Windsor County's composite score of 61.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 11 points, placing it in the upper-middle range of U.S. counties. The county demonstrates particular resilience in health metrics despite facing economic headwinds.
2 / 5
Sixth and last in Vermont ranking
Windsor County ranks sixth—lowest—among Vermont's six measured counties at 61.0, 3.0 points below the state average of 64.0. Despite the lower state ranking, it remains well-positioned nationally and shows competitive health outcomes.
3 / 5
Health emerges as the standout strength
Windsor County's health score of 81.8 is the highest among all six Vermont counties, indicating exceptional healthcare access and strong population wellness. Its cost score of 69.0 and median home value of $267,400 provide moderate affordability relative to incomes.
4 / 5
Tax burden and risk resilience weigh heavily
Windsor County carries the highest effective tax rate at 1.975% among the six counties, reducing disposable income and affordability. Its risk score of 38.4 is the lowest statewide, suggesting the greatest vulnerability to economic or environmental disruptions.
5 / 5
For health-conscious residents with stable means
Windsor County appeals to those prioritizing healthcare quality above all else and who can absorb higher taxes and economic uncertainty. It's best suited for retirees with pensions, remote workers, or households with diversified income streams seeking top-tier health services.
Windsor County's composite score of 61.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 11 points, placing it in the upper-middle range of U.S. counties. The county demonstrates particular resilience in health metrics despite facing economic headwinds.
Sixth and last in Vermont ranking
Windsor County ranks sixth—lowest—among Vermont's six measured counties at 61.0, 3.0 points below the state average of 64.0. Despite the lower state ranking, it remains well-positioned nationally and shows competitive health outcomes.
Health emerges as the standout strength
Windsor County's health score of 81.8 is the highest among all six Vermont counties, indicating exceptional healthcare access and strong population wellness. Its cost score of 69.0 and median home value of $267,400 provide moderate affordability relative to incomes.
Tax burden and risk resilience weigh heavily
Windsor County carries the highest effective tax rate at 1.975% among the six counties, reducing disposable income and affordability. Its risk score of 38.4 is the lowest statewide, suggesting the greatest vulnerability to economic or environmental disruptions.
For health-conscious residents with stable means
Windsor County appeals to those prioritizing healthcare quality above all else and who can absorb higher taxes and economic uncertainty. It's best suited for retirees with pensions, remote workers, or households with diversified income streams seeking top-tier health services.
Score breakdown
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🏛46.7
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Windsor County's 1.975% effective tax rate is nearly three times the national median of 0.76%, ranking it among the most heavily taxed counties in America. The median annual tax of $5,282 is nearly double the national median of $2,690, driven by both the county's highest-in-state rate and above-average home values of $267,400.
Windsor leads all Vermont counties
Windsor County has the highest effective tax rate in Vermont at 1.975%, exceeding the state average of 1.718% by a notable 0.257 percentage points. Its median tax bill of $5,282 ranks among the state's highest, making it the priciest place to own property in Vermont.
Windsor outpaces all regional peers
Windsor County's 1.975% rate substantially exceeds all neighbors: Orange County (1.753%), Washington County (1.868%), Rutland County (1.858%), and Windham County (1.874%). No other Vermont county comes close to Windsor's tax burden.
Windsor homeowners pay $5,282 yearly
On a median home value of $267,400, Windsor County residents pay approximately $5,282 in annual property taxes. That's roughly $440 per month—the highest median tax payment in Vermont.
High taxes make appeals especially valuable
Windsor County homeowners facing the state's heaviest tax burden should carefully review their property assessments for accuracy. Given Windsor's elevated rates, even modest reductions from successful appeals can yield substantial annual savings.
Windsor County renters spend 17.4% of income on housing, running slightly below the national median and Vermont's 17.8% state average. With a median household income of $75,247—marginally above the national figure of $74,755—residents enjoy near-national-average financial stability.
Solid middle ground in Vermont
Windsor County's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio places it in the healthy middle tier of Vermont counties, neither strained nor exceptionally affordable. It ranks as one of the more balanced options for renters seeking reliability without dramatic cost-of-living surprises.
Competitive pricing in central Vermont
Windsor's $1,089 median rent is $28 above state average and $192 more expensive than Orleans County's bargain rents. However, homeowners pay $1,285 monthly—lower than Washington County's $1,470 but higher than Orleans County's $1,140, reflecting its position as a central-Vermont hub.
