Vermont : Safety by City
- Bennington
- Brattleboro
- Champlain Islands
- City of Burlington
- Ludlow
- Middlebury
- Montpelier
- Newport City
- Rutland
- St. Albans
- Stowe
Montpelier, Vermont, the smallest state capital in the United States by population, offers a unique blend of history, charm, and natural beauty.
Founded in 1787, Montpelier was named by Colonel Jacob Davis, one of its early settlers, after Montpellier, France, to honor the French aid during the American Revolution.
Visitors are drawn to Montpelier (“Mont-PEEL-yer”) for its picturesque New England atmosphere, enriched with a vibrant cultural scene.
The city is known for its well-preserved 19th-century architecture, especially the iconic gold-domed Vermont State House.
Nature lovers find Montpelier an ideal gateway to outdoor activities.
The city is surrounded by lush hills and rivers, offering excellent hiking, biking, and kayaking opportunities.
However, those same rivers can spell trouble during spring runoff or heavy rains.
We also can’t talk about Montpelier without talking about Barre (“berry”), as the two are generally paired together when talking about the region.
Barre consists of several villages: East Barre, South Barre, Websterville, and Graniteville.
Plus, if you skip Barre, you’ll never get to see the World’s Largest Zipper!
Warnings & Dangers in Montpelier
OVERALL RISK: LOW
The risk is low, with plenty of safe places to visit, explore, and enjoy. Since it's the state capital, you'll also notice extra security and law enforcement.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
Amtrak's Vermonter goes right through Montpelier on a route that covers New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. Once you're in Montpelier, you can use Green Mountain Transit to explore the region or town. Taxis and rideshare will be available. Rental cars are another option. All come with a low risk.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
This is a low risk, with just one pickpocket reported in the past five years. Don't let your guard down, but don't get anxious about pickpockets, either.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: MEDIUM
Montpelier faces medium natural disaster risks, primarily from flooding and winter storms. Its location in a river valley increases flood susceptibility, particularly during heavy rains and spring snowmelt. Harsh winters bring significant snowfall, leading to potential snow and ice-related hazards for residents and infrastructure. Just look at the flooding of 2023 to see how bad it can get here.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
The city averages three or fewer robberies a year, with no muggings reported in the past five years. While it's always wise to avoid walking around at night in areas that aren't well-lit and secure, this isn't a problem in Montpelier.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Montpelier has a low risk of terrorism. As a small city with a tight-knit community, it lacks major targets typically associated with terrorist threats. Local and state authorities remain vigilant, ensuring public safety through regular monitoring and preparedness measures, but the overall threat level remains minimal.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams. The local Better Business Bureau office and the state Attorney General’s office will have common scam tactics and protection advice. Most scams here involve things only impacting residents, like contractor fraud or bogus phone calls. The risk is low.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Montpelier is generally safe for women travelers. The city boasts a low crime rate and a welcoming community. Standard safety precautions are advised, such as staying in well-lit areas at night and securing personal belongings. The overall environment is friendly, making it a comfortable destination for solo female travelers.
TAP WATER RISK: MEDIUM
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. I'm flagging this as a medium risk due to an aging system in Montpelier that often leads to water main breaks and water pressure issues. While the water is usually safe, the water main breaks, averaging every two weeks, leaving certain parts of the city under boil orders. A replacement project to fix aging pipes was delayed by floods in 2023.
Safest Places to Visit in Montpelier
The name of the region’s tourism website is “Montpelier Alive.”
The layout is excellent, with things to do separated by seasons, a sample itinerary list, and a list of visitor resources.
Start your visit at the Vermont State House, a striking example of Greek Revival architecture with its golden dome.
Inside, guided tours provide insights into Vermont’s legislative process and history.
Just a short walk away, the Vermont History Museum offers a deeper dive into the state’s past, featuring interactive exhibits and artifacts.
For an artistic touch, head to the T.W. Wood Gallery.
This museum showcases works by Thomas Waterman Wood and other American artists, offering a blend of contemporary and traditional art.
Nearby, the Lost Nation Theater, housed in Montpelier City Hall, presents a range of theatrical performances, from classic plays to modern productions.
Outdoor enthusiasts will find plenty to do in Montpelier.
Hubbard Park is a serene escape with trails perfect for hiking and picnicking, along with a historic stone tower providing panoramic views of the city.
For a more leisurely stroll, the Montpelier Bike Path follows the Winooski River, offering scenic vistas and opportunities for birdwatching.
Specific trails transition to fat biking spots in the winter.
In the summer months, the Capital City Farmers Market is a must-visit. Held every Saturday, it features local produce, artisanal goods, and live music, giving a taste of Vermont’s community spirit.
Winter transforms Montpelier into a snowy wonderland; cross-country skiing at Morse Farm Ski Touring Center or snowshoeing in the surrounding countryside are popular activities.
A visit to Montpelier isn’t complete without exploring its surrounding natural beauty.
The nearby Green Mountains offer ample opportunities for hiking, skiing, and leaf-peeping during the fall.
The ski resorts of Bolton, Mad River, and Sugarbush are within an hour’s drive of Montpelier.
For a unique day trip, drive to the Rock of Ages Granite Quarry in nearby Barre, the largest deep-hole granite quarry in the world, where you can take a guided tour and even try your hand at stone carving.
If you’re wondering why you would want to look at a bunch of rocks, perhaps you should stop by the Vermont Granite Museum first.
Places to Avoid in Montpelier
If you can’t get through the day without a coffee from Starbucks or McDonald’s or want to do a run to Walmart, you’re out of luck.
Montpelier intentionally avoids letting chains set up shop, opting for locally-owned businesses instead.
Also, avoid getting Montpelier mixed up with other cities bearing the same name in the country.
