Population169,115 (2025 est.)
Lakefront Cities And Green Mountain Communities
Chittenden County, VermontChittenden County extends from Lake Champlain toward the Green Mountains, bringing Burlington and neighboring cities together with villages, farms and forests. Burlington is the shire town, but the wider landscape and community network provide many other ways to understand this part of Vermont. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 169,115 residents in Chittenden County, Vermont, on July 1, 2025.
Chittenden County at a Glance
Population169,115 (2025 est.)
County SeatBurlington
Largest CityBurlington
Established1787 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
ZIP CodesSee postal resources
Total Area, Including Water620 sq mi (total)
Major RoutesSee transportation resources
Area Codes802
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Discover Chittenden County
Chittenden County
Chittenden County was founded in 1787 within a region with a much longer Abenaki history. Burlington serves as its shire town, while the statutory description includes distinct cities and towns across the lake-to-mountain landscape. Regional planning sources emphasize the variety of urban, suburban and rural settings. That mixture makes county identity broader than Burlington alone. It also means that community histories and public institutions should be described at the appropriate local scale rather than assumed to operate as one uniform place.
Pair a Burlington visit with one smaller community or a managed public landscape between the lake and mountains. Choose the destination according to the experience, since a waterfront stop and an upland outing require different planning. Municipal resources provide practical local details. When researching the county, distinguish it from the separate Town of Chittenden elsewhere in Vermont, whose name can otherwise lead to misleading historical search results.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
Chittenden County extends from Lake Champlain toward the Green Mountains, bringing Burlington and neighboring cities together with villages, farms and forests.
The Local Story
Chittenden County was founded in 1787 within a region with a much longer Abenaki history. Burlington serves as its shire town, while the statutory description includes distinct cities and towns across the lake-to-mountain landscape.
Explore The County
Choose the destination according to the experience, since a waterfront stop and an upland outing require different planning. Municipal resources provide practical local details.
Discover the communities between the lake and mountain landscape.
A Closer Look
Chittenden County
Places and perspectives from Chittenden County
Chittenden County headlines via Google News
Chittenden County high bailiff race is packing the ballot - Vermont Community Newspaper Group
Chittenden County high bailiff race is packing the ballot Vermont Community Newspaper Group
Read the Story Oct 12, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Chittenden County
Stories from every corner of Chittenden County.
Chittenden County high bailiff race is packing the ballot - Vermont Community Newspaper Group
Chittenden County high bailiff race is packing the ballot Vermont Community Newspaper Group
Oct 12, 2026 • 2 min read
The Vermont Republican Party wants him elected Chittenden County’s top prosecutor. He doesn’t want the job. - VTDigger
The Vermont Republican Party wants him elected Chittenden County’s top prosecutor. He doesn’t want the job. VTDigger
Sep 3, 2026 • 2 min read
Vermont GOP names candidate to take on Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George - Vermont Public
Vermont GOP names candidate to take on Chittenden County State's Attorney Sarah George Vermont Public
Aug 31, 2026 • 2 min read
GOP challenger in Chittenden County state’s attorney race says he’ll drop out if elected - WCAX
GOP challenger in Chittenden County state’s attorney race says he’ll drop out if elected WCAX
Aug 31, 2026 • 2 min read
Chittenden State's Attorney Sarah George fends off primary challenge - Vermont Public
Chittenden State's Attorney Sarah George fends off primary challenge Vermont Public
Aug 12, 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.
C. P. Smith School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 332 Ethan Allen Parkway, Burlington, VT 05401. 802-864-8479.
Charlotte Central School – Elementary; grades PK-08. 408 Hinesburg Road, Charlotte, VT 05445. 802-425-2771.
Malletts Bay School – Elementary; grades 03-05. 609 Blakely Road, Colchester, VT 05446. 802-264-5900.
Essex Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-02. 1 Bixby Hill Road, Essex Junction, VT 05452. 802-878-2584.
Milton Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-04. 42 Herrick Avenue, Milton, VT 05468. 802-893-5400.
Smilie Memorial Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-04. 2712 Theodore Roosevelt Hwy., Bolton, VT 05676. 802-434-2757.
Chamberlin School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 262 White Street, South Burlington, VT 05403. 802-652-7400.
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.
Univ. Of Vermont – Fletcher Allen Health Care – Acute Care Hospitals. 111 Colchester Ave, Burlington, VT 05401. 802-847-0000.
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.
Fletcher Free – 235 College St., Burlington, VT 05401. 802-863-3403.
Charlotte – 115 Ferry Rd., Charlotte, VT 05445. 802-425-3864.
Burnham Memorial – 898 Main St., Colchester, VT 05446. 802-879-7576.
Essex Free – 1 Browns River Road, Essex, VT 05451. 802-879-0313.
Brownell – 6 Lincoln St., Essex Junction, VT 05452. 802-878-6955.
Carpenter-Carse – 69 Ballards Corner Rd., Hinesburg, VT 05461. 802-482-2878.
Huntington Public – 2156 Main Rd., Huntington, VT 05462. 802-434-4583.
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 Chittenden County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Chittenden County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
169,115 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate). This is a dated Census Bureau estimate, rather than a live resident count.
619.997 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.
Chittenden County was founded in 1787 within a region with a much longer Abenaki history. Burlington serves as its shire town, while the statutory description includes distinct cities and towns across the lake-to-mountain landscape. Regional planning sources emphasize the variety of urban, suburban and rural settings. That mixture makes county identity broader than Burlington alone. It also means that community histories and public institutions should be described at the appropriate local scale rather than assumed to operate as one uniform place.
Pair a Burlington visit with one smaller community or a managed public landscape between the lake and mountains. Choose the destination according to the experience, since a waterfront stop and an upland outing require different planning. Municipal resources provide practical local details. When researching the county, distinguish it from the separate Town of Chittenden elsewhere in Vermont, whose name can otherwise lead to misleading historical search results.
The 2020 Census geography figures record 537.283 square miles of land and 82.714 square miles of water in Chittenden 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, Chittenden County had an estimated 168,412 residents on July 1, 2020, and 169,115 on July 1, 2025. Over that interval, the estimated population increased by 703 residents, or about 0.4%. Both figures come from the same estimate vintage, which revises earlier years for a consistent comparison.
Burlington is the county seat listed for Chittenden 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 Chittenden CountyExplore the businesses listed for this county.
Businesses serving Chittenden County
Additional county facts: county overview and references.
Connect with local businesses.Chittenden County