56 / 100

Rutland County, VT

RANK #437 / 996  ·  POP 60,585  ·  VT

PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.9%

Rutland County's economy is holding up, but population decline raises questions about long-term trajectory.

[01] Why Rutland County?

Rutland County, Vermont, is often recognized for its access to outdoor recreation, particularly the Killington and Pico ski resorts, which offer extensive winter sports and year-round mountain activities. Located in western Vermont, the county is framed by the Green Mountains to the east and the Taconic Mountains to the west. Rutland City, the county seat, features a historic downtown district with a restored 1912 Paramount Theatre and public art installations. Commuting within the county is facilitated by "The Bus," the largest non-urban public transportation system in Vermont, offering routes connecting various towns and services. The community offers a blend of country roads, quaint villages, and historic centers.

Life in Rutland County appeals to a mix of young professionals and retirees, with a notable emphasis on outdoor activities and a strong sense of community. Educational options include K-12 schools within districts like Rutland City Public Schools and Greater Rutland County Supervisory Union, alongside higher education institutions such as Vermont State University-Castleton. The local economy, historically rooted in marble mining and rail transport, has diversified. Recent economic developments focus on attracting new residents and businesses, with efforts in workforce training and support for startups. There is also investment in expanding affordable housing and improving infrastructure to support manufacturing and business growth.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.2x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+3.5%

Above national median

Home Prices
+2.7%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.3

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
19x

Above national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 4.2x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Rutland County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
60,585
-0.13% YoY
Median Household Income
$62,641
Median Home Value
$203,500
+2.69% 12mo
Median Rent
$891
Average Annual Pay
$58,753
+5.1% YoY
Employment
25,313
+0.7% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3078
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
1.12%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$282,500
Days on Market
125
Slower market
Months of Supply
5.2
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
92.9%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
9.1%
Listings w/ Price Drops
10.5%
Building Permits (2024)
135
Single-Family Permits
89

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$250M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Rutland City Housing Initiative (1,000 new units goal)
City of Rutland, Housing Trust of Rutland County, Cornerstone Housing Partners
$250M Proposed

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +3.5% 66 percentile
Population Growth -0.1% 23 percentile
Income Growth +4.8% 4 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.8% 78 percentile
Home Price Change +2.7% 68 percentile
Price/Rent 19x 11 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Rutland County, VT a good place to move to?

Rutland County has a Boom Town Index score of 56/100, ranking #437 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.7% and a median household income of $62,641, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Rutland County affordable?

The median home value in Rutland County is $203,500 with median rent at $891/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3078, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Rutland County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: -0.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.7%. Home values changed +2.7% in the past 12 months.

[08] Similar Metros

Fayette County, KY 66 Plymouth County, MA 66 Wright County, MN 66 Washington County, NY 66 Floyd County, IN 66 Kalamazoo County, MI 66 Warren County, OH 66 Nacogdoches County, TX 66