Barre
RANK #646 / 996 NAT · POP 59,768
1YR FORECAST: -0.0%
5YR OUTLOOK: +20%
Montpelier, the nation's smallest state capital, anchors Washington County, Vermont, offering a blend of small-town character and natural beauty. Located centrally in Vermont, the county is about a 30-minute drive from Burlington, the state's largest city. Commuting within the county is primarily by car, with an average commute time of 23.4 minutes, though Green Mountain Transit provides bus services connecting towns like Montpelier, Waterbury, and Barre. The region is characterized by rolling hills, forests, and access to the Green Mountains, providing extensive outdoor recreation opportunities such as hiking, biking, skiing, and water activities on the Waterbury Reservoir.
Life in Washington County often appeals to those seeking a balance of peaceful living and access to outdoor activities. The public schools in Washington County are rated above average, with options including Montpelier High School and Harwood Union Middle/High School. The economy is driven by state government activities in Montpelier, along with tourism, insurance, trade, and the granite industry in Barre. While manufacturing jobs have seen a decline statewide, efforts are underway to foster growth in private-sector industries and address workforce shortages.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Well below national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.0x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
At 35/100, Washington County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 996 counties we track. Median income of $77,278 combined with job growth of +1.5% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
Housing in Washington County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $278,000 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $1,077/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Employers in Washington County are hiring — job growth of +1.5% — but the population is close to flat (+0.3% YoY). Home values moved +0.2% over the past year. Labor demand is outpacing local population growth, which tends to tighten wages and housing.
Not particularly — 1.53% of Washington County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.