Several sources and recent rankings identify different places as the “poorest town” in Vermont, depending on the specific metric used—such as per capita income, median household income, or poverty rate.
By per capita income:
According to Only In Your State and other sources referencing U.S. Census data, Ferdinand in Essex County is considered the poorest town in Vermont, with a per capita income of just $9,138. The town is sparsely populated, with only 33 residents as of the 2000 census, and was never formally organized due to its small, fluctuating population.
By median household income and poverty rate (for larger communities):
Recent analyses by 24/7 Wall St. and local Vermont media identify West Brattleboro (a census-designated place within the Town of Brattleboro, Windham County) as the “poorest town” in Vermont, specifically when considering places with populations over 1,000. West Brattleboro’s median household income is $36,618 (well below the statewide median of $67,694), and it has a poverty rate of 19.4%—nearly double the state average. This area is home to about 2,770 residents.
Other notable mentions:
Some rankings, such as those by Road Snacks, use a composite “poor score” and list Bellows Falls as the poorest place to live in Vermont, citing a poverty rate of 19.7% and a median income of $52,813 among its 2,824 residents. However, other towns and villages have even higher poverty rates, such as South Royalton (42.7%) and Bradford (36.3%), but these may be smaller or less frequently highlighted in national rankings.
Summary Table
| Location | Key Metric | Value | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ferdinand | Per capita income | $9,138 | Smallest, most remote, lowest income |
| West Brattleboro | Median household | $36,618 | Largest, most cited in recent reports |
| Bellows Falls | Poverty rate | 19.7% | High poverty, composite “poor score” |
| South Royalton | Poverty rate | 42.7% | Highest poverty rate in the state |
If the question is about the town with the lowest per capita income, Ferdinand is named the poorest town in Vermont. If the focus is on larger communities or median household income, West Brattleboro is most frequently cited as the poorest in recent reports. For the highest poverty rate, South Royalton ranks at the top. The answer depends on the specific measure used.
Sources
[1] https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/trip-ideas/vermont/poorest-towns-vt
[2] https://vermontdailychronicle.com/the-poorest-town-in-vermont-is/
[3] https://247wallst.com/income/2025/01/17/the-poorest-town-in-every-state-in-america/
[4] https://www.roadsnacks.net/poorest-places-in-vermont/
[5] http://www.usa.com/rank/vermont-state–population-in-poverty-percentage–city-rank.htm
