Quick answer
According to crimebycity.com's analysis of FBI 2024 crime data, Vermont has a total crime rate of 3,455 per 100,000 residents — 26% above the national average — ranking #37 of 50 US states (safest first), in the higher-crime half. Its safest reporting city is Milton.
Limited Data Coverage
Our dataset includes 10 reporting cities covering 180,119 of Vermont's 647,464 residents (28%). Crime rates shown are based on reporting cities only and may not represent the full state. This is common in states transitioning to the newer NIBRS reporting system.
Violent Crime Rate
Property Crime Rate
Total Crime Rate
Vermont Crime Overview
In 2024, Vermont reported a total crime rate of 3,454.9 per 100,000 residents — 26% above the national average of 2,752.3. This ranks Vermont #37 out of 50 states (safest first).
The most elevated crime category in Vermont is larceny-theft at 1.7x the national rate.
Compared to the previous year, Vermont's crime rate decreased by 19.1%, with violent crime up 9.5%.
Within the state, Milton is the safest city (crime rate: 857), while Burlington has the highest rate (4,769) — a 5.6x difference that highlights how much safety can vary within a single state.
For residents, travelers, and those considering a move to Vermont, these statistics provide a data-driven baseline. Browse the city-level table below to find specific communities, or see how Vermont compares to its neighboring states. For the full list of safe and high-crime areas, visit safest cities in Vermont or most dangerous cities in Vermont.
Crime Breakdown
| Crime Type | Incidents | Rate per 100K | National Avg |
|---|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime | 602 | 334.2 | 473.3 |
| Murder | 3 | 1.7 | 6.2 |
| Rape | 59 | 32.8 | 43.4 |
| Robbery | 52 | 28.9 | 93.0 |
| Aggravated Assault | 488 | 270.9 | 330.0 |
| Property Crime | 5,621 | 3,120.7 | 2,279.1 |
| Burglary | 356 | 197.7 | 287.8 |
| Larceny-Theft | 5,018 | 2,785.9 | 1,638.9 |
| Motor Vehicle Theft | 247 | 137.1 | 352.4 |
| Arson | 0 | 0.0 | 0.0 |
Understanding Vermont's Crime Profile
Of Vermont's total crime rate, 9.7% is violent crime and 90.3% is property crime. Nationally, violent crime makes up 17.2% of all crime, meaning Vermont has a lower-than-average share of violent offenses.
Vermont's murder rate is 1.7 per 100K, which is 73% below the national rate of 6.2. Murder is the least common but most serious violent crime, and even small differences in rate can reflect meaningful differences in public safety.
These statistics are compiled from 10 cities across the state that report to the FBI's UCR program. Coverage varies by state — so these numbers represent the best available estimate, not a perfect census. For details, see our methodology page.
Property crime accounts for the bulk of Vermont's total rate at 3,121 per 100K. This includes burglary, larceny-theft (the most common crime nationwide), motor vehicle theft, and arson. While property crime is less immediately dangerous than violent crime, high rates can affect quality of life, insurance costs, and economic investment in affected areas.
Cities in Vermont by Crime Rate
Cities ranked from safest to most dangerous (10,000+ residents).
| # | City | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Safety Score |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Milton | 10,733 | 857.2 | 186.3 | 79/100 |
| 2 | Hartford | 10,759 | 1,236.2 | 316.0 | 65/100 |
| 3 | Essex | 22,347 | 1,843.7 | 111.9 | 45/100 |
| 4 | Colchester | 17,617 | 1,975.4 | 215.7 | 41/100 |
| 5 | Bennington | 15,165 | 2,855.3 | 389.1 | 22/100 |
| 6 | Rutland. | 15,579 | 4,268.6 | 475.0 | 7/100 |
| 7 | South Burlington | 21,300 | 4,619.7 | 234.7 | 5/100 |
| 8 | Williston | 10,071 | 4,666.9 | 109.2 | 5/100 |
| 9 | Brattleboro | 12,092 | 4,680.8 | 645.1 | 5/100 |
| 10 | Burlington | 44,456 | 4,768.8 | 479.1 | 4/100 |
Vermont Crime Rate Trends
| Year | Coverage | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 180,119 | 3,454.9 | 334.2 | 3,120.7 |
| 2023 | 180,134 | 4,271.8 | 305.3 | 3,966.5 |
| 2022 | 180,188 | 3,887.6 | 346.9 | 3,540.8 |
| 2021 | 164,031 | 3,003.7 | 280.4 | 2,723.3 |
| 2020 | 164,031 | 2,560.5 | 237.8 | 2,322.7 |
| 2019 | 165,000 | 2,802.4 | 266.7 | 2,535.8 |
Vermont Crime Trends: 6-Year Analysis
Over the 6-year period from 2019 to 2024, Vermont's total crime rate increased by 23.3%, moving from 2,802 to 3,455 per 100,000 residents. This long-term trajectory provides important context beyond any single year's snapshot.
In the most recent year-over-year comparison, Vermont's crime rate decreased by 19.1%, with violent crime specifically increasing 9.5%. Short-term changes don't always indicate a lasting trend, but consecutive years of movement in the same direction are worth noting.
Many factors can influence year-over-year changes, including shifts in policing strategies, economic conditions, population growth, and changes in how agencies report data to the FBI. For the most reliable picture, focus on the multi-year trend rather than any single year's change.
Vermont vs Neighboring States
How does Vermont's crime rate compare to its neighbors?
| State | Total Crime Rate | Violent Crime Rate | Property Crime Rate | vs Vermont |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Vermont | 3,454.9 | 334.2 | 3,120.7 | — |
| New Hampshire | 1,292.0 | 133.2 | 1,158.9 | -62.6% |
| Massachusetts | 1,398.7 | 312.0 | 1,086.7 | -59.5% |
| New York | 2,734.4 | 528.5 | 2,205.9 | -20.9% |
Among neighboring states, New Hampshire has the lowest crime rate (1,292 per 100K). New York has the highest (2,734 per 100K).
Vermont in Regional Context
Vermont is safer than 0 of its 3 neighboring states based on total crime rate. Nationally, it ranks #37 out of 50 states (ranked safest first), placing it in the higher-crime half of all US states.
Regional comparisons are valuable because neighboring states often share economic conditions, climate, and demographic patterns. If Vermont differs significantly from its neighbors, it may point to state-specific factors such as policing policy, drug legislation, or economic programs. Visit individual state pages above for detailed comparisons.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Vermont's crime rate?
Vermont's total crime rate in 2024 is 3,454.9 per 100,000 residents, which is 26% above the national average of 2,752. This includes both violent crime (334.2 per 100K) and property crime (3,120.7 per 100K).
How safe is Vermont compared to other states?
Vermont ranks #37 out of 50 states (safest first), placing it in the higher-crime half nationally. Visit our all states page for the complete ranking.
What is the safest city in Vermont?
The safest city in Vermont is Milton with a crime rate of 857 per 100,000 residents. View the full list at safest cities in Vermont.
More Vermont Crime Data
Dive deeper into Vermont's crime statistics with our specialized ranking pages, or compare Vermont cities against cities in other states using our comparison tool.