Top Cities in Vermont

Vermont at a Glance

One of the six states that comprise New England, Vermont has a history dating back prior to the founding of the United States and a proud tradition of independence. It was once an independent country, but was the first state admitted to the union following ratification of the U.S. Constitution. Residents are still alternately "puritanical" and liberal; the state itself presents an interesting mix of agrarian lifestyle and digital age innovation, as well as a lifestyle that is at once isolated and open to newcomers, both visitors and immigrants.

Vermont's largest employer is technology giant IBM, but the state also has at least half the dairy farms in New England, and its land mass is heavily forested. There are more trees today than there were 100 years ago, and people from all over the world come to gaze at them when their leaves begin to turn in the fall. Vermont also boasts many covered bridges, and they are popular subjects for art as well as for movies.

Woodstock took place in Vermont. If you don't know about the "Aquarian Festival of Peace and Music" that was planned for three days in 1969 but extended over four, it was the event that is credited with changing a generation, if not the world. Held on the grounds of a 600-acre dairy farm actually located in Bethel, Vermont, it certainly had a defining influence on Rock & Roll and is still viewed as a pivotal event in the history of music, giving birth to the "counterculture" movement.

And what else is Vermont known for? Progressive Bennington College, Bernie Sanders, snow, skiing, and "White Christmas." Bing Crosby made the song famous in a couple of classic movies, but only one of them was actually set in Vermont.

Top Cities in Vermont

• Barre  
• Bennington  
• Brattleboro  
• Chester  
• Colchester  
• East Saint Johnsbury  
• Essex Junction  
• Hydeville  
• Killington  
• Ludlow  
• Manchester Center  
• Milton  
• Rutland  
• Saint Albans  
• Saint Albans Bay  

Why You'll Love Living in Vermont

Covered bridges, autumn leaves, maple syrup, organic farms, distinctive accents, Lake Champlain (which almost became the sixth "great lake"), Green Mountain Coffee and Ben & Jerry's ice cream are just a few reasons to love Vermont.

There are still only about 625,000 people in the entire state, and most of them are happy, if you believe recent findings. Proponents of judging communities, states and countries based on a "happiness quotient" use benchmarks like community vitality, environment, psychological and physical well-being, and quality of governance. 

Vermont is made up of small towns; its capital, Montpelier, is the smallest of the 50 state capitals, and its largest city, Burlington, is the smallest "largest city" in any state.

But if numbers don't matter to you (or perhaps, if the numbers do matter) you can embrace the Vermont lifestyle in a centuries-old farmhouse, or in a modern condo in towns or cities with familiar names: Barre, Essex, Colchester, Brattleboro, Shelburne, Middlebury and St. Johnsbury.

Your children will love the outdoors; you'll love the schools, and chances are you'll all enjoy your favorite flavors of ice cream, maple syrup, and apple cider.

Vermont also "makes waves" on occasion, by leading the fight in favor of mandatory GMO labeling, and national-level protests against anything it deems discriminatory legislation.