[2] The county was named for Dakota Territory political figure Walter A. Burleigh.

[3][4] Burleigh County is included in the Bismarck, ND Metropolitan Statistical Area, commonly called "Bismarck–Mandan".

The Missouri River flows south-southeasterly along the lower west boundary line of Burleigh County.

The county terrain consists of semi-arid low rolling hills, partially devoted to agriculture.

The terrain's highest point is on the upper portion of the east boundary line, at 2,060 ft (630 m) ASL.

With the exception of 1964, no Democratic Party candidate has received even 40 percent of the county's vote after 1940.