I’ve also noticed that Google likes to autocorrect it to Montpellier, France when I’m searching.
If it helps, all phone numbers for the Vermont Montpellier will have an 802 area code.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Montpelier
- Montpelier does have a local police department. You can follow them on Facebook @MontpelierPoliceVermont. The main phone number is (802) 223-3445 if you have specific safety questions.
- Montpelier uses various methods for emergency alerts, including the VT-ALERT system, local radio, and social media. These notifications cover severe weather, road closures, and other urgent issues. The city’s website also has an Emergency Alert module at the top of its website. You can also get those as emergency alerts by signing up for the Notify Me program.
- You can read the updated Montpelier Local Emergency Management Plan posted on the city’s website. After the 2023 floods, an update was needed, and this guide is very helpful to help prepare for any emergency.
- The police post media logs online, which detail every call for service. It looks like the most recent week is posted at all times, which can give you a better look at crime trends in the area before your visit.
- Fishing in Montpelier requires a state-issued fishing license for anglers aged 15 and older. The Vermont Fish & Wildlife Department enforces regulations, including seasonal restrictions, catch limits, and specific rules for different water bodies to protect fish populations and ensure sustainable, enjoyable fishing experiences for everyone.
- If you’re driving in and out of downtown Montpelier during the workday, expect a lot of traffic. Add about 15–20 minutes to your travel time to accommodate traffic delays.
- You might even find yourself delayed by a tractor or donkey cart in Montpelier. No, you aren’t seeing things. The composting and agricultural businesses share the roads with traditional vehicles. Do not tailgate or honk at these slower vehicles, as they have every right to be there.
- Speaking of the composting mule cart, it is illegal for food scraps to end up in Vermont landfills. That means you’ll need to take any food scraps you cook or create to a recycling center. Visit the Central Vermont Solid Waste Management District to learn more.
- Black bears are commonly seen in Montpelier neighborhoods, and that composting law doesn’t help. Never feed or bait a bear, and leave them alone if you see one. Out in the wilderness, carry bear spray to use as a last resort. The best thing to do when you see a black bear is to talk in a louder-than-normal voice, signaling to the bear that you are human and not a threat.
- Use the Park Mobile app to find parking and pay for your parking spot. The app also allows you to add more time to your meter if you’re about to run out of time.
So... How Safe Is Montpelier Really?
The violent crime rate is 18% lower than the national average and 45% higher than the state average.
Don’t let that last part worry you too much.
Vermont is ranked as the safest state in the nation, even with a surge of crime in the past few years.
Over the past five years, just 16%, which waters down to 11 violent crimes, were against strangers.
Another 45% of violent crimes happen in private homes, further lowering the risk for a visitor.
While violent crime has increased 160% in the past decade, the raw data shows that the city went from 10 violent crimes in a year to 26 – just a little more than two a month on average.
The theft rate is 16% higher than the national average, but again, looking at the raw data for context is important.
The 131 thefts that happened in 2022 averaged about 11 per month.
Half of those thefts fall into a category called “Other,” which can mean anything from construction sites to thefts from yards.
The next two top theft categories are car break-ins and shoplifting.
As a capital city, it’s important to note that the population of 8,000 people nearly triples during each workday.
That means the crime rates are technically only a third of what is provided.
However, the official crime rate will always be the number of crimes divided by the population of residents – excluding visitors and commuters – figured to be a common “per 100,000 people.”
The city is safe to visit, and lawmakers are taking on a lot of bills to address crime increases across the state.
It’s also worth mentioning that nearby Barre is often referred to by the rhyming slogan “Scary Barre.”
While the crime rates are slightly higher, and the city has a lower average income with a poverty rate four times higher than Montpellier, it’s not an unsafe place to visit by any means.
In fact, violent crime rates have dropped 44% in the past five years.
How Does Montpelier Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Montpelier | 78 |
| Philadelphia | 60 |
| Houston | 59 |
| Atlanta | 58 |
| St. Louis | 58 |
| Los Angeles | 56 |
| Oakland | 57 |
| La Paz (Bolivia) | 52 |
| Sao Paulo (Brazil) | 45 |
| Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
| Sofia (Bulgaria) | 73 |
| Siem Reap (Cambodia) | 63 |
| Phnom Penh (Cambodia) | 61 |
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. 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
Montpelier gets snowy winters and mild summers, with spring and fall fluctuating often between warm and chilly days. Summer highs rarely get out of the mid-80s, and lows in winter drop to single digits. The humidity can make it feel hotter or colder than it really is. Bug spray is needed when temperatures are above freezing.
Airports
Burlington International Airport is 32 miles from Montpelier. For a major airport, Boston Logan International is about a three-hour drive. The Vermonter Amtrak train can also take you to New York, Washington, D.C., Philadelphia, Baltimore, and several other big cities with airports.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive travel insurance just makes sense when visiting an area that is remote and has so many weather variables.
Montpelier Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | -2 | 1 | 5 | 13 | 20 | 25 | 28 | 27 | 24 | 15 | 8 | 1 |
| Low °C | -14 | -13 | -8 | 1 | 6 | 12 | 15 | 14 | 10 | 3 | -3 | -9 |
| High °F | 28 | 34 | 41 | 55 | 68 | 77 | 82 | 81 | 75 | 59 | 46 | 34 |
| Low °F | 7 | 9 | 18 | 34 | 43 | 54 | 59 | 57 | 50 | 37 | 27 | 16 |
Vermont - Safety by City
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Bennington | 70 |
| Brattleboro | 72 |
| Champlain Islands | 83 |
| City of Burlington | 75 |
| Ludlow | 81 |
| Middlebury | 83 |
| Montpelier | 78 |
| Newport City | 78 |
| Rutland | 77 |
| St. Albans | 72 |
| Stowe | 78 |
