Vermont (VT) is located in the northeastern part of the USA and is characterized by its picturesque landscape and vast forests, and it is a great place for outdoor sports enthusiasts, especially skiing. The state’s economy is driven by forestry and agriculture, especially milk and maple syrup production. The capital of Vermont is Montpelier, the largest being Burlington. Interestingly, Montpelier is the only US state capital that does not have a McDonald’s restaurant.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Vermont Abbreviation VT Capital Montpelier Largest city Burlington (Population: 44 528) Current time 13:59 Time zone EST (UTC-5), the state observes Daylight Saving Time EDT (UTC-4) Population 643,077 (#49 most populous US state) Area 9,623 mi² (#45 largest US state) Admitted to the Union March 4, 1791 (#14 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Vermont
The capital of Vermont is Montpelier; the area along the Winooski River was first settled in May, 1787. The town formally began to take shape in 1791, when a town council was formed. The name was chosen after the town of Montpellier, France, which was very popular in Vermont at the time, as it assisted the colonies handsomely in the American War of Independence. Montpelier became the capital of Vermont in 1805 when it succeeded Windsor.
🏙️ Largest City in Vermont
The largest city in Vermont is Burlington, with a population of 44,528 in 2023. The second largest city is South Burlington with a population of 21,043 and the third most populous city is Rutland with a population of 15,630.
🕒 Time in Vermont
The current time in Vermont is 13:59. Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5) is in effect throughout the state, with a periodic change to Daylight Saving Time (UTC-4) between March and November.
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Vermont
In 2023, Vermont had a population of only 643,077, ranking it as the 49th most populous state in the USA.
📍 Area of Vermont
The total area of Vermont is 9,623 mi², of which 9,250 mi² is land and 382 mi² is water. Vermont is the 45th largest US state.
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Fun Facts About Vermont
🧩 Vermont Neighboring States
Vermont is bordered by three US states. New York to the west, New Hampshire to the east and Massachusetts to the south. In addition, it shares a border with the Canadian province of Québec to the north.
📅 Date of Vermont Statehood
Vermont became part of the Union on March 4, 1791, as the 14th state in the order, with its predecessor being the Republic of Vermont.
📛 Nickname of the State of Vermont
Vermont’s nickname “The Green Mountain State” refers to the state’s original French name “les Verts Monts”, which translates to the green mountains. These refer to the Green Mountains in central Vermont, which are characterized by peaks densely covered with trees.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Vermont
The highest mountain in Vermont is with 4,393 ft Mount Mansfield, which is part of the Green Mountains and located in the northern part of the state.
🏞️ Rivers in Vermont
The longest river in Vermont is the Connecticut River, with the total length of flow in all states 410 mi. It is followed by Otter Creek (112 mi), Winooski River (87 mi), Lamoille River (85 mi), and Missisquoi River (81 mi).
🎓 Universities in Vermont
The largest in the state is the University of Vermont of Burlington, founded in 1791 and today attended by approximately 13,000 students.
In second place is Vermont State University, which was created in 2023 by merging three institutions from different towns and at which less than 5 thousand people study.
The third largest university by student enrollment is Norwich University, with a reported enrollment of around 3.6 thousand. It was founded in 1819 and has its campus in Northfield.
✉️ Vermont ZIP Codes
Vermont has dedicated zip code ranges 050xx-054xx and 056xx-059xx. For more information, see the article ZIP Codes in the USA You can look up the code for a specific address on the USPS website.
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Weather in Vermont
The best time of year to visit Vermont is early autumn, when temperatures are pleasant and nature begins to turn from green to shades of orange and red.
Spring in Vermont is wet and muddy, caused by melting snow and heavy rains. Average temperatures in March in the largest city, Burlington, are around 21°F to 39°F, rising to still quite low 45°F to 66°F by May.
Summers in Vermont tend to be cooler than in other US states, with temperatures typically between 61°F and 75°F. The humidity tends to be high, yet summer is a good time for outdoor activities.
Autumn in Vermont tends to be dry and stable, with temperatures ranging from 50°F to 64°F. September is a good time of year to visit Vermont and go on outdoor excursions.
Winter in Vermont is long and cold, with temperatures from December to February ranging from 14°F to 32°F. At higher altitudes, temperatures around -4°F are common. Snow cover in Vermont tends to be abundant, creating favorable conditions for winter sports enthusiasts.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Vermont
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Things to Do in Vermont
1️⃣ Mount Mansfield
At 4,393 ft, Mount Mansfield is the highest peak in Vermont, located in the Green Mountains in the northern part of the state. Several hiking trails of varying difficulty lead to the top of the mountain, and you’ll be rewarded with beautiful views of the surrounding area. For a less physically strenuous journey to the top, you can opt for a car or a cable car.
2️⃣ Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour
Do you like ice cream? Then the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory in Waterbury should not be missing from your itinerary. During the 30-minute tour, visitors can take a peek into the production process and learn more about the history of the brand.
A big attraction is the opportunity to sample different flavors of ice cream, including special editions. A slightly bizarre place is the “Flavor Graveyard” with tombstones of discontinued flavors.
3️⃣ American Precision Museum
This interesting museum in Windsor is dedicated to the history of precision engineering and industrial manufacturing. It is housed in the landmarked historic 19th century Robbins & Lawrence factory, which was the first in America to produce precision interchangeable parts.
The museum displays historic production lines and tools, and visitors can learn more about Vermont’s influence on the Industrial Revolution through interactive demonstrations.
4️⃣ Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is the sixth largest lake in the United States, located on the Vermont-New York border and extending into Canada. The lake is a popular spot for water sports, fishing and sightseeing boating.
