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Burgaw is the county seat of Pender County and occupies a central location within southeastern North Carolina's Coastal Plain. The broader region was inhabited by Indigenous peoples for generations before European settlement, with rivers, creeks, forests, and wetlands supporting travel and subsistence. European-American settlement expanded through the area during the colonial and early national periods, when agriculture, timber production, and small rural communities shaped the landscape. Pender County itself was created in 1875 from part of New Hanover County and named for Confederate General William Dorsey Pender. Burgaw was subsequently selected as the county seat, establishing its enduring governmental importance.

The railroad was fundamental to Burgaw's development. The community grew around a rail stop on the important route connecting Wilmington with inland and northern markets. Rail access made Burgaw a logical center for moving agricultural products, timber, naval stores, passengers, and commercial goods. When the town was incorporated in the late nineteenth century, its railroad connections helped distinguish it from the numerous smaller rural settlements scattered throughout Pender County. Agriculture remained equally important, with tobacco, corn, vegetables, livestock, blueberries, and other products contributing to the local economy.

Burgaw's transportation network expanded beyond the railroad as automobiles and highways transformed southeastern North Carolina. U.S. Highway 117 provided connections toward Wilmington and communities to the north, while nearby Interstate 40 eventually created a major high-speed corridor between Wilmington and the Raleigh area. These routes made Burgaw more accessible to regional employment and commercial centers without eliminating its traditional role as a local hub for surrounding agricultural communities.

Community institutions have long reinforced Burgaw's position as the center of Pender County government and civic life. The historic courthouse, municipal buildings, schools, churches, local businesses, and public spaces give the town a recognizable small-town center. Historic structures and tree-lined streets reflect several periods of development, while local preservation efforts have helped retain portions of the community's architectural character. Burgaw's role as the county seat continues to bring residents from across Pender County into town for government and professional services.

Agriculture remains visible in Burgaw's cultural identity. Pender County is an important blueberry-producing area, and the North Carolina Blueberry Festival held in Burgaw celebrates this agricultural heritage with community activities, vendors, entertainment, and events. The festival has become one of the town's signature occasions and demonstrates the continuing relationship between modern Burgaw and the farms surrounding it. Forestry and other rural industries likewise remain part of the wider county economy.

Today, Burgaw offers homeowners a combination of historic small-town character, county services, regional transportation access, and proximity to Wilmington. Residential properties include historic homes, established neighborhoods, rural properties, and newer construction. Residents can reach the Wilmington metropolitan area while living in a community surrounded by farms, forests, and open space. As growth spreads through southeastern North Carolina, Burgaw's position along major transportation routes and its longstanding role as Pender County's governmental center give it continuing importance within the region.