Is Ludlow Safe? Crime Rates & Safety Report

Ludlow, Vermont, is a charming ski town in the heart of the Green Mountains, offering visitors a perfect blend of outdoor adventure and small-town New England charm.

Originally chartered in 1761, Ludlow has a rich history rooted in agriculture and manufacturing.

The town gained prominence in the 19th century with the establishment of the Black River Academy in 1834, which educated notable figures, including President Calvin Coolidge.

Today, Ludlow is best known as the home of Okemo Mountain Resort, a popular ski destination that attracts visitors year-round.

In winter, the area comes alive with skiers and snowboarders, while summer and fall offer opportunities for hiking, mountain biking, and golf.

Picturesque landscapes, including rolling hills, dense forests, and clear mountain streams, characterize the surrounding region.

Nearby attractions include several state parks, offering abundant outdoor recreation opportunities.

Ludlow’s downtown area retains its historical charm, with locally-owned shops, restaurants, and the Black River Academy Museum preserving the town’s heritage.

The location is also known for its covered bridges, quintessential symbols of Vermont’s rural character.

You might have seen the damage done by the Vermont floods of 2023, and Ludlow is quickly making a comeback after being one of the hardest-hit cities.

The resilience and welcoming spirits give you all the more reason to visit this New England gem of a town and village.

Warnings & Dangers in Ludlow

OVERALL RISK: LOW

There's a low risk in Ludlow, with plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy in all four seasons. If you prefer to stay inside, this might not be the best place for you to visit.

TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW

Check out the Marble Valley Regional Transit Route for "The Bus" to see if the Ludlow options work for your transportation needs. Taxis and rideshares will be sparingly available here in this small town. A shuttle runs from Okemo through the village and back. A rental car is likely the best option since you need to get to Ludlow.

PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW

No pickpockets or purse snatching have been reported in the past few years, but car break-ins and ski thefts have been. The risk is low, but only if you use standard safety precautions to secure your belongings.

NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM

The medium risk is for snow storms, floods, and severe thunderstorms, all of which can impact your experience in Ludlow. While the village gets about seven feet of snow a year, the nearby mountain gets more than ten feet. Ludlow experienced a catastrophic flood in 2023, and you can review the damage reports to see just how dangerous those can be. You need to stay weather-aware while visiting this part of Vermont.

MUGGING RISK: LOW

This is a low risk, with an average of one robbery happening each year. However, with so many tourists in a crowd, it's better to keep your guard up, especially at night.

TERRORISM RISK: LOW

Ludlow faces a low terrorism risk due to its rural and peaceful character. The town prioritizes community safety and preparedness but is not a target for terrorist activities. In fact, the weather is the biggest threat here.

SCAMS RISK: LOW

Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams. I've seen several scams posted online, some focusing on the elderly and others targeting anyone who will answer a spoofed phone call. The risk is low, but knowing the common tactics and trending scams keeps it that way.

WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW

The town's small size and friendly community contribute to a low risk of harassment or safety issues. Normal precautions like staying aware of surroundings are recommended, but overall, Ludlow offers a welcoming and secure atmosphere for all travelers.

TAP WATER RISK: LOW

The U.S. has strict standards for tap water per the Safe Water Drinking Act. Communities are required to provide a Water Quality Report (Consumer Confidence Report) once a year by July 1. The 2022 reports show one reporting violation regarding nitrate, but that issue was fixed, and all other standards were met or exceeded.

Safest Places to Visit in Ludlow

It’s not really easy to track down some of the tourism sites in Vermont, so I’m here to help.

Ludlow is located in the Okemo Valley, and the tourism site is yourplaceinvermont.com.

This region includes several other towns, including Andover, Cavendish, Chester, Grafton, Londonderry, Shrewsbury and Weston.

Ludlow is near the start of Route 100 Scenic Byway, aka “The Skiers Highway,” which runs 146 miles along the outline of the Green Mountains and past some of the best skiing in New England.

One of those is just up the road from Ludlow at Omeko Mountain Resort.

Known for its well-groomed trails, modern lift system, and family-friendly atmosphere, it offers 121 trails across 632 skiable acres.

The resort features diverse terrain for all skill levels, snowmaking abilities, and year-round activities, including golf and mountain biking in the summer months.

Black River Academy Museum dates back to 1834 and preserves local history in a former school building.

The academy educated notable figures like President Calvin Coolidge.

The museum showcases exhibits on regional history, education, and daily life from the 19th and early 20th centuries.

It offers guided tours and educational programs for visitors.

The Black River runs through Ludlow, with kayaking and fly-fishing opportunities.

