Population36,630 (2025 est.)
Two Shire Towns And Many Local Stories
Bennington County, VermontBennington County has two shire towns, Bennington and Manchester, within a wider network of Vermont communities. Arlington, Dorset, Pownal and other towns contribute their own histories, making the county a regional framework rather than the story of a single civic center. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 36,630 residents in Bennington County, Vermont, on July 1, 2025. The county has approximately 675 square miles of land, according to the 2020 Census Gazetteer.
Bennington County at a Glance
Population36,630 (2025 est.)
County SeatBennington and Manchester
Largest TownBennington
Established1779 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water677 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesSee transportation resources
Area Codes802
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Bennington County
Vermont's state records identify Bennington County's incorporation in 1778, while the statutory county description names both Bennington and Manchester as shire towns. This dual arrangement is important when interpreting the county's civic geography. The county includes many separate towns and the unorganized township of Glastenbury, each requiring its own local context. Historical inquiry therefore benefits from recording the particular town as well as the county name, especially when tracing institutions, land references or families across different periods.
Choose Bennington or Manchester as a starting point and add one other town for a more varied county introduction. The two shire towns should both remain visible in the civic story. For research or public services, confirm the office and record location rather than assuming all county functions share one address. A town-focused route can then connect regional history with particular buildings, collections and local landscapes.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
Arlington, Dorset, Pownal and other towns contribute their own histories, making the county a regional framework rather than the story of a single civic center.
The Local Story
Vermont's state records identify Bennington County's incorporation in 1778, while the statutory county description names both Bennington and Manchester as shire towns.
Explore The County
Choose Bennington or Manchester as a starting point and add one other town for a more varied county introduction. The two shire towns should both remain visible in the civic story.
Discover the local stories connected by two civic centers.
A Closer Look
Bennington County
Places and perspectives from Bennington County
Bennington County headlines via Google News
Driver hits traffic flagger, flees construction zone - WPTZ
Driver hits traffic flagger, flees construction zone WPTZ
Read the Story Oct 24, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Bennington County
Stories from every corner of Bennington County.
Driver hits traffic flagger, flees construction zone - WPTZ
Driver hits traffic flagger, flees construction zone WPTZ
Oct 24, 2026 • 2 min read
Rising costs, workforce shortages hamper Bennington County businesses, survey finds - WCAX
Rising costs, workforce shortages hamper Bennington County businesses, survey finds WCAX
Sep 25, 2026 • 2 min read
Vermont sues manufacturers over PFAS contamination in Bennington County - WCAX
Vermont sues manufacturers over PFAS contamination in Bennington County WCAX
Aug 28, 2026 • 2 min read
Vermont sues manufacturers over PFAS contamination in Bennington County - WCAX
Vermont sues manufacturers over PFAS contamination in Bennington County WCAX
Aug 28, 2026 • 2 min read
Amy Moore is running for a Bennington County seat in the Vermont Senate - Bennington banner
Amy Moore is running for a Bennington County seat in the Vermont Senate Bennington banner
Jul 7, 2026 • 2 min read
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Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Schools
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Fisher School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 504 East Arlington Road, Arlington, VT 05250. 802-375-6409.
Mt. Anthony Senior Union High School – High; grades 09-12. 301 Park Street Extension, Bennington, VT 05201. 802-447-7511.
Readsboro Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 301 Phelps Lane, Readsboro, VT 05350. 802-423-7786.
Bennington Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 128 Park Street, Bennington, VT 05201. 802-442-5256.
Stamford Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-08. 986 Main Road, Stramford, VT 05352. 802-694-1379.
Sunderland Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 98 Bear Ridge Road, Arlington, VT 05250. 802-375-6100.
Mt. Anthony Union Middle School – Middle; grades 06-08. 747 East Road, Bennington, VT 05201. 802-447-7541.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Southwestern Vermont Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 100 Hospital Drive, Bennington, VT 05201. 802-442-6361.
Public Safety
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Emergency Services
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Parks & Public Lands
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Trails
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Utilities
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Martha Canfield Memorial Free – 528 E. Arlington Rd., Arlington, VT 05250. 802-375-6153.
