Top 10 most dangerous cities in Vermont

Get Location-Based Crime Data for any Address in Vermont
*based on availability

Vermont, known for its picturesque landscapes and rich cultural heritage, offers a unique living experience. From the charming small towns to the scenic beauty of the Green Mountains, Vermont provides a diverse array of attractions. The state's rich cultural heritage is evident in its music, festivals, and historic sites. However, despite its many positives, Vermont faces safety challenges in certain urban areas. The most dangerous cities in Vermont are identified by their violent crime rates per 100,000 people, highlighting regions where vigilance is necessary. The contrast between Vermont's natural serenity and urban crime issues underscores the complexities of life in this diverse state.

Efforts to improve safety in Vermont involve a combination of enhanced law enforcement measures and community engagement programs aimed at preventing violence and crime. These initiatives are crucial in addressing the safety concerns that affect some of the most dangerous cities in Vermont. While these areas present significant challenges, they also highlight the potential for community-driven solutions and positive change. Vermont's commitment to fostering safer environments is evident in its proactive measures and the resilience of its residents. The state's blend of natural beauty, cultural richness, and economic opportunities continues to attract people, despite the complexities of urban safety concerns.

St. Albans Population: 6,796 773 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 2.12 chance of being a victim: 1 in 129 Total Crimes / 100k: 6,101

St. Albans, VT holds the distinction of being the #1 most dangerous city in Vermont with 773 violent crimes per 100,000 people. The area continues to struggle with elevated assault (559), robbery (129), rape (86) and homicide (0) rates, as the violent crime rate comes in at 268% higher than the Vermont average. Contributing to these numbers could be the higher than average rates of poverty, unemployment, and gang activity. Ongoing efforts from local law enforcement and the community have been created to help reduce the crime rates going forward.

Brattleboro Population: 6,429 522 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.43 chance of being a victim: 1 in 192 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,738

The second most dangerous city is Brattleboro. With a population of 6,429 and a violent crime rate that is 148% higher than the Vermont average, the city has seen better days. The higher than average crime rates in Brattleboro are not new, as violent crime has been a serious issue for many years and topped 522 violent crimes per 100,000 people in the last calendar year. In some areas, the riks are greater than others, as residents have a 1 in 192 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Barre Population: 8,590 476 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.30 chance of being a victim: 1 in 210 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,593

Home to 8,590 residents, Barre, VT ranks #3 on the list of most dangerous cities in Vermont. Unfortunately for residents of Barre, crime is widespread, with more than 476 violent crimes per 100,000 people reported last year. When the numbers are analyzed, this translates to a staggering 1.30 crimes per day and a violent crime rate that is 126% higher than the Vermont violent crime rate.

St. Johnsbury Population: 5,815 472 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.29 chance of being a victim: 1 in 212 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,453

With a violent crime rate that is 124% higher than the Vermont average, it's not hard to see why St. Johnsbury made the list. The city reported crime (per 100,000 residents) in the following categories: robbery (54), assault (297), rape (121) and homicide (0). In regions where employment opportunities are scarce or where many jobs offer insufficient wages, the risk of increased unemployment and homelessness rises, this could be just some of the triggers that make St. Johnsbury more vulnerable to high crime.

Bennington Population: 8,539 444 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.22 chance of being a victim: 1 in 225 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,912

The ongoing battle with crime in Bennington, VT, is not a new issue - which is why there's no surprise that this city has made the list. With a violent crime rate of 444 and a 1 in 225 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime (per 100,000 people), Bennington has a violent crime rate that is 111% higher than the Vermont average. Higher than average poverty and unemployment rates as well as a lack of available well-paying jobs, are most likely all contributing to the high rate of violent crime in Bennington.

