CHITTENDEN COUNTY

County Offices
175 Main Street
Burlington 802-863-3467

Chamber of Commerce
60 Main Street
Burlington 802-863-3489
https://www.helloburlingtonvt.com/chamber/

Home to Vermont’s largest city, Burlington, Chittenden County has long attracted residential and economic development. The region claims a booming economy, strong commercial activity, a vibrant cultural scene, and an ideal location between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains.

Services
Educational excellence is a hallmark of Chittenden County, home to outstanding public and private schools on every academic level. The public University of Vermont in Burlington combines the personalized attention of a small liberal arts college with the resources of a major research university. Also in Burlington, the private institution of Champlain College continually ranks among America’s top tier of the Best Baccalaureate Colleges in the North. Burlington College provides yet another choice in an independent, progressive, liberal arts college. The 400-acre campus of the private liberal arts St. Michael’s College overlooks Burlington from nearby Colchester and emphasizes honors, independent study, research, internships, and study abroad. Williston is home to a second urban campus for Vermont Technical College, just minutes from downtown Burlington, where highly ranked programs focus on hands-on learning opportunities.

The comprehensive network of healthcare facilities and services is led by Fletcher Allen Health Care, providing state-of-the-art advancements in alliance with the University of Vermont College of Medicine and College of Nursing and Health Sciences. Constantly striving to raise the standards of healthcare for regional residents, Fletcher Allen plays a pivotal role in advocating for excellence in patient care, research, and diverse services. Fletcher Allen Health Care is distinguished as Vermont’s only academic medical center, which are institutions that bring together medical schools, nursing and allied health schools, and teaching hospitals. Providing 562 licensed beds and employing 6,700, the organization provides care at 35 sites and operates 100 outreach clinics throughout Vermont and upstate New York. Parents will be pleased to learn about Vermont Children’s Hospital at Fletcher Allen, providing a child-friendly approach to primary, specialty, neonatal, and pediatric intensive care.

Lifestyle
Anchored by Burlington—consistently ranked among the nation’s most exciting small cities—and the award-winning Lake Champlain region, Chittenden County is a shining jewel in the Green Mountain State. This region is home to Vermont’s largest and most varied array of cultural and entertainment attractions. Lively music clubs and the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts keep the calendar filled with exciting, world-class events and shows, while the Firehouse Center for the Visual Arts provides a fully-integrated arts experience through contemporary exhibitions and educational programming.  Another Burlington cultural icon is the University of Vermont’s Robert Hull Fleming Museum, showcasing Vermont’s largest collection of art and anthropology. The Historic Church Street Marketplace provides eight, pedestrian-only cobblestoned blocks lined with shops, boutiques, cafes, restaurants, and historic architecture.

Recreational enthusiasts will enjoy living in close proximity to several ski resorts and vast acres of pristine natural environments that encourage four-season outdoor adventures. The waterfront ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center is devoted to Lake Champlain. Other unique destinations include the national headquarters of the Vermont Morgan Horse Association, combining a museum with archives. The ever-popular Waterbury Center is home to Vermont’s single most-visited attraction, the world famous Ben & Jerry’s ice cream factory. Towns and cities along the sparkling shoreline of beautiful Lake Champlain offer opportunities for swimming, boating, sailing, fishing, water sports, scuba diving, and paddling. The lake is home to the New York/Vermont Underwater Historic Preserve, a collection of historic wrecks and a destination for scuba divers. With its grand architecture, unique attractions, first-rate entertainment, cultural treasures, and breathtaking landscapes, Chittenden County stands in a class of its own for residential appeal. Most of the rural towns enjoy quick and easy access to the full range of Greater Burlington advantages, for which the city consistently earns accolades for an outstanding quality of life.

Bolton
Town Offices
802-434-5075
https://www.boltonchamber.com/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489
https://www.helloburlingtonvt.com/

Situated between Burlington and Montpelier, Bolton residents enjoy the pleasures of a rural lifestyle and an easy commute to regional employment centers via Interstate 89. This family-oriented area also encompasses the communities of West Bolton and Bolton Flats. The agricultural roots of the area remain in picturesque farmland that blends with beautiful residential development. As the easternmost town in Chittenden County, Bolton nestles in the foothills of Mt. Mansfield and provides a welcoming hometown for those who appreciate outdoor adventure around the four seasons. The Bolton Valley Holiday Resort is close enough to Burlington for day trips and attracts skiers from across the region. Golfers, hikers, bicyclers, equestrians, and anglers will all find the ideal environment for their chosen sport. A scenic portion of the popular Long Trail intersects the township as it meanders north, and Winooski River is well known for fresh rainbow trout catches.

