Best counties to live in Vermont
More counties in the United States experienced population growth in the last year, according to the latest Census data, even as pandemic-related moving trends begin to normalize.
Counties in the South continued to experience growth, particularly in Florida, where 96% of its 67 counties gained new residents. Polk County, Florida, a suburb of Orlando, added the most, with 26,000 people moving there in 2023.
Meanwhile, counties in the Midwest and Northeast continued to lose population, but at slower rates than the year before. Some of the biggest losses were in counties home to large cities, including Cook County, Illinois (home of Chicago) and the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens in New York.
Many counties are experiencing growth due to their job opportunities, education, or relatively affordable housing costs. Others are favored for their historic or well-designed downtowns or access to cultural opportunities.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to live in Vermont using rankings from Niche. Niche ranks counties by various factors including public schools, educational attainment, cost of living, and housing.
Keep reading to see if your county made the list.
#9. Rutland County, Vermont
- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 60,585
- Median household income: $62,641
- Median home value: $203,500 (72% own)
- Median rent: $891 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Killington Elementary School (grade A), Barstow Memorial School (grade B+), Middletown Springs Elementary School (grade B+)
- Top private schools: Mount St. Joseph Academy (grade A), Killington Mountain School (grade B+), Rutland Area Christian School (grade B+)
- Top places: Mendon (grade B+), Rutland Town (grade B), Shrewsbury (grade B)
#8. Orange County, Vermont
- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 29,439
- Median household income: $74,534
- Median home value: $231,000 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,125 (18% rent)
- Top public schools: Braintree School (grade A), Newton Elementary School (grade B+), Brookfield School (grade B minus)
- Top private schools: Vermont Academy of Science & Technology (grade B+), Thetford Academy (grade B), Wellspring School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Williamstown (grade C minus), Thetford (grade B+), Strafford (grade B+)
#7. Bennington County, Vermont
- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 37,326
- Median household income: $68,558
- Median home value: $243,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $974 (26% rent)
- Top public schools: Readsboro Elementary School (grade B minus), Arlington Memorial Middle/High School (grade B minus), Fisher School (grade C+)
- Top private schools: Long Trail School (grade A), Burr and Burton Academy (grade B+), Grace Christian School (grade B minus)
- Top places: Shaftsbury (grade B), North Bennington (grade B), Bennington (grade C+)
#6. Lamoille County, Vermont
- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 25,977
- Median household income: $69,886
- Median home value: $270,700 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,066 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Stowe Elementary School (grade A minus), Morristown Elementary School (grade B), Cambridge Elementary School (grade B)
- Top private schools: Bishop John A. Marshall School (grade unavailable), Wolcott Mennonite School (grade unavailable), Apple Tree Learning Centers (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Elmore (grade A minus), Stowe (grade B+), Morristown (grade B)
#5. Windham County, Vermont
- Overall Rank: Not ranked
- Population: 45,857
- Median household income: $65,473
- Median home value: $250,000 (72% own)
- Median rent: $1,031 (28% rent)
- Top public schools: Wardsboro Central School (grade A), Dover Elementary School (grade A), Halifax West School (grade A minus)
- Top private schools: The Putney School (grade A+), Vermont Academy (grade A+), Stratton Mountain School (grade A)
- Top places: Dummerston (grade B+), Guilford (grade B), Rockingham (grade B minus)
#4. Windsor County, Vermont
- Overall Rank: 1,082
- Population: 57,832
- Median household income: $69,492
- Median home value: $249,700 (77% own)
- Median rent: $1,054 (23% rent)
- Top public schools: Barnard Academy (grade A+), Marion W. Cross School (grade A), Woodstock Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Mid Vermont Christian School (grade A minus), The Sharon Academy (grade B), Upper Valley Waldorf School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Norwich (grade A+), Wilder (grade A minus), Weathersfield (grade B)
#3. Addison County, Vermont
- Overall Rank: 616
- Population: 37,434
- Median household income: $85,870
- Median home value: $311,200 (79% own)
- Median rent: $1,153 (21% rent)
- Top public schools: Weybridge Elementary School (grade A+), Bingham Memorial School (grade A), Ferrisburgh Central School (grade A)
- Top private schools: The Red Cedar School (grade unavailable), Bridge School (grade unavailable), Champlain Valley Christian School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Middlebury (grade A), Cornwall (grade A minus), Ferrisburgh (grade A minus)
#2. Washington County, Vermont
- Overall Rank: 470
- Population: 59,768
- Median household income: $77,278
- Median home value: $278,000 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,077 (27% rent)
- Top public schools: Waitsfield Elementary School (grade A+), Warren Elementary School (grade A), Fayston Elementary School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Green Mountain Valley School (grade A+), Websterville Christian Academy (grade B+), Orchard Valley Waldorf School (grade unavailable)
- Top places: Montpelier (grade A), Moretown (grade A minus), East Montpelier (grade A minus)
#1. Chittenden County, Vermont
- Overall Rank: 178
- Population: 168,309
- Median household income: $89,494
- Median home value: $378,300 (63% own)
- Median rent: $1,511 (37% rent)
- Top public schools: Camels Hump Middle School (grade A), Charlotte Central School (grade A), South Burlington High School (grade A)
- Top private schools: Lake Champlain Waldorf School (grade A), Vermont Commons School (grade A), Rice Memorial High School (grade A minus)
- Top places: South Burlington (grade A+), Five Sisters (grade A), Shelburne (grade A)
This story features data reporting and writing by Elena Cox and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 50 states.
