100 Dumb US Laws (With Proof They Exist)
Vermont (VT) sits in the northeastern United States, known for its picturesque landscapes and vast forests that draw fans of outdoor activities and skiing. The state’s economy is driven by forestry and agriculture, especially dairy and maple syrup production. Vermont’s capital is Montpelier, and the largest city is Burlington. Fun fact: Montpelier is the only U.S. state capital without a McDonald’s.
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Table of Contents
Quick Facts
Name Vermont Abbreviation VT Capital Montpelier Largest city Burlington (Population: 44 528) Current time 23:51 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 sqmi (#45 largest US state) Admitted to the Union March 4, 1791 (#14 state to join) ⭐ Capital of Vermont
The capital of the State of Vermont is Montpelier, and the area by the Winooski River was first settled in May 1787. The town formally began to take shape in 1791 when the town council was created. The name was chosen after the city of Montpellier in France, which was very popular in Vermont at the time, since France had given the colonies strong support during the American War of Independence. Montpelier became Vermont’s capital in 1805, replacing Windsor.
🏙️ Largest City in Vermont
The largest city in Vermont is Burlington, which had 44,528 residents in 2023. The second largest is South Burlington with a population of 21,043, and the third is Rutland with 15,630 residents.
🕒 Time in Vermont
The current time in Vermont is 23:51. The entire state follows Eastern Standard Time (EST, UTC-5), with a regular switch to daylight saving time from March through November, EDT (UTC-4).
🧑🤝🧑 Population of Vermont
In 2023, Vermont had only 643,077 residents, which placed it 49th among the most populous U.S. states.
📍 Area of Vermont
Vermont’s total area is 9,623 sqmi, of which 9,250 sqmi is land and 382 sqmi is water. Vermont ranks as the 45th largest U.S. state.
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Fun Facts About Vermont
🧩 Which States Border Vermont
Vermont borders three U.S. states. To the west is New York, to the east New Hampshire, and to the south Massachusetts. In addition, it shares a border to the north with the Canadian province of Québec.
📅 Date of Vermont Statehood
Vermont joined the Union on March 4, 1791 as the 14th state, preceded by the Vermont Republic.
📛 Vermont State Nickname
Vermont’s nickname, The Green Mountain State, refers to the state’s French-rooted name, les Verts Monts, which means green mountains. It points to the Green Mountains in central Vermont, known for peaks thickly covered with trees.
⛰️ Highest Mountain in Vermont
The highest mountain in Vermont is Mount Mansfield at 4,393 ft, part of the Green Mountains in the northern part of the state.
🏞️ Rivers in Vermont
The longest river in Vermont is the Connecticut River, with a total length across all states of 410 mi. It is followed by the Otter Creek (112 mi), the Winooski River (87 mi), the Lamoille River (85 mi), and the Missisquoi River (81 mi).
🎓 Universities in Vermont
The largest in the state is the University of Vermont in Burlington, founded in 1791 and now serving about 13,000 students.
Second is the Vermont State University, created in 2023 by merging three institutions from different towns, with just under 5,000 students.
The third largest by enrollment is Norwich University, with around 3,600 students. Founded in 1819, it has its campus in Northfield.
✉️ ZIP Codes in Vermont
Vermont uses ZIP code ranges 050xx–054xx and 056xx–059xx. Learn more in the article ZIP Codes in the USA, and look up a code for a specific address on the USPS website.
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Weather in Vermont
The best time to visit Vermont is early fall, when temperatures are pleasant and nature shifts from green to shades of orange and red.
Spring in Vermont is wet and muddy, caused by snowmelt and heavy rains. In the largest city, Burlington, average March temperatures range from 21 °F to 39 °F, and by May they climb to a still fairly cool 45 °F to 66 °F.
Summer in Vermont is cooler compared to many other U.S. states, with temperatures usually between 61 °F and 75 °F. Humidity tends to be high, yet summer is a good season for outdoor activities.
Fall in Vermont usually brings dry and stable weather, with temperatures around 50 °F to 64 °F. September is a great time to visit Vermont and head out into nature.
Winter in Vermont is long and freezing, with temperatures from December through February around 14 °F to 32 °F. Higher elevations often see temperatures near -4 °F. Snow cover is typically abundant, which creates excellent conditions for winter sports enthusiasts.
🌡️ Average Temperatures and Precipitation in Vermont
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What to See in Vermont
1️⃣ Mount Mansfield
Mount Mansfield, at an elevation of 4,393 ft, is the highest peak in Vermont, located in the Green Mountains in the north of the state. Several hiking trails of varying difficulty lead to the summit, and the reward for reaching the top is a beautiful view of the surroundings. For a less strenuous way up, you can drive or take a gondola.
2️⃣ Ben & Jerry’s Factory Tour
Love ice cream? Then you should not miss the Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory in Waterbury. During a 30-minute guided tour, visitors can peek into the production process and learn more about the brand’s history.
A big draw is the chance to sample different flavors, including special editions. A slightly quirky spot is the Flavor Graveyard, with tombstones for discontinued flavors.
3️⃣ American Precision Museum
This interesting museum in Windsor is dedicated to the history of precision engineering and industrial manufacturing. It sits in the historic, landmarked Robbins & Lawrence factory from the 19th century, the first place in America to produce precise interchangeable parts.
The museum displays historical production lines and tools, and visitors can learn through interactive exhibits about Vermont’s influence on the Industrial Revolution.
