CountyScore

Addison County

Vermont · VT

#3 in Vermont
65.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Addison County, Vermont

Well Above the National Average

Addison County scores 65.8 out of 100, significantly outpacing the national median of 50.0. This places the county in the upper tier of U.S. counties for overall livability.

Slightly Above Vermont Average

With a composite score of 65.8, Addison ranks above Vermont's state average of 64.0. The county is among the stronger performers in a state known for quality of life.

Health and Resilience Stand Out

Addison excels in health outcomes with a score of 85.4, the highest dimension, and demonstrates strong disaster resilience with a risk score of 73.2. Median household income of $88,478 is also solid for rural Vermont.

Income Growth Lags Behind

The income score of 41.1 is notably lower than the county's overall strength, suggesting earning potential could be stronger. Tax burden is moderate at 1.693% effective rate, leaving some room for fiscal improvement.

Ideal for Health-Conscious Families

Addison suits families prioritizing robust healthcare, disaster resilience, and a balanced rural lifestyle. This is a good fit for professionals earning mid-five figures who value strong communities over maximizing income.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax54.7Cost63.9SafetyComing SoonHealth85.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome41.1Risk73.2WaterComing Soon
🏛54.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠63.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼41.1
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤85.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡73.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Addison County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Jefferson County
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65.8
Median income: $72,872
Citrus County
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65.8
Median income: $55,355
Jefferson County
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65.8
Median income: $46,561
Polk County
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65.8
Median income: $55,308

Deep Dives

Addison County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Addison County

via TaxByCounty

Addison's taxes rank high nationally

At 1.693%, Addison County's effective tax rate exceeds the national median of 1.099%, placing it in approximately the 78th percentile nationally. The median property tax here is $5,649, nearly double the national median of $2,690, reflecting both higher tax rates and more valuable homes.

Middle of the pack statewide

Addison County's effective rate of 1.693% runs slightly below Vermont's state average of 1.718%, ranking it in the middle tier among Vermont's 14 counties. The median tax bill of $5,649 is above the state average of $4,648.

Higher than Franklin County to the north

Addison's 1.693% rate edges out neighboring Chittenden County's 1.614% but trails Caledonia County's 1.830% to the northeast. Among nearby counties, only Bennington approaches Addison's tax burden with a 1.708% rate.

Expect $5,649 annually on median home

On the county's median home value of $333,700, an effective tax rate of 1.693% translates to an estimated annual tax of $5,649. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay $5,974, while those without pay around $4,974.

Many homeowners could appeal assessments

Studies show roughly one-third of homeowners are over-assessed relative to market value, potentially overpaying property taxes. If you believe your home's assessed value exceeds its market worth, filing an appeal with your local assessor is often a straightforward process worth exploring.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Addison County

via CostByCounty

Addison ranks better than most Americans

Addison County's rent-to-income ratio of 16.3% sits comfortably below the national burden threshold, meaning residents spend less of their paycheck on rent than the typical American household. With a median household income of $88,478—18% above the national average—Addison offers more breathing room in housing budgets than most U.S. counties.

Vermont's second-most affordable county

Addison stands out in Vermont with a 16.3% rent-to-income ratio, beating the state average of 17.8% and ranking it among the state's most affordable regions. Its median home value of $333,700 is slightly above the Vermont median but balanced by stronger household incomes than most neighboring counties.

Better rents, higher home prices

Addison's median rent of $1,201 is notably higher than Franklin County's $1,164 but lower than Chittenden's $1,590, positioning it in the mid-range for the region. However, homebuyers should note that Addison's median home value of $333,700 exceeds most neighbors except Chittenden, reflecting its desirable location and amenities.

How Addison's housing costs break down

Renters spend $1,201 monthly while homeowners pay $1,485, leaving most households with money left after housing. At $88,478 annual income, the typical Addison family dedicates only 16.3% to rent or mortgage, well below the 30% threshold financial advisors recommend.

