CountyScore

Grand Isle County

Vermont · VT

#2 in Vermont
67.2
County Score

County Report Card

About Grand Isle County, Vermont

Above-Average Livability, National Perspective

Grand Isle County scores 67.2, notably above the national median of 50.0. This Island community ranks among the most livable counties nationwide.

Vermont's Second-Best Performer

At 67.2, Grand Isle ranks well above Vermont's average of 64.0, placing it second only to Essex County in this analysis. The county combines island charm with strong livability metrics.

Tax Advantage and Strong Incomes

Grand Isle boasts the state's lowest effective tax rate at 1.355% (tax score 64.1), plus the third-highest median household income at $90,625. Health scores of 80.8 are respectable for a small county.

Housing Costs and Environmental Risk

The cost score of 57.7 reflects expensive island real estate, with median homes at $363,500. The risk score of 98.1, while high, likely reflects island-specific vulnerabilities like water access or isolation.

Ideal for Affluent Families Seeking Island Life

Grand Isle suits successful professionals and retirees ($90K+ income) who love Lake Champlain island living and don't mind premium housing prices. Best for those with cars, flexibility, and appreciation for tight-knit island communities.

Score breakdown

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

Tax64.1Cost57.7SafetyComing SoonHealth80.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome42.5Risk98.1WaterComing Soon
🏛64.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠57.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼42.5
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤80.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡98.1
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 Grand Isle County with another county →

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Southeast Fairbanks Census Area
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Garland County
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Berrien County
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Median income: $50,414

Deep Dives

Grand Isle County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Grand Isle County

via TaxByCounty

Grand Isle's unusually low tax burden

At 1.355%, Grand Isle County's effective tax rate is the lowest in Vermont and trails the national median of 1.099% by only 23%, placing it around the 55th percentile nationally. The median tax of $4,927 exceeds the national median of $2,690 solely because Grand Isle homes are valued 29% above the national average.

Vermont's most favorable tax rate

Grand Isle County leads Vermont with the lowest effective tax rate at 1.355%, well below the state average of 1.718%. This 0.363 percentage point advantage makes Grand Isle particularly attractive for property owners seeking lower levies across the state.

Significantly undercuts Chittenden and Franklin

Grand Isle's 1.355% rate substantially outperforms Chittenden County's 1.614% to the south and Franklin County's 1.486% to the west. Among northwestern Vermont options, Grand Isle offers the steepest tax break.

Annual tax roughly $4,927 on median home

On Grand Isle County's median home value of $363,500, a 1.355% effective rate produces approximately $4,927 in yearly taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay around $4,768, while those without mortgages pay roughly $5,530.

Appeals matter across all property values

Grand Isle's low rates make it an attractive region, but overassessed properties still chip away at that advantage unfairly. If your home is valued significantly above recent comparable sales, an appeal to your assessor could recover years of overpayment and protect future tax bills.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Grand Isle County

via CostByCounty

Island living costs more, but incomes support it

Grand Isle County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.0% exceeds Vermont's state average of 17.8%, placing it among the state's more expensive markets, yet its median household income of $90,625 ranks second-statewide and 21% above the national average. Island living commands a premium, but stronger-than-average incomes help offset higher housing costs.

Island premium reflected in housing costs

Grand Isle's 19.0% rent-to-income ratio is among Vermont's highest, paired with a median home value of $363,500 that ranks third statewide after Chittenden. Despite strong median income of $90,625, the island location elevates both rents and home values, creating a premium-priced market second only to Chittenden.

Island pricing exceeds nearby mainland counties

Grand Isle's median rent of $1,436 is substantially higher than Franklin ($1,164) and Lamoille ($1,123), though lower than Chittenden's $1,590, reflecting its island premium. Home values of $363,500 similarly position Grand Isle between Addison ($333,700) and Chittenden ($404,500), marking it as the region's second-priciest real estate market.

Premium housing supported by strong wages

Renters pay $1,436 monthly and homeowners $1,597 against a median income of $90,625, consuming 19.0% of household budgets. While this is Vermont's second-highest housing burden, incomes are strong enough that families retain over 81% of earnings for other needs.

