The 10 Safest Cities In Vermont For 2023

The safest cities in Vermont are Barre Town and Swanton for 2023.

The biggest safety hazard in Vermont is an entire container of Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby in the freezer because The Green Mountain State is super safe.

Vermonters say that they never get tired of hearing that they are one of the best states in America or that they are one of the wealthiest; but they say the one that makes them most proud, is that they are the 3rd safest state in the country. And we don't blame them.

Given how great Vermont is, we set out to determine the safest places in Vermont for 2023. How'd we do it? We consulted the numbers and analyzed 23 cities with over 5,000 residents. We looked at property and violent crimes per capita for every place in Vermont.

We discovered that Vermont's violent and property crime numbers speak volumes, as they are virtually non-existent.

The natural cherry on top is that Vermont has super safe places to live for every stage of life and every budget. For instance, Barre is safe and happening for singles, Middlebury is one of the safest places to raise a family, and if you don't have to worry about a budget, you should give Essex Junction a look.

To learn more about Vermont's safest places, read on.


Table Of Contents: Top Ten | Methodology | Table | References

Here are the 10 safest cities to live in Vermont for 2023:

  1. Barre Town (Homes For Sale)
  2. Swanton (Homes For Sale)
  3. Stowe (Homes For Sale)
  4. Milton (Homes For Sale)
  5. Middlebury (Homes For Sale)
  6. Northfield (Homes For Sale)
  7. Shelburne (Homes For Sale)
  8. Morristown (Homes For Sale)
  9. Essex (Homes For Sale)
  10. Williston (Homes For Sale)

What is the safest place to live in Vermont? The safest place in Vermont is Barre Town.

If you want to see how Vermont's other amazing safe places faired, see the list below. And if you are still waiting to see your town there, head to the bottom for a complete list.

For more reading on safe places to live in and around Vermont, check out:

The 10 Safest Cities In Vermont For 2023

1. Barre Town
Barre Town, VT
Source: Wikipedia User Magicpiano | CC BY-SA 3.0

Population: 7,970
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 62 (third safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,016 (fifth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Barre Town: Real Estate

In Barre Town they love their wide open spaces, their parks, their safe neighborhoods, and they take pride in the safe production of their maple syrup.

Home to large granite quarries, picturesque mountain views, outstanding schools, and safe neighborhoods, this city is our safest city. It's a place where work and play safely meet at the corner of Washington County and the foothills of the Green Mountains.

Barre Town is so safe, that the only crime, here, is a bad haircut or a terrible outfit. Its small town charm delivers big opportunities to all that are searching for a safe place to call home.

Barre Town's slogan should be: "Where It's Happening". They have modern recreation facilities, a progressive industrial park, and hard working, creative residents.

Swanton, VT
Source: Wikipedia User Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States | CC BY-SA 2.0

Population: 6,813
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 132 (sixth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 440 (second safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Swanton: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
5
/10

Where Vermont State Road 7 meets Vermont State Road 78 is Swanton. With a little over 6,000 residents, the superb quality of life in this little village in Franklin County is the reason that it is our second safest city in Vermont for 2023.

There is a ton of stuff to do in this little town at the base of the Missisquoi National Wildlife Refuge. They have a boat load of places to shop and dine, and their immaculate parks provide the backdrop for safe, friendly games of basketball, volleyball, and tennis for all ages. But, steer clear of their Royal Swans in Village Green Park. Swanton residents have been known to go to extreme measures to keep their swans safe, too. And, yes, we're pretty sure that's how the town got its name.

So grab the fam, pack the grocery getter, and get moving' soon so you don't miss out on any of their safe, family friendly activities scheduled for 2023.

3. Stowe
Stowe, VT
Source: Flickr User pdbreen | CC BY 2.0

Population: 5,359
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 55 (safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,492 (seventh safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Stowe: Crime | Real Estate

Stowe, known as "The Ski Capital of the East," holds the third position for safety in Vermont, boasting only 3 violent crimes with a rate of 55/100k people.

The town has recorded 0 murders and maintains a property crime rate of 1,492/100k people. Since its inception in 1763, Stowe has evolved from its agricultural roots to become a premier resort town, ensuring visitor and resident security with a total crime rate of 1,548/100k people. Situated in Lamoille County, the town's safety initiatives complement its historical significance within Vermont.

4. Milton
Milton, VT
Source: Flickr User formulanone | CC BY-SA 2.0

Population: 10,656
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 159 (eighth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 647 (third safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Milton: Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
5
/10

MIlton, situated in the northwest corner on the banks of Lake Champlain, is our fourth safest city in Vermont. This little New England town is super family friendly and virtually crime free. It is one of the safest places to call home on our list.