Bennington Free – 101 Silver St., Bennington, VT 05201. 802-442-9051.
Winhall Memorial – 2 Lower Taylor Hill Rd., Bondville, VT 05340. 802-297-9741.
Dorset Village Public – Rte. 30 & Church St., Dorset, VT 05251. 802-867-5774.
Manchester Community Library – 138 Cemetery Ave Rte 7A, Manchester, VT 05255. 802-362-2607.
John G. Mccullough Free – 2 Main St., North Bennington, VT 05257. 802-447-7121.
Solomon Wright Public – 97 Main St., Pownal, VT 05261. 802-823-5400.
Courts
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
DMV
Vermont — Renew driver license
Transportation
Start with the county’s public information and department directory for local contacts and service information.
Postal Services
USPS location finder — Search by street address, city or ZIP Code for nearby post offices, collection boxes and available services.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Find the mailing ZIP Code for a specific street address.
USPS Hold Mail — Arrange a temporary mail hold and review identity-verification requirements.
USPS change of address and forwarding — Review forwarding options and submit an address-change request through USPS.
USPS package pickup — Check pickup availability for your address and schedule eligible shipments.
Veterans
National services available to local residents
VA accredited representatives — Find help with VA claims and benefit applications.
VA health care applications — Review application options and supporting information.
VA disability claims — Find the official steps for submitting a disability claim.
GI Bill and education benefits — Review how to apply for VA education benefits.
Veteran career and employment support — Explore VA employment, training and career assistance.
Employment
National services available to local residents
USAJOBS federal employment — Search federal openings by location and occupation.
Apprenticeship Finder — Search apprenticeship opportunities by location and occupation.
My Next Move career exploration — Explore occupations, industries and career interests.
Government job-training resources — Find routes to state training programs and support for different job seekers.
Unemployment benefit guidance — Find your state program and its application and eligibility information.
Get to Know Bennington County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Bennington County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
36,630 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
677.468 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography). The total combines land and water area.
Start with these official Vermont resources: Renew driver license; Address Change; Renew vehicle registration. Choose the page for the service you need, then check its office or online instructions before making a trip. These links cover state services; they do not establish that every transaction is available at a county office.
Use USPS ZIP Code Lookup for the mailing ZIP Code of a specific street address. Use the USPS location finder to search for nearby postal facilities and available services. An address lookup is more useful for mailing than assuming the entire county shares one ZIP Code.
The VA explains how to find and appoint an accredited representative for benefit claims. Contact a representative to confirm availability before appointing them. For education benefits, use the GI Bill application guidance. These are national VA services available to eligible local residents, rather than a listing of county offices.
Search USAJOBS for federal positions and the Apprenticeship Finder for apprenticeship opportunities, using location filters to narrow the results. USAGov job-training guidance points to training programs and state resources. Check each listing for current availability, eligibility and application instructions; a search result does not guarantee an opening in the county.
Vermont's state records identify Bennington County's incorporation in 1778, while the statutory county description names both Bennington and Manchester as shire towns. This dual arrangement is important when interpreting the county's civic geography. The county includes many separate towns and the unorganized township of Glastenbury, each requiring its own local context. Historical inquiry therefore benefits from recording the particular town as well as the county name, especially when tracing institutions, land references or families across different periods.
Choose Bennington or Manchester as a starting point and add one other town for a more varied county introduction. The two shire towns should both remain visible in the civic story. For research or public services, confirm the office and record location rather than assuming all county functions share one address. A town-focused route can then connect regional history with particular buildings, collections and local landscapes.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 674.807 square miles of land and 2.661 square miles of water in Bennington County. The county’s total area includes both. These are geographic measurements for that Census vintage, not a measurement of current water levels or public recreation access.
In the Census Bureau’s 2025 estimate series, Bennington County had an estimated 37,318 residents on July 1, 2020, and 36,630 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population decreased by 688 residents, or about 1.8%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Bennington and Manchester are the county seats listed for Bennington County by the National Association of Counties. For an office visit, confirm the specific department’s address before traveling. NACo county profile.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Local Businesses
Businesses Serving Bennington CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Bennington County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Bennington County