8 Safest Cities in Vermont (2024) – Comparing Key Statistics

Note: This article’s statistics come from third-party sources and do not represent the opinions of this website.

Vermont is one of the safest states in the entire nation. Its crime rates have been decreasing at staggering rates ever since 2019. As a result, Vermont has had the highest percentage decrease in crimes out of all 50 states. Vermont is now the third safest state to live in, just behind New Hampshire and Maine.

Even though Vermont is an incredibly safe state compared to the other 50 states, crime still happens. So, it’s important to know which Vermont cities are the safest. Luckily, there are plenty to choose from.

Below, you will learn about the eight safest cities in Vermont, how they compare to other US cities, and more. We also cover how to stay safe in Vermont based on the state’s unique crime statistics.

Keep reading for more.

The 8 Safest Cities in Vermont

1. Shelburne, VT

Hands down, the safest city to live in inside the state of Vermont is Shelburne. Shelburne is a small town, yet its residents are affluent. Violent crimes are 90% lower in Shelburne than in the rest of the nation. As a result, Shelburne is safer than 63% of the other US cities.

However, crime is increasing in the city. On average, crime is increasing by 21% in this area. Most of the crimes are property-related and are nonviolent, though.

Despite this steady increase in crime, Shelburne is still one of the safest cities to live in. It has a very low violent crime rate, and it has a poverty rate of 0%, which is practically unheard of.

2. Middlebury, VT

The runner-up for the safest city in Vermont is Middlebury. On average, a crime happens in Middlebury only once every two days and 12 hours. Middlebury is in the 80th percentile for US safety, meaning it is safer than 80% of the other cities.

The safest part of the city is in the southwest area. The southwest area has very few violent and property crimes, though the city sees more property crime than violent crime.

Given the size of Middlebury, the city is safer than other Vermont cities of the same size. This means if you are looking for a town of about 8,000 people, Middlebury is one of the safest options to choose.

3. Essex, VT

Essex is one of the larger towns on this list, yet it is also one of the safest. It has a violent crime rate of only 7.6. This low crime rate is practically unheard of compared to other cities of the same larger population.

Essex does have a much higher property crime rate than some of the other cities on this list. The property crime rate in Essex is about 26.3. In comparison, the national average is 35.4, meaning Essex property crime is still lower than the national average.

Because Essex has over 20,000 people and such low crime rates, it is a fantastic choice if you are looking for a larger Vermont city with a low crime rate. Essex will give you a more city feel without putting you in extra danger.

4. Williston, VT

In Williston, Vermont, crimes only occur on average once every three days and 24 hours. This makes Williston one of the safest cities in the nation. In fact, it places in the 95th percentile in terms of safety. This means that only 5% of US cities are safer than Williston.

The safest part of the city is in the central area. The chances of being a victim of a crime in the central part are only 1 in 32. However, your chances increase if you move to the northwest neighborhoods. There, your chances are 1 in 72.

No matter where you go in the city, Williston is still safe. If you are to be a victim of a crime, it’s most likely that you will be a victim of a property crime, not a violent crime, which is at least good news.

5. Milton, VT

Milton is considered one of the prettiest cities in the state. Many residents claim that it is beautiful and lives up to the Green Mountain State’s expectations. Because of the beautiful landscape, many people love the look of this picturesque town.

At the same time, Milton is extremely safe. Its violent crime rate is only 10.1, which is over 50% lower than the national average. There are slightly more property-related crimes, though. The property crime in Milton is 20.6, making it higher than most of the other cities on this list.

With proper safety measures and security, you should be able to deter most property-related crimes from happening. So, you should be able to enjoy this quaint mountain city in peace and safety.

6. Colchester, VT

Another large city on our list is Colchester, Vermont. Although there are fewer people in Colchester than Essex, it is still a decently sized city in Vermont. In addition to having a decent size, Colchester is pretty safe. The violent crime rate in Colchester is only 10.5, but its property crime is 25.4.

Compared to other Vermont towns, Colchester isn’t quite everyone’s cup of tea. Residents report that the town is beautiful and great for those looking for a picturesque area to live in.

However, it can be difficult to break into the community. Its taxes are very high, and it costs a lot of money to buy a home. So, Colchester is not as viable a living option as some of the other cities on this list, but you might want to consider it due to its safety.

7. Burlington, VT

The largest city on this list by far is Burlington. Burlington is very close in proximity to Colchester. They are so close that many individuals from Colchester tell other people that they are from Burlington since it is a more recognizable town.

Because there is a large jump in residence in Burlington, there is also a significant jump in the number of violent crimes reported. The number of violent crimes in Burlington is 15.6. This is higher than other Vermont cities we have covered, but it is still lower than the national average.

In comparison to other United States towns, Burlington rates in the 40th percentile in terms of safety. On average, a single crime occurs in the city once every 6 ½ hours. Obviously, Burlington isn’t as safe as other Vermont cities, but it still is not as dangerous in comparison to other United States cities.

8. Barre, VT

Finally, the last Vermont city on our list is Barre. In terms of the city size, there are quite a few more violent crimes than in other similar cities, which may be explained by Barre’s high poverty rate. The violent crime rate in the city is 16.9, still below the national average.

There are still way more property-related crimes than violent crimes. There is a 1 in 43 chance of becoming a victim of a property crime in the city. In comparison, there is only a 1 in 85 chance of being a victim of a property crime as a whole.

Because the crime rate in Barre is much higher than in other cities in Vermont, you will want to consider the above-mentioned options over Barre. Still, Barre is not as dangerous as the national average.

Related Read: 10 Safest Cities in Tennessee

How to Stay Safe in Vermont

It is much easier to stay safe in Vermont than in other states. Nevertheless, it’s important to protect yourself, your family, and your home in the case of a break-in or worst-case scenario.

The biggest tip for staying safe in Vermont is to invest in good security measures. Because most Vermont crimes are property-related, it’s important to protect your home from a break-in. Getting a security system installed in your home can dramatically decrease the chances of a break-in.

Additionally, you want to be smart when you leave your home. Make sure all doors and windows are locked. Plus, be aware of your own surroundings and lock your vehicle whenever getting out. Be sure to avoid areas with high crime rates for additional safety.

In other words, staying safe in Vermont mostly involves investing in security and being smart. By doing these two things, you are much more likely to be safe in this already safe state.

Related Read: 10 Most Dangerous Cities in Pennsylvania

Conclusion

One of the best parts of Vermont is how safe it is. As you can see from the cities above, Vermont has incredibly low violent crime rates. Although the property crime rates are slightly higher than the violent crime, even the property crime rates are lower than the national average.

By moving to or visiting any one of the Vermont cities above, you will have peace of mind, knowing that you are in one of the safest cities in the state.

Even though these cities are very safe, crime does happen, and you want to put your best foot forward to protect yourself and your family. Be smart and invest in effective security measures for extra precaution.

You might also be interested in: 25 Safest Cities in the U.S.

Featured Image Credit: LEXPIX, Shutterstock