Chittenden is a rural mountain town convenient to urban amenities
Chittenden is a small Rutland County town located in the rural hillsides of central Vermont. In terms of geographic size, Chittenden is the largest town in the state. However, despite covering an area of roughly 74 square miles, the U.S. Census Bureau reported that hardly more than 1,200 residents were living in the town as of 2020. Most of the population lives on the town’s more developed western side; accessing the eastern side is made difficult by a mountain ridge that splits Chittenden vertically in half. “This area is part of the greater Green Mountains region, often just called ‘the Greens’ by locals,” says Alison Cummings, a local Realtor and Principal Broker/Owner of Cummings & Co. Real Estate Services.
Chittenden is mostly residential aside from some municipal buildings, community farms and local establishments like Mount Top Inn. But residents here aren’t looking for commercial activity. They’re drawn to the town’s outdoor destinations and natural attractions. Chittenden residents also have proximity to several Vermont ski resorts located in the surrounding Green Mountains range. “The mountains can offer employment at these ski areas, sure, but a lot of people also work for their own personal businesses, which includes things like plowing companies, which are pretty common around here,” Cummings says. “People might also commute to work in Rutland, which has large employers like hospitals.” The city of Rutland is only 10 miles south, or a 20-minute drive, and offers urban amenities for shopping, dining, entertainment and much more. Chittenden receives an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, which is the lowest score possible on the index and significantly lower than the national average overall score of 4.
Custom-built homes in the Green Mountains
Driveways branch off Chittenden’s backcountry roads and connect people to the town’s residential properties, which often border forests and open fields. Homes in this area were mostly built during the mid-to-late 20th century and come with spacious rural lots that vary in size, though the median lot size in town exceeds 50,000 square feet. Chittenden has a median home price of $580,000, and new listings only spend an average of 21 days on the market before selling, less than half the national average. Classic ranch-styles, bungalows and contemporary Craftsman homes typically range from $150,000 to $450,000 in Chittenden, while custom-built farmhouses, log cabins and colonial-styles on larger lots will often cost between $500,000 and $950,000.
Hiking trails in Chittenden and ski slopes at Killington
Chittenden residents can access abundant outdoor spaces and recreational destinations throughout the town and the surrounding Green Mountains range. Local hiking trails line some of the area’s streams, including East Brook and Furnace Brook. East Brook’s waters flow from the Chittenden Reservoir, an elevated 721-acre lake perched on the mountainside. A hiking trail that loops around the reservoir is nearly 8 miles long. Located just south of the reservoir, Lefferts Pond has hiking trails that also accommodate horseback riding and mountain biking. Trail networks also weave through the sprawling Chittenden Town Forest and Green Mountain National Forest.
As the winter approaches and snow begins to fall, skiers and snowboarders flock to resorts across the Green Mountains range. The closest ski resort, Pico Mountain, is a 20-minute drive from Chittenden and can accommodate all skill levels with several dozen trail options. Pico Mountain sits directly north of the iconic Killington ski area, a separate resort that still partners with Pico Mountain for season passes. Nicknamed the “Beast of the East,” Killington is the eastern United States’ largest ski area packed with 150-plus trails. Cummings describes Killington as Vermont’s place to be for winter skiing and experiencing the resort town lifestyle – and Chittenden residents are less than a half-hour drive away.
Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union serves eight rural towns
Chittenden is one of eight towns that are served by the Rutland Northeast Supervisory Union (RNESU) school system. Prekindergarten through eighth-grade students can attend Barstow Memorial School, which is housed in a historic Chittenden schoolhouse from the 1930s and receives an A-minus rating from Niche. Otter Valley Union Middle and High School (OVUHS) is a C-rated institution that serves grades seven through 12. High school students can take dual enrollment programs and earn early college credits through the Vermont State Colleges System, which includes the Community College of Vermont and Vermont State University.
Shopping and dining in and around Chittenden
The only convenience store in Chittenden is the Wooden Barrel County Store. At this local establishment, residents can find a small selection of groceries, browse assorted artisan products or order a hot meal at the store deli, which has a short menu of soups and sandwiches. Located on 560 acres of land in Northern Chittenden, the family-owned Baird Farm has lasted four generations and is now the town’s most popular destination for out-of-town visitors. The farm is known for its award-winning maple syrup, dairy products and growing agritourism presence. Fifteen miles outside of town is Killington Village, a small but social hub below the ski area where people can find a large mix of local restaurants and late-night options. For big-box stores, national retailers and full-sized supermarkets, Chittenden residents can make the quick 10-mile trip to commercial centers in Rutland like Green Mountain Shopping Plaza and Rutland Plaza