Incorporated in 1905, the town was named for Alfred Burdette Wolverton, an early logger in the area.

Beginning in the 1920s, these farms were utilized by the University of Arkansas for agricultural research focused on the improvement of cotton and corn yields.

The town's municipal boundaries stretch westward along AR 148 to Interstate 55 and eastward to U.S. Route 61.

According to the United States Census Bureau, Burdette has a total area of 0.74 square miles (1.92 km2), all land.

The racial makeup of the town was 70.7% White, 20.9% Black, and 8.4% were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The racial makeup of the town was 82.17% White, 17.05% Black or African American, and 0.78% from two or more races.