Environmental Justice Areas in Vermont — 2026

Out of 271 ZIP codes with data in Vermont, these are the highest-ranked areas for ej index. See also: National ZIP Codes with Highest Environmental Justice Concern | All Vermont Rankings

Statistic	Value
ZIP codes ranked	271
Highest value	60/100
Median value	24/100
State	Vermont

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank	ZIP Code	City	State	EJ Index	Safety Score
1	05060	Randolph	VT	60/100	79/100
2	05034	Bridgewater	VT	59/100	79/100
3	05736	Center Rutland	VT	59/100	82/100
4	05261	Pownal	VT	58/100	78/100
5	05401	Burlington	VT	58/100	91/100
6	05821	Barnet	VT	56/100	75/100
7	05201	Bennington	VT	54/100	55/100
8	05439	Colchester	VT	54/100	98/100
9	05855	Newport	VT	54/100	78/100
10	05403	South Burlington	VT	52/100	81/100
11	05440	Alburgh	VT	52/100	91/100
12	05001	White River Junction	VT	50/100	74/100
13	05009	White River Junction	VT	50/100	78/100
14	05047	Hartford	VT	50/100	79/100
15	05156	Springfield	VT	50/100	83/100
16	05255	Manchester Center	VT	50/100	72/100
17	05354	Vernon	VT	50/100	63/100
18	05462	Huntington	VT	50/100	78/100
19	05492	Waterville	VT	50/100	68/100
20	05649	East Barre	VT	50/100	78/100
21	05667	Plainfield	VT	50/100	65/100
22	05673	Waitsfield	VT	50/100	53/100
23	05732	Bomoseen	VT	50/100	64/100
24	05822	Barton	VT	50/100	64/100
25	05866	Sheffield	VT	50/100	78/100
26	05148	Londonderry	VT	48/100	73/100
27	05452	Essex Junction	VT	48/100	91/100
28	05872	West Charleston	VT	45/100	53/100
29	05143	Chester	VT	44/100	69/100
30	05404	Winooski	VT	44/100	93/100
31	05495	Williston	VT	44/100	92/100
32	05651	East Montpelier	VT	44/100	69/100
33	05739	Danby	VT	44/100	79/100
34	05762	Pittsfield	VT	44/100	82/100
35	05765	Proctor	VT	44/100	74/100
36	05849	Lyndon	VT	44/100	80/100
37	05089	Windsor	VT	42/100	75/100
38	05149	Ludlow	VT	42/100	63/100
39	05301	Brattleboro	VT	42/100	75/100
40	05656	Johnson	VT	42/100	70/100
41	05661	Morrisville	VT	42/100	72/100
42	05674	Warren	VT	42/100	49/100
43	05837	East Haven	VT	42/100	81/100
44	05843	Hardwick	VT	42/100	71/100
45	05868	Troy	VT	42/100	80/100
46	05874	Westfield	VT	42/100	79/100
47	05903	Canaan	VT	42/100	77/100
48	05030	Ascutney	VT	40/100	82/100
49	05039	Corinth	VT	40/100	63/100
50	05101	Bellows Falls	VT	40/100	83/100
51	05701	Rutland	VT	40/100	68/100
52	05056	Plymouth	VT	38/100	51/100
53	05074	Thetford	VT	38/100	77/100
54	05158	Westminster	VT	38/100	74/100
55	05341	East Dover	VT	38/100	63/100
56	05356	West Dover	VT	38/100	73/100
57	05471	Montgomery Center	VT	38/100	55/100
58	05671	Waterbury	VT	38/100	79/100
59	05675	Washington	VT	38/100	79/100
60	05676	Waterbury	VT	38/100	69/100
61	05824	Concord	VT	38/100	79/100
62	05846	Island Pond	VT	38/100	83/100
63	05860	Orleans	VT	38/100	74/100
64	05902	Beecher Falls	VT	38/100	63/100
65	05254	Manchester	VT	36/100	77/100
66	05444	Cambridge	VT	36/100	70/100
67	05447	East Berkshire	VT	36/100	81/100
68	05488	Swanton	VT	36/100	70/100
69	05751	Killington	VT	36/100	68/100
70	05839	Glover	VT	36/100	74/100
71	05446	Colchester	VT	34/100	84/100
72	05449	Colchester	VT	34/100	98/100
73	05468	Milton	VT	34/100	86/100
74	05470	Montgomery	VT	34/100	79/100
75	05476	Richford	VT	34/100	81/100
76	05641	Barre	VT	34/100	67/100
77	05654	Graniteville	VT	34/100	79/100
78	05819	Saint Johnsbury	VT	34/100	76/100
79	05820	Albany	VT	34/100	81/100
80	05829	Derby	VT	34/100	76/100
81	05851	Lyndonville	VT	34/100	70/100
82	05340	Bondville	VT	32/100	50/100
83	05407	South Burlington	VT	32/100	82/100
84	05648	Calais	VT	32/100	74/100
85	05650	East Calais	VT	32/100	74/100
86	05672	Stowe	VT	32/100	47/100
87	05747	Granville	VT	32/100	55/100
88	05035	Bridgewater Corners	VT	30/100	55/100
89	05038	Chelsea	VT	30/100	77/100
90	05043	East Thetford	VT	30/100	78/100
91	05051	Newbury	VT	30/100	83/100
92	05068	South Royalton	VT	30/100	73/100
93	05079	Vershire	VT	30/100	63/100
94	05081	Wells River	VT	30/100	70/100
95	05260	North Pownal	VT	30/100	63/100
96	05358	West Halifax	VT	30/100	53/100
97	05454	Fairfax	VT	30/100	82/100
98	05463	Isle La Motte	VT	30/100	66/100
99	05702	Rutland	VT	30/100	78/100
100	05743	Fair Haven	VT	30/100	83/100

Methodology

The Environmental Justice Index combines environmental risk factors (water violations, lead, flooding) with socioeconomic vulnerability indicators. Higher values indicate communities facing disproportionate environmental burden. This metric highlights areas where infrastructure investment and policy attention are most needed.

Data sources: EPA Safe Drinking Water Information System (SDWIS), FEMA National Flood Insurance Program, EPA radon zone maps, EIA electricity rates, and Consumer Confidence Reports. Last updated: 2026-06-04.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Environmental Justice Index?

The EJ Index identifies communities that face disproportionate environmental hazards relative to their socioeconomic resilience. Areas with high violation counts, aging infrastructure, AND vulnerable populations score highest. These areas need the most infrastructure investment.

Why does environmental justice matter for homebuyers?

High EJ Index areas often have deferred infrastructure maintenance, slower violation resolution, and less access to clean water alternatives. For homebuyers, this means potential hidden costs for water filtration, flood insurance, and home remediation.