There are a number of hiking and biking trails around the lake that offer spectacular views of the lake. The legend of a mysterious creature called Champ, who, like the much more famous Loch Ness Monster, inhabits the waters of the loch, is also linked to the loch.
5️⃣ Quechee Gorge
Quechee Gorge is the deepest gorge in Vermont with 165.0 ft, located near the New Hampshire border. The area is a great place for hiking, picnicking, or photography. Beautiful views of the gorge are available either from the hiking trails or from the Quechee Gorge Road Bridge, which stands at 163.0 ft high.
6️⃣ Killington Resort
Killington is the largest ski resort on the East Coast of the USA. Visitors can take advantage of 21 lifts and ski lifts, which are connected by more than 150 runs designed for beginners, advanced and very advanced skiers.
The resort is known for its rich nightlife and a very good range of off-piste activities. In the summer months, Killington offers good conditions for mountain biking, hiking and golf.
7️⃣ Shelburne Museum
The Shelburne is a unique museum complex near the New York State border that consists of 39 historic buildings. They house extensive collections of American folk art, historical artifacts, and Impressionist paintings. Probably the largest exhibit is the paddlewheel steamer Ticonderoga, which was built in 1906 by local shipyards and spent most of its service on nearby Lake Champlain.
Also of note is a circular barn with a diameter of 80.0 ft built in 1901. Only about 24 round barns were built in Vermont, and their atypical shape was intended to make the work more efficient.
8️⃣ Dog Chapel
Located at the base of Dog Mountain near St. Johnsbury, the Dog Chapel is dedicated entirely to four-legged furry friends and their owners. The interior of the chapel is decorated with thousands of photographs of dogs and memories of their memory.
Visitors are also welcome to bring their dogs, who will find off-leash areas and themed artwork throughout. The chapel was created in 2000 by local artist Stephen Huneck as a symbol of the love between people and their pets.
9️⃣ Green Mountain National Forest
The Green Mountain National Forest covers a large area of Vermont and is a popular place to spend time thanks to its abundance of outdoor activities. The famous Appalachian Trail passes through the forest and is complemented by the 273 mi long Long Trail, which is the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States.
The forest also provides visitors with good opportunities for camping, fishing or wildlife viewing. An interesting time to visit is fall, when the leaves on the trees turn shades of orange and red.
🔟 Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival
A tradition since 1979, the Hot Air Balloon Festival is usually held in June in Quechee, near the New Hampshire border. Visitors can watch dozens of colorful balloons or take a ride in one of them. The event includes live music and food and souvenir stands.
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Largest Cities in Vermont
The table below shows the ten largest cities in the state of Vermont in 2023, the source of the data is the United States Census Bureau, a federal agency whose main job is to count the population.
City County Population 1 Burlington Chittenden 44,528 Map of Burlington 2 South Burlington Chittenden 21,043 Map of South Burlington 3 Rutland Rutland 15,630 Map of Rutland 4 Essex Junction Chittenden 10,817 Map of Essex Junction 5 Barre Washington 8,387 Map of Barre 6 Winooski Chittenden 8,251 Map of Winooski 7 Montpelier Washington 7,991 Map of Montpelier 8 St. Albans Franklin 6,935 Map of St. Albans 9 Newport Orleans 4,336 Map of Newport 10 Bellows Falls Windham 2,769 Map of Bellows Falls -
Sports Teams in Vermont
🏒 Ice Hockey (NHL)
There are no teams in Vermont that play in the NHL.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
There is no team from Vermont in the NFL.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
No team from Vermont plays in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no team from Vermont in the MLB baseball league.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
Vermont is not represented in the MLS soccer league.
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Vermont State Symbols
Vermont has a number of official symbols enshrined in law and several other unofficial ones. Some of these are listed here in the article.
State Flag of Vermont
The General Assembly of Vermont adopted the flag in its permanent form on June 1, 1923. The flag has a traditional appearance by the standards of American states, consisting of the Vermont coat of arms placed on a dark blue background.
Prior to 1923, Vermont used several different flag variations. One of them bore a strong resemblance to the USA flag, which led to frequent confusion.
Great Seal of Vermont
The Great Seal of Vermont dates from 1779, adopted shortly after the state’s independence. The seal was designed by one of Vermont’s founders, Ira Allen, and has since been used to authenticate documents issued by the state government. The trees, cow, and grain on the seal symbolize the agricultural and natural beauty of the state.
State Song
The official state anthem of Vermont became the song These Green Mountains by Diane Martin in 2000. It was chosen from 107 different songs and replaced the previous anthem, Hail to Vermont.
State Motto
The state motto of Vermont has been “Freedom and Unity” since 1788. Freedom and Unity first appeared as an inscription on the first version of the Great Seal of Vermont.
State Tree
The sugar maple (Acer saccharum) became the symbol of Vermont in 1949. The tree is the main source for maple syrup production, which always begins in the spring when the maple tree produces sweet sap. This is boiled to make syrup.
State Amphibian
The symbol of Vermont is the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens), a choice intended to help raise awareness of the importance of wetlands and amphibian conservation. The green-colored jumper with distinctive brown spots grows up to 11 cm in length. It is a common species in the forests and wetlands of Vermont.
State Flavor
In 1993, a law was passed, making Vermont’s sugar maple syrup the official flavor. Vermont is the largest producer of maple syrup in the USA, with the Canadian province of Québec as a significant competitor.
State Bird
The hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus) became Vermont’s bird symbol in 1941, voted by school children for its melodious song.
State Drink
Milk became Vermont’s official beverage in 1983, with approximately twenty states making the same choice. The symbol was chosen to promote the dairy industry in the state.
State Butterfly
In 1987, the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus), commonly found in Vermont during the summer months, became the official state butterfly.
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