Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Violent crime rate
1990–2023FBI Uniform Crime Reports.
Overall Crime Rate
Vermont maintains one of the lowest overall crime rates in the nation, combining low violent crime with moderate property crime driven largely by opioid-related theft.
Violent + property crime rate
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent and property offenses per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Total Crime Rate (per 100k) | 1355 | 2380 |
- •Vermont consistently ranks among the safest states for violent crime
- •Opioid addiction is cited as a leading driver of property crime in the state
- •Rural communities report far lower crime rates than urban centers like Burlington
Violent Crime
Vermont's violent crime rate of 175 per 100,000 residents in 2023 is among the lowest in the country, reflecting the state's rural character and small population.
Violent crime rate, Vermont
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent offenses per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
Violent crime rate, U.S.
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, violent offenses per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Violent Crime Rate (per 100k) | 175 | 363 |
- •Vermont's violent crime rate is roughly one-fourth the national average
- •Aggravated assault accounts for most of Vermont's violent crime cases
- •Robbery rates in Vermont are among the lowest of any state
Property Crime
Vermont's property crime rate of 1,180 per 100,000 residents in 2023 is near the national average, with larceny-theft comprising the bulk of incidents.
Property crime rate, Vermont
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, property offenses per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
Property crime rate, U.S.
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, property offenses per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Property Crime Rate (per 100k) | 1180 | 1954 |
- •Larceny-theft accounts for roughly 75% of Vermont's property crime
- •Motor vehicle theft has risen in recent years, at about 115 per 100k
- •Property crime tends to cluster near urban centers like Burlington and Rutland
Homicides
Vermont recorded a homicide rate of approximately 2.3 per 100,000 residents in 2023, equating to about 15 homicides statewide, among the lowest totals in the nation.
Homicide rate, Vermont
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, murder and nonnegligent manslaughter per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
Homicide rate, U.S.
1985–2025FBI Crime Data Explorer, murder and nonnegligent manslaughter per 100,000 residents, sum of monthly rates from reporting agencies.
| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Homicide Rate (per 100k) | 2.3 | 6.3 |
- •Vermont typically records fewer than 20 homicides in a given year
- •Domestic violence and opioid-related disputes are common contributing factors
- •Vermont's homicide rate is roughly two-fifths the national average
Police Officers
Vermont maintains a modest police force relative to its small population, with departments facing recruitment and retention challenges common to rural states.
Police Officers
2018–2023| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Officers per 1,000 Residents | 1.7 | 2.4 |
- •Vermont State Police cover many of the state's rural areas lacking local departments
- •Burlington Police Department is the state's largest municipal force
- •Rural county sheriffs play a key supplemental law enforcement role
Public Safety Indicators
Vermont ranks among the safest states overall, though opioid-related overdose deaths remain a significant public safety concern, with mortality rates around 30 per 100,000.
Public Safety Indicators
2018–2023| Indicator | Vermont | U.S. |
|---|---|---|
| Overdose Death Rate (per 100k) | 30 | 32 |
- •Vermont's low violent crime rate contrasts with a serious opioid overdose crisis
- •State agencies have expanded harm-reduction programs to address overdose deaths
- •Vermont's overall public safety ranking remains strong despite the opioid challenge