Strong income, manageable housing costs

If you're relocating and prioritize affordability without sacrificing income potential, Addison County's above-average wages and below-average housing burden make it a compelling choice. Compare this profile against nearby Chittenden (pricier but stronger job market) or Caledonia (cheaper but lower incomes) to find your fit.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Addison County

via IncomeByCounty

Addison outpaces the nation

Addison County's median household income of $88,478 runs 18% above the U.S. median of $74,755, ranking it in the upper tier nationally. This strong position reflects a prosperous local economy anchored by agriculture, small manufacturing, and tourism.

Second richest county in Vermont

Addison ranks second among Vermont's 14 counties, trailing only Chittenden by $5,832. At $88,478, the county's median household income sits 18% above Vermont's county average of $75,043.

Ahead of Franklin and Lamoille

Addison's $88,478 median substantially exceeds adjacent Franklin County ($79,078) and Lamoille County ($69,897). The county's relative prosperity reflects diverse employment opportunities and stronger wage growth across its towns.

Housing remains affordable here

At 16.3%, Addison's rent-to-income ratio sits well below the 20% affordability threshold, meaning renters spend a sustainable share of income on housing. The median home value of $333,700 aligns with median incomes, supporting both renters and homebuyers.

Build on Addison's income strength

With median household income near $88,500, Addison residents have genuine capacity to save and invest beyond basic expenses. Consider automating retirement contributions, diversifying into low-cost index funds, and consulting a financial advisor to maximize long-term wealth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Addison County

via HealthByCounty

Addison County outpaces the nation

At 80.7 years, Addison's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 4.6 years—a significant edge. Just 10.2% of residents report poor or fair health, well below the national rate of 17.9%, signaling a population in strong overall health.

Best health outcomes in Vermont

Addison County ranks among Vermont's healthiest, with a life expectancy 2.5 years above the state average of 78.2 years. The county's 10.2% poor/fair health rate ranks it near the top of state rankings, reflecting sustained community wellness.

Ahead of neighboring counties

Addison's 80.7-year life expectancy beats Chittenden (80.8) by a narrow margin and significantly outpaces Bennington (76.7) and Caledonia (76.7). Its 10.2% poor/fair health rate trails only Chittenden among regional peers, positioning Addison as a leader in regional health.

Strong access to primary care

With 113 primary care providers per 100,000 residents, Addison offers solid access to first-line care and 371 mental health providers per 100,000. Only 4.4% of residents lack health insurance, matching Chittenden County's best-in-state rate.

Keep coverage strong in Addison

Even with a low 4.4% uninsured rate, some Addison residents may still be underinsured or facing coverage gaps. Check your plan at Vermont's health insurance marketplace to ensure you have adequate coverage for your family's needs.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Addison County

via RiskByCounty

Addison ranks well below national risk

With a composite risk score of 26.78 and a "Very Low" rating, Addison County sits comfortably below the national average for natural disaster risk. This score reflects relatively modest exposure to most hazard types across the county.

One of Vermont's safest counties

Addison County's risk profile ranks favorably within Vermont, well below the state average composite score of 36.44. Among the eight Vermont counties analyzed, it remains in the lower-risk tier.

Comparable risk to nearby Orange County

Addison's overall risk level mirrors patterns seen in other rural Vermont counties like Lamoille and Franklin, which also score in the "Very Low" range. The county's flood risk (47.71) edges slightly higher than its peers, reflecting its position in the Champlain Valley.

Hurricanes and earthquakes pose most risk

Addison's highest hazard scores come from hurricane risk (67.46) and earthquake risk (55.79), typical for western Vermont's proximity to seismic zones and Atlantic storm tracks. Flood risk (47.71) rounds out the top concerns, particularly in low-lying areas near Lake Champlain and the Otter Creek.

Consider flood and wind coverage today

While Addison County's overall risk remains low, flood insurance through the National Flood Insurance Program protects against the county's most frequent water-related events. Homeowners should also ensure wind and hail coverage is adequate, especially in areas prone to lake-effect storms.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.