Located in southeastern Genesee county, approximately 60 miles north of Detroit, Burton occupies an area of approximately 23.5 square miles. Originally organized as a township in 1856 the area was named after John Burton, a prominent local farmer. It had grown out of the Atherton Settlement founded in 1829. In 1971 township leaders made the decision to seek city status for the area. The township residents voted on May 16, 1972 to incorporate and the city was officially formed later that year.