Burner (Burning Man)

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A burner is anyone who participates in the creation of Burning Man or one of the many regional Burning Man events that occur outside the Black Rock Desert, or anyone who self-identifies with a core set of values manifest at such events.

The Burning Man Afterburn Report 2004 derived a number of statistics from a voluntary survey filled out primarily by visitors to Center Camp. Attendees are overwhelmingly white, college-educated, middle class Americans from urban or suburban communities. The vast majority (67%) are between the ages of 21 and 40, with a smaller percentage (27%) between the ages of 41 and 60. Most (70%) are straight, with smaller percentages identifying themselves as bisexual (18%) or gay (8%). About 40% are single, while 34% are either married or live with a domestic partner. Burners tend to be relatively affluent, with 24% earning between $25-49K/year (2003 salary) and 25% earning $50K/year or more. A little more than a third (34%) of burners are homeowners.

The term can also be used to refer to an attendee of one of many regional Burning Man events held throughout the United States as well as in a few other countries. Because these events cater to a more local audience and generally do not operate a census, it is unknown to what degree the demographic of their attendees varies. Although many attendees of regional events will also go on to attend the main Burning Man event, others will exclusively attend events in their area.

Due to the nature of the event, Burners differ from other subcultures and seldom strive to be hip to current trends but tend create new ones. Many see their fellow Burners as members of an intentional family or tribal group that is associated with specific values and or principals (such as radical self-expression, self-reliance, and the practice of a Gift economy).