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Area9,616 SQ. MI.
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CapitalMontpelier
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Population623,989
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Income$57,513
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Home Value$277,364
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Crime1,262
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Unemployment3.5%
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Education36.8%
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Medicine12
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Poverty10.5%
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Environment0
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Infrastructure3.5%
Vermont has a rich history. It joined the U.S. as the fourteenth state on March 4, 1791. It had previously existed as a self-governing region since 1777. Before then it had been a no man’s land whose ownership was contrasted for by New York and New Hampshire. New York eventually won ownership of the land before ceding it for $30,000.
It had been inhabited by Abenaki Native Americans for over 10,000 years before it was discovered by French explorer Samuel de Champlain in 1609. He coined the name in French “Verd Mont” which translates to the “Green Mountain” in English. It has an abbreviation VT. The capital of Vermont is Montpelier, which is the smallest capital city in the United States. On the map, it is bordered by the Canadian province of Quebec, Massachusetts, New York, and New Hampshire.
Because of the low population, it is one of the least urbanized places, with only 9 cities with a population over 10,000 people. But it makes up for it with a very pleasant laid-back rural atmosphere. The weather conditions throughout the year range between extreme winter and warm and muggy summers.
It produces the highest quantity of marble and talc in the United States. Green and hilly terrains make it a good location to raise livestock. Dairy accounts for more than 70 percent of its agricultural economy. There are over 21 Vermont state parks.
How We Figured Out Which Were the Best States to Live In
To discover the best American area to reside in 2021, it was essential to gather and use credible statistics and information from authoritative national sources. The information came from multiple sources such as the FBI records, U.S Department of Labor, Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and United Health Foundation.
The research work is understandable and involved an aggressive checkup of historic and modern facts used for its validity, accuracy, and relevance to today’s reality.
Vermont Rankings
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PopulationData: 623,989Vermont population, along with Wyoming, falls in the top two least populated states in the U.S. In terms of population density, it is in the 31st position. This means that Vermonters manage to use its landmass effectively, but not to the extent of overpopulation.
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Income in $Data: $57,153The individual income tax Vermonters pay is 8.75% and its sales tax and property tax are 6% and 1.8%, respectively. The high taxes charged are responsible for the low ranking. It has the 22nd highest rate of millionaires with 6.29% and has the lowest median income bracket in the country..
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Home ValueData: $277,364Its median home value is just above the national median of $272,446. Houses here are a lot cheaper compared to metropolitan states like Washington DC where the median value is $470,304. The housing market situation is hot with many buyers and very few sellers. The prices have risen by 7.2% from the previous year.
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UnemploymentData: 3.5%According to this metric, Vermont's unemployment rate is the 4th best in the country. This position is even more impressive considering that only seven states fall below the 4% mark. In comparison, Hawaii has an unemployment rate of 10.3%, the highest among American states.
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PovertyData: 10.5%It finds itself falling short of the national average which is 12%. Blacks are the most impoverished race with 25.95% living below the poverty line, more than double the rate among whites and Islanders. But this has little significance on statewide statistics because whites constitute over 90% of the population.
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EducationData: 36.8%92.3% of Vermonters go on to graduate high school. All children between 6 and 16 must be in private or public school. It also has the lowest student to teacher ratio (10.5 to 1), allowing teachers to give each student extra attention. Its public schools are ranked the fifth-best in the country.
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MedicineHealth Outcomes: 12This stat measures the level of healthcare. The air quality and pollution rate are one of the best in the U.S. The rate of people without health insurance is lower than the national average of 13.8%. It was the first state to pass the law single-payer health care system back in 2011.
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CrimeViolent Crime: 1,262It has a murder rate per 100,000 people of 1.8, which is the second-lowest in the country. Also, 1,262 violent crimes were committed there, according to the reports of 2019. In comparison, California has the highest amount with 174,331. Common crime types include larceny, burglary, motor vehicle theft, aggravated assault, robbery, rape, and murder.
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EnvironmentAir: 0Living here exposes Vermonters to one of the best natural environments in the U.S. It has the leading air quality in the state. The hazardous waste is 95 and the water is 442 violations. There are zero air incidents in the area in contrast to Indiana where 309 incidents occurred during the year.
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InfrastructurePoor Roads: 3.5%It takes Vermonters 23.20 minutes to get to work every day, the thirteenth shortest time in the country. It has a poor road condition of 3.5%. In comparison, Rhode Island has 24.6% of its road in poor condition. In average, citizens spend $904 on highways, which is one of the U.S.
Vermont Facts
- The motto is “Freedom and Unity.” In 2015, the state government decided to adopt a Latin motto “Stella quarta decima fulgeat.” The meaning of it is “May the 14th star shine bright”. A nod to Vermont becoming the 14th state of the U.S.
- VT uses “The Green Mountain State” as its nickname.
- The official flag is a rectangular dark blue field with a coat of arms in the center.
- 90% of Vermonters speak only English. The next most spoken language is French, used by 6% of the population.
- Red clover was adopted as the state flower, and sugar maple as the state tree.
- Only 22% Vermonters count themselves as religious people. 37% of the state’s population do not attach themselves to any religion.
- Gun laws in the territory are the most permissive in the US, individuals above 18 and not prohibited can carry it in vehicles, open spaces, and liquor establishments.
- The total number of zip codes is 251 (05001-05907).
- This region has heavy ties to Abraham Lincoln. It was the first state to abolish slavery in 1776. His Hildene summer mansion is a tourist hotspot.
Vermont in Photos
FAQ Section
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What Is the Largest City in Vermont?
There are only 9 cities and 237 towns in the region. According to the 2019 census, Burlington, Chittenden county, is the largest city with a population totaling 42,819, almost twice the number of the next city Essex with 21,890.
By land area, South Burlington is the biggest, being a home to 19,509 citizens.
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What Is the State Bird of Vermont?
The state bird is the Hermit thrush, though it leaves during winter. However, it was chosen because it is present in all 14 counties. It was adopted in 1941 after great debate among legislators.
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What Is Vermont Known for?
It is famous for producing the best maple syrup in the entire country. The area is also popular for its dairy farms (it has the highest ratio of cows to people in America) and breweries.
In short, the rural atmosphere is almost unmatchable in the US. From its green mountains to the spectacular foliage in the autumn, the colors are nothing short of breathtaking. Vermont was the first to lead the way in giving women voting rights and allowing gay marriages.
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What to Do in VT?
Hiking and skiing, depending on the season, are famous tourist attractions in the area. There are 15 museums to visit here. Each museum offers its own unique experience from arts and history to humor and science.
When visiting with kids, Ben and Jerry’s Ice cream factory is a very effective way to keep them entertained. The 300+ foot Bennington Battle Monument is another must-see. A celebration of the Bennington Battle Day is held there every August.