Milton's overall HomeSnacks snackability score was a whopping 4/10! Not surprising, considering their safety rating is an 8.5/10 and percentage of educated residents is 6/10. Busy people = less naughty people. If that doesn't say safe, we don't know what does.

When Milton residents aren't busy keeping their neighborhoods safe by fighting off mosquitoes the size of choppers, they can be found whipping up some of the best butter and cheese. Probably the reason the scored a 6/10 on our job scale. We're pretty sure cheese and butter will never go out of style, and that's a good thing!

Middlebury, VT
Source: Wikipedia User Alan Levine | CC BY 2.0

Population: 9,037
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 154 (seventh safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 885 (fourth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Middlebury: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
7
/10

Middlebury is the ideal destination when you're trying find that true Vermontian feel with small city vibes in the middle of nowhere, New England.

This village of quaint rustic beauty is located in Addison County and provides the backdrop for our fifth safest city in Vermont. Life is looking up for Middlebury; they are up five from last year.

Middlebury residents not only look out for each other, they protect their quintessential New England lifestyle. But don't let the 'quaint' deter you. There's lots to do in MIddlebury. You can hike the trails at Middlebury Falls, cheer on Middlebury College's basketball team, and head to the spa all in the same day. And that, folks, is what we call safe, stress free living.

And don't worry about locking your doors, here. There were only 46 crimes committed in Middlebury last year. And for all you online shoppers, it's the kind of place where packages from Amazon won't get stolen from your front porch.

6. Northfield
Northfield, VT
Source: Wikipedia User Zuejay | GFDL

Population: 6,291
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 286 (12th safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 158 (safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Northfield: Crime | Real Estate

Whoa.. Safely look both ways at that Moose Crossing sign before you enter our sixth safest city in Vermont, because moose matter and so do you.

Northfield, is known for its stunning scenery, low taxes, and educational opportunities. after all, it is the home to Norwich University and the Cadets.

This is the quintessential Washington County town located in a valley within the Green Mountains. And not surprising, their snackability rating is off the charts. Their job market score is on point and their safety rating deserves a gold star! Northfield offers a city vibe with a laid back suburban feel. There is a real sense of community, here, and education is a top priority.

Shelburne, VT
Source: Wikipedia User John Phelan | CC BY-SA 3.0

Population: 7,903
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 63 (fourth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,657 (tenth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Shelburne: Data | Crime | Real Estate

Overall SnackAbility
6
/10

Located on the shores of Lake Champlain, this Burlington-burb has managed to safely keep Champ, the lake monster, at bay. Thank goodness! More importantly, however, Shelburne has managed to clench our number one safest city in Vermont spot.

There's a true sense of community in this quaint town in the northwest corner of The Green Mountain State. The residents, here, look out for each other. Shelburne's gold star qualities like the non-existent number of crimes per 100,000 residents, their large number of educated residents, and just their overall safety standards, speaks volumes.

With a little over 11,000 residents, the superb quality of life in this little village in Chittenden County is the reason that everyone wants to keep it nice and safe. It is also the reason it houses the state's largest retirement community. You wouldn't trust just anyone with granny and pappy, right?

8. Morristown
Morristown, VT
Source: Public domain

Population: 5,610
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 124 (fifth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,568 (ninth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Morristown: Real Estate

Morristown is a little village located in north central Vermont in Lamoille County where the cows might actually outnumber the residents. Forget Wisconsin, we think happy cows live here. Morristown is definitely keeping their safety game at par. They have held strong as our eighth safest city for two years in a row.

Morristown is one of those snowy villages; they average close to 150 inches per year. Wowza! According to their residents, the only dangers lurking in the shadows in this cowtown might be the occasional snowball fight. Keep that snow slingin' to a minimum Morristown we wouldn't want you to tarnish that impeccable safety rating.

This little New England town is one of Vermont's fastest growing areas. Families and young professional are moving here at a rapid rate.

9. Essex
Essex, VT
Source: Wikipedia User Godsendlemiwinks | CC BY-SA 3.0

Population: 22,481
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 160 (ninth safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 1,450 (sixth safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Essex: Real Estate

Shine up those orange crosswalk pylons and slap a fluorescent orange safety jacket on this little village in Chittenden County, and call it safe.

Nestled between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, the residents of our ninth safest city in Vermont, Essex, say their little village packs a big punch--not literally, though, because it's super safe.

Essex is known for its scenic location, low taxes, and job opportunities. It's no surprise that its motto is 'Crossroads of Chittenden County': everyone passes through here to get a taste of its amazing restaurants and to try out its convenient, walkable downtown, and they still manage to keep it safe. It truly is a great place to raise a family.

