countyscore
36.7
County Score
Health 83.5Soil Quality 61.8Income & Jobs 59

County Report Card

About Rutland County, Vermont

Trailing the National Median Score

Rutland County's composite score of 36.3 is notably lower than the national median of 50.0. This score highlights specific systemic challenges the county must address to compete nationally.

Struggling to Match State Averages

The county sits well below the Vermont state average of 44.6. While it offers local charm, it ranks in the lower tier of Vermont counties for overall livability.

Solid Healthcare and Educational Foundation

Strongest in Health (83.5) and School (56.1) scores, the county provides good wellness and learning environments. Median home values of $218,400 remain relatively accessible for the state.

Significant Safety and Tax Concerns

A Safety Score of 13.3 is a primary concern, alongside a low Tax Score of 4.6 due to a 1.858% effective rate. Water quality also trails the state with a score of 27.0.

A Choice for Value-Seeking Families

Rutland is a fit for families who prioritize quality schools and affordable homes over safety rankings. It offers a solid community core for those who can navigate its fiscal and environmental challenges.

204060801004.525.613.383.556.15949.52752.3Tax4.5Cost25.6Safety13.3Health83.5Schools56.1Income59Risk49.5Water27Weather52.336.7/100
This county
National avg
1 above average4 below average

Rutland County DNA

Foverall

How Rutland County compares to the national average across nine baseline dimensions

Rutland County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Health (83.5/100) but notably weak in Property Tax (4.5/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
4.5-47.5
Cost
25.6-22.4
Safety
13.3-41.7
Health
83.5+33.5
Schools
56.1
Income
59+8
Risk
49.5
Water
27-31
Weather
52.3
Sponsored

Think property taxes are too high in Rutland County?

Many homeowners in Rutland County pay more than they should. A professional appeal could save you hundreds per year.

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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$229,400

National median: $185,300

Median Rent

$1,000/mo

National median: $877/mo

Income Needed (home)

$229,400/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$40,000/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum3.3x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $68,616/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

16.5

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

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Wise County
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Nearby counties

Windsor County
Vermont
42.6
Washington County
New York
50.1
Addison County
Vermont
54.4
Bennington County
Vermont
33.9
Warren County
New York
46
Windham County
Vermont
34.4
Sullivan County
New Hampshire
43.1
Orange County
Vermont
53.8

Deep Dives

Rutland County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 9 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Rutland County

via TaxByCounty

Rutland County taxes nearly double national

Rutland County's 1.858% effective tax rate is more than double the national median of 0.76%, placing it among the highest-tax counties nationwide. The median property tax of $4,057 exceeds the national median by $1,367, reflecting Vermont's heavy reliance on property taxation for schools.

Rutland ranks high in Vermont

Rutland County's 1.858% rate ranks fourth highest among Vermont's 14 counties, sitting above the state average of 1.718% by 0.140 percentage points. Its median tax of $4,057 is near the state norm despite a below-average median home value of $218,400.

Rutland's tax burden matches peers

Rutland County (1.858%) sits between Orange County's 1.753% and Washington County's 1.868%, making it a moderate-to-high option in south-central Vermont. Only Windsor County (1.975%) and Windham County (1.874%) tax higher in the broader region.

Median Rutland home costs $4,057 yearly

A homeowner with a $218,400 property—Rutland's median—pays approximately $4,057 in annual property taxes. Over a 30-year mortgage, that's more than $120,000 paid purely for property taxes.

Challenge your assessment if overvalued

Rutland County homeowners paying high taxes should verify their assessments against recent comparable sales in their town. Many properties are overvalued on the assessment rolls; filing a timely appeal can often result in meaningful tax reductions.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Income & Jobs in Rutland County

via IncomeByCounty

Rutland lags significantly behind national median

Rutland County's median household income of $64,778 trails the national median of $74,755 by nearly $10,000. This places Rutland in the lower income tier nationally, with households earning substantially less than the typical American family.

Lowest-earning county in Vermont

Rutland County ranks sixth—last among Vermont's six counties—with an income $10,265 below the state average of $75,043. This persistent gap reflects Rutland's ongoing economic challenges and limited high-wage job opportunities.

Earns less than all surrounding counties

Rutland County households earn $64,778, trailing Washington County by $15,075 and Orange by $12,550. Even compared to struggling Orleans County, Rutland earns $1,648 less, underscoring its position as Vermont's most economically challenged region.

Housing costs press tight on budgets

At 17.9% of household income, Rutland's rent-to-income ratio approaches the affordability threshold and is among the state's highest when adjusted for lower incomes. The median home value of $218,400 becomes a significant burden for households earning below $65,000.

Prioritize emergency savings first

Rutland residents should focus on building emergency funds before investing, given tighter household budgets. Free or low-cost financial counseling through community organizations can help residents maximize limited income and build stability.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Rutland County

via CrimeByCounty

Crime Rates Surpass the National Average

Rutland County's total crime rate of 2,502.2 per 100,000 residents is higher than the national average of 2,385.5. Despite this, its safety score remains at 96.0 due to a relatively low violent crime weight.

Below the Vermont Safety Benchmark

With a safety score of 96.0, Rutland trails the state average of 97.8. Nine local agencies reported data in 2022, highlighting a more active law enforcement environment than most Vermont counties.

