Best counties to raise a family in Vermont
Best counties to raise a family in Vermont
For people looking to find a home to raise a family in, choosing a county is an important decision. Most families place affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, a quality school system, and family-friendly activities at the top of their wish lists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Vermont using 2025 data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
The list features counties that boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you'll find one that suits your brood.
#14. Essex County
- Niche grades: good for families (D), public schools (D), cost of living (B), weather (D-), outdoor activities (B-)
- Population: 5,972
- Median household income: $58,985
- Median home value: $167,500
- Top places to live: Guildhall (B), Brighton (B-), Bloomfield (C+)
#13. Grand Isle County
- Niche grades: good for families (C), public schools (D-), cost of living (C), weather (D+), outdoor activities (B+)
- Population: 7,393
- Median household income: $90,625
- Median home value: $363,500
- Top places to live: South Hero (B+), Isle La Motte (C+), Grand Isle (C)
#12. Caledonia County
- Niche grades: good for families (C+), public schools (C-), cost of living (B-), weather (D-), outdoor activities (B+)
- Population: 30,425
- Median household income: $66,075
- Median home value: $215,900
- Top places to live: Waterford (B), Barnet (B-), St. Johnsbury (C)
#11. Franklin County
- Niche grades: good for families (C+), public schools (C-), cost of living (C+), weather (D+), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 50,379
- Median household income: $79,078
- Median home value: $285,500
- Top places to live: Georgia (B-), St. Albans Town (C+), Highgate (C)
#10. Orleans County
- Niche grades: good for families (C+), public schools (C-), cost of living (B-), weather (D), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 27,492
- Median household income: $66,426
- Median home value: $213,300
- Top places to live: Derby (C+), Newport Town (C), Newport (C)
#9. Rutland County
- Niche grades: good for families (C+), public schools (C), cost of living (B-), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 60,484
- Median household income: $64,778
- Median home value: $218,400
- Top places to live: Castleton (B), Mendon (B), Rutland Town (B)
#8. Orange County
- Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C), cost of living (B-), weather (D), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 29,594
- Median household income: $77,328
- Median home value: $251,000
- Top places to live: Williamstown (C-), Strafford (A-), Thetford (B+)
#7. Lamoille County
- Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C-), cost of living (C+), weather (D), outdoor activities (B)
- Population: 26,036
- Median household income: $69,897
- Median home value: $285,200
- Top places to live: Stowe (A-), Morristown (B), Morrisville (B-)
#6. Windham County
- Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C-), cost of living (C+), weather (D+), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 45,913
- Median household income: $68,021
- Median home value: $265,100
- Top places to live: Dummerston (B+), Guilford (B), Rockingham (B-)
#5. Bennington County
- Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C-), cost of living (C+), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 37,312
- Median household income: $71,494
- Median home value: $257,400
- Top places to live: Shaftsbury (B+), North Bennington (B), Bennington (B-)
#4. Windsor County
- Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B-), cost of living (C+), weather (D+), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 57,968
- Median household income: $75,247
- Median home value: $267,400
- Top places to live: Norwich (A+), Wilder (A-), Hartford (B+)
#3. Addison County
- Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B), cost of living (C+), weather (D), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 37,497
- Median household income: $88,478
- Median home value: $333,700
- Top places to live: Middlebury (A), Ferrisburgh (B+), Cornwall (B+)
#2. Washington County
- Niche grades: good for families (A-), public schools (B), cost of living (C+), weather (D+), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 59,958
- Median household income: $79,853
- Median home value: $293,900
- Top places to live: Montpelier (A), Moretown (A-), Duxbury (A-)
#1. Chittenden County
- Niche grades: good for families (A), public schools (A), cost of living (C), weather (D+), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 168,831
- Median household income: $94,310
- Median home value: $404,500
- Top places to live: South Burlington (A+), Shelburne (A), Five Sisters (A)
