Burlington, Washington, a small agricultural city on the banks of the Skagit River, is equidistant from Vancouver, Canada, and Seattle. With a population of over 9,000, Burlington thrives on a diverse economy including agribusiness, woodworking, oil refining, and the casino industry. The city is surrounded by nature, with the Burlington Dike Trail offering scenic paths for hikers, cyclists, and dog-walkers, and riverfront parks providing spaces for community gardens and baseball. Housing in Burlington ranges from 1920s residences to postmodern homes built as recently as 2024, with styles including Dutch Colonial, ranch-style, and multi-story homes. Many streets feature lush gardens and tall evergreens, with gravel walkways instead of sidewalks. The shopping scene along George Hopper Road includes big-box stores, a Costco, and the Outlet Shoppes at Burlington, while dining options on Burlington Boulevard range from Chinese and Mexican to Thai cuisine. Burlington-Edison High School, part of the Burlington-Edison School District, offers innovative STEM programs in aviation and cybersecurity. The city is safer than the national average for violent crime, though it faces common coastal flooding risks. Interstate 5 provides access to Bellingham, Everett, and Seattle, with additional transit options available at the Chuckanut Park & Ride. Skagit Valley Hospital is located just across the river in Mount Vernon.