Highest Crime Rate Among Neighbors

Rutland’s crime rate of 2,502.2 is significantly higher than Windsor County’s 1,277.8 and Washington County's 1,422.1. It stands as the busiest jurisdiction for reported incidents among its immediate peers.

Property Crime Drives Local Numbers

Property crime is the primary concern, with 2,243.1 incidents per 100,000 people. Violent crime, at 259.1, is lower than the national average but higher than the Vermont state average.

Enhanced Vigilance for Rutland Homeowners

With property crime rates exceeding 2,200 per 100,000, securing your home is essential. Motion-sensor cameras and robust entry locks are effective tools for discouraging local theft.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Weather & Climate in Rutland County

via WeatherByCounty

Milder than Neighbors but Still Northern

Rutland County averages 44.3°F annually, which is nearly 10 degrees cooler than the national median. Despite the northern latitude, it offers a slightly more moderate climate than its neighbors to the north. Its valley geography provides some protection from the harshest arctic air.

Warmer than the Vermont Average

Rutland is warmer than the typical Vermont county, exceeding the state average of 43.6°F by nearly a degree. It records 43.1 inches of annual precipitation, nearly matching the statewide average of 44.2 inches. This makes it one of the more temperate locations in the Green Mountain State.

Warmer and Drier than Washington County

Rutland County is warmer than Washington County to the north, which averages 43.2°F. It also receives significantly less snow, recording 79.0 inches compared to Washington's 106.4 inches. This makes the Rutland area more accessible during the winter peak.

Moderate Snowfall and Warm July Days

The county sees 79.0 inches of snow annually, which is relatively low for Vermont. July temperatures average 68.4°F, and the area experiences 4 days of extreme heat over 90°F. January remains cold but manageable with an average of 18.7°F.

Equip for Variable Winter Precipitation

Residents should prepare for roughly 79 inches of snow, often mixed with ice or rain due to slightly warmer temperatures. While heat is infrequent, the 4 days of 90°F weather may require some portable cooling solutions. High-quality winter tires are still a requirement for navigating the county's varied terrain.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Rutland County

via SoilByCounty

Acidic Foundations in Rutland

Rutland County soil maintains a pH of 4.97, which is slightly more alkaline than the state average of 4.86 but still very acidic compared to the 6.5 national median. This acidity is typical for the region's complex geology. Most local gardening will require lime amendments for traditional vegetable crops.

A Balanced Silt and Sand Base

The soil contains a balanced mix of 38.8% sand and 33.3% silt. With 8.6% clay, this soil has slightly more body and nutrient-holding capacity than its northern neighbors. This composition offers a good compromise between easy workability and structural integrity.

Strong Organic Matter Levels

Organic matter in Rutland stands at 21.64%, significantly outperforming the 2.0% national average. However, its available water capacity of 0.198 in/in is lower than the 0.235 in/in state average. This means that while the soil is nutrient-dense, it may dry out faster than other Vermont soils.

Observing Local Water Flow

Specific drainage and hydrologic group classifications are currently unavailable for this area. Given the balanced silt and sand levels, gardeners should watch for surface crusting during dry spells and moderate runoff during heavy rains. Always check local site conditions before planning major drainage projects.

Hardy Growing in Zone 5a

Hardiness zone 5a supports a wide range of New England favorites like apples and hardy herbs. The soil score of 61.8 indicates a reliable environment for both small-scale gardens and larger farms. Focus on crops that tolerate acidic conditions to make the most of Rutland's natural soil.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Rutland County

via LawnByCounty

A Local Leader in Lawn Success

Rutland County boasts a lawn difficulty score of 58.0, making it one of the easiest places in Vermont to maintain a healthy yard. This score outperforms both the national average of 50.0 and the state average of 51.4.

Optimal Growing Conditions

The county enjoys a robust 2,056 growing degree days and a healthy 43.1 inches of annual precipitation. These factors combine to create a longer, more productive growing season for cool-season turfgrasses.

Better Balance for Root Growth

While the pH of 4.97 is still acidic, it is slightly more favorable than many neighboring counties. A higher clay content of 8.6% helps the soil retain moisture better than the sandier regions of northern Vermont.

Stronger Resilience to Dry Weather

Lawns here spent only 16 weeks in drought over the last year, which is significantly lower than the rest of the state. Only 56.3% of the county is currently abnormally dry, reducing the immediate pressure on residential water use.

Maximize Your Seeding Window

With a Zone 5a rating, standard cool-season mixes like Perennial Ryegrass thrive when planted after May 15th. Be sure to finish your lawn work before the first frost, which typically arrives by September 27th.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Rutland County's county score?
Rutland County, Vermont has a composite county score of 36.7 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Rutland County rank among counties in Vermont?
Rutland County ranks #12 among all counties in Vermont on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Rutland County, Vermont?
The median annual property tax in Rutland County is $4,154, with an effective tax rate of 1.81%. This earns Rutland County a tax score of 4.5/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Rutland County?
The median household income in Rutland County, Vermont is $68,616 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Rutland County earns an income score of 59/100 on CountyScore.
Is Rutland County, Vermont a good place to live?
Rutland County scores 36.7/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #12 in Vermont. The best way to evaluate Rutland County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Rutland County with other counties side by side.
By Evan Brooks, Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Evan Brooks, Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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