40. Colchester, Vt.
| AT A GLANCE | |
| Population | 17,638 |
| Median Income | $66,413 |
| Job Growth | 7.1% |
| Median Home Price | $238,313 |
| Property Tax | $4,255 |
In Colchester, you can feel as if you’re living in the country and still get to work in downtown Burlington in about 15 minutes. Unemployment in the greater Burlington area is well below the national average, with jobs focused in education, health-care, and a growing technology sector.
The western side of town wraps around Lake Champlain’s scenic Mallets Bay, offering a wide range of home types, from million-dollar mansions to seasonal cabins, or “camps,” with views and water access. Homes in Colchester are generally newer, larger, and on bigger lots than comparably priced properties in Burlington, a.k.a. “the city.” Students in Colchester’s high school score above the state average on standardized tests and can participate in Vermont’s school choice lottery program, applying for a limited number of slots at other high schools in the state.
Colchester is home to private St. Michael’s College and adjacent to the Champlain Valley Fairgrounds, site of a standout summer fair and concerts and events throughout the year. —Adam Bluestein