2026 Rankings

Worst ZIP Codes for Homebuyers in Vermont — 2026

Last updated: July 19, 2026

308 ZIP codes ranked by Purchase Risk #1: ZIP 05034 (Bridgewater, VT) - 72/100
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 72/100
Median value 36/100
State Vermont

Top 100 Worst ZIP Codes

Rank ZIP Code City State Purchase Risk Safety Score
1 05034 Bridgewater VT 72/100 79/100
2 05158 Westminster VT 69/100 74/100
3 05056 Plymouth VT 66/100 51/100
4 05091 Woodstock VT 65/100 68/100
5 05667 Plainfield VT 65/100 65/100
6 05736 Center Rutland VT 65/100 82/100
7 05641 Barre VT 64/100 67/100
8 05673 Waitsfield VT 63/100 53/100
9 05148 Londonderry VT 61/100 73/100
10 05821 Barnet VT 61/100 75/100
11 05843 Hardwick VT 61/100 71/100
12 05060 Randolph VT 60/100 79/100
13 05149 Ludlow VT 60/100 63/100
14 05660 Moretown VT 60/100 77/100
15 05676 Waterbury VT 60/100 69/100
16 05765 Proctor VT 60/100 74/100
17 05363 Wilmington VT 59/100 73/100
18 05602 Montpelier VT 59/100 63/100
19 05701 Rutland VT 59/100 68/100
20 05068 South Royalton VT 58/100 73/100
21 05255 Manchester Center VT 57/100 72/100
22 05656 Johnson VT 57/100 70/100
23 05902 Beecher Falls VT 57/100 63/100
24 05651 East Montpelier VT 56/100 69/100
25 05762 Pittsfield VT 56/100 82/100
26 05868 Troy VT 56/100 80/100
27 05142 Cavendish VT 55/100 77/100
28 05462 Huntington VT 55/100 78/100
29 05674 Warren VT 55/100 49/100
30 05773 Wallingford VT 55/100 74/100
31 05001 White River Junction VT 54/100 74/100
32 05143 Chester VT 54/100 69/100
33 05444 Cambridge VT 54/100 70/100
34 05650 East Calais VT 54/100 74/100
35 05663 Northfield VT 54/100 72/100
36 05748 Hancock VT 54/100 76/100
37 05009 White River Junction VT 53/100 78/100
38 05074 Thetford VT 53/100 77/100
39 05362 Williamsville VT 53/100 63/100
40 05747 Granville VT 53/100 55/100
41 05767 Rochester VT 53/100 81/100
42 05059 Quechee VT 52/100 63/100
43 05839 Glover VT 52/100 74/100
44 05851 Lyndonville VT 52/100 70/100
45 05860 Orleans VT 51/100 74/100
46 05035 Bridgewater Corners VT 50/100 55/100
47 05047 Hartford VT 50/100 79/100
48 05354 Vernon VT 50/100 63/100
49 05032 Bethel VT 49/100 78/100
50 05089 Windsor VT 49/100 75/100
51 05154 Saxtons River VT 49/100 80/100
52 05340 Bondville VT 49/100 50/100
53 05345 Newfane VT 49/100 55/100
54 05492 Waterville VT 49/100 68/100
55 05648 Calais VT 49/100 74/100
56 05654 Graniteville VT 49/100 79/100
57 05661 Morrisville VT 49/100 72/100
58 05772 Stockbridge VT 49/100 78/100
59 05081 Wells River VT 48/100 70/100
60 05153 Proctorsville VT 48/100 55/100
61 05301 Brattleboro VT 48/100 75/100
62 05825 Coventry VT 48/100 75/100
63 05829 Derby VT 48/100 76/100
64 05850 Lyndon Center VT 48/100 63/100
65 05050 Mc Indoe Falls VT 47/100 63/100
66 05161 Weston VT 47/100 55/100
67 05488 Swanton VT 47/100 70/100
68 05649 East Barre VT 47/100 78/100
69 05658 Marshfield VT 47/100 78/100
70 05669 Roxbury VT 47/100 82/100
71 05052 North Hartland VT 46/100 80/100
72 05062 Reading VT 46/100 63/100
73 05252 East Arlington VT 46/100 63/100
74 05343 Jamaica VT 46/100 78/100
75 05351 South Newfane VT 46/100 63/100
76 05356 West Dover VT 46/100 73/100
77 05440 Alburgh VT 46/100 91/100
78 05447 East Berkshire VT 46/100 81/100
79 05679 Williamstown VT 46/100 82/100
80 05702 Rutland VT 46/100 78/100
81 05739 Danby VT 46/100 79/100
82 05822 Barton VT 46/100 64/100
83 05855 Newport VT 46/100 78/100
84 05038 Chelsea VT 45/100 77/100
85 05043 East Thetford VT 45/100 78/100
86 05201 Bennington VT 45/100 55/100
87 05254 Manchester VT 45/100 77/100
88 05355 Wardsboro VT 45/100 55/100
89 05671 Waterbury VT 45/100 79/100
90 05819 Saint Johnsbury VT 45/100 76/100
91 05866 Sheffield VT 45/100 78/100
92 05069 South Ryegate VT 44/100 55/100
93 05155 South Londonderry VT 44/100 75/100
94 05464 Jeffersonville VT 44/100 78/100
95 05738 Cuttingsville VT 44/100 78/100
96 05826 Craftsbury VT 44/100 78/100
97 05903 Canaan VT 44/100 77/100
98 05146 Grafton VT 43/100 55/100
99 05260 North Pownal VT 43/100 63/100
100 05841 Greensboro VT 43/100 82/100

Methodology

The Home Purchase Risk Score combines environmental hazards that create unexpected costs for homebuyers: water system violations requiring filtration, lead service lines requiring replacement, radon requiring mitigation systems, flood zones requiring insurance, and aging infrastructure requiring upgrades. 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: 2026-07-19.

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 pipe infrastructure and EPA 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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