Burlington Neighborhood Guide: Real Estate, Schools and Local Living
Burlington is a Halton Region city of about 187,000 residents on Lake Ontario, directly west of Oakville, with an average home price near $1.04 million in August 2026 and schools run by the Halton District School Board and Halton Catholic District School Board.
Category | Detail |
|---|---|
Region | Halton Region, Ontario, at the western end of Lake Ontario |
Population | 186,948 (2021 census); estimated near 200,000 as of 2026 |
Average home price | Approximately $1.04 million (August 2026, all home types) |
School districts | Halton District School Board (public); Halton Catholic District School Board (Catholic) |
Neighboring city | Oakville, directly east along the QEW and Lake Ontario shoreline |
Population and geography sourced from the 2021 Statistics Canada census and Wikipedia's Burlington, Ontario entry. Home price figures sourced from Zolo.ca's Burlington housing market report. School board information sourced from hdsb.ca and hcdsb.org.
Curious what your options look like in Burlington right now? Search current listings or contact Rina Dirisio's team for a personal walkthrough of the market.
Welcome to Burlington
A lakeside Halton Region city known for its waterfront park system, strong schools, and easy commuting access between Toronto and Hamilton.
Burlington sits at the southwestern end of Lake Ontario, in the geographic centre of the Golden Horseshoe, roughly midway between Toronto and Niagara. Founded in 1874 and incorporated as a city in 1974, Burlington has grown into the twenty-eighth most populous municipality in Canada, with a population of 186,948 recorded in the 2021 census. It sits directly west of Oakville and shares much of the same Halton Region infrastructure, including school boards, GO Transit service, and highway access.
Burlington's downtown core hugs the waterfront around Spencer Smith Park and the Brant Street Pier, while the rest of the city spreads across established residential neighborhoods, newer subdivisions, and protected natural areas, including a large share of the Royal Botanical Gardens. The city's land north of Highway 407 remains largely agricultural, rural residential, and conservation land, giving Burlington a mix of urban waterfront living and open countryside within the same municipal boundary.
What to Love About Burlington
- Spencer Smith Park and Brant Street Pier: a waterfront park on Lakeshore Road with a 137 metre pier extending over Lake Ontario, the hub for Burlington's signature festivals and events.
- Royal Botanical Gardens: 680 Plains Road West, Canada's largest botanical garden, spanning Burlington and Hamilton with more than 25 kilometres of trails.
- Nelson High School: a Halton District School Board secondary school serving grades 9 to 12, one of several strong public high schools in the city.
- Downtown Brant Street: shops, restaurants, and cafes just steps from the waterfront, closed to traffic each year for the Sound of Music Festival.
Local Lifestyle in Burlington
Burlington consistently ranks among Canada's most livable cities, combining a relaxed lakefront lifestyle with strong connections to the Greater Toronto Area. Its economy includes pharmaceutical, technology, and advanced manufacturing employers, and residents benefit from excellent transportation links via the QEW, Highway 403, and Highway 407.
Economic and lifestyle context sourced from a 2026 Halton Region real estate market summary.
Neighborhoods vary widely across the city, from lakeside pockets like Roseland and Shoreacres, known for prestigious waterfront living, to newer family-oriented communities like Alton Village in the north end. Residents are close to the Oakville GO Station, Burlington GO Station, and easy highway access into both Toronto and Hamilton.
Dining, Entertainment and Shopping
Downtown Burlington's Brant Street corridor, near Spencer Smith Park, is the city's dining and retail hub, with restaurants, cafes, and boutiques within walking distance of the waterfront. The Burlington Performing Arts Centre and the Art Gallery of Burlington add cultural anchors to the downtown core, and the Village Square area brings additional shops and services.
Downtown business details sourced from the City of Burlington's official site (burlington.ca) and local visitor guides.
Things to Do in Burlington
- Spencer Smith Park and Brant Street Pier, 1400 Lakeshore Road, a waterfront park and 137 metre pier with panoramic Lake Ontario views, open 7 a.m. to 11 p.m.
- Royal Botanical Gardens, 680 Plains Road West, Canada's largest botanical garden, with themed sections including Hendrie Park, the Rock Garden, and Laking Garden.