Burlington
City Offices
802-865-7000
www.burlingtonvt.gov

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489
https://www.helloburlingtonvt.com/

Located on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain between the Adirondack and Green mountains, Burlington is celebrated as one of America’s most livable and vibrant cities. Small by many standards, Burlington is nevertheless Vermont’s largest city, a center of tourism, a port of entry, an educational leader, and the site of the state’s largest airport. The city has well-developed recreational facilities and programs, from beaches with picnic areas and campgrounds to the Leddy Park Arena for skating and hockey. The Church Street Marketplace serves as a vital business center that has been compared to Boston’s Faneuil Hall as well as the boulevards in Paris and Georgetown. Excellent restaurants, quaint shops, and nationally known retailers line the eight-block pedestrian district. Fine libraries and outstanding schools are complemented by four institutions of higher learning: the University of Vermont, Champlain College, the Community College of Vermont, and Burlington College. St. Michael’s College is nearby. Top-billed cultural shows and entertainment can be found at the Flynn Center for the Performing Arts and other unique venues. Burlington’s strong lineup of major manufacturers and successful business ventures is supported by a convenient interstate highway network, underlining the city’s status as Vermont’s economic leader.
Charlotte
Town Offices
802-425-3071
https://www.charlottevt.org/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489
https://www.charlottevt.org/

Covering the hills and ridges that overlook Lake Champlain, the town of Charlotte features working farms and scenic forests. Among the town’s agricultural enterprises are sugarbushes, orchards, dairies, berry farms, market gardens, livestock operations, honey houses, grain growers, and a winery. Highlights in the Charlotte area include vast scenic landscapes, community trails, Charlotte Park and Wildlife Refuge, and the famous Mt. Philo State Park. Charlotte includes the small but growing villages of East and West Charlotte. Residents tend to be active within the community, from volunteer organizations to support for the local schools. Located along Route 7, Charlotte boasts incredible views of Lake Champlain, New York’s Adirondack Mountains, and the rolling landscape of the Champlain Valley. The town is ideally located midway between Middlebury and Burlington for easy access to first-rate urban amenities.

Colchester
Town Offices
802-264-5500
https://www.colchestervt.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489

Distinguished as one of Vermont’s most highly populated communities, Colchester is the home of St. Michael’s College, the Albany College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences, the University of Vermont Colchester Research Facility, Vermont Public Radio, Vermont Public Television, and the Vermont Youth Orchestra. Located along the Interstate 80 corridor and the scenic shores of Malletts Bay on beautiful Lake Champlain, the town offers easy access to a world of water sports, including boating, swimming, and fishing. Lush parkland is available for walking, bicycling, playing tennis, or enjoying a summer concert. To the east of the town, the Green Mountains beckon hikers, skiers, hunters, and nature lovers. Niquette Bay State Park adds a 4.5 mile scenic trails system. Colchester Village, the former town center, retains the charm of a New England village where historic homes cluster around the church and the library. Mallets Bay now houses the modern town center.  Diverse neighborhoods include summer cottages, residential developments, and upscale manors that command lake views.

Essex, Essex Junction
Town Offices
802-878-1341
https://www.essexvt.org/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489
https://www.essexvt.org/

The town of Essex and the village of Essex Junction, often referred to interchangeably, welcome newcomers to a community with “Partnerships that work.” This area provides a modern, urban lifestyle in an environment that manages to preserve its charming rural character. Essex has attracted many new residents and businesses on the basis of its nationally recognized school system, the abundance of wonderful parks and recreational facilities, and its commercial conveniences. Ideally located between the Green Mountains and Lake Champlain, the town and village provide a picturesque and appealing hometown setting. The town offers an easy commute to regional attractions and a variety of lifestyle choices from suburban to decidedly rural. More contemporary neighborhoods are surrounded by quaint farmhouses and fertile fields, while historic homes grace the village center. The former Congregational Church has been restored to its original splendor and now houses the library.

Hinesburg
Town Offices
802-482-2281
https://www.hinesburg.org/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489
https://www.hinesburg.org/

Hinesburg is a relatively small town outside of Vermont’s largest city of Burlington, offering residents the best of all worlds. The town preserves the flavor of its historic heritage with a village that remains surrounded by open farmland along the LaPlatte River. The western half of Hinesburg lies in the Champlain Valley, while the eastern section climbs the foothills of the Green Mountains. The village is served by State Highway 116. Residents enjoy local schools, several parks and recreational facilities, and a scattering of local economic development. Dedicated to promoting quality family life, the Hinesburg community is also committed to the conservation of open space. The Town Forest, Lake Iroquois, the Fred Johnson Wildlife Management area, and Geprag Park are available for hiking, swimming, cross-country skiing, and other outdoor activities. Located just south of the Village, Cedar Knoll Country Club is well known as a premier golfing center and driving range.

