined by hosiery manufacturers, many of whom were local entrepreneurs. As the century turned, many new jobs were created, making Burlington "The Hosiery Center of the South."

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Burlington

Burlington Parks and Recreation Department 

Super Fitness

O2 Fitness 

Anytime Fitness

Rock Creek Trail 

Haw River Trail

Children's Museum of Alamance County

Charlotte Hawkins Brown Museum

Alamance Battleground

NeighborhoodScout

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