Choose islands if you value lifestyle and earn well

Grand Isle's picturesque island communities command higher rents and home prices, but strong median incomes make housing manageable for well-earning relocators prioritizing lifestyle. If you need maximum affordability, choose Caledonia or Essex; if you want island living with strong incomes, Grand Isle delivers.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Grand Isle County

via IncomeByCounty

Grand Isle ranks among nation's best

Grand Isle County's median household income of $90,625 surpasses the U.S. median of $74,755 by 21%, placing it in the nation's top quartile. Strong tourism, lake-based recreation, and proximity to Burlington support high-earning employment.

Second in Vermont, near Chittenden

Grand Isle ranks 2nd of 14 Vermont counties, just $3,685 below Chittenden's $94,310 median. The county's per capita income of $53,254 is the state's second-highest, reflecting well-paying professional and seasonal employment.

Outpaces Franklin and Lamoille

Grand Isle's $90,625 median tops Franklin County ($79,078) by $11,547 and Lamoille County ($69,897) by $20,728. The county's island location and Lake Champlain appeal attract affluent residents and seasonal workers, boosting overall income.

Housing costs climb with prosperity

Grand Isle's rent-to-income ratio of 19.0% approaches the 20% threshold, reflecting rising housing demand from wealthy newcomers and summer residents. The median home value of $363,500 is the state's second-highest; strong incomes enable ownership but create rental pressures.

Capitalize on Grand Isle's income edge

With median household income at $90,625, Grand Isle residents enjoy excellent capacity to build substantial wealth through disciplined investing. Max out retirement accounts, diversify into rental properties or small business ventures, and consult a wealth advisor to optimize long-term strategy.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Grand Isle County

via HealthByCounty

Grand Isle meets national health norms

Grand Isle's 78.5-year life expectancy sits 2.4 years above the U.S. average of 76.1 years, a solid advantage. With 12.6% poor or fair health versus the national 17.9%, residents report better health than the typical American.

Slightly above Vermont average

Grand Isle's 78.5-year life expectancy edges above Vermont's 78.2-year average, though marginally. Its 12.6% poor/fair health rate ranks better than the state average, positioning the county as a small but healthy outlier.

Modest health above surrounding areas

Grand Isle's 78.5 years marginally exceeds Lamoille (79.2), Bennington (76.7), and Caledonia (76.7), though it trails Addison (80.7) and Chittenden (80.8). Its 12.6% poor/fair health rate matches Lamoille and Franklin, reflecting regional consistency.

Rural access challenges persist

Grand Isle has just 67 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and only 94 mental health providers per 100,000, well below state averages. At 5.2% uninsured, the county's coverage rate slightly trails Vermont's 5.1% average, leaving small gaps.

Connect to coverage in Grand Isle

With rural provider constraints, health insurance becomes even more valuable for accessing care across borders. Visit Vermont's marketplace to find plans that cover out-of-county providers and ensure your family stays protected.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Grand Isle County

via RiskByCounty

Grand Isle ranks among America's lowest

Grand Isle County's composite risk score of 1.91 represents one of the nation's safest natural hazard profiles, with a "Very Low" rating across all major categories. Its island setting in Lake Champlain provides exceptional geographic protection.

Vermont's second-safest county

Grand Isle County's score of 1.91 ranks second-lowest in Vermont, just above Essex County's 3.21, and represents less than 6% of the state average risk of 36.44. The county's limited mainland exposure drives this exceptional profile.

Dramatically safer than surrounding counties

Grand Isle's risk score of 1.91 stands far below neighboring Chittenden County (63.90) and Addison County (26.78). Its island setting and smaller population create isolation that translates to measurably lower hazard exposure.

Hurricane risk poses minimal concern

Grand Isle County's highest hazard score—hurricane risk at 34.54—remains significantly below statewide norms and national averages. Earthquake risk (30.57) and flood risk (12.79) round out an exceptionally benign hazard environment.

Standard homeowners insurance suffices

Grand Isle County residents can typically rely on basic homeowners insurance without specialized flood or wind coverage, making it one of Vermont's most affordable counties for disaster insurance. Standard annual reviews ensure adequate replacement values remain current.

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.