Quick Facts: Vermont

Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States. It is bordered by New York to the west; Canada to the north; New Hampshire to the east; and Massachusetts to the south.

ABBREVIATION: VT
NICKNAME: The Green Mountain State
POPULATION: 648,493 (2024 est.)
CAPITAL: Montpelier
STATE BIRD: Hermit Thrush
STATE FLOWER: Red Clover
AREA: 9,620 sq. mi.
TIME ZONE: Eastern
ENTERED UNION: Mar. 4, 1791
ALTITUDE: High, 4,395 ft. Mount Mansfield
CLIMATE: Long cold winters with heavy snows; short mild summers. Moderate rainfall.

“The Vermont mountains stretch extending straight”, the poet Robert Frost has written. The rounded, rocky mass of the state’s Green Mountains seems poised to slide off into the Champlain Lowland to the west and the valley of the Connecticut to the east. Vermont has never been more than thinly populated.

It is a vacationer’s delight: trout, bass, pickerel, and landlocked salmon flourish in more than 400 glacial lakes and ponds; rabbit and deer abound in the fir, maple, and birch forests; the snow-covered mountains offer superb ski slopes for the the winter months.

The Vermonters make modest livings from dairying and other agricultural pursuits. Almost 3/4 of Vermont’s agricultural production is dairy. About 10% of the labor force is engaged in manufacturing: machinery, electrical equipment lumber, and furniture, unfortunately, it was once 25% of the labor force.

Vermont had a third fewer manufacturing jobs in 2010 than in 2000 and continues this downward trend today. However, Vermont does have its strengths; Vermont makes more maple syrup than anyone, more than a million gallons per year; Vermont also has some of the largest granite quarries in the world.

Vermont is well known for it’s Mable quarries as well, located inside Dorset Mountain, the Danby Quarry is the largest underground marble quarry in the world.

Vermont has provided Marble for the Supreme Court Building in Washington D.C., the Secretariat of the United States, and dozens of other major buildings throughout the United States.

Hogback Mountain, Wilmington, Vermont

Vermont is the sixth smallest in area and the second least populous of the 50 United States. Driving through Vermont you’ll notice something different from the rest of the nation, there are no billboards, they were banned in 1968 with few exceptions. Tourism is an important industry to the state. Some of the largest ski areas in New England are located in Vermont.

Fun Facts:

From 1777 until it became a state in 1791, Vermont had its own postal and monetary systems.
Morgan horses, an American breed known for its stamina, vigor, and all-purpose usefulness, have been raised on farms throughout Vermont since just after the Revolution. The First Vermont Cavalry rode Morgans in the Civil War, and Confederate General Stonewall Jackson’s horse ‘Little Sorrel’ was a Morgan.
Built by the Green Mountain Club between 1910 and 1930, the Long Trail is the oldest long-distance trail in the United States. The 273-mile footpath and 175 miles of side trails run along the ridges of the Green Mountain for the entire length of the state.
Vermont farmers occasionally feed their hogs waste from Ben & Jerry’s Ice Cream Company. The hogs inhale all the flavors except Mint Oreo.
Vermont has never been heavily populated. Today (2015 est.), only Wyoming has fewer residents.
The smallest state capital in the U.S. is Montpelier, Vermont with a population of less than 9,000.

History:

Vermont’s history is one of independence, resilience, and natural beauty. Nestled in the northeastern United States, Vermont has a unique path to statehood and a deep-rooted identity tied to its mountains, small towns, and progressive values. From Native American cultures to Revolutionary War heroes and abolitionist leaders, Vermont’s past is rich and distinctive.

Before European arrival, the region was inhabited by the Abenaki people, part of the larger Algonquian language family. The Abenaki lived along rivers, hunted in the forests, and cultivated crops such as corn, beans, and squash. Their way of life was deeply connected to the land that would later become Vermont.

French explorer Samuel de Champlain was the first European to record seeing Vermont, arriving in 1609 and naming the area “Verd Mont,” or “Green Mountain,” which later became the state’s name. For many years, the region was contested by both French and British interests, as it sat between their North American territories.

During the 18th century, the French and Indian War (1754–1763) ended French control in the region, and Vermont became part of British colonial America.

After the war, Vermont’s land was claimed by both New York and New Hampshire, leading to legal confusion and conflict. In response, settlers formed their own militia, the Green Mountain Boys, led by Ethan Allen. This group played a key role in resisting New York’s authority and later became famous for capturing Fort Ticonderoga from the British in 1775 during the American Revolutionary War.

Unlike other colonies, Vermont declared itself an independent republic in 1777. It adopted its own constitution—one of the first in North America to ban slavery—and operated as a sovereign entity for 14 years. During this time, it had its own currency, postal service, and government. Vermont was finally admitted to the United States as the 14th state on March 4, 1791, becoming the first state added to the original 13 colonies.

In the 19th century, Vermont remained largely rural and agricultural, with dairy farming becoming especially important. The state also developed a strong abolitionist movement.

Many Vermonters supported the Underground Railroad, helping enslaved people escape from the South to freedom. Vermont’s early commitment to social justice and civil rights became a defining trait of its identity.

The Civil War saw many Vermonters enlist in the Union Army. The state also experienced the only Confederate raid in the North—the St. Albans Raid of 1864. Though minor, the incident reflected the far-reaching impact of the war.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Vermont became known for its environmental awareness, progressive politics, and emphasis on small-scale agriculture and tourism. The state’s scenic beauty, highlighted by the Green Mountains and fall foliage, attracts millions of visitors each year.

From its Native roots and independent spirit to its proud role in American history, Vermont remains a symbol of freedom, equality, and community values. Its small size belies a deep and influential legacy in the story of the United States.