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- More Of The Least Populated Towns In Vermont
Vermont is the second least-populous state in the United States, so it’s not surprising that it’s home to some towns with only a handful of residents. This New England destination has the Green Mountains at its disposal, making it the perfect place to be with Mother Nature’s best. Surrounded by wonders—the Taconic Mountains, Champlain Valley, and Lake Bomoseen—the state knows how to make a vacation bravo.Though its urban centers, like its capital Montpelier, have that unique charm not seen and felt elsewhere, visiting Vermont’s tiny towns offers something new for curious travelers, even over a short weekend trip. After all, these small communities are not populous, so tourists will make new friends when visiting.
UPDATE: 2023/02/28 15:50 EST BY AARON SPRAY
More Of The Least Populated Towns In Vermont
Vermont is a state without large cities and is a stunning New England state to visit. This list was updated and expanded to include both the largest towns in the state (the largest city and the state capital because they are so small) and the smallest of all towns (ghost towns). Vermont is a state far from the rat race of the world's big cities.
14 Burlington (Pop. 44,700)
Burlington gets into the list as it is the smallest of the biggest cities of any American state. With a population of only 44,700, Burlington is the largest city in the state of Vermont. While the other towns on this list are far smaller, it is clear from Burlington that the largest cities in the state are the size of a large town. Explore Burlington and see why this small city/large town is worth visiting.
13 Montpelier (Pop. 8,000)
Montpelier gets an honorable mention in this list as it is the smallest state capital in the United States with a nighttime population of only around 8,000 (it swells to around 21,000 in the daytime with people coming for work). It is the capital of Vermont and offers a small-town feel. One of the main attractions in Montpelier is the Vermont History Museum.
12 Brunswick (Pop. 88)
Located in Essex County, the town of Brunswick is most known because of its supposedly cursed springs. Legend says that a soldier was cured by the springs and decided to return to bottle the water for profit.
The Abenaki people objected, and in the struggle that followed, a man and a baby were killed. Devastated, the mother of the child was said to have cursed the springs. A hotel was built in the area but was burned down, with locals relating it to the curse.
The ruins of the hotel can still be seen when visiting the springs, and, cursed or not; it’s a sight to behold.
11 Lemington (Pop. 87)
Located along the Connecticut River also in Essex, the town of Lemington is most proud as the home of the lush Monadnock Mountain.
Sure, the river is best enjoyed by the valley, but climbing the mountain is the best spot to get the nicest view of the waterway. Add the panorama of Vermont and New Hampshire, and it’s pure bliss.
Weather permitting, those who have conquered its peak can even see Maine and Quebec, Canada. While hiking, trekkers can even check out the ruins of Norton Mine. The town knows how to impress.
10 Granby (Pop. 81)
Also in Essex, Granby is another town that eagerly welcomes nature explorers. Why so? It has brooks, ponds, and Nurse Mountain, perfect playgrounds for adventurers. The town has the Mud Pond, Moose River, Granby Stream, Cow Mountain Pond, and lots of brooks.
Tourists just need to choose where to hang out, and they’ll have a relaxing day. Add the mountain and Buzzell Gap for hikers, and a stay in Granby is nothing but grand.
The town is small, but it’s packed with natural wonders.
9 Victory (Pop. 70)
Another Essex charmer, Victory, has the perfect name because the town lets visitors feel victorious, thanks to its natural charm. After all, more than half of its land is state forest and reserved for recreation, making it an outdoor lover’s second office.
It has the Moose River valley, some brooks, ponds, and the star of the show, the Victory State Forest. The forest is a favorite among campers, hikers, horseback riders, wildlife viewers, snowmobilers, and snowshoers.
Whatever the season and the reason, visiting Victory is always a success story.
8 Buels Gore (Pop. 29)
Chittenden County has the tiny gore of Buels, a charming community filled with greenery. Its eastern side has the crest of the Green Mountains, where trekkers can take on the challenge of the Long Trail, the oldest continuous footpath in the country.
To its west lies a part of the Appalachian Gap, where a trailhead can also be conquered by trekkers. Scattered throughout the area, meanwhile, are pristine waterways that offer a retreat for those who just finished an enriching hike. Buels Gore is beautiful, indeed.
7 Averill (Pop. 21)
Averill is another Essex wonder that welcomes those who want to make a splash, literally and figuratively. It has three swimming spots, Great Averill Pond, Little Averill Pond, and Forest Lake, perfect for those who want to experience an oasis in the already paradisiac Green Mountain State.
It’s also home to a mountain and forest shared with the previously mentioned town of Lemington, so tourists can start their day hiking before capping it off with a dip in the waterway. Averill knows how to spell adventure.
6 Ferdinand (Pop. 16)
The Nulhegan River passes through the Essex town of Ferdinand, with its breeze enticing visitors to explore the town’s greenery.
A portion of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge straddles the northern part of the town, making it the automatic destination for recreational lovers as the area has hiking trails and fishing spots.
There's also the Moose Bog and Seneca Mountain for those who want to be away from the possible crowds in the refuge. Wherever visitors stay, Ferdinand won’t disappoint.
5 Glastenbury (Pop. 9)
Most of Glastenbury is in the Green Mountain National Forest, so it’s more than ready to welcome outdoor adventurers. It has three spots that will entice trekkers: Glastenbury Mountain, Long Trail, and the ever-popular Appalachian Trail.
This off-the-beaten destination is also home to various brooks tucked by the wilderness. Though there are still nine souls living in the area, some consider it a ghost town, with its forest linked to a mystery.
Hikers or paranormal enthusiasts can both agree, however, that Glastenbury is a place steep in natural wonders; it's even nicknamed Vermont's "Bermuda."
4 Somerset (Pop. 6)
The mountain town of Somerset is the perfect place when tourists want to escape the hustle and bustle of the metropolis.
Tucked between the Green Mountains and Mount Snow, this community is unknown even to some Vermonters, so outsiders who have reached it are lucky to experience its charm.
It is located by Somerset Reservoir, a big playground for paddlers and swimmers. Meanwhile, the Deerfield River that passes through town awaits anglers. Somerset is shy but proud of its enriching destinations.
3 Warren's Gore (Pop. 2)
Warren’s Gore only has two residents, and it’s natural for them to be hospitable when curious tourists visit their base.
Most visitors usually pass by this community, but those who decide to have a stopover can check out the pristine Norton Pond, most of it located in the gore.
Tourists should imagine this: when they stop in the area, there’s a high chance they will meet its two residents, befriend them, and decide to have another visit so they can hear their stories.
Beyond that, the place is perfect for letting go and letting things be.
2 Lewiston (Pop. Ghost Town)
One of the ghost towns of Vermont is Lewiston. It was a village in Windsor County and was centered on a rail station that connected it with New Hampshire and other parts of the state. The town was founded in 1765, and it was important in the supply of coal and trading in the area. But as the coal industry declined in the area, so too did the town until it was mostly deserted by 1930. Visitors can still find the train station there today.
1 Ricker Basin (Pop. Ghost Town)
Another ghost town in the New England state is Ricker Basin. It began as a farming town in the mid-19th century and became a lumber community. The town grew with the several sawmills that sprang up, and it used to have a train station, a school, and other facilities. The last of the sawmills closed in 1922, and the town dwindled. Some people clung on until 1927 and 1934, when the last of the residents were forced out by floods. Today there is only one house to be found there, along with some foundations.
The population stats listed use Census records from 2021.