Rutland County exceeds national livability standards
Rutland County's composite score of 62.5 sits 12.5 points above the national median of 50.0, ranking it among the better-performing counties nationwide. This reflects solid fundamentals in housing costs and health infrastructure despite some economic headwinds.
2 / 5
Slightly below Vermont's middle
Rutland County ranks fourth among Vermont's six measured counties at 62.5, sitting 1.5 points below the state average of 64.0. The county performs adequately but trails Orange and Orleans counties in overall livability.
3 / 5
Health outcomes remain solid
Rutland County's health score of 78.4 is competitive statewide, indicating strong access to healthcare services and good population health metrics. Reasonable housing costs ($965/month median rent, $218,400 median home value) support this foundation for family living.
4 / 5
Risk exposure and income both weak
Rutland County's risk score of 49.5 is the lowest among Vermont counties measured, suggesting higher vulnerability to environmental or economic disruptions. Combined with an income score of 25.7 and median household income of $64,778, the county faces compounded economic pressures.
5 / 5
Solid base for health-focused residents
Rutland County appeals to those seeking affordable housing and good healthcare, but it's best suited for residents with stable, outside income sources or significant savings. The lower risk resilience score warrants careful consideration for those sensitive to economic volatility.
Rutland County exceeds national livability standards
Rutland County's composite score of 62.5 sits 12.5 points above the national median of 50.0, ranking it among the better-performing counties nationwide. This reflects solid fundamentals in housing costs and health infrastructure despite some economic headwinds.
Slightly below Vermont's middle
Rutland County ranks fourth among Vermont's six measured counties at 62.5, sitting 1.5 points below the state average of 64.0. The county performs adequately but trails Orange and Orleans counties in overall livability.
Health outcomes remain solid
Rutland County's health score of 78.4 is competitive statewide, indicating strong access to healthcare services and good population health metrics. Reasonable housing costs ($965/month median rent, $218,400 median home value) support this foundation for family living.
Risk exposure and income both weak
Rutland County's risk score of 49.5 is the lowest among Vermont counties measured, suggesting higher vulnerability to environmental or economic disruptions. Combined with an income score of 25.7 and median household income of $64,778, the county faces compounded economic pressures.
Solid base for health-focused residents
Rutland County appeals to those seeking affordable housing and good healthcare, but it's best suited for residents with stable, outside income sources or significant savings. The lower risk resilience score warrants careful consideration for those sensitive to economic volatility.
Score breakdown
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Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
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.
Rutland County residents spend 17.9% of income on rent, marginally above the national affordability standard and nearly identical to Vermont's 17.8% state average. The median household income of $64,778 trails the national median by $10,000, meaning every rent dollar carries more weight here.
Slightly tighter than statewide average
Rutland County ranks just below the state affordability midline, with a rent-to-income ratio of 17.9% compared to Vermont's 17.8%. While the difference is minimal, it signals that housing costs edge slightly ahead of income growth in this region.
Mid-priced between rural and urban options
Rutland's $965 median rent sits between Orleans County's $897 bargain and Washington County's $1,094, reflecting its position as a bridge between rural and more developed areas. Monthly owner costs of $1,217 are similarly middle-of-the-road among Vermont counties.
Careful budgeting required here
Renters pay $965 monthly against an income of $64,778, while homeowners carry $1,217 in costs—together representing roughly 18–23% of household earnings. Residents have less discretionary income than peers in richer counties, making budget discipline essential.
Consider if community comes first
Rutland County offers moderate pricing and genuine small-town character, making it ideal if you're willing to accept tighter affordability for strong local roots. It's a sensible choice for families with stable, local employment who value cultural amenities over maximum savings.
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.
Rutland County's 76.5-year life expectancy sits just below the U.S. average of 76.1 years, while 13.3% of residents report poor or fair health compared to the national average of 17.3%. This suggests the county performs better on health self-perception than life expectancy gains alone would indicate.
Below state average but not among worst
At 76.5 years, Rutland County life expectancy falls 1.7 years short of Vermont's 78.2-year state average, placing it in the middle-to-lower range of Vermont counties. The 13.3% poor/fair health rate exceeds the state trend, suggesting room for improvement in chronic disease management.
Healthier than Orleans, trailing top performers
Rutland County's 76.5-year life expectancy beats Orleans (76.2) but lags Orange (79.1) and Washington (79.0) by 2.5 to 2.6 years. Its 73 primary care providers per 100K matches Orleans but trails Windsor (110) and Washington (97), indicating potential access challenges.
Rutland County's 5.3% uninsured rate slightly exceeds Vermont's 5.1% average, while 73 primary care providers per 100K serve the county's medical needs. Mental health resources total 390 providers per 100K, offering reasonable behavioral health coverage but below several neighboring counties.
Find affordable health coverage today
With 5.3% of Rutland County residents uninsured, now is the time to explore your options through Vermont's Health Care Access Project or healthcare.gov. Connecting with coverage ensures you can see one of the 73 primary care providers serving your community without financial barriers.
Rutland County's composite risk score of 50.48 and "Relatively Low" rating place it above the national average but within manageable disaster risk. The county's exposure spans multiple hazard types, with particular vulnerability to flooding, hurricanes, and earthquakes.
Mid-range risk among Vermont counties
Rutland County's 50.48 score sits 38% above Vermont's state average of 36.44, positioning it in the state's moderate-risk tier. It faces notably higher exposure than Orange and Orleans counties but lower than southern Vermont's Windham and Windsor counties.
Riskier than Orange, safer than southern neighbors
Rutland County presents moderate risk compared to its neighbors: Orange County (26.43) is significantly safer, while Windham County (56.93) and Windsor County (61.58) carry higher composite risks. Washington County (52.23) ranks slightly above Rutland in overall exposure.
Flood, hurricane, and earthquake concerns
Flood risk (67.30), hurricane risk (70.05), and earthquake risk (58.24) represent Rutland County's three most serious natural disaster threats. Tornado risk (25.83) also warrants attention, particularly during spring and early summer months when atmospheric conditions become unstable.
Comprehensive multi-hazard protection needed
Rutland County residents should secure flood insurance, earthquake coverage, and robust wind protection given the county's diversified risk profile. A thorough home audit for structural vulnerabilities to earthquakes and tornados, combined with reinforced roof systems, strengthens disaster resilience significantly.