Along the river, you can also find waterfalls.

Here are a few of the most popular.

• Buttermilk Falls: Located in Okemo State Forest, about 5 miles from Ludlow. It features a series of cascades and pools.
• Cavendish Gorge: About 10 miles from Ludlow, this waterfall is on the Black River and offers a scenic view.
• Jelly Mill Falls: In Chester, about 15 miles from Ludlow. It’s a small but picturesque waterfall on the Williams River.
• Hamilton Falls: Located in Jamaica State Park, about 25 miles from Ludlow. It’s one of Vermont’s highest waterfalls at 125 feet.

Okemo State Forest is adjacent to Ludlow, offering hiking trails, scenic views, and winter activities.

Other state parks nearby include Cape Plymouth State Park on Echo Lake, Coolidge State Park with epic views of the Black River Valley, and Emerald Lake State Park, another stunning lake.

Fox Run Golf Club is on the outskirts of Ludlow, with 18 holes across four acres of varying terrain and elevation.

The club doubles as a Nordic ski area in the winter.

Places to Avoid in Ludlow

Ludlow doesn’t have dangerous parts of town, but the floods of 2023 impacted most of the businesses there.

If you plan to visit within the next few years, check ahead for the status of local businesses, construction that could impact roadways and bridges, and the accessibility of city services.

Every effort is being made to get the city back to normal, but there was so much damage it might be a few years before full restoration is complete.

If you’re looking to visit Okemo State Forest, you should know what a remote area it is.

There are some designated trails, but places like Terrible Mountain Natural Area don’t have any trail access.

Its name comes from the inhospitable landscape.

There is also debris from a plane crash on Terrible Mountain.

Safety Tips for Traveling to Ludlow

So... How Safe Is Ludlow Really?

There are two important things to consider about the crime rates in Ludlow.

First, the town has just 700 full-time residents.

Crime rates are determined by figuring out the number of crimes and the population to be “per 100,000 people.”

That’s going to inflate the crime rates.

The second thing to consider is that Ludlow’s crime rate doesn’t account for the nearly one million people who visit each year.

So, when I tell you that Ludlow’s violent crime rate is 1,745% higher than the state average and 930% higher than the national average, that really means there were 29 violent crimes in 2022.

Also, 2022 is the most recent year I have for crime data, but 2023’s data wouldn’t be a good comparison anyway due to the flooding that shut the city down for several weeks and impacted tourism for many months.

Even with those violent crimes considered, just one of them involved a stranger over the past five years.

Thefts suffer the same fate, with a rate nearly 200% above the national average.

However, there were just 29 thefts in 2022.

Half of those were related to car break-ins or accessory thefts.

Ludlow did make headlines over the past few years when a former CNN producer was accused and sentenced for heinous crimes against a child.

Even when he gets out of jail in 20 or so years, he’s banned from being around children.

One thing is certain – Ludlow could certainly use the tourists to help the community rebound from the historic floods and don’t let the warped crime data fool you.

This is a safe place to visit.

How Does Ludlow Compare?

Useful Information

Visas

All international visitors need either a visa defining the purpose of the trip (tourist, work, school, etc.) or a visa waiver. Start the process using the Visa Wizard module on the U.S. State Department website. You’ll quickly find out which one you need. Also, keep in mind that your passport must be valid for at least six months after our trip, or you’ll need to apply for a new one.

Currency

Only the U.S. Dollar (USD) is accepted in the United States. International airports usually have a currency exchange desk on site, while regional airports won’t. Your home bank offers the lowest fees. For those using credit cards, check to see if there’s a foreign transaction fee before you start racking up charges.

Weather

As you'd expect in any ski town, there's a long, cold, snowy winter here. Temperatures easily get into the single digits with possible sub-zero wind chills. Summers are relatively mild, with highs averaging in the upper 70s. You'll need comfortable layers of clothing, with insulation and waterproof outer layers from late fall through spring. Bug spray is needed in the summer.

Airports

Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport is the closest option, about 30 minutes away, with flights to Boston through Cape Air. Lebanon, New Hampshire, is about 50 minutes away, with flights to Boston and White Plains through Cape Air. For a larger airport, you can get to Boston or Portland (ME) in about three hours.

Travel Insurance

Comprehensive insurance offers the best protection and peace of mind. Consider travel adventure insurance if you plan to explore the backcountry or take part in more expert-level skiing activities, as you'll sign liability waivers when you purchase a ski lift ticket.

Ludlow Weather Averages (Temperatures)

Average High/Low Temperature

Vermont - Safety by City