- Burlington Beach and LaSalle Park, both offering waterfront walking trails and views of Burlington Bay and the Skyway Bridge.
- Spencer Smith Park and Brant Street Pier: 1400 Lakeshore Road, Burlington, ON. Open daily 7:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m.
- Royal Botanical Gardens: 680 Plains Road West, Burlington, ON L7T 4H4. General admission approximately $20 for adults.
Park hours and admission details sourced from the City of Burlington's official site (burlington.ca) and Royal Botanical Gardens' official site (rbg.ca).
Schools in Burlington
Public education in Burlington is served by the Halton District School Board, and Catholic education by the Halton Catholic District School Board. Both boards also serve Oakville, Milton, and Halton Hills within Halton Region.
- Nelson High School, Halton District School Board, grades 9 to 12.
- Burlington Central High School, Halton District School Board, grades 9 to 12.
- Aldershot High School, Halton District School Board, grades 9 to 12.
School details sourced from the Halton District School Board's official site (hdsb.ca). School catchment boundaries are set by the Halton District School Board and Halton Catholic District School Board and can change from year to year. Buyers should confirm current boundary assignments directly with the applicable board before purchasing, rather than relying on this page.
Burlington Real Estate Market
Burlington's average home price was approximately $1.04 million in August 2026, with 584 new listings recorded over the prior 28 days and a median time on market of 33 days. Detached homes have led sales activity over the past decade, averaging around $1.24 million, followed by freehold and condo townhomes and condo apartments at more accessible price points.
For buyers working with an oakville real estate agent, Burlington can also offer a range of housing options depending on budget, location, and lifestyle. Established lakeside neighborhoods such as Roseland and Shoreacres tend to feature larger detached homes on mature lots, while newer communities in the north end offer a mix of detached homes, townhomes, and condos built since the 2000s.
Housing stock varies by pocket: established lakeside neighborhoods like Roseland and Shoreacres favor larger detached homes on mature lots, while newer communities in the north end mix detached homes with townhomes and condos built since the 2000s. For a full look at what is currently on the market, browse active listings, or reach out to Rina Dirisio's team for a market walkthrough specific to your target neighborhood and budget.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Burlington, Ontario known for?
Burlington is known for its waterfront downtown core along Spencer Smith Park and the Brant Street Pier, its share of the Royal Botanical Gardens, and its reputation as one of Canada's most livable cities. It also offers strong schools and easy commuting access to both Toronto and Hamilton.
Is Burlington a good place to live?
Burlington consistently ranks among Canada's best places to live, combining a relaxed lakefront lifestyle with strong schools, low crime, and easy highway and GO Transit access to the Greater Toronto Area. Families are drawn to its mix of established and newer neighborhoods, while professionals benefit from its central Golden Horseshoe location.
How does Burlington compare to Oakville?
Burlington and Oakville sit next to each other in Halton Region and share the same school boards and GO Transit line, but Burlington's average home price of about $1.04 million in August 2026 runs meaningfully lower than Oakville's average near $1.5 million. Buyers often compare the two directly when weighing budget against proximity to Toronto.
What school board serves Burlington?
Public schools in Burlington fall under the Halton District School Board, and Catholic schools fall under the Halton Catholic District School Board. Both boards also serve Oakville, Milton, and Halton Hills within Halton Region.
How much does a home cost in Burlington?
Burlington's average home price was approximately $1.04 million in August 2026 across all home types, with detached homes averaging closer to $1.24 million and condo apartments averaging around $575,000 to $622,000 depending on the reporting period. Prices vary significantly by neighborhood, with lakeside pockets like Roseland and Shoreacres commanding a premium.
What is there to do in Burlington?
Burlington's biggest draws are its waterfront, including Spencer Smith Park, the Brant Street Pier, and Burlington Beach, along with its share of the Royal Botanical Gardens, Canada's largest botanical garden. Downtown Brant Street adds shopping, dining, and cultural venues like the Burlington Performing Arts Centre and the Art Gallery of Burlington.
Explore More
Explore nearby areas: Bronte Creek, Lakeshore Woods, and West Oakville.
Related reading: A Local's Guide on Things to Do in Burlington and Outdoor Activities, Parks and Recreation in Burlington.
