2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Vermont — 2026

Last updated: April 13, 2026

308 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 05034 (Bridgewater, VT) - 70/100
Lead Violations Lowest Score Safest Flood Risk Energy Cost Radon PFAS Reliability EJ Index Homebuyer Risk CO & Gas Safest Gas Remediation Burden Unresolved Violations (by Utility) Water Equity (by Utility)

Out of 308 ZIP codes with data in Vermont, these are the highest-ranked areas for purchase risk. See also: National Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers — Hidden Risk Factors | All Vermont Rankings

Statistic Value
ZIP codes ranked 308
Highest value 70/100
Median value 34/100
State Vermont

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 05034 Bridgewater VT 70/100 79/100
2 05158 Westminster VT 66/100 74/100
3 05056 Plymouth VT 63/100 51/100
4 05091 Woodstock VT 63/100 68/100
5 05667 Plainfield VT 62/100 65/100
6 05736 Center Rutland VT 62/100 82/100
7 05641 Barre VT 61/100 67/100
8 05673 Waitsfield VT 60/100 53/100
9 05148 Londonderry VT 58/100 73/100
10 05149 Ludlow VT 58/100 63/100
11 05765 Proctor VT 58/100 74/100
12 05821 Barnet VT 58/100 75/100
13 05843 Hardwick VT 58/100 71/100
14 05363 Wilmington VT 57/100 73/100
15 05660 Moretown VT 57/100 77/100
16 05676 Waterbury VT 57/100 69/100
17 05060 Randolph VT 56/100 79/100
18 05602 Montpelier VT 56/100 63/100
19 05701 Rutland VT 56/100 68/100
20 05868 Troy VT 56/100 80/100
21 05068 South Royalton VT 55/100 73/100
22 05255 Manchester Center VT 55/100 72/100
23 05902 Beecher Falls VT 55/100 63/100
24 05656 Johnson VT 54/100 70/100
25 05762 Pittsfield VT 54/100 82/100
26 05651 East Montpelier VT 53/100 69/100
27 05001 White River Junction VT 52/100 74/100
28 05142 Cavendish VT 52/100 77/100
29 05143 Chester VT 52/100 69/100
30 05444 Cambridge VT 52/100 70/100
31 05462 Huntington VT 52/100 78/100
32 05674 Warren VT 52/100 49/100
33 05773 Wallingford VT 52/100 74/100
34 05839 Glover VT 52/100 74/100
35 05851 Lyndonville VT 52/100 70/100
36 05663 Northfield VT 51/100 72/100
37 05748 Hancock VT 51/100 76/100
38 05767 Rochester VT 51/100 81/100
39 05860 Orleans VT 51/100 74/100
40 05362 Williamsville VT 50/100 63/100
41 05650 East Calais VT 50/100 74/100
42 05747 Granville VT 50/100 55/100
43 05035 Bridgewater Corners VT 48/100 55/100
44 05059 Quechee VT 48/100 63/100
45 05354 Vernon VT 48/100 63/100
46 05825 Coventry VT 48/100 75/100
47 05829 Derby VT 48/100 76/100
48 05850 Lyndon Center VT 48/100 63/100
49 05089 Windsor VT 47/100 75/100
50 05340 Bondville VT 47/100 50/100
51 05488 Swanton VT 47/100 70/100
52 05772 Stockbridge VT 47/100 78/100
53 05032 Bethel VT 46/100 78/100
54 05154 Saxtons River VT 46/100 80/100
55 05345 Newfane VT 46/100 55/100
56 05447 East Berkshire VT 46/100 81/100
57 05492 Waterville VT 46/100 68/100
58 05648 Calais VT 46/100 74/100
59 05654 Graniteville VT 46/100 79/100
60 05822 Barton VT 46/100 64/100
61 05855 Newport VT 46/100 78/100
62 05081 Wells River VT 45/100 70/100
63 05153 Proctorsville VT 45/100 55/100
64 05161 Weston VT 45/100 55/100
65 05301 Brattleboro VT 45/100 75/100
66 05661 Morrisville VT 45/100 72/100
67 05819 Saint Johnsbury VT 45/100 76/100
68 05866 Sheffield VT 45/100 78/100
69 05252 East Arlington VT 44/100 63/100
70 05343 Jamaica VT 44/100 78/100
71 05440 Alburgh VT 44/100 91/100
72 05649 East Barre VT 44/100 78/100
73 05669 Roxbury VT 44/100 82/100
74 05739 Danby VT 44/100 79/100
75 05050 Mc Indoe Falls VT 43/100 63/100
76 05052 North Hartland VT 43/100 80/100
77 05062 Reading VT 43/100 63/100
78 05201 Bennington VT 43/100 55/100
79 05254 Manchester VT 43/100 77/100
80 05351 South Newfane VT 43/100 63/100
81 05355 Wardsboro VT 43/100 55/100
82 05356 West Dover VT 43/100 73/100
83 05658 Marshfield VT 43/100 78/100
84 05679 Williamstown VT 43/100 82/100
85 05038 Chelsea VT 42/100 77/100
86 05043 East Thetford VT 42/100 78/100
87 05464 Jeffersonville VT 42/100 78/100
88 05874 Westfield VT 42/100 79/100
89 05903 Canaan VT 42/100 77/100
90 05069 South Ryegate VT 41/100 55/100
91 05155 South Londonderry VT 41/100 75/100
92 05260 North Pownal VT 41/100 63/100
93 05738 Cuttingsville VT 41/100 78/100
94 05146 Grafton VT 40/100 55/100
95 05361 Whitingham VT 40/100 79/100
96 05446 Colchester VT 40/100 84/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines area indicators that may lead to added costs for homebuyers: water system violation records, lead service line indicators, county radon potential, flood zones and housing age. An indicator does not mean a home needs filtration, mitigation, insurance or upgrades; a home test or inspection decides that. These are factors that standard home inspections may not fully capture.

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: 2026-04-13.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the Home Purchase Risk Score?

This score (0-100) estimates the hidden environmental costs a homebuyer may face: water filtration needs, lead pipe replacement, radon mitigation, flood insurance, and infrastructure upgrades. Higher scores mean more potential unexpected expenses after purchase.

What should homebuyers do in high-risk ZIP codes?

Request a water quality test, check for lead service lines with the utility, test for radon before closing, verify FEMA flood zone designation, and factor in potential remediation costs ($5,000-$30,000+) to your budget.

Explore More Rankings

How this ranking is calculated, data sources, and limitations: Rankings Methodology →

Related Rankings

Water Safety 2026 EPA violations and water quality scores Lead Risk 2026 Lead service-line indicators and system-level action-level exceedances Infrastructure 2026 Aging pipes, system age and remediation costs
Disclaimer: Rankings are based on EPA, FEMA, and federal agency data. They reflect historical patterns and risk indicators, not necessarily current conditions. For the most current information, contact your local water utility or request a Consumer Confidence Report.

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