Best small towns to live in Vermont

1. 1
   Randolph, VT Score 82/100

   2,007 people · typical home $235k · household income $75k · 15 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 2% of VT · 4.0% unemployment · 4 mi to a hospital

2. 2
   Williamstown, VT Score 77/100

   1,660 people · typical home $211k · household income $79k · 3 violent crimes per 100k · 2.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

3. 3
   Norwich, VT Score 74/100

   1,147 people · typical home $698k · household income $174k · 37 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 10% of VT · 1.0% unemployment · 5 mi to a hospital

4. 4
   Bradford, VT Score 72/100

   1,097 people · typical home $227k · household income $104k · 3 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 63% of VT · 4.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

5. 5
   Hardwick, VT Score 71/100

   1,046 people · typical home $181k · household income $54k · 89 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 46% of VT · 2.0% unemployment · 13 mi to a hospital

6. 6
   White River Junction, VT Score 66/100

   3,364 people · typical home $279k · household income $77k · 103 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 26% of VT · 5.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

7. 7
   South Barre, VT Score 66/100

   1,346 people · typical home $258k · household income $78k · 133 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 57% of VT · 1.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

8. 8
   Lyndonville, VT Score 62/100

   1,408 people · typical home $188k · household income $62k · 231 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 53% of VT · 2.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

9. 9
   Barre, VT Score 61/100

   8,412 people · typical home $210k · household income $66k · 116 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 57% of VT · 4.0% unemployment · 3 mi to a hospital

10. 10
    Wilder, VT Score 61/100

    3,087 people · typical home $273k · household income $75k · 103 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 18% of VT · 6.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

11. 11
    Northfield, VT Score 59/100

    3,766 people · typical home $241k · household income $61k · 34 violent crimes per 100k · 3.0% unemployment · 10 mi to a hospital

12. 12
    St. Johnsbury, VT Score 59/100

    5,859 people · typical home $175k · household income $54k · 154 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 53% of VT · 4.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

13. 13
    Morrisville, VT Score 58/100

    2,664 people · typical home $276k · household income $68k · 38 violent crimes per 100k · 3.0% unemployment · 2 mi to a hospital

14. 14
    Swanton, VT Score 58/100

    2,670 people · typical home $229k · household income $67k · 117 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 58% of VT · 3.0% unemployment · 9 mi to a hospital

15. 15
    Proctor, VT Score 55/100

    1,586 people · typical home $206k · household income $75k · 151 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 70% of VT · 2.0% unemployment · 8 mi to a hospital

16. 16
    Springfield, VT Score 54/100

    4,237 people · typical home $147k · household income $47k · 209 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 60% of VT · 8.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

17. 17
    Richford, VT Score 54/100

    1,573 people · typical home $165k · household income $52k · 120 violent crimes per 100k · 8.0% unemployment · 24 mi to a hospital

18. 18
    Vergennes, VT Score 53/100

    2,565 people · typical home $310k · household income $77k · 55 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 66% of VT · 2.0% unemployment · 12 mi to a hospital

19. 19
    Chester, VT Score 50/100

    1,298 people · typical home $262k · household income $64k · 61 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 60% of VT · 3.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

20. 20
    West Rutland, VT Score 50/100

    2,125 people · typical home $194k · household income $61k · 151 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 82% of VT · 2.0% unemployment · 7 mi to a hospital

21. 21
    Fair Haven, VT Score 48/100

    2,537 people · typical home $175k · household income $66k · 170 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 82% of VT · 2.0% unemployment · 18 mi to a hospital

22. 22
    Brandon, VT Score 48/100

    1,927 people · typical home $238k · household income $59k · 115 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 74% of VT · 1.0% unemployment · 14 mi to a hospital

23. 23
    Bristol, VT Score 47/100

    2,142 people · typical home $302k · household income $73k · 61 violent crimes per 100k · schools in the top 66% of VT · 3.0% unemployment · 11 mi to a hospital

24. 24
    Enosburg Falls, VT Score 45/100

    1,570 people · typical home $207k · household income $51k · 120 violent crimes per 100k · 4.0% unemployment · 18 mi to a hospital

25. 25
    Newport, VT Score 45/100

    4,394 people · typical home $179k · household income $55k · 294 violent crimes per 100k · 9.0% unemployment · 1 mi to a hospital

How we ranked them

Every small town in Vermont with 1,000–15,000 people that stands on its own (not part of a big metro core, by USDA rural-urban codes) and has solid Census data. Each town is scored against the others in Vermont on: affordability (household income vs. home prices), safety (violent crime, FBI), schools (reading proficiency vs. other Vermont districts), jobs (unemployment, half weight) and everyday access (distance to a hospital and a grocery store, quarter weight each). Missing numbers count as average.

The "best" town is different for everyone — weather, size, politics, things to do and more all matter too.

All places in Vermont →