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Windsor County, VT

RANK #273 / 996  ·  POP 57,832  ·  VT

PROJECTED GROWTH: +1.7%

Windsor County combines solid growth with real affordability — a rare combination.

[01] Why Windsor County?

Windsor County, Vermont, holds the distinction of being the "birthplace of Vermont," where the state's constitution was adopted in 1777, notably being the first to prohibit adult slavery and establish universal male suffrage without property requirements. Located in eastern Vermont, bordered by the Connecticut River, the county features a landscape that transitions from river valley to the Green Mountains. Woodstock, the county seat, is known for its preserved 19th-century New England charm, while Windsor itself boasts historical sites like the American Precision Museum. Commuting within the county and to nearby areas like the Upper Valley (home to Dartmouth College) is facilitated by local transit services and ride-sharing options, though some residents experience longer drives for amenities. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for hiking, skiing, fishing, and camping at locations such as Mount Ascutney and various state parks.

Life in Windsor County offers a blend of rural character and access to amenities, attracting a mix of families, retirees, and remote workers. The public school system is generally well-regarded, with schools like Marion W. Cross School and Barnard Academy receiving high rankings. The economy is characterized by a combination of established industries like manufacturing, healthcare, and education, alongside a resilient tourism sector. Employers such as Mount Ascutney Hospital and advanced manufacturing firms like ImageTek contribute to the local job market. However, the region faces challenges common to rural areas, including housing shortages and workforce gaps, which local initiatives are working to address through housing development and workforce training programs.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.9x

Above national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+0.7%

Well below national median

Home Prices
+2.9%

Outpacing national median

Climate & Terrain
0.1

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
11x

Strong rental yield

Housing is fairly valued at 4.9x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Windsor County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
57,832
+0.41% YoY
Median Household Income
$69,492
Median Home Value
$249,700
+2.94% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,054
Average Annual Pay
$62,855
+5.2% YoY
Employment
23,153
-0.1% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2783
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
2.13%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$516,000
Days on Market
116
Slower market
Months of Supply
5.9
Buyer's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
96.2%
Negotiation room for buyers
Sold Above List
13.2%
Listings w/ Price Drops
9.8%
Building Permits (2024)
344
Single-Family Permits
102

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

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +0.7% 13 percentile
Population Growth +0.4% 48 percentile
Income Growth +8.9% 62 percentile
Vacancy Rate 1.1% 49 percentile
Home Price Change +2.9% 71 percentile
Rent Growth +6.3% 88 percentile
Price/Rent 11x 82 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

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

Windsor County has a Boom Town Index score of 73/100, ranking #273 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at -0.1% and a median household income of $69,492, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.

Is Windsor County affordable?

The median home value in Windsor County is $249,700 with median rent at $1,054/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2783, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Windsor County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.4% year-over-year. Job growth: -0.1%. Home values changed +2.9% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Windsor County?

Yes — 2.13% of Windsor County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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