Vermont
Green Mountain State · Capital: Montpelier · Northeast (New England)
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Bordering states: New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts.
About Vermont
Vermont is a small, wedge-shaped New England state bordered by New York, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Quebec, and the only New England state without an Atlantic coastline. The Green Mountains run its full length, topped by Mount Mansfield at 4,395 feet, and the Long Trail follows that ridge for 272 miles. Rivers to the west drain into Lake Champlain and north to the St. Lawrence; rivers to the east feed the Connecticut, which belongs entirely to New Hampshire along their shared border. Winters inland are severe, with a record of 50 below zero at Bloomfield in 1933, and about three quarters of the land is forest.
Western Abenaki communities held the land on both sides of the mountains, and Samuel de Champlain reached the lake in 1609. From 1749 New Hampshire's governor sold township charters on land New York also claimed, and the Green Mountain Boys under Ethan Allen resisted New York; in 1775 Allen and Benedict Arnold took Fort Ticonderoga. Vermont declared independence in 1777, and its constitution of July 1777 banned slavery for adults and gave every adult man the vote without a property requirement. After fourteen years as a republic and a $30,000 payment to New York, it joined the Union on March 4, 1791, as the 14th state.
The 2020 census counted 643,077 Vermonters, up 2.8 percent from 2010, ranking the state 49th of 50 by population. Montpelier is the smallest state capital and Burlington the largest city. A merino sheep boom in the first half of the 1800s gave way to dairy farming once railroads could carry milk to Boston, and Vermont now makes about half of the country's maple syrup. Republican in every presidential election from 1856 through 1960, it has since become reliably Democratic, and in 2000 it was the first state to recognize civil unions. Presidents Chester Arthur and Calvin Coolidge were born here.
4 fun facts about Vermont
- Montpelier is the only state capital without a McDonald's.
- Vermont produces 50%+ of US maple syrup. It takes 40 gallons of sap to make 1 gallon of syrup.
- It was an independent republic from 1777 to 1791, like Texas, before joining the US.
- Vermont has more covered bridges per square mile than any other state.
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Frequently asked questions about Vermont
Is Vermont a US state?
Yes, Vermont is one of the 50 US states. It was admitted to the Union in 1791, making it the 14th state. Its capital is Montpelier and its largest city is Burlington.
What is the capital of Vermont?
The capital of Vermont is Montpelier. Note that the largest city in Vermont is Burlington, not the capital, a common point of confusion.
When did Vermont become a state?
Vermont became a US state in 1791. It is the 14th state admitted to the Union.
What is the abbreviation for Vermont?
The 2-letter USPS abbreviation for Vermont is VT.
How big is Vermont?
Vermont ranks #45 of 50 US states by area. With 69.8 residents per square mile in 2020, it was the 31st most densely populated state.
What is the population of Vermont?
Vermont had 643,077 residents at the 2020 census, the 49th largest population of the 50 states, up 2.8% since 2010. That count gives it 1 seat in the US House of Representatives.
What region is Vermont in?
Vermont is in the Northeast region of the United States, per the US Census Bureau.
What time zone is Vermont in?
Vermont observes Eastern Time.
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How to learn the 50 states (full guide)
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