If you don't like people peeping through your windows, there is plenty of privacy in Essex. And if you love nature, it can be found as close as your backyard.

10. Williston
Williston, VT
Source: Wikipedia User Magicpiano | CC BY-SA 2.0

Population: 10,067
Violent Crimes Per 100k: 59 (second safest)
Property Crimes Per 100k: 3,268 (16th safest)
Murders: 0
Murders Per 100k: 0
More on Williston: Real Estate

Welcome to Williston! Our tenth safest city in Vermont according to recent FBI crime data and home to THE Ben and THE Jerry.

The term SAFE takes on a new meaning in Williston. It's a family friendly village in Chittendon County where the treets re or veryone. The people here are super welcoming and there are a ton of safe, family friendly parks and activities. Heck, the worst crime committed in Williston is forgetting to pick up a pint of Ben & Jerry's Chubby Hubby on your way home from work.

Methodology: How we calculated the safest cities in Vermont for 2023

Safest Cities in Vermont Graph

While there are surveys and public polls on what cities in Vermont are the safest, we wanted to rely on something other than speculation and opinion. Instead, we looked at the hard numbers from the FBI's most recent crime report in Vermont.

Specifically, we used Saturday Night Science to analyze the FBI's Uniform Crime Report, which summarizes the number of property and violent crimes in each city annually. We used two criteria:

  • Violent crimes per capita (murders, assaults, rapes, armed robberies)
  • Property crimes per capita (thefts, burglaries, motor vehicle thefts)

For example, there were 86 crimes committed in Barre Town, with a reported population of 7,970. That means the number of crimes per capita is 0.0108, which translates into a 1 in 92 chance of being the victim of a crime.

We only looked at Vermont cities that have populations of more than 5,000. This filter left us with 23 of the biggest cities in Vermont to rank.

We ranked each city for each criterion from 1 to 23 where 1 in any particular category is the safest.

Next, we averaged each place's two criteria to create a Safety Index. We crowned the place with the lowest overall Safety Score, "The Safest Place In Vermont," with any ties going to the bigger city.

The safest city in Vermont, based on our criteria, is Barre Town. The most dangerous city in Vermont? Brattleboro, where residents had a 1 in 15 chance of being the victim of a crime.

This article has been update for 2023. This report marks our tenth time ranking the safest places to live in Vermont. All the data comes from the FBI's Crime In The USA 2022 report.

Most Expensive Places To Live In Vermont

Summary: The Safest Cities In The Green Mountain State

Looking at the data, you can tell that Barre Town is as safe as they come in Vermont, according to science and data.

But as most Vermont residents would agree, almost every place here has its safe and not safe parts. So just make sure you're informed ahead of time.

Here's a look at the most dangerous cities in Vermont according to the data:

  1. Brattleboro
  2. Winooski
  3. St. Albans
For more reading, check out:

Where Are The 10 Safest Cities In Vermont For 2023?

RankCityPopulationViolent Crimes Per 100kProperty Crimes Per 100kMurders Per 100kMurders
1Barre Town, VT7,970621,01600
2Swanton, VT6,81313244000
3Stowe, VT5,359551,49200
4Milton, VT10,65615964700
5Middlebury, VT9,03715488500
6Northfield, VT6,29128615800
7Shelburne, VT7,903631,65700
8Morristown, VT5,6101241,56800
9Essex, VT22,4811601,45000
10Williston, VT10,067593,26800
11Colchester, VT17,7102541,88500
12Hartford, VT10,8633491,50000
13Springfield, VT9,1802722,15600
14Montpelier, VT7,9953251,83800
15South Burlington, VT20,3072953,98841
16Barre, VT8,4475322,59200
17St. Johnsbury, VT7,4043513,67300
18Bennington, VT15,3016073,104132
19Burlington, VT44,6894095,126115
20Rutland, VT15,8584794,85561
21St. Albans, VT7,0225693,65900
22Winooski, VT8,6475433,966111
23Brattleboro, VT12,2564896,09481

Breaking Down Crime In The Safest And Most Dangerous Cities In Vermont

Safest Cities in Vermont Breakdown

Chris Kolmar has been in the real estate business for almost ten years now. He originally worked for Movoto Real Estate as the director of marketing before founding HomeSnacks.

He believes the key to finding the right place to live comes down to looking at the data, reading about things to do, and, most importantly, checking it out yourself before you move.

If you've been looking for a place to live in the past several years, you've probably stumbled upon his writing already.

You can find out more about him on LinkedIn.

Safest Cities By State

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