Rutland Population: 15,207 415 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.14 chance of being a victim: 1 in 241 Total Crimes / 100k: 4,485

Rutland, VT comes in at number 6 on our list, with a violent crime rate of 415 per 100,000 people, which is 97% higher than the Vermont average. Rutland has a population of 15,207, which translates to 1.14 crimes per day and 1 in 241 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime. As with most cities, a high violent crime rate does not mean that all areas are unsafe, as there are definitely some areas in Rutland which are much safer than others.

Burlington Population: 42,645 411 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.13 chance of being a victim: 1 in 243 Total Crimes / 100k: 6,994

A 1 in 243 chance of becoming a victim of crime and 1.13 violent crimes per day - those are some fairly good reasons why Burlington makes the list at #7. According to the most recent annual crime report, there were 411 violent crimes per 100,000 people, which translates to a violent crime rate that is 95% higher than the Vermont average. The number of violent crimes takes into account the following categories: assault (319), robbery (52), rape (38) and homicide (2).

Winooski Population: 7,320 366 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 1.00 chance of being a victim: 1 in 273 Total Crimes / 100k: 3,598

Winooski, VT is another one of the most dangerous cities in Vermont and tops the list at #8. The city has a population of 7,320 and a violent crime rate of 366 per 100,000 people. Of those crimes, there were 307 counts of assault, 24 counts of robbery, 35 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. All told, the Winooski violent crime rate is 74% higher than the Vermont average.

South Burlington Population: 19,359 255 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.70 chance of being a victim: 1 in 392 Total Crimes / 100k: 5,675

Economic conditions, education, social environment, law enforcement and urbanization can all have an impact on crime rates. Feeling the effects of most of those issues, South Burlington, VT comes in as the 9th most dangerous city in Vermont with a violent crime rate of 255 per 100,000 people. If we break that down, the city sees 0.70 violent crimes per day and residents have a 1 in 392 chance of becoming a victim of violent crime.

Montpelier Population: 7,434 187 violent crimes per 100k

violent crimes per day: 0.51 chance of being a victim: 1 in 533 Total Crimes / 100k: 2,175

Rounding out our list at #10 is Montpelier, VT. With a population of 7,434 and a violent crime rate of 187 per 100,000 people (11% lower than the Vermont average), some parts of Montpelier are incredible unsafe. The violent crime rate consists of 125 counts of assault, 25 counts of robbery, 37 counts of rape and 0 counts of homicide. Residents can expect to have a 1 in 533 chance of becoming a victim of a violent crime.

Full list of the most dangerous cities in Vermont

Rank	Location	Population	Violent Crimes /100k	Total Crimes /100k
1	St. Albans	6,796	773	6,101
2	Brattleboro	6,429	522	5,738
3	Barre	8,590	476	3,593
4	St. Johnsbury	5,815	472	3,453
5	Bennington	8,539	444	2,912
6	Rutland	15,207	415	4,485
7	Burlington	42,645	411	6,994
8	Winooski	7,320	366	3,598
9	South Burlington	19,359	255	5,675
10	Montpelier	7,434	187	2,175
11	Middlebury	6,929	186	1,288
12	Shelburne	6,008	63	1,749

Methodology

The AreaVibes list of the most dangerous cities in Vermont is derived from the FBI's uniform crime reporting program (UCR Program) from their most recent release. To compile this list, we used violent crime data (assualt, robbery, rape and murder) per 100,000 people and only included Vermont cities with a population of 5,000 or more. Displaying violent crime rates based on a population of 100,000 allows for an equal comparison for each city.

Map of Violent Crime By State

Well Below nat. avg.
Below nat. avg.
Similar to nat. avg.
Above nat. avg.
Well above nat. avg.

Explore our interactive map to discover the most dangerous cities in each state across the USA. This map highlights the states with the highest crime rates, providing insights into the factors contributing to these statistics. From urban centers facing economic hardships to regions grappling with social challenges, the map offers a visual representation of crime hotspots. Click on each state to learn more about its most dangerous cities, the types of crimes most prevalent, and the underlying causes behind these issues.