Chittenden County
VT · Pop. 168,831 · Mixed County
Chittenden County, Vermont covers 537 square miles with a population of 168,831 and a density of 314.4 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $405,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.61%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 151-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.9°F and average winter lows of 11.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.2 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. University of Vermont Medical Center, Inc is 6.3 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- University of Vermont Medical Center, Inc, with an emergency room, is just 6.3 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.2% reflects a stable local job base.
- Annual rainfall of 41.2 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 10.4% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 151-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.61% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- A median home price of $405,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- Average winter lows of 11.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Chittenden County, VT is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 35/100
- Median home price
- $405k
- Property tax
- 1.61%
- Growing season
- 151 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 41.2"
- Broadband
- 98.3%
- Nearest hospital
- University of Vermont Medical Center, Inc, 6.3 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Chittenden County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Chittenden County?
- Chittenden County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 151-day growing season, average summer highs of 78.9°F, and average winter lows of 11.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $405,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.61%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 98.3% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- University of Vermont Medical Center, Inc is 6.3 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Vermont Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Vermont
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The closest counties to Chittenden County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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