Huntington
Town Offices
802-434-2032
https://www.huntingtonvt.org/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489
https://www.huntingtonvt.org/

Located approximately 25 miles south of Burlington, Huntington is a unique, small, community near the bright lights and urban advantages of Vermont’s largest city. Huntington’s town center is quintessentially Vermont, blending white clapboard houses with brick colonials in a charming village setting. This scenic and beautiful mountain town features many streams and rivers, of which the largest is the Huntington River. Camels Hump, the third highest mountain peak in Vermont, is a favorite hiking spot for many local residents and visitors. Vistas from the top of this point are breathtaking, taking in Champlain Valley and extending as far as Montreal in Canada on a clear day. The Long Trail runs through Huntington and across the peaks of Camels Hump and another prominent peak, North Mountain. Summer weather encourages horse-back riding, biking, hiking, fishing, or cooling off in old-fashioned swimming holes. During the winter months, snowmobiling, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing are popular activities. The Audubon Nature Center and the Birds of Vermont Museum are popular field trip destinations for school children and adults from all over the state.

Jericho
Town Offices
802-899-9970
https://vermont.com/cities/jericho/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489

The growing town of Jericho is the proud home of Wilson “Snowflake” Bentley and his painstaking photographs of more than five thousand unique snow crystals. This family-oriented community is home to Mount Mansfield, Vermont’s tallest mountain, and its breathtaking views. Jericho Center on Browns Trace still maintains a large Town Green that hosts a variety of events and retains its original charm. Other historic icons include the Jericho Town Library and the historic Old Red Mill in the Jericho Corners village area next to Browns River. The mill has been renovated and houses a gift shop, an art gallery, and a museum. Hiking trails extend along the gorge that also offers picnic areas. The Riverside area of town, known as “The Flats,” features a multi-use park and the community library. Just minutes from Burlington along Route 15, Jericho offers a rural setting that blends country living with easy access to major employment centers. The township is also convenient for those who work in Essex and Essex Junction.

Milton
Town Offices
802-893-6655
https://www.miltonvt.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489
https://www.chamberofcommerce.com/business-directory/vermont/milton/

The town of Milton has redefined itself from yesterday’s sleepy bedroom community into a vibrant community with new residential and industrial development. The blossoming of the town has benefited local residents and also the rural communities that surround it. Attractive neighborhoods of single-family homes and handsome condominiums now dot the countryside, harmonizing with historic manors like the Stone House. Catamount Industrial Park now nearly 175 acres that was once the site of Catamount Stadium and Saturday night stock car racing. Only a few of the working farms remain, although agri-business still thrives. Milton’s unique location less than a four-hour drive to all points in Vermont made it ideal for the Vermont Large Animal Clinic. The town is rich in recreational opportunities, scenic backdrops, and spectacular views. Lake Champlain is easily accessible for swimming, boating, and fishing at Sand Bar State Park along the causeway to the Islands. Lake Arrowhead is a popular spot for birdwatchers and anglers who hope to catch bass and walleyed pike.

Richmond
Town Offices
802-434-2221
https://www.richmondvt.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489
https://www.helloburlingtonvt.com/

Located in the western foothills of the Green Mountains on the eastern edge of the Lake Champlain Valley, the town of Richmond is bisected by the scenic Winooski River. The natural beauty and wildlife throughout the town’s three square miles have always drawn photographers for regional and national magazines. Interstate 80 and US Route 2 both run through the town for quick commutes to nearby entertainment venues and regional employment centers. One of the historic highlights in this community that dates back to 1795 is the National Historic Landmark of the Old Round Church. This 16-sided structure was built in1813 and is considered to be one of the first community churches in the nation. The site of weddings, concerts, and meetings, the Round Church remains a vital part of community life. The historic, established district features stores, churches, the library, restaurants, lovely parks, and town offices within walking distance from the grand architecture of Victorian and Federal homes. New home construction is on the rise in Richmond, springing up in areas that have long supported agricultural activity. Recreational opportunities are abundant, including skiing, hiking, bicycling, canoeing, and fishing.

Shelburne
Town Offices
802-985-5110
https://www.shelburnevt.org/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489
https://www.helloburlingtonvt.com/

The small but bustling town of Shelburne rests along the shores of Lake Champlain in the southwestern section of Chittenden County. The town boasts a long and varied history, but today it supports a thriving economic base of businesses that include a number of manufacturers. Services providers, retail centers, and the state’s largest continuing care community also play vital roles in the local economy. Shelburne is popular with vacationers and tourists as the home of three of Vermont’s most celebrated attractions: Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms, and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. Shelburne is just seven miles south of Burlington along Route 7, which provides easy access to a world of urban amenities and advantages. The local flavor tends to be one of understated affluence surrounded by rural beauty and views of Lake Champlain. Homes range from historic jewels in long-established neighborhoods to rambling ranch houses and upscale contemporaries on multi-acre lots.

