Best Cities for Families in Vermont
Vermont ranks #13 of 50 for families, with a families score of 78.7. Shelburne is its best city for families at 77.6.
- Vermont, all states
- #13 of 50
- Population
- 6,499
Why Vermont Works for Families
Vermont is a strong state for families, ranking #13 out of 50. With moderate schools, a low violent crime rate of 214.4 per 100K residents, and a median household income of $82,730, the state offers a solid foundation for raising children. Housing costs track close to the national average with a cost-of-living index of 98.
Education is the single most important factor for families choosing where to live, and Vermont shows mixed results on this front. The state's high school graduation rate stands at 82.8%, trailing the national average. Families relocating here should research individual school districts carefully, as statewide metrics (education score: 52/100) mask significant local variation. At $21,670 a year for center-based 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 214.4 incidents per 100,000 residents (FBI estimate). With a cost-of-living index of 98, household expenses are close to the national norm — neither a major advantage nor a dealbreaker.
All 20 Cities Ranked for Families
| # City | Grade | Families score | Overall | Education | Safety | Affordability | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1Shelburne | A+ | 77.6 | 76.0 | — | 93 | 56 | 6,499 |
| 2Middlebury | A+ | 77.5 | 76.4 | 86 | 96 | 68 | 7,220 |
| 3Essex Junction | A+ | 73.4 | 70.9 | 94 | — | 61 | 10,803 |
| 4Winooski | A+ | 73.0 | 69.2 | 100 | 73 | 61 | 8,293 |
| 5Montpelier | A+ | 72.1 | 69.9 | 100 | 63 | 68 | 8,014 |
| 6White River Junction | A | 71.8 | 65.5 | 100 | — | 73 | 3,364 |
| 7South Burlington | A+ | 70.6 | 69.6 | 88 | 58 | 57 | 20,756 |
| 8St. Johnsbury | B+ | 70.2 | 61.3 | — | 80 | 82 | 5,859 |
| 9Springfield | B+ | 69.3 | 60.2 | 87 | — | 84 | 4,237 |
| 10Milton | A+ | 69.1 | 67.5 | 98 | — | 65 | 3,555 |
| 11Brattleboro | B+ | 68.9 | 62.6 | 80 | — | 77 | 7,657 |
| 12Bellows Falls | C | 67.8 | 52.2 | — | 94 | 79 | 2,891 |
| 13Burlington | A | 67.2 | 64.4 | 94 | 47 | 58 | 44,675 |
| 14Rutland | B | 64.1 | 57.9 | 79 | 55 | 80 | 15,712 |
| 15Northfield | B+ | 63.6 | 59.9 | — | — | 78 | 3,766 |
| 16Newport | C | 60.6 | 51.8 | — | 72 | 82 | 4,394 |
| 17Bennington | B | 59.5 | 56.7 | 45 | — | 78 | 9,245 |
| 18St. Albans | C+ | 59.5 | 53.1 | 94 | 17 | 72 | 6,954 |
| 19Wilder | C+ | 57.9 | 55.6 | — | — | 75 | 3,087 |
| 20Barre | C+ | 56.2 | 52.5 | — | 45 | 78 | 8,412 |
City families scores use each city's own data, with the category weights rescaled over the categories the city has; outdoor access has no city-level measure and is left out. City scores for families also weigh the county's expected yearly building losses from natural hazards (FEMA), lower is better; the share of adults without health insurance (CDC PLACES), lower is better; the share of households with someone under 18 (Census ACS), higher is better.
Compare: States with Similar Families Rankings
Also See: Vermont for Other Lifestyles
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Vermont a good state for families?
Vermont ranks #13 out of 50 for families with a persona-weighted score of 78.7/100. Its strongest relevant category is Safety (78/100) and its weakest is Livability (49/100).
What is the best city for families in Vermont?
Shelburne ranks #1 in Vermont for families with a score of 77.6/100, followed by Middlebury and Essex Junction.
What factors are most important for families in Vermont?
Rankings weighted toward education quality, public safety, affordable housing, healthcare, and community livability — the factors that matter most to families with children.