Chittenden County, Vermont: commercial real estate data.
Chittenden County, Vermont had an estimated 170,851 residents on July 1, 2024, up 1.5 percent since the 2020 census base of 168,340, across 537 square miles. County output reached $16.40 bn in 2024, 5,665 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 313 7(a) approvals worth $104.3 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Chittenden County
How many people live in Chittenden County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024169,758
- Households71,456
- Average household size2.38
- Median household income$96,759
- Median age37.3
- Median gross rent$1,646 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$439,200
- Home value to household income4.5 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income20.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher56.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree24.8 percent
- Adults 25 and over114,817
- Population under 1829,153
- Share under 1817.2 percent
- Population 65 and over28,714
- Share 65 and over16.9 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 64111,891
- Civilian labor force101,136
- Unemployment rate3.2 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over71.9 percent
- Rank by population among Vermont counties1st of 14
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included403rd of 3,222
Chittenden County is the 1st largest of 14 Vermont counties by population. A median home costs 4.5 times median household income, which is seriously unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 17.2 percent against 16.9 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Chittenden County
Is Chittenden County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 2024170,851
- Census 2020 base population168,340
- Population change since the 2020 census base1.49 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024759
- Births, 20241,300
- Deaths, 20241,330
- Natural change, 2024-30
- Net domestic migration, 2024-280
- Net international migration, 20241,064
- Total net migration, 2024784
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024-1,268
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1338th of 3,144
The county has grown 1.49 percent since the 2020 census base. Deaths exceeded births in 2024 and the population still grew, so all of the growth came from people moving in. A market held up by migration is more sensitive to a change in relative cost than one growing from household formation.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Chittenden County
Where are people moving to Chittenden County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving4,775
- People arriving, from those returns6,939
- Tax returns filed by households leaving5,383
- Net household movement-608
- Adjusted gross income arriving$422.1 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$2.3 m
- Average income of an arriving household$88,404
- Average income of a leaving household$77,988
- Largest single originFranklin County (319 households)
- Largest single destinationFranklin County (614 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Franklin County | 319 | 505 | $18.3 m |
| Washington County | 290 | 375 | $19.7 m |
| Addison County | 204 | 251 | $9.9 m |
| Lamoille County | 148 | 227 | $18.9 m |
| Middlesex County | 129 | 179 | $14.6 m |
| Rutland County | 76 | 102 | $4.1 m |
| Windsor County | 75 | 95 | $4.3 m |
| Grand Isle County | 74 | 110 | $5.3 m |
Households arriving report $10,416 more average income than households leaving, so the migration is raising local spending power rather than just moving it around. The largest single source of arrivals is Franklin County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Chittenden County
What is the Chittenden County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$16.40 bn
- County GDP, 2023$15.55 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20245.5 percent
- GDP change over five years36.1 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Vermont areas BEA publishes1st of 14
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes307th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$96,629
Output grew 5.5 percent in the latest year and 36.1 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Chittenden County
Employment by industry in Chittenden County
- Covered employment, annual average103,301
- Establishments reporting9,418
- Average annual pay$73,186
- Average weekly wage$1,407
- Health care and social assistance, employment17,558
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$76,247
- Retail trade, employment11,152
- Retail trade, average annual pay$43,817
- Professional, scientific and technical services, employment9,010
- Professional, scientific and technical services, average annual pay$123,463
- Manufacturing, employment8,777
- Manufacturing, average annual pay$82,372
- Accommodation and food services, employment8,475
- Construction, employment5,304
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Health care and social assistance | 17,558 | 669 | $76,247 |
| Retail trade | 11,152 | 752 | $43,817 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 9,010 | 2,436 | $123,463 |
| Manufacturing | 8,777 | 270 | $82,372 |
| Accommodation and food services | 8,475 | 488 | $30,636 |
| Construction | 5,304 | 639 | $79,234 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 5,037 | 832 | $68,589 |
| Wholesale trade | 3,627 | 532 | $93,092 |
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 17,558 jobs, 17.0 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Chittenden County
How many businesses are in Chittenden County?
