Lamoille County

Vermont · VT

#8 in Vermont
65.1
County Score

County Report Card

About Lamoille County, Vermont

Solid National Livability Standing

Lamoille County scores 65.1, comfortably above the national median of 50.0. This reflects strong fundamentals compared to most U.S. counties.

Just Below Vermont's Average

At 65.1, Lamoille ranks just below Vermont's state average of 64.0—nearly tied with several peers. The county sits squarely in the middle tier of Vermont livability.

Outstanding Disaster Resilience

Lamoille's standout strength is a risk score of 81.8, among the highest statewide, indicating exceptional resilience to shocks. Health outcomes are solid at 79.3, and housing is reasonably affordable with median costs at $285,200.

Income and Tax Gaps

The income score of 29.0 is among the lowest statewide, with median household income at just $69,897. Tax burden at 1.673% is also above the state median.

Best for Resilient Families Valuing Community

Lamoille suits families earning $65K–$80K annually who prioritize long-term stability and community ties over income growth. The county's exceptional resilience makes it ideal for those seeking security in uncertain times.

Score breakdown

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

Tax55.2Cost66.7SafetyComing SoonHealth79.3SchoolsComing SoonIncome29Risk81.8WaterComing Soon
🏛55.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠66.7
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼29
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
79.3
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
81.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Lamoille County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lamoille County

via TaxByCounty

Lamoille taxes exceed national benchmark

At 1.673%, Lamoille County's effective tax rate runs 52% above the national median of 1.099%, landing around the 76th percentile nationally. The median property tax of $4,771 sits 77% above the national median of $2,690, reflecting both moderate tax rates and above-average home values.

Slightly below state average statewide

Lamoille County's 1.673% effective rate runs marginally below Vermont's state average of 1.718%, placing it near the middle of Vermont's 14 counties. The median tax of $4,771 sits squarely above the state average of $4,648.

Lighter than Caledonia, heavier than Grand Isle

Lamoille's 1.673% rate sits well below Caledonia County's 1.830% to the east but exceeds Grand Isle's 1.355% to the north. The rate positions Lamoille in the moderate range across north-central Vermont.

Median home yields $4,771 in annual taxes

On a median home value of $285,200, Lamoille County's 1.673% effective rate translates to approximately $4,771 in yearly property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay roughly $4,735, while those without mortgages pay around $4,836.

Overassessments are worth investigating

Like all Vermont counties, approximately one-third of Lamoille homeowners may carry inflated assessments relative to true market value. Comparing your assessment to recent sales of comparable homes and filing an appeal if yours appears overvalued can deliver meaningful tax relief.

Cost of Living in Lamoille County

via CostByCounty

Higher housing burden despite decent incomes

Lamoille County's rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% stands 1.5 points above Vermont's state average of 17.8%, making it one of the state's pricier relative to incomes. With a median household income of $69,897—7% below the national average—Lamoille residents face above-average housing pressure despite living in a rural county.

Vermont's tightest housing burden

Lamoille claims the highest rent-to-income ratio statewide at 19.3%, signaling that residents here dedicate more of their paychecks to housing than any other Vermont county. Combined with a median income of $69,897—below-average for the state—Lamoille's affordability challenges are acute despite moderate absolute rents of $1,123.

Lower income but similar housing costs

Lamoille's median rent of $1,123 is close to Franklin ($1,164) and Addison ($1,201), but its median income of $69,897 is significantly lower than both neighbors. This income disadvantage translates to a higher housing burden percentage, making Lamoille feel less affordable than neighbors charging similar absolute rents.

Most income dedicated to housing

Renters spend $1,123 monthly and homeowners $1,394 against a median household income of just $69,897, consuming 19.3% for housing. This leaves only about 80% of income for utilities, food, healthcare, and other essentials—a tighter squeeze than most Vermont counties.

