Burlington was known as the "Hub City" because it was located at the railroad crossroads and it served as an agricultural center for Skagit County. The population was 6,757 at the 2000 census and is included in the Mount Vernon-Anacortes, Washington Metropolitan Statistical Area. Burlinghton is also located at the crossroads of I-5 and State Highway 20, the two major roadways in Skagit County, and is near the Skagit Regional Airport operated by the Port of Skagit County.

Recently, Burlington has become the shopping "hub" of Skagit County and attracts both local and outside shoppers to its many retail stores. Burlington is home to the Cascade Mall, Skagit County's only regional mall that includes a 14-screen movie theater. Prime Outlets factory outlet mall is located nearby as well as many other large and small retail stores including Costco and Fred Meyer. Burlington has an open-air produce market that is open in season and several summer roadside produce stands are located in the area.