Burlington, city in northwestern Vermont, located on Lake Champlain. Burlington is the seat of Chittenden County. The largest city in Vermont, it is a port of entry and a manufacturing, commercial, and tourist center. Major products include electronic equipment, steel and wood items, maple syrup, business machinery, and textiles. The University of Vermont (1791), Champlain College (1878), Trinity College of Vermont (1925), Burlington College (1972), and a junior college are here. Ethan Allen, a hero of the American Revolution (1775-1783), lived in Burlington from 1787 to 1789. American philosopher and educator John Dewey was born here. Settled in 1773, the community is named for the Burling family, early settlers of the area. During the War of 1812 (1812-1815) Burlington served as a United States military base and was the scene of several skirmishes. According to the 1990 census, whites constitute 96.8 percent of Burlington's population; people of Asian origin, 1.5 percent; blacks, 1 percent; and Native Americans, 0.3 percent. Hispanics, who may also be counted among other groups, represent 1.2 percent of the population. Population 37,712 (1980); 39,127 (1990); 38,453 (1998 estimate).
