Income and Poverty in the State of Vermont

As the median income level saw a decline during the period of 2000 to 2005 in the State of Vermont, the Race/Ethnicity group that experienced the largest decline in median household income was the American Indian and Alaska Native Race/Ethnicity category. This group experienced a decline of 13.9 percent since 2000. The White Race/Ethnicity category has been least effected by the income level decline in Vermont, experiencing a 24 percent increase in median household income from 2000 to 2005.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the State of Vermont range, in terms of total household income, from a high of $55,777 in Chittenden County to a low of $35,673 in Essex County.

Top ten counties in highest household income in the State of Vermont
Total Annual Household Income (Adjusted to 2005 Dollars)

1. Chittenden County ($55,777)
2. Addison County ($50,476 )
3. Grand Isle County ($50,349)
4. Franklin County ($48,741)
5. Washington County ($47,937)
6. Windsor County ($47,605)
7. Bennington County ($46,713)
8. Orange County ($46,630)
9. Lamoille County ($46,047)
10. Windham County ($44,699)


When analyzed against other States in the US, the State of Vermont was reported to have a medium-high median income for all households of $47,802 (2005 Dollars). This median is 2.8 percent lower than the median for the rest of the nation, which is a reported $49,133.

When put side-by-side with other States throughout the United States, the State of Vermont can be considered to have a rate of poverty among the people, accounting a rate of 9.4 percent of the population with family incomes below the 1999 poverty level. The American Indian and Alaska Native race/ethnicity demographic category, owns the foremost rate of poverty with 22.3 percent of the population in 2000 living in poverty. Individuals aged Under 5 years have the largest percent of population in poverty in Vermont, reporting 13.4 percent of this age group in the area living in poverty.

According to the 2000 Census, the counties in the State of Vermont range, in terms of rate a poverty, from a high of 14.1 percent in Orleans County to a low of 7.6 percent in Grand Isle County.

Top ten counties in terms of poverty rate in the State of Vermont
Total Percent of Population Living Below Poverty

1. Orleans County (14.1 percent)
2. Essex County (13.7 )
3. Caledonia County (12.3 percent)
4. Rutland County (10.9 percent)
5. Bennington County (10 percent)
6. Lamoille County (9.6 percent)
7. Windham County (9.4 percent)
8. Orange County (9.1 percent)
9. Franklin County (9 percent)
10. Chittenden County (8.8 percent)


The household income has declined from the values (adjusted for inflation) in 2000. The median has decreased to $45,686, representing a 4.4 percent decline. The State of Vermont ranks 33 of 46 states in terms of the decline in median income in the US.

It was reported in 2000 that the Asian headed households had median household incomes of $46,367. This household income level is 3 percent less than the reported median household income for all households in the state. Hispanic in Vermontreported a median household income of $45,312, this median is 5.2 percent less than reported value of the areas total household median income for all households. In the State of Vermont, White headed households reported a median household income (2005 Dollars) of $48,052 according to the Decennial Census of 2000, which was 0.5 percent greater than the median income in 2000. Black or African American headed households had a median household income that was 22.7 percent less than the all population median published in the 2000 Census, with a median of $36,954. The American Indian and Alaska Native households in Vermont reported an income level of $31,843, this median was 33.4 percent less than the median level for total households in the area.

The poverty rate in the State of Vermont has increased by 2.1 percent since the amount published in 2000, moving from 9.4 percent to 11.5 percent.

Datasource: U.S. Bureau of the Census. 2000 Decennial Census. 2005 American Community Survey.