Burke is a census-designated place and an unincorporated community in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. As of the 2000 census, Burke had a total population of 57,737.

Demographics

As of the census^[1] of 2000, there were 57,737 people, 19,215 households, and 15,756 families residing in the community. Burke is the largest community in Virginia recognized by the Census Bureau, other than counties and incorporated cities (although 11 cities and Arlington, Virginia have greater populations). The population density was 5,008.0 people per square mile. There were 19,367 housing units at an average density of 1,679.9/sq mi. The racial makeup of the CDP was 74.36% White, 14.66% Asian, 5.04% African American, 3.27% from two or more races, 0.21% Native American, 0.08% Pacific Islander, and 2.37% from other races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 7.43% of the population.

There were 19,215 households out of which 44.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 70.6% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 18.0% were non-families. 13.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 2.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.99 and the average family size was 3.30.

The population distribution by age is 27.9% under the age of 18, 7.3% from 18 to 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 30.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 95.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.

According to a 2007 estimate, the median income for a household in Burke is $113,034, and the median income for a family was $125,905. Males had a median income of $66,149 versus $41,933 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $34,936. About 1.5% of families and 2.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.4% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.

Population history from the U.S. Census Bureau

• 1980...33,835
• 1990...57,734
• 2000...57,737

Schools

Elementary and secondary school students in Burke are served by the Fairfax County Public School System. The elementary schools in Burke are White Oaks, Terra Centre, and Cherry Run. Burke is home to Lake Braddock Secondary School, though many students within the district attend Robinson Secondary School, as well as South County Secondary.

Transportation

Burke is served by two Virginia Railway Express stations, Burke Center (VRE station) and Rolling Road (VRE station), both on the Manassas line. It is also served by the Metrobus (Washington, D.C.) system, via the 18P,R, and S routes, with rush hour only service to the Pentagon and Springfield metro stations.

Recreation and Events

Recreation

As well as being served by the Fairfax County Park Authority and the Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority there are smaller playgrounds in Burke Centre.

• Burke Centre operates pools at each of the 5 community centers; there are also pools at the Burke Station Swim Club and the Old Keene Mill Swim & Racquet Club. All pools are membership based. Non membership pools are operated by the Fairfax County Park Authority 5-10 minutes from Burke.
• Along the boundaries of adjoining Fairfax Station, Burke Lake Park is an 888-acre park centered around a 218-acre recreational lake. The park contains a 4.5 mile jogging trail, campsites, numerous picnic and sports areas, an 18-hole par three golf course with driving range, a disc golf course, miniature golf course, boat rental, amphitheater, ice cream parlor, carousel, and miniature train ride.

Events

• From May through October, the Burke Farmers Market is in the VRE parking garage every Saturday morning.
• Burke Centre hosts a fall festival for two days every September.
• Burke Nursery & Garden Center hosts a Pumpkin Playground every October.

Communities

One of the largest developments in Burke is Burke Centre, a 1,700 acre planned community, which is divided into five subcommunities, The Commons, The Landings, The Oaks, The Ponds and The Woods. Other notable communities in the Burke area include Rolling Valley West, Burke Village I & II, Lakepointe, Burke Lake Meadows, Edgewater, Lake Braddock, Signal Hill, Crownleigh, and Cherry Run along with Burke Station Square.

Nearby towns, communities, etc.

• Annandale (4 miles NE)
• Clifton (3.5 miles W)
• Fairfax (4.5 miles NW)
• Lorton (6.5 miles SE)
• Springfield (4 miles E)

In Popular Culture

In the 2008 Bethesda Softworks Video Game Fallout 3 one of the game's characters is named "Mister Burke". This is a reference to the town because the Game is set in post-nuclear Washington D.C and the Character "Mister Burke" lives in a fictional tower roughly where the real town of Burke is located.

From Wikipedia