Well-balanced housing-to-income ratio
Renters allocate $1,089 monthly from a $75,247 income, while homeowners carry $1,285 in costs, representing roughly 17–20% of household earnings. This leaves Windsor County households with solid discretionary income and financial resilience.
A reliable choice for Vermont newcomers
Windsor County offers genuine New England character and balanced affordability; it's ideal for those seeking Vermont's appeal without the price tags of Washington County or the affordability stretch of Windham. Consider it if you want walkable town centers, good schools, and genuine financial breathing room.
Windsor County's median household income of $75,247 exceeds the national median of $74,755 by $492, placing the county just above the American average. This positions Windsor among the stronger-earning regions nationally.
Second-highest earners in Vermont
Windsor County ranks second among Vermont's six counties with a median income $232 above the state average of $75,043. Only Washington County earns more, and Windsor's per capita income of $47,344 is the state's second-highest.
Outearns most Vermont counties except Washington
Windsor County households earn $75,247, topping Orange at $77,328 by only $2,081, and significantly outpacing Windham at $68,021 by $7,226. This strong performance reflects Windsor's diverse economy and reliable job market.
Manageable housing with stable incomes
Windsor's 17.4% rent-to-income ratio is well within the affordable range, and the median home value of $267,400 is accessible for median earners. Strong incomes support both rental and ownership pathways here.
Windsor residents can maximize long-term gains
With above-average incomes and reasonable housing costs, Windsor County households have surplus income to direct toward investments, education savings, and retirement accounts. Diversified financial strategies—including real estate and stock market investing—offer strong wealth-building potential.
Windsor County achieves strong national health standing
At 77.9 years, Windsor County residents live 1.8 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.1 years, while only 10.9% report poor or fair health—nearly 6 points below the national 17.3% rate. This combination indicates excellent chronic disease management and preventive care across the county.
Outperforming Vermont average on wellness metrics
Windsor County's 77.9-year life expectancy slightly trails Vermont's 78.2-year state average, but its 10.9% poor/fair health rate ranks among the state's best. The county's strong health perceptions suggest effective primary and preventive care despite modest life expectancy.
Primary care leader, strong overall access
Windsor County's 77.9-year life expectancy ranks solidly in Vermont's middle tier, while its 110 primary care providers per 100K leads all counties and ensures excellent routine medical access. With 596 mental health providers per 100K, the county provides competitive behavioral health capacity.
Excellent primary care access, solid mental health support
Windsor County's 5.1% uninsured rate exactly matches Vermont's state average, while its 110 primary care providers per 100K—the highest statewide—ensure residents can easily access routine care. Mental health support through 596 providers per 100K provides strong behavioral health capacity.
Leverage Windsor's top-tier provider network
Windsor County's 110 primary care providers per 100K is the best in Vermont, but you need coverage to access them. If you're among the 5.1% uninsured, visit healthcare.gov or Vermont's Health Care Access Project to connect with coverage and your local providers.
Windsor County's composite risk score of 61.58 and "Relatively Low" rating substantially exceed the national average, indicating the county faces notable disaster risks across multiple hazard categories. Eastern Vermont's geography and storm exposure create particular vulnerability to flooding and wind events.
Highest-risk county in Vermont
Windsor County's 61.58 score ranks it 69% above Vermont's state average of 36.44, making it the most hazard-exposed county in the state. This southeastern location concentrates risks from hurricanes, floods, tornadoes, and earthquakes above all neighboring counties.
Significantly riskier than all peers
Windsor County faces substantially higher composite risk than every other Vermont county: Orange (26.43), Orleans (36.83), Rutland (50.48), Washington (52.23), and Windham (56.93). This clear separation makes Windsor Connecticut River valley's most disaster-vulnerable region.
Flooding and hurricanes create urgent threats
Flood risk (76.72) and hurricane risk (72.97) represent Windsor County's two defining disaster threats, with tornado risk (30.09) and wildfire risk (26.94) contributing additional significant exposure. The county's river valleys and exposed elevation zones create compounded vulnerability to water and wind events.
Maximum insurance coverage recommended
Windsor County residents face the state's highest disaster risk and should prioritize comprehensive flood insurance, robust wind coverage, and earthquake protection with minimal gaps. Professional structural assessments, flood-resistant construction measures, and regular emergency preparedness planning are critical investments given the county's elevated exposure across multiple hazard types.