Vermont : Safety by City
- Bennington
- Brattleboro
- Champlain Islands
- City of Burlington
- Ludlow
- Middlebury
- Montpelier
- Newport City
- Rutland
- St. Albans
- Stowe
Rutland, Vermont, sits in a valley with two mountains nearby, and the city serves as a gateway to the Green Mountains.
The city was founded in 1761, and it flourished during the 19th century as a major center for the marble industry.
This heritage is still evident today, with grand historical buildings and monuments scattered throughout the city.
Rutland is an ideal destination for those seeking a blend of culture, history, and outdoor adventure.
The downtown area boasts a charming mix of locally owned businesses, many of which occupy beautifully preserved 19th-century buildings.
The city is also a haven for outdoor enthusiasts.
Pine Hill Park offers miles of trails for hiking and mountain biking, winding through dense forests and around serene ponds.
In the winter, the nearby Pico Mountain and Killington Resort provide some of the best skiing in the Northeast.
Rutland’s community spirit shines through its many festivals and events.
The annual Vermont State Fair, one of the oldest in the country, celebrates the region’s agricultural heritage with livestock shows, crafts, and entertainment.
The downtown farmers market, held year-round, showcases the abundance of local produce and artisanal goods.
The city is also easily accessible by passenger train, with round-trip routes to New York City.
Warnings & Dangers in Rutland
OVERALL RISK: LOW
There's a low risk, but a growing concern over crime rates will be explained a little later in this article.
TRANSPORT & TAXIS RISK: LOW
The Bus is the public transportation system provided by Marble Valley Regional Transit District. Fixed route buses run during the daytime, Monday through Saturday. Buses also run to a couple of the major ski resorts nearby. Taxis and rideshares will be available, though not as much as in larger cities. A rental car is the cheapest and best option.
PICKPOCKETS RISK: LOW
The risk is low, with about five pickpockets or purse snatchings happening each year on average. However, the theft rate has skyrocketed in the past few years, meaning the *potential is there.
NATURAL DISASTERS RISK: LOW
Rutland faces natural disaster risks, including flooding, particularly during heavy rains or rapid snowmelt. Winter storms can lead to significant snowfall, ice accumulation, and power outages. The region also experiences occasional severe thunderstorms and, rarely, minor earthquakes. The risk is low, but you should still stay weather-aware.
MUGGING RISK: LOW
The robbery rate is at the national average but has jumped to levels not seen since 2009. More than half are convenience store robberies, and only a small percentage are highway robberies. The risk is low.
TERRORISM RISK: LOW
Rutland has a low risk of terrorism, reflecting its small population and rural setting. While vigilance is essential, local and state law enforcement agencies actively monitor and address potential threats.
SCAMS RISK: LOW
Check local law enforcement social media sites for the latest scams. The local Better Business Bureau office will have common scam tactics and protection advice. The state Attorney General’s office posts an annual list of top Vermont scams. After looking through the most recent reports, tourists have a low risk of being scammed as most cases involve residents.
WOMEN TRAVELERS RISK: LOW
Rutland is generally safe for women travelers. Even with increasing crime rates, the community is highly involved in helping stop crime trends from growing. Standard precautions, like staying aware of your surroundings and securing personal belongings, are advisable.
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 2023 report in Rutland shows one violation but otherwise full compliance. The risk is low.
Safest Places to Visit in Rutland
Rutland is both a city and a town, with the city being the center of the community and the town surrounding the city.
Then there is West Rutland, a town just west of both Rutland.
You can learn more about visiting the area at DowntownRutland.com.
Downtown Rutland is as classy as it is artsy.
While you can explore shops and enjoy locally-owned restaurants, the public art installations warrant wandering around.
The Paramount Theatre is a beautifully restored 1914 venue in downtown Rutland.
It hosts a wide array of performances, from Broadway shows and concerts to independent films and community events.
Kids will love the Wonderfeet Kid’s Museum, where imagination comes alive in several areas with interactive exhibits and playrooms.
The museum frequently fills to capacity.
It is recommended you visit during the weekdays or on sunny days to avoid being turned away at the door.
You can also pre-select a play time.
The Chaffee Art Center is a cultural gem that promotes the visual arts through exhibitions, classes, and community events.
It’s a great place to appreciate local artwork and perhaps participate in a workshop.
You can also see more art at the West Rutland Art Park, an outdoor collection of unique sculptures created by globally renowned artists.
Wilson Castle, located just a short drive from downtown Rutland, is a stunning 19th-century estate open for tours.
The castle features impressive architecture, beautiful grounds, and a fascinating history.
It is touted as Vermont’s only real castle, and haunted tours are also available.
Nature lovers should head to Green Mountain National Forest, which offers numerous recreational opportunities, including hiking, camping, and wildlife viewing.
Aitken State Forest provides another excellent outdoor adventure with trails like the popular Bald Mountain Trail, offering stunning views of the surrounding mountains.
If you’re visiting in winter, Pico Mountain and Killington Resort are nearby ski destinations offering some of the best slopes and après-ski activities in the region.
Killington Resort does have summer activities, like mountain biking and scenic gondola rides.
About 10 miles north of town, explore the New England Maple Museum.
While spring brings the maple syrup season, this museum is open year-round with a look at the mechanics of maple syrup tapping and a gift shop with some Vermont-made specialties.
Places to Avoid in Rutland
If you’re visiting Rutland from a place where you’re used to typical crime rates, some shady parts of town, and ongoing issues like homeless and drug users, you won’t think any place in the city is too dangerous to visit.
However, the ongoing drug problems that led to Rutland being called “Heroin City” and a surge in crime rates since the pandemic have created some “better safe than sorry” parts of town.
The safest areas are east of Main Street and south of town, where the hotels are gathered.
