Best Cities for Families in Vermont
Why Vermont Works for Families
Vermont is one of the very best state for families, ranking #4 out of 50. With strong schools, a low violent crime rate of 208 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $74,919, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs track close to the national average with a cost-of-living index of 97.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Vermont delivers on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 93%, above the national average. School quality has been a consistent strength, reflected in an education score of 74/100. At $13,116 per year for infant care, childcare is a significant budget item that families need to plan for.
Safety is the other pillar of family-friendly living. Vermont excels here with one of the lowest violent crime rates in the country at 208 incidents per 100,000 residents. With a cost-of-living index of 97, household expenses are close to the national norm β neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # | City | Grade | Families Score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Shelburne | A+ | 70.3 | 67.5 | 74 | 91 | 53 | 6,292 |
| 2 | Middlebury | A+ | 69.2 | 64.2 | 74 | 87 | 56 | 7,145 |
| 3 | Montpelier | A+ | 68.0 | 65.4 | 74 | 81 | 58 | 8,038 |
| 4 | Northfield | B+ | 67.9 | 58.7 | 74 | 89 | 63 | 4,165 |
| 5 | Essex Junction | A+ | 67.1 | 66.0 | 74 | 79 | 55 | 10,720 |
| 6 | Milton | A | 66.7 | 62.0 | 74 | 90 | 56 | 3,510 |
| 7 | White River Junction | B+ | 66.0 | 60.2 | 74 | 79 | 62 | 2,878 |
| 8 | South Burlington | A+ | 65.6 | 68.4 | 74 | 51 | 58 | 20,488 |
| 9 | Wilder | B+ | 65.2 | 59.8 | 74 | 79 | 61 | 3,394 |
| 10 | Springfield | B | 64.7 | 55.1 | 74 | 80 | 74 | 3,882 |
| 11 | Winooski | A | 63.9 | 63.2 | 74 | 60 | 55 | 8,198 |
| 12 | Bennington | B+ | 63.4 | 59.9 | 74 | 60 | 70 | 8,888 |
| 13 | Bellows Falls | C+ | 62.1 | 53.0 | 74 | 77 | 64 | 2,851 |
| 14 | Newport | C+ | 59.8 | 52.2 | 74 | 59 | 73 | 4,413 |
| 15 | St. Johnsbury | C+ | 59.6 | 52.9 | 74 | 56 | 66 | 5,945 |
| 16 | Burlington | B+ | 59.1 | 57.5 | 74 | 36 | 59 | 44,649 |
| 17 | Barre | C+ | 58.6 | 52.3 | 74 | 51 | 72 | 8,461 |
| 18 | Rutland | B | 57.5 | 53.3 | 74 | 51 | 65 | 15,747 |
| 19 | Brattleboro | C+ | 56.3 | 51.4 | 74 | 34 | 63 | 7,793 |
| 20 | St. Albans | C+ | 50.9 | 49.7 | 74 | 19 | 61 | 6,910 |