Town guide · Burlington County
Living in Burlington, NJ
Burlington City was founded in 1677 on the Delaware River and served as the capital of West Jersey. Its historic streets and riverfront promenade sit beside a much larger township of neighborhoods, highways and warehouses.
- County
- Burlington
- Population
- About 9,700 in the city and 24,000 in the township (2020 census)
- Size
- About 4 square miles (city) and 14 square miles (township)
- Setting
- A historic Delaware River city next to a suburban township
- Main roads
- U.S. Route 130, Interstate 295, Route 413 and the Burlington Bristol Bridge, County Routes 541 and 543
First things first
Burlington City and Burlington Township are two towns
Burlington City and Burlington Township are separate municipalities with separate governments and separate property tax rates. The township was incorporated in 1798, and the city was reincorporated within it in 1851. Today the township borders the city.
Both use the Burlington 08016 ZIP code, and both sit in Burlington County, so the word Burlington can mean the city, the township or the county. We confirm the municipality first on every Burlington home, because it sets the tax bill and the town services.
Neighborhoods
A colonial city and a broad township
The city was settled in 1677 and was the capital of West Jersey until 1702. Two National Register historic districts cover much of its older core.
- Burlington Historic District: Listed in 1975, bounded by the Delaware River and High, West Broad, Talbot and Reed streets.
- High Street Historic District: Listed in 1993, along High Street from Pearl Street to Federal Street.
- The riverfront: A park and esplanade along the Delaware from the Burlington Bristol Bridge to Assiscunk Creek.
- Township localities: Named places in Burlington Township include Deacons, Fountain Woods, Springside and Stevens.
Homes
What you will find
- Historic homes in the city on streets laid out in the 1600s, some dating to the colonial era.
- Township neighborhoods spread across about 14 square miles, along with distribution warehouses on the site of the former Burlington Center mall.
- Homes near the river and creeks in the city along the Delaware River and Assiscunk Creek.
Worth knowing: In the city, many homes sit inside the Burlington or High Street historic districts, so we look into any local review that applies before a buyer plans exterior work. The riverfront was reshaped by flood control projects in the 1960s and 1970s, but low ground near the river and the creeks can still fall in a mapped flood zone. We pull the flood map for every home near the water.
Property taxes
What taxes look like in Burlington
- 2.978%Burlington City: 2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $6,215Burlington City: 2025 average residential tax bill
- 2.017%Burlington Township: 2025 effective tax rate, as a share of market value
- $6,928Burlington Township: 2025 average residential tax bill
A home worth $200,000 on today's market would pay roughly $5,956 a year at Burlington City's 2025 effective rate. A home worth $350,000 on today's market would pay roughly $7,060 a year at Burlington Township's 2025 effective rate. Your actual bill depends on your assessment, so we pull the real tax record for any home you are considering.
Source: New Jersey Division of Taxation, 2025 general and effective tax rates. Rates are set each year.
Getting around
Roads and commuting
U.S. Route 130 runs through both the city and the township, and Interstate 295 crosses the township, with an interchange at County Route 541 (Burlington Mount Holly Road). Route 413 leads to the Burlington Bristol Bridge, which has crossed the Delaware to Bristol, Pennsylvania, since 1931. The New Jersey Turnpike crosses the township without an interchange; the closest are Exit 5 in Westampton, signed for Burlington and Mount Holly, and Exit 6A in Florence. NJ Transit's River Line stops at Burlington South and Burlington Towne Centre, both in the city, and the 409, 413 and 419 buses serve the area.
Places worth knowing
Parks, landmarks and open space
- Burlington City riverfront: A promenade and park along the Delaware River from the Burlington Bristol Bridge to Assiscunk Creek.
- High Street historic houses: The birthplaces of author James Fenimore Cooper and naval hero Captain James Lawrence stand side by side on High Street.
- Revell House: One of the oldest buildings in the city, built in 1685.
Common questions
Questions people ask us about Burlington
What are property taxes in Burlington, NJ?
Burlington City's 2025 effective tax rate is 2.978 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $6,215; Burlington Township's 2025 effective tax rate is 2.017 percent of market value, and the average residential tax bill is $6,928, according to the New Jersey Division of Taxation. Actual bills depend on each home's assessment.
Is Burlington City the same as Burlington Township?
No. They are separate municipalities with their own governments and property tax rates. The city covers about 4 square miles on the Delaware River, and the township covers about 14. Both use the Burlington 08016 ZIP code.
Is there a train in Burlington, NJ?
Yes. NJ Transit's River Line light rail has two stops in Burlington City, Burlington South and Burlington Towne Centre. Trains run north to Trenton and south to Camden. Burlington Township has no station of its own.
Is there a bridge from Burlington to Pennsylvania?
Yes. The Burlington Bristol Bridge crosses the Delaware River from Burlington City to Bristol, Pennsylvania. It opened in 1931 and is reached by Route 413.
Which Turnpike exit is closest to Burlington?
The Turnpike crosses Burlington Township but has no interchange there. Exit 5 in Westampton is signed for Burlington and Mount Holly, and Exit 6A is in neighboring Florence.
Nearby towns
Towns that border Burlington
Buying or selling in Burlington?
Colonial city or busy township
A Burlington address can mean a colonial house near the river or a township home near Route 130. We confirm the town, the flood map and any historic district before we give you a number.
Call or text either of us directly.