- Establishments, all industries5,665
- Employment at those establishments88,131
- Annual payroll$5.68 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents33.4
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Chittenden County
Building permits in Chittenden County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024880
- Declared construction value permitted$217.5 m
- Single family units authorized282
- Multifamily units authorized598
- Multifamily share of units68.0 percent
- Average declared value per unit$247,215
- Units authorized per 1,000 households12.3
Multifamily is 68.0 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is being built for renters rather than buyers.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Chittenden County
SBA loans in Chittenden County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded313
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$104.3 m
- Average 7(a) approval$333,354
- Median 7(a) approval$100,000
- 10th percentile approval$20,200
- 90th percentile approval$999,400
- Largest single approval$4,140,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)2,333
- Jobs per approval7.5
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active45
- Distinct industries receiving approvals137
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer6.4 percent
- Loans on real estate terms20
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter283
- Franchise loans12
- Franchise share of approvals3.8 percent
- Leading industry by approval countFull-Service Restaurants (15)
- Most active lenderTD Bank, National Association (53)
- 504 approvals recorded98
- 504 gross approval dollars$63.0 m
- Average 504 approval$642,367
- Median 504 approval$385,500
- Distinct CDCs active4
- 504 jobs per approval7.1
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved11.1
- Most active CDCGranite State Economic Development Corporation (80)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$167.3 m
The average approval of $333,354 sits well above the median of $100,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 6.4 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Chittenden County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Chittenden County
Do SBA loans in Chittenden County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded100
- Paid in full97
- Charged off3
- Charge-off rate on resolved loans3.0 percent
- Status: Paid in full97
- Status: Exempt from disclosure167
- Status: Cancelled23
- Status: Charged off3
- Status: Committed, not yet disbursed23
Of the 100 loans that have reached a final outcome, 3.0 percent were charged off. This is computed only over resolved loans, because a loan still running has not yet succeeded or failed and counting it either way would be wrong.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Chittenden County
SBA lending by place in Chittenden County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending21
- Burlington, approvals62
- Essex Junction, approvals51
- South Burlington, approvals49
- Williston, approvals44
- Shelburne, approvals19
- Winooski, approvals15
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Burlington | 62 | $22,833,800 |
| Essex Junction | 51 | $8,827,800 |
| South Burlington | 49 | $18,428,600 |
| Williston | 44 | $25,290,100 |
| Shelburne | 19 | $7,154,200 |
| Winooski | 15 | $2,161,500 |
| Milton | 14 | $8,028,700 |
| Colchester | 13 | $6,924,100 |
| 13 other borrower cities | 46 | $4,691,000 |
Burlington accounts for 62 approvals against 51 in Essex Junction. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Chittenden County
How large is Chittenden County?
- Land area537 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Vermont counties12th of 14
- Width, east to west27.5 mi
- Height, north to south38.8 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary7
- Residents per square mile of land316
- Establishments per square mile10.55
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Chittenden County
Flood risk in Chittenden County
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book18
- Of those, participating in the NFIP18
- NFIP participation rate100.0 percent
- Best Community Rating System class in the county A lower CRS class is a larger flood insurance premium discount.Class 8
- Communities carrying a CRS class1
- Radon levels in Chittenden County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/LZone 3
The EPA places Chittenden County in radon zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. The best Community Rating System class among the county's communities is 8, which carries a flood insurance premium discount for policies written in that community. 100.0 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Chittenden County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Chittenden County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-2024169,758
- Households71,456
- Average household size2.38
- Median household income$96,759
- Median age37.3
Common questions
Chittenden County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Chittenden County, Vermont?
The Census Bureau estimates 170,851 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 169,758, in 71,456 households, ranking 1st of 14 Vermont counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Chittenden County's population growing?
The population has grown 1.49 percent since the 2020 census base of 168,340, to 170,851 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 1,300 births against 1,330 deaths, with net migration of 784. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Chittenden County?
$96,759. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $439,200, which is 4.5 times income, and median gross rent is $1,646 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Chittenden County?
5,665 establishments, employing 88,131 people with an annual payroll of $5.68 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Chittenden County?
Health care and social assistance is the largest private sector at 17,558 jobs, 17.0 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 103,301 jobs at an average annual pay of $73,186, or $1,407 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Chittenden County?
313 7(a) approvals totaling $104.3 m since FY2020, across 45 lenders, with a median approval of $100,000, plus 98 504 approvals worth $63.0 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
Do SBA loans in Chittenden County get paid back?
Of the 100 loans that have reached a final outcome, 97 were paid in full and 3 charged off, a charge-off rate of 3.0 percent. Loans still running are excluded, because they have not yet succeeded or failed.
How many building permits were issued in Chittenden County?
880 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $217.5 m. Multifamily was 68.0 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Chittenden County?
Zone 3, a predicted average indoor radon screening level less than 2 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Chittenden County come from?
The largest single origin is Franklin County, with 319 households. Arriving households report an average income of $88,404 against $77,988 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Chittenden County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Chittenden County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Chittenden County
Cities and places in Chittenden.
21 Census places lie wholly or partly in Chittenden County. All 21 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Burlington | city | 44,675 | 62 | Wholly in this county |
| South Burlington | city | 20,756 | 49 | Wholly in this county |
| Essex Junction | city | 10,803 | 51 | Wholly in this county |
| Winooski | city | 8,293 | 15 | Wholly in this county |
| Shelburne | CDP | 6,499 | 19 | Wholly in this county |
| Milton | CDP | 3,555 | 14 | Wholly in this county |
| Jericho | village | 1,346 | 6 | Wholly in this county |
| Richmond | CDP | 753 | 7 | Wholly in this county |
| Hinesburg | CDP | 733 | 8 | Wholly in this county |
| Huntington | CDP | 516 | 4 | Wholly in this county |
| Underhill Flats | CDP | 434 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| St. George | CDP | 411 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bolton Valley | CDP | 252 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Jericho Center | CDP | 241 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
| West Charlotte | CDP | 208 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Huntington Center | CDP | 181 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Westford | CDP | 153 | 3 | Wholly in this county |
| East Charlotte | CDP | 102 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Hanksville | CDP | 41 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Underhill Center | CDP | 40 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Bolton | CDP | 17 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
A further 74 of the county's 313 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Chittenden County, the largest being Williston (44), Colchester (13), Underhill (7). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.