Demographics | Covid & Climate Migrants

Demographics | Covid and Climate Migrants

With a current population of 643,500, Vermont is the second least-populous state after Wyoming (Schleicher, 2019). Farm & Wilderness is located in Windsor County whose current population is 57,753, and is mostly white and between the ages of 55 to 74 years old (census.gov). See Figure 1 below. In 2018, the state launched the Stay-to-Stay Initiative, a program designed to help make relocating to Vermont attractive to younger people. This was launched as an effort to help boost Vermont’s population diversity (governor.vt.gov).

Two years later, in 2020, the Covid pandemic arrived in the United States. The pandemic changed the daily lives and routines of millions of people. Many people moved out of crowded cities and into more suburban or rural areas. Vermont noticed an increase in people moving to the state during this time. The quiet living, outdoor recreation opportunities and access, and welcoming communities attracted new residents from all over the country.

“Destination Vermont: The State Sees an Increase in Newcomers Amid the Pandemic” - US News

Figure 1: Windsor County household demographics (VermontHousingData.org) Figure 3: Precipitation rankings nationwide in 2011. Vermont had a record year and received over 50 inches of precipitation and experienced two severe flood events. (Betts, 2017)

“Fave little state: Climate Migrants From Around America Are Seeking Refuge in Vermont” - Seven Days VT

Another way that Vermont is seeing its population rise is from an influx of climate migrants. Climate migrants are people who move locations due to uninhabitable climate conditions. In many locations in America, the climate is getting hotter and drier, causing more devastating wildfires. In New England, the climate is getting warmer and wetter, and is experiencing increased flooding and rainstorms (Betts, 2017). The climate in New England appeals to many, and an influx of residents from various parts of the country are moving to states like Vermont. See Figure 3 below.