Vermont is a state located in the northeastern region of the United States. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, New York to the west, and the Canadian province of Quebec to the north. Vermont is known for its natural beauty and wide variety of outdoor activities including hiking, skiing, fishing, and camping.
Vermont has a population of approximately 623,989 people according to 2019 data from the US Census Bureau. The state covers an area of 9,616 square miles making it the 45th largest state in terms of size but it is also one of the least densely populated states in America with only 67 people per square mile.
The state capital of Vermont is Montpelier which is also its smallest city with a population of around 8,000 people. The largest city in Vermont is Burlington which has a population of around 42,000 people making it one of the most populous cities in New England.
Vermont’s economy is primarily based on agriculture and tourism which account for around 25% and 17% respectively of its total GDP. Other important industries include manufacturing (12%), retail trade (11%), professional services (9%), construction (7%), and finance & insurance (7%).
The climate in Vermont varies depending on location but generally tends towards cold winters with moderate summers throughout most parts of the state. Temperatures usually range between 20-30 degrees Fahrenheit during winter months while temperatures typically range between 55-80 degrees Fahrenheit during summer months.
In terms of education, there are currently over 80 public schools across Vermont as well as many private schools that provide students with quality education options from kindergarten through high school graduation. Additionally, there are several colleges located within or near Vermont offering higher education opportunities such as University Of Vermont, Champlain College and Middlebury College among others.
Population of Vermont
Vermont’s population is estimated to be 623,989 according to the 2019 US Census Bureau. This makes it the second least populous state in the United States behind Wyoming. The population is spread across an area of 9,616 square miles making it one of the least densely populated states in the nation with only 67 people per square mile.
The majority of Vermont’s population is concentrated in three main areas: Chittenden County (including Burlington), Rutland County (including Rutland) and Washington County (including Montpelier). These three counties account for almost two-thirds of Vermont’s total population. Other cities and towns with significant populations include South Burlington, Colchester, Essex Junction, Barre and St Albans.
Vermont has a diverse racial makeup with approximately 95% of residents identifying as white alone and 5% identifying as belonging to another race or two or more races. In terms of ethnicity, around 88% identify as non-Hispanic while 12% identify as Hispanic or Latino.
In terms of religious affiliation, most Vermonters identify as Christian with around 70% belonging to Protestant denominations and 21% belonging to Catholic denominations. Other religions practiced in Vermont include Judaism (1%), Islam (0.3%) and Buddhism (0.2%).
The median age in Vermont is 42 years old with about 16% of its population under 18 years old and 15% aged 65 years or older. The median household income is $59,967 which is slightly higher than the national median income of $57,652 according to 2019 figures from the US Census Bureau. About 11% of families live below the poverty line compared to a national average of 10%.
Overall, Vermont has a diverse demographic profile with a mix of rural and urban populations that are well-educated and relatively affluent when compared to other states in the US.
House Income in Vermont
The median household income in Vermont in 2019 was estimated to be $59,967 according to data from the US Census Bureau. This figure is slightly higher than the national median income of $57,652. However, there is a large variation in incomes across different regions and demographic groups within Vermont.
Income levels tend to be highest in urban areas such as Burlington and Montpelier with median household incomes of $64,783 and $58,208 respectively. Rural areas tend to have lower incomes with a median household income of $53,876 across the state as a whole. The most affluent county is Chittenden County (including Burlington) with a median household income of $72,951 while the least affluent county is Essex County (including Newport) with a median household income of just $45,071.
In terms of demographic groups, Vermont has seen an increase in the number of households earning over $100,000 annually which now accounts for 17% of all households compared to 13% nationally. Conversely, 11% of families live below the poverty line compared to 10% nationally.
There are also significant variations in incomes based on education levels. Those with college degrees earn a median annual salary that is almost double that of those without college degrees ($63,600 compared to $31,400). In addition, those who have completed post-graduate studies can expect to earn even higher salaries than those with undergraduate degrees ($83,800).
Overall, Vermont’s population has an average household income that is slightly higher than national figures but there are still large disparities between different regions and demographic groups within the state. In addition there are significant differences based on education levels which suggest that further investment into education could lead to increased economic prosperity for all Vermonters.
Cost of Living in Vermont
Vermont is known for its high quality of life, but it does come with a cost. The cost of living in Vermont is higher than the national average, with the overall cost of living index scoring a 103.8 out of 100. This means that costs in Vermont are 3.8% higher than the US average, making it one of the most expensive states to live in.
Housing is one of the biggest costs associated with living in Vermont, with an index score of 122 out of 100 compared to a US average of 100. This means that housing costs are 22% higher than the national average, making it one of the most expensive states for housing in the US. The median home price in Vermont is $247,000 and rents are on average $1,200 per month for a two-bedroom apartment.
Transportation and utilities also tend to be more expensive than elsewhere in the country with an index score of 105.7 and 106 respectively compared to a US average of 100. Groceries and health care also tend to be more expensive but not as much as other areas such as housing and transportation with an index score of 104 and 103 respectively compared to a US average of 100.
Overall, Vermont has a high cost-of-living when compared to other states across America. Housing prices tend to be significantly higher than elsewhere while transportation and utilities can also be quite costly relative to other states. Although groceries and health care tend not to be as expensive as other items they still remain above national averages which can make it difficult for people on low incomes or those on fixed incomes such as pensioners or retirees who may find it hard to make ends meet if they choose to live in Vermont.