Vermont Facts

Vermont State Facts

– In 1791, Vermont joined the United States as the 14th state, the first in addition to the original 13 colonies.

– Vermont’s nickname is the “Green Mountain State,” from the French “les monts vert.”

– The capital of Vermont is Montpelier, the smallest state capital in the U.S, and the only capital without a McDonald’s restaurant.

– For travel industry stats and economic information, check out this fact sheet.

– Vermont is home to a number of firsts.

– In 1968, Vermont banned billboards.

– The Green Mountain State is bordered by Canada, New York, Massachusetts, and New Hampshire. It is 157.4 miles in length, 90.3 miles wide at the Canadian border*, and 41.6 miles along the Massachusetts border. The Connecticut River forms the eastern boundary, while the western boundary with New York runs down the middle of Lake Champlain for more than half of its length.

People

– There are about 626,000 Vermont residents across Vermont’s 251 towns and cities.

– Vermont’s largest city is Burlington, with a population of about 42,000.

– Vermont ranks 49th among U.S. states in population and 43rd in land area.

– Vermont was first to abolish slavery in its constitution.

– Vermont was the first State to legally recognize gay couples when it created civil unions, and it’s the first state to pass marriage equality through the legislature.

– It is the birthplace of two U.S. Presidents - Calvin Coolidge and Chester A. Arthur.

– Vermont is one of the top producers of U.S. Olympic skiers and riders in the nation.

– For innovative Vermonters and their businesses and inventions, check out the 100 Innovations Made in Vermont list.

Food & Agritourism

– Vermont is the lead producer of maple syrup, producing 1.3 million gallons, more than a third of the nation’s total maple syrup in 2013.

– Vermont has nearly 1,000 dairy farms; the average farm has 130 cows.

– Vermont is the nation’s number one Brewery State per capita, with more than 35 breweries.

Land & Wildlife

– Vermont’s land area is 9,217 square miles - 76 percent is forested.

– Vermont is home to the highest concentration of sugar maple trees in the U.S, responsible for creating deep fiery reds and oranges of fall foliage.

– Lake Champlain covers 435 square miles, 212 miles of Vermont shoreline and is home to “Champ,” the fabled “lake monster.

– Vermont has 808 lakes and ponds and more than 7,000 miles of rivers and streams.

– Vermont has 223 mountains over 2,000 feet in elevation. Vermont’s highest peak is Mount Mansfield at 4,393 feet.

– Vermont is home to 3,000 moose, 6,000 black bears and 45-50,000 turkeys.

– Vermont's waters are home to more than 20 popular species of fish.

– Vermont is home to the world’s largest “deep hole” granite quarry and North America’s first marble quarry.

Recreation

– Vermont has more than 1,000 miles of hiking trails.

– Vermont is home to the nation’s first through-hiking trail, the 272 mile Long Trail.

– There are more than 50 state parks, 100 campgrounds and 8,000 campsites.

– There are 19 downhill ski areas, nine with more than a 2,000-foot vertical drop, and more than 30 cross-country ski areas.

– Vermont has 18 mountain biking clubs and a statewide network of trails.

– Vermont is home to the nation’s first ski tow and is Burton Snowboards headquarters.

– There are more than 6,000 miles of snowmobile trails.

– Vermont has more than 65 golf courses.

– There are more than 100 covered bridges.

Official State Recognitions

– The State Bird is the hermit thrush.

– The State Coldwater Fish is the brook trout.

– The State Warmwater Fish is the walleye pike.

– The State Insect is the honeybee.

– The State Rocks are, marble, granite and slate.

– The State Gem is the grossular garnet.

– The State Animal is the Morgan Horse.

– The State Sports are skiing & snowboarding.

– State Tree – sugar maple.

– State Fruit & State Pie – apple!

– The State Motto is “Freedom and Unity.”