4️⃣ Lake Champlain
Lake Champlain is the sixth largest lake in the United States. It straddles the Vermont and New York border, with a small portion extending into Canada. The lake is a favorite for water sports, fishing, and scenic boat cruises.
There are many hiking and biking trails around it with stunning views of the water. A local legend speaks of a mysterious creature named Champ, said to inhabit the lake, much like the far more famous Loch Ness monster.
5️⃣ Quechee Gorge
Quechee Gorge is the deepest gorge in Vermont at 165.0 ft, near the New Hampshire border. The area is great for hiking, picnicking, and photography. Enjoy beautiful views of the chasm from the trails or from the Quechee Gorge Bridge, a 163.0 ft high road bridge from 1911.
6️⃣ Killington Resort
Killington is the largest ski resort on the U.S. East Coast. Visitors can use 21 lifts and gondolas that serve more than 150 trails for beginners, intermediates, and experts.
The resort is known for its lively nightlife and strong lineup of off-slope activities. In summer, Killington offers great mountain biking, hiking, and golf.
7️⃣ Shelburne Museum
Shelburne is a unique museum complex near the New York state line, made up of 39 historic buildings. It houses extensive collections of American folk art, historical artifacts, and impressionist paintings. The largest exhibit is likely the sidewheel steamboat Ticonderoga, built in 1906 by local shipyards and used mostly on nearby Lake Champlain.
Also noteworthy is the circular barn with a diameter of 80.0 ft from 1901. Only about 24 round barns were built in Vermont, whose unusual shape was meant to boost work efficiency.
8️⃣ Dog Chapel
The Dog Chapel sits on the slope of Dog Mountain near St. Johnsbury, dedicated entirely to four-legged friends and their people. Inside, thousands of dog photos and remembrances line the walls.
Visitors are welcome to bring their dogs, who can enjoy off-leash spaces and themed art installations. Local artist Stephen Huneck created the chapel in 2000 as a symbol of the bond between people and their pets.
9️⃣ Green Mountain National Forest
The protected Green Mountain National Forest covers a large area of Vermont and is a popular place to spend time outdoors thanks to its wide range of activities. The famous Appalachian Trail crosses the forest, along with the Long Trail at 273 mi, the oldest long-distance hiking trail in the United States.
The forest offers great opportunities for camping, fishing, and wildlife watching. Fall is a particularly good time to visit, when foliage turns shades of orange and red.
🔟 Quechee Hot Air Balloon Festival
The Hot Air Balloon Festival, held since 1979, usually takes place in June in the town of Quechee near the New Hampshire border. Visitors can watch dozens of colorful balloons or even take a ride in one. The event includes live music, plus food and souvenir stands.
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Largest Cities in Vermont
The table lists the ten largest cities in Vermont in 2023. The data source is the federal agency United States Census Bureau, whose main task is the census.
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
🏒 Hockey (NHL)
There is no NHL team in Vermont.
🏈 American Football (NFL)
There is no NFL team from Vermont.
🏀 Basketball (NBA)
No team from Vermont plays in the NBA.
⚾ Baseball (MLB)
There is no MLB team from Vermont.
⚽ Soccer (MLS)
Vermont has no representation in MLS.
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Vermont State Symbols
Vermont has a number of official symbols written into law, as well as several unofficial ones. Some of them are listed here.
Flag of Vermont
The Vermont General Assembly adopted the current version of the flag on June 1, 1923. For a U.S. state flag, it has a traditional look, featuring the Vermont coat of arms on a dark blue field.
Before 1923, Vermont used several different flag variants. One looked a lot like the U.S. flag, which led to frequent confusion.
Seal of Vermont
Vermont’s Great Seal dates to 1779, adopted shortly after the state declared independence. It was designed by one of Vermont’s founders, Ira Allen, and since then it has certified the authenticity of documents issued by the state government. The trees, cow, and sheaves on the seal symbolize the state’s agriculture and natural beauty.
State Song
Vermont’s official state song since 2000 has been These Green Mountains by Diane Martin. It was chosen from 107 different songs and replaced the previous anthem, Hail to Vermont.
State Motto
Vermont’s state motto, used since 1788, is Freedom and Unity. It first appeared as an inscription on the initial version of Vermont’s Great Seal.
State Tree
The sugar maple (Acer saccharum) became a Vermont symbol in 1949. The tree is the primary source for maple syrup production, which starts each spring when the maple produces sweet sap that is then boiled into syrup.
State Amphibian
Vermont’s amphibian symbol is the northern leopard frog (Rana pipiens), chosen to raise awareness about the importance of wetlands and amphibian conservation. This green frog with distinctive brown spots grows up to 11 cm. It is common in Vermont’s forests and wetlands.
State Flavor
In 1993, a law was passed establishing the official state flavor as syrup from Vermont sugar maple. Vermont is the largest maple syrup producer in the United States, with the Canadian province of Québec as a strong competitor.
State Bird
Vermont’s bird symbol since 1941 has been the hermit thrush (Catharus guttatus), chosen by schoolchildren for its melodic song.
State Beverage
Vermont’s official beverage since 1983 has been milk, a choice made by roughly twenty other states as well. The symbol was selected to support the state’s dairy industry.
State Butterfly
In 1987, the monarch butterfly (Danaus plexippus) became the official state butterfly, commonly seen in Vermont during the summer months.
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