However, you should take a look at where the railroad tracks are in town.
If you stay close to those, you’ll get the associated railroad noise.
Safety Tips for Traveling to Rutland
- Rutland does have a local police department. You can follow them on Facebook @RutlandCityPD. Call (802) 773-1816 if you want to ask more specific safety questions.
- Rutland utilizes emergency alerts to keep people informed about critical situations. Alerts are disseminated through the VT-ALERT system, local radio, and social media. These notifications cover severe weather, road closures, and public safety threats, ensuring timely information and enhancing community preparedness and response.
- The police use the City Protect website to post up-to-date criminal activity in the area. This is a great way to see crime rates that are more recent than what I can provide. Since the crime rates have been changing so often, you should search for crimes around your chosen hotel and look for hot spots in the community.
- After researching Rutland, I would also suggest you search for the name of your hotel and “drug crime” in Google News, as some hotels have been focal points of drug busts.
- Rutland has dealt with a homeless problem, and it’s getting worse as more people are getting kicked out of hotels once covered by a state voucher program. That’s another reason to use your own research skills when looking at hotels since several of the largest ones in Rutland are used for transition housing.
- Given how close Rutland is to the wilderness and mountains, wildlife can easily make their way into town. In 2024, a raccoon with rabies was found, and it’s just one reason to never interact with wild animals. You can legally carry bear spray in Vermont, and there are numerous black bears in this region.
- Both Pico and Killington have apps or the option to sign up for alerts. You should sign up for as many of these programs as possible due to weather delays that could leave lifts out of service or certain parts of the mountain off-limits.
- Download the Transit app to find routes for The Bus in town and around the surrounding mountains. While this system used to be fare-free, it does now have a small cost for each ride. You can also sign up for text alerts to get information about delays.
- Use New England 511 to check road and traffic conditions around the region. You can also see live cameras showing real-time conditions throughout the state. When you create an account, you can also set up preferred routes and get alerts when that route is impacted.
- The Forest Service oversees Green Mountains National Forest. Each section of this massive forest has a ranger district. The one closest to Rutland is the Middlebury/Rochester District. As an avid hiker, I would also recommend you check with the Green Mountain Club for trail information. It’s a great resource for first-time visitors, and it has plenty of helpful safety tips for those who have explored these mountains for years.
So... How Safe Is Rutland Really?
The violent crime rate is 117% higher than the state average and 21% higher than the national average.
Over the past five years, just five percent of violent crimes were against strangers, and 55% happened in private homes.
Theft rates are 222% higher than the national average and have increased 130% since 2016.
About one-third of the theft rate is related to shoplifting.
Another third involves car break-ins and accessory thefts.
The increase in crime has prompted local leaders, law enforcement, and residents to demand action from the judicial system.
The pandemic caused the growing problem of a court backlog to become overloaded.
That means people who commit these crimes aren’t always facing punishment and end up becoming repeat offenders.
“When you get to these dispositions quickly, the effectiveness of responses to ongoing criminal behaviors can be more rapid, can have a greater impact,” Rutland County State’s Attorney Ian Sullivan said.
“Where we’re talking about sometimes years to get to disposition, that, I think, robs everyone of the most meaningful outcomes that the criminal justice system can provide.”
Even with the increase in crime in Rutland and statewide, Vermont still ranks as the safest state in the country.
And the mayor had this to say about the rise in violent crime.
“One of the things that people are really nervous about is the rise in violent crime,” Mayor Mike Doenges said, “but it’s very tightly tied to very specific incidents.”
Rutland has a community policing program called Project VISION.
This helps connect people in the community to the resources they need, which could reduce crimes connected to homelessness and drug use.
Basic safety steps like locking car doors, limiting what you carry to the bare necessities, and not walking around unknown areas after dark go a long way to help you have a safe visit to Rutland.
How Does Rutland Compare?
| City | Safety Index |
|---|---|
| Rutland | 77 |
| Las Vegas | 62 |
| San Francisco | 61 |
| Philadelphia | 60 |
| Houston | 59 |
| Atlanta | 58 |
| St. Louis | 58 |
| Brussels (Belgium) | 60 |
| Shanghai (China) | 66 |
| Belize City (Belize) | 37 |
| La Paz (Bolivia) | 52 |
| Sao Paulo (Brazil) | 45 |
| Rio de Janeiro (Brazil) | 43 |
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.
Weather
Rutland gets four seasons, but winters are a bit longer than in some of the more Southern states. The benefit of that is that summers aren't as scorching hot either. The highs usually stick to the upper 70s or low 80s. You'll need various layers of clothing to adapt to changing temperatures, so be sure to bring comfortable, insulated clothing for higher-elevation hikes.
Airports
The Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport has one airline, Cape Air, that provides three flights a day to Boston. If you're driving to Boston, that will take about three hours. The Burlington International Airport is 60 miles away.
Travel Insurance
Comprehensive insurance offers the best protection and peace of mind. If you plan to do activities like backcountry skiing, backpacking, or climbing, you should consider travel adventure insurance to cover the cost of accidents or emergencies.
Rutland Weather Averages (Temperatures)
Average High/Low Temperature
| Temperature / Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| High °C | -1 | 1 | 6 | 14 | 21 | 25 | 27 | 26 | 22 | 15 | 8 | 2 |
| Low °C | -12 | -11 | -6 | 1 | 7 | 12 | 14 | 14 | 9 | 3 | -2 | -8 |
| High °F | 30 | 34 | 43 | 57 | 70 | 77 | 81 | 79 | 72 | 59 | 46 | 36 |
| Low °F | 10 | 12 | 21 | 34 | 45 | 54 | 57 | 57 | 48 | 37 | 28 | 18 |
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 |
