Vermont experienced a net gain of 7,500 residents moving from other states, according to a Treasurer’s Office analysis of recent U.S. Census data.
The report highlights Vermont’s strong appeal in the post-pandemic era.
In 2023, Vermont had the highest per capita net migration in New England and the third-highest per capita net migration of any U.S. state. Over the past three years net migration to Vermont has already significantly exceeded the net migration of the previous decade (+25,121 for 2021-23 vs. +16,067 for 2010-19).
Treasurer Mike Pieciak noted remote work flexibility and outdoor recreation opportunities have helped attract new Vermont residents—which has brought both opportunities and challenges.
“Vermont has fewer young people today entering the workforce, so its critical to attract new people to live and work here. Additionally, more people living in Vermont means we have more revenue to help shoulder the cost of providing high-quality education and other important investments in the economy,” said Treasurer Pieciak.
“At the same time, more people moving to Vermont puts pressure on our housing market, because we are not building fast enough to meet the demand. This drives up housing costs across the board and makes it less affordable to live here,” said Treasurer Pieciak. “We need to lower costs, attract young people and families to our state, and create new opportunities for Vermonters by continuing to invest in building more housing.”
Vermont’s 2023 net in-migration of 7,592 people is more than double 2022; that year, a net 2,981 people moved to Vermont from other states. In 2021, amid the pandemic, Vermont experienced a net in-migration of 14,548 people.
On a net basis, most people moved to Vermont in 2023 from nearby states in the Northeast, with nearly a third of new residents arriving from neighboring Massachusetts (+2,535). Other states with the highest net migration into Vermont were Colorado (+1,119), Connecticut (+1,098), Pennsylvania (+1,035), and New Hampshire (+891).
The states with the most net migration out of Vermont were Illinois (-1,057), Utah (-897), Tennessee (-667), New York (-647), and North Carolina (-516).
