What are the schools like in Swanton, VT?

Swanton is served primarily by Missisquoi Valley School District #89. The district operates 3 elementary schools, several middle schools, and 1 high schools with a student-to-teacher ratio of 11.7:1.

What is the median household income in Swanton?

The median household income in Swanton, VT is $73,365 according to the most recent US Census American Community Survey 5-year estimates. The unemployment rate is 8.2%.

What is the weather like in Swanton, VT?

Swanton has an average high temperature of 25.1°F in January and 79.4°F in July. Annual precipitation averages 38.3 inches and annual snowfall averages 79.9 inches.

Swanton, VT Cost of Living, Crime & Is It a Good Place to Live? (2026)

Q: Is Swanton, VT affordable or expensive?

Swanton's cost of living index is 100, where 100 represents the national average. This means Swanton is 0% more expensive than the average US city. The median home value is $194,900 and the median rent is $933 per month.

Q: What is the crime rate in Swanton, VT?

Swanton has a violent crime rate of 130.7 incidents per 100,000 residents and a property crime rate of 551.9 per 100,000. The national average violent crime rate is approximately 380 per 100,000.

Is Swanton, VT a Good Place to Live?

Swanton is a small town of 2,428 in Vermont, with a median household income of $73,365 and a 8.2% unemployment rate. Its cost of living index is 100 (US average = 100), which is right at the national average.

Strengths: Swanton stands out for below-average home prices, lower-than-average crime, solid school ratings (B-), short average commutes.

Trade-offs: Potential downsides include an elevated unemployment rate. Whether Swanton is right for you depends on your priorities — the full breakdown is below.

All Swanton city data on this page comes from official government sources — the US Census Bureau, FBI, NCES, BEA, and NOAA — updated annually.

Cost of Living

Index: 100.0

Swanton's overall cost of living index is 100.0, where 100 represents the US national average. Swanton's cost of living is right at the national average.

Metric	Swanton, VT	National Avg
Median Home Value	$194,900	$244,900
Median Monthly Rent	$933	$1,163
Homeownership Rate	78.5%	65.9%
Median Household Income	$73,365	$74,755

Crime & Safety

Very Safe

Swanton's violent crime rate is 130.7 per 100,000 residents — 66% lower than the national average of ~380 per 100,000.

Violent Crime

130.7 /100k

Property Crime

551.9 /100k

Vertical marker = national average. Source: FBI UCR Program.

Schools & Education

Swanton is served primarily by Missisquoi Valley School District #89. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.7:1 (better than the national average of ~16:1).

Metric	Swanton, VT	National Avg
School District	Missisquoi Valley School District #89	—
Elementary Schools	3	—
Middle Schools	N/A	—
High Schools	1	—
Student/Teacher Ratio	11.7:1	16:1
Bachelor's Degree or Higher	12.0%	35.4%
High School Diploma or Higher	85.6%	91.1%

Weather & Climate

Swanton sees average highs of 25.1°F in January and 79.4°F in July, with 38.3 inches of annual precipitation and 79.9 inches of snow per year.

Metric	Swanton, VT
Average High — January	25.1°F
Average High — July	79.4°F
Annual Precipitation	38.3"
Annual Snowfall	79.9"

Demographics

Metric	Swanton, VT	National Avg
Population	2,428	—
Median Age	41.0	38.9
Unemployment Rate	8.2%	3.7%
Avg Commute Time	22.3 min	26 min
White (non-Hispanic)	89.9%	59.3%
Black or African American	1.1%	13.6%
Hispanic or Latino	0.8%	18.9%
Asian	5.1%	6.3%
Under 18	23.1%	22.2%
65 and over	18.9%	16.8%

Nearby Cities

Highgate Springs, VT 4 mi Highgate Center, VT 4 mi St. Albans, VT 8 mi Alburgh, VT 10 mi Rouses Point, NY 13 mi

ZIP Codes in Swanton

Swanton, VT is covered by 1 ZIP code:

05488

Swanton vs Other Cities

Swanton, VT vs Highgate Springs, VT Swanton, VT vs Highgate Center, VT Swanton, VT vs St. Albans, VT Swanton, VT vs Alburgh, VT Swanton, VT vs Rouses Point, NY

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Swanton, VT affordable or expensive?

Swanton's cost of living index is 100, where 100 is the national average. The median home price is $194,900 and median rent is $933/month.

What is the crime rate in Swanton, VT?

Swanton's violent crime rate is 130.7 per 100,000 residents — the national average is ~380 per 100,000. Property crime is 551.9 per 100,000 (national avg ~2,100). Data from the FBI Uniform Crime Reporting Program.

What are the schools like in Swanton?

Public schools in Swanton are operated by Missisquoi Valley School District #89. The district has 3 elementary, several middle, and 1 high schools. The student-to-teacher ratio is 11.7:1. 12.0% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

Is Swanton, VT a good place to live?

Swanton, VT has a population of 2,428, a median household income of $73,365, and an unemployment rate of 8.2%. Whether it's right for you depends on your priorities — use the compare tool above to stack it against another city you're considering.

What is the weather like in Swanton?

Swanton averages 25.1°F in January and 79.4°F in July. Annual rainfall is 38.3 inches with about 79.9 inches of snow per year. Based on NOAA 30-year climate normals (1991–2020).

What ZIP codes are in Swanton?

Swanton, VT is covered by 1 ZIP code: 05488.

What is the population of Swanton?

The population of Swanton, Vermont is 2,428 with a median age of 41.0. Source: US Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.

What are the pros and cons of living in Swanton?

Key numbers for living in Swanton: cost of living index 100 (100 = US average), median home $194,900, median household income $73,365, crime index 31 (100 = US average, lower is safer), schools rated B-. Whether these are benefits or drawbacks depends on where you're coming from — compare Swanton side by side with your current city to see the trade-offs.