Consider only with strong job prospects locally

Lamoille is Vermont's most housing-stretched county, making it risky for relocators without secure local employment or robust savings. If you're moving here for a specific job opportunity that anchors your income, the mountains and outdoor recreation may justify the affordability squeeze; otherwise, explore higher-income counties like Franklin or Addison.

Income & Jobs in Lamoille County

via IncomeByCounty

Lamoille trails national average

Lamoille County's median household income of $69,897 lags the U.S. median of $74,755 by roughly 7%. The county's reliance on tourism, small manufacturing, and education limits overall earnings growth compared to national benchmarks.

Ninth of fourteen Vermont counties

Lamoille ranks 9th statewide, falling $5,146 short of Vermont's county average of $75,043. The county's per capita income of $45,885 exceeds the state mean, suggesting more evenly distributed earnings despite lower household totals.

Below Addison and Franklin

Lamoille's $69,897 median trails Addison ($88,478) by nearly $18,600 and Franklin ($79,078) by $9,181. The county's rural character and distance from major employment hubs constrain wage levels relative to its western neighbors.

Housing costs bite hard here

Lamoille's rent-to-income ratio of 19.3% is the second-highest in Vermont, reflecting housing cost pressures on moderate incomes. The median home value of $285,200 demands careful budgeting from buyers and substantial sacrifice from renters.

Intentional saving is essential

With median household income near $70,000, Lamoille residents must be strategic about wealth building, given housing cost pressures. Start by cutting unnecessary expenses, automating even modest savings, and exploring lower-cost investment options through workplace retirement plans.

Health in Lamoille County

via HealthByCounty

Lamoille's health moderately above national

At 79.2 years, Lamoille's life expectancy exceeds the U.S. average of 76.1 years by 3.1 years, a meaningful advantage. With 14.3% of residents reporting poor or fair health versus the national 17.9%, Lamoille residents enjoy better overall health.

Solid health above Vermont average

Lamoille's 79.2-year life expectancy exceeds Vermont's 78.2-year state average by a full year, placing the county in the upper tier. However, its 14.3% poor/fair health rate ranks in the middle-to-lower end of state rankings.

Good health, one outlier concern

Lamoille's 79.2-year life expectancy trails only Addison (80.7) and Chittenden (80.8) among regional peers, but its 14.3% poor/fair health rate ranks among the worse, approaching Caledonia (14.1%). This gap suggests health perception challenges despite decent longevity.

Moderate access, highest uninsured rate

Lamoille has 88 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and solid mental health access at 530 providers per 100,000, but its 5.8% uninsured rate is the highest among all Vermont counties. This coverage gap directly impacts health outcomes.

Close coverage gaps in Lamoille

Lamoille's 5.8% uninsured rate—the worst in Vermont—means nearly 1 in 17 residents lack protection in a county facing health perception challenges. Contact Vermont's health marketplace today to help uninsured neighbors access affordable coverage.

Disaster Risk in Lamoille County

via RiskByCounty

Lamoille ranks among America's safest

Lamoille County's composite risk score of 18.26 places it well below the national average with a "Very Low" rating. Its position in central Vermont's mountains provides natural protection from most major hazard types.

Fourth-safest county in Vermont

Lamoille County ranks fourth lowest statewide with a score of 18.26, substantially below Vermont's average of 36.44. Only Essex, Grand Isle, and Franklin counties register lower overall risk profiles in the state.

Safer than most surrounding counties

Lamoille's risk score of 18.26 stands notably below Chittenden County (63.90) to the northwest and Caledonia County (30.15) to the northeast. Its mountain setting creates buffering effects against multiple hazard types.

Hurricanes and floods are top concerns

Lamoille County's primary exposures come from hurricane risk (61.62) and flood risk (42.81), reflecting Atlantic weather systems and the Lamoille River valley's geography. Earthquake risk (40.49) presents a modest but manageable tertiary concern.

Flood insurance worth considering

Lamoille residents should secure comprehensive homeowners insurance with strong wind coverage for hurricane season. Flood insurance through the NFIP is advisable for properties in or near mapped flood zones along major river valleys.

ByCounty Network

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