South Burlington
Town Offices
802-846-4107
https://www.southburlingtonvt.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489
https://www.helloburlingtonvt.com/

South Burlington is ideally situated along the shores of beautiful Lake Champlain, standing as a regional center of hospitality and retail resources. The community is also known for the quality of its schools, lovely city parks, efficient municipal services, and wonderful recreational opportunities. Little wonder that Family Circle Magazine recently selected South Burlington as the “Top Best Town for Families.” The town nestles between the Adirondacks and the Green Mountains for unlimited outdoor adventures around the four seasons. Locally, entire families sign up for activities from archery and kayaking to gardening. Lake Champlain beaches are common destinations in the warmer months, and the ski trails are busy from the first large snowfall. Pathways connect neighborhoods, parks, and the town center so that even professionals can bicycle to work if they choose. In addition to local resources, the finest cultural attractions in Vermont are available just minutes from home in Burlington. Environmental protections are strongly in place, including nearly 670 acres of wildlife corridors.

Underhill
Town Offices
802-899-2137
https://www.underhillvt.gov/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489

Cradled at the foot of Mt. Mansfield, the town of Underhill is a friendly rural community with two main sections. The Underhill Flats area encompasses the Vermont Route 15 corridor shared with the town of Jericho. The Underhill Center area is located at the intersection of River Road and Pleasant Valley Road. Nearly half of Underhill Flats lies in Jericho, with the town line crossing through the front portion of nearly every house and the park along Park Street. The two communities share many resources including a fire department and a library, benefiting socially and economically from their sense of cooperative unity. Modern residents of Underhill still enjoy the unspoiled natural beauty that first attracted settlers to this lovely township, one of the county’s slowest growing. This area attracts many bicyclists, equestrians, and cross-country skiers to its picturesque byways and breathtaking views. Commutes to regional employment centers and recreational or entertainment venues are quick and easy from Underhill.

Westford
Town Offices
802-878-4587
https://westfordvt.us/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489

Situated in northeast Chittenden County along Route 128, Westford offers a quiet hamlet with a picturesque town common as the focal point of activity. Covering 2.5 acres, the recently landscaped green features a pavilion that hosts everything from concerts to picnics. The historic common is surrounded by the town offices, the library, a church, and the 1822 Brick Meeting House for a quaint New England village setting. The covered bridge is another point of pride, and many of the roads today are the original routes that were carved into the countryside by the first settlers. Church and school activities play an important role in community life, and residents of all ages tend to participate in a wide range of sports and recreational pastimes. The town borders Essex and Fairfax and offers a half-hour commute to Burlington and St. Albans for quick and easy commutes. Many residents work from home to enjoy Westford’s rural ambiance and serenity to the fullest.

Williston
Town Offices
802-878-5121
https://www.town.williston.vt.us/

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489
https://www.helloburlingtonvt.com/

Drawing newcomers with the slogan, “Old town charm, new town spirit,” the community of Williston is strategically located along Interstate 89 and Routes 2 and 2A. The town offers a short commute to Burlington, the international airport, major healthcare facilities, and important employment centers. The image of Williston has transformed in recent years, and the town is once again a hub of business and industry. In fact, Williston is gaining state recognition as one of Vermont’s more rapidly growing towns. Civic leaders have taken steps in the face of this boom of development to preserve the quaint New England image of the historic village center. Farmland can still be seen, particular in North Williston, and neighborhoods surrounding the historic village are separated by open space. Recreational opportunities are abundant, including the Catamount Outdoor Family Center, golf and country clubs, town sponsored programs, and Lake Iroquois water sports. A network of pedestrian trails and paths throughout the town encourage walking and bicycling.

Winooski
Town Offices
802-655-6410

Chamber of Commerce
802-863-3489
https://www.helloburlingtonvt.com/

Characterized as a small city of neighborhoods, Winooski enjoys a centralized location and offers quick and easy commutes to Burlington and Essex Junction. Close proximity to Interstate 89 and several state routes ensure transportation efficiencies to regional attractions and employment centers. The latest feather in the cap of the town is the Winooski Falls neighborhood in the downtown district, creating a vibrant city center with an eclectic mix of residential, retail, parkland, and public space. Throughout the town, attractive homes reflect the quality and workmanship of yesterday in historic Federal, Queen Anne, Victorian, and craftsman-style homes as well as 1950s ranch houses and contemporaries. Renewal has marked the past few decades, including the restoration of mill buildings into a complex of stores, restaurants, offices, condominiums, and a health spa. Industrial parks have attracted new businesses and light manufacturing for an expanded local economy.