FHA Loans in Vermont

About This State and its People, Places, and Industries

Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd by land area, 9,250 square miles (24,000 km2), and 45th by total area. It has a population of 621,270, making it the second least-populated state. The only New England state with no coastline along the Atlantic Ocean, Vermont is notable for Lake Champlain (which makes up 50% of Vermont's western border) and the Green Mountains, which run north to south. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, New Hampshire to the east, New York to the west, and the Canadian province of Quebec to the north.

Originally inhabited by Native American tribes (Abenaki and Iroquois), much of the territory that is now Vermont was claimed by France but became a British possession after France's defeat in the French and Indian War. For many years, the surrounding colonies disputed control of the area (referred to at the time as the New Hampshire Grants) especially New Hampshire and New York. Settlers who held land titles granted by these colonies were opposed by the Green Mountain Boys militia, which eventually prevailed in creating an independent state, the Vermont Republic, founded during the Revolutionary War and lasting for 14 years; Vermont is thus one of 17 U.S. states (along with Texas, Hawaii, the brief California Republic, and each of the original Thirteen Colonies) to have, at one point, existed as its own sovereign government. In 1791, Vermont joined the United States as the fourteenth state, and the first outside the original Thirteen Colonies.

It is the leading producer of maple syrup in the United States. The state capital is Montpelier, and the largest city and metropolitan area is Burlington. No other state has a largest city as small as Burlington or a capital city as small as Montpelier.

The center of population of Vermont is located in Washington County, in the town of Warren. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, as of 2005, Vermont has an estimated population of 623,050, which is an increase of 1,817, or 0.3%, from the prior year and an increase of 14,223, or 2.3%, since 2000. This includes a natural increase since the last census of 7,148 people (33,606 births minus 26,458 deaths) and an increase due to net migration of 7,889 people into the state. Immigration from outside the United States resulted in a net increase of 4,359 people, and migration within the country produced a net increase of 3,530 people. In 2004, more than half of Vermont's population was born outside the state.

It is the least populous state in New England. In 2006, it has the second lowest birthrate in the nation, 42/1000 women. The median age of the work force was 42.3, the highest in the nation. In 2009, 12.6% of people over 15 are divorced. This is the fifth highest percentage in the nation.

In 2007, Vermont was ranked by Forbes as 32nd among states in which to do business. It was 30th the previous year. In 2008, an economist said that the state had "a really stagnant economy, which is what we are forecasting for Vermont for the next 30 years." In May 2010, Vermont's 6.2% unemployment rate was the fourth lowest in the nation. This rate reflects the second sharpest decline among the 50 states since the prior May.

According to the 2005 U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis report, Vermont's gross state product (GSP) was $23 billion. This places the state 50th among the 50 states. It stood 38th in per capita GSP. The per capita personal income was $32,770 in 2004

Baseball, Basketball, Hockey, Soccer, and Snow sports are the most popular sports in the state. Notable in the field are Olympic gold medalists Hannah Teter, Ross Powers and Hannah Kearney. Baseball is the summer pastime of Vermont and many small towns field Little League teams. The largest professional franchise is the Vermont Lake Monsters, a single-A minor league baseball affiliate of the Washington Nationals, based in Burlington. They were named the Vermont Expos prior to 2006.

The Vermont Frost Heaves, the 2007 and 2008 American Basketball Association national champions, are a franchise of the Premier Basketball League, and have been based in Barre and Burlington since the fall of 2006. However, the University of Vermont's sports teams draw the largest following and are the most beloved sports teams in the state. The men's basketball and hockey teams are the most notable.

Vermont is home to a semi-professional football team, the Vermont Ice Storm, based in South Hero. It plays its home games at the Colchester High School stadium. It is a member of the Empire Football League. Vermont natives in the snowboarding profession include: Kevin Pearce, Ross Powers, Hannah Teter, and Kelly Clark. Others learned snowboarding in the state such as: Louie Vito, and Ellery Hollingsworth. The Vermont Voltage is a USL Premier Development League soccer club that plays in St. Albans. Annually since 2002, high schools statewide all stars compete against New Hampshire in ten sports during "Twin State" playoffs.

Choose Your City >>>

• Andover
• Arlington
• Barre
• Bennington
• Bethel
• Brattleboro
• Burlington
• Chittenden
• Colchester
• Danville
• Derby
• Dorset
• East Thetford
• Enosburg Falls
• Essex
• Essex Jct
• Essex Junction

• Florence
• Hubbardton
• Hyde Park
• Jeffersonville
• Manchester Center
• Mendon
• Middletown Spring
• Milton
• Montpelier
• Morgan
• Newbury
• Newport
• Northfield
• Proctorsville
• Richmond
• Rutland
• S. Burlington

• S. Londonderry
• Saint Johnsbury
• South Burlington
• St. Albans
• Stockbridge
• Stowe
• Strafford
• Swanton
• Vergennes
• Wallingford
• West Burke
• West Dover
• White River Junct
• Williston
• Windsor
• Winooski
• Woodstock

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