The MSA designation represents the counties containing the contiguous urbanized area centered on the city of Burlington, plus adjacent counties that are socially and economically linked to the urban core (as measured by commuting).

[6] The largest industrial facility in Vermont is GlobalFoundries's semiconductor plant in Essex Junction.

The metropolitan area ranked ten points higher than the US average, helping to propel the state to ninth in the country for volunteerism for the period 2005–8.

WCAX is the only Burlington-based news department, while WPTZ is licensed in Plattsburgh, New York yet operates out of South Burlington.

The CW affiliate WNNE channel 31 is based out of Montpelier but serves the Burlington market.

Comcast Communications is the city's major cable television service provider.

Residents within the city limits are also served by municipally owned Burlington Telecom.