Vermont is well known for its breathtaking scenery, progressive political principles, and high quality of living. However, not every area of Vermont can be regarded as idyllic. Compared to other places, some have greater rates of crime, poorer incomes, and fewer possibilities. Using information from multiple sources, we will examine five of Vermont’s worst neighborhoods in this piece.
1. Newport
Newport is a small Vermont city of around 4,300 people, located in Orleans County on the southern coast of Lake Memphremagog. Newport is noted for having the highest unemployment rate in the state, which is currently 5.8% and higher than the national average, despite its scenic setting. As a result, the city suffers economic issues. The city’s median household income, which is just $32,000 and just above the poverty line for a family of four, is a good indicator of its financial status.
Newport has the sixth-lowest median property value in Vermont, at $117,700, raising concerns about housing affordability. Furthermore, the city ranks ninth in the state for crime rates, with a 1 in 142 probability of becoming a victim of a violent or property-related crime. This indicates that the city experiences a considerably greater crime rate than other cities. Notwithstanding these challenges, the people of Newport persist in their pursuit of advancement and progress.
2. Springfield
With 9,000 or so residents, Springfield, a town in Windsor County, is one of the bigger towns in Vermont and is located on the Connecticut River. Springfield, with one of the lowest median household incomes in the state at $40,000, confronts economic difficulties despite its size. Moreover, at $140,800, the median property value, it is the sixth lowest in Vermont.
Regretfully, Springfield has a higher crime rate than most other Vermont communities. It is among the places in the state with higher crime rates, with a 1 in 286 chance of becoming a victim of a violent or property crime. Springfield was named the most unsafe location to live in Vermont in a 2016 RoadSnacks report.
3. St. Albans
One of Vermont’s smaller communities, St. Albans is located in Franklin County close to Lake Champlain and has a population of about 6,800. Its size belies some of the difficulties it encounters, nevertheless, as evidenced by the state’s highest poverty rate of 18.7%. In St. Albans, the median home value is $173,500, which is likewise less than the state average, and the median household income is $47,000, which is less than the norm.
Living in St. Albans comes with a high crime risk; there is a 1 in 173 possibility that a resident will fall victim to a violent or property crime. The city has one of the highest rates of these kind of incidents in all of Vermont. In fact, RoadSnacks named St. Albans the most unsafe place in Vermont to live in 2022.
4. Brattleboro
One of Vermont’s bigger towns, Brattleboro is located in Windham County close to the New Hampshire border. It has a population of about 11,000 people. Its $42,000 median household income is among the lowest in the state, so even with its size, it confronts financial difficulties. At $192,800, the typical home value is likewise less than the state average.
In addition, Brattleboro has a higher crime rate than other Vermont communities, with a 1 in 286 risk of becoming a victim of a violent or property crime. Money Inc. evaluated these criteria and placed Brattleboro as the fifth worst place to live in Vermont in 2023.
5. Rutland
The city of Rutland is in Rutland County and close to the Green Mountains. It has about 15,000 people, making it the third biggest city in Vermont. Even though it’s big, the city has economic problems. For example, the typical household income is only $44,000, which is one of the lowest in the state. It’s the seventh least expensive place in Vermont to buy a home, with a typical value of $147,600.
People also worry about safety in Rutland because it has one of the highest crime rates in the state. One in 173 people who live there will experience a physical or property crime. According to Money Inc. in 2023, these things help explain why Rutland is ranked as the fourth worst place to live in Vermont.
Final Words
Based on information from different sources, these are the five Vermont neighborhoods that people say are the hardest to live in. It’s important to keep in mind, though, that this label doesn’t mean that these places are hopeless or have no good things about them.
Each area has its own history, culture, and dreams. It’s possible for these areas to improve their quality of life and become more desirable places to live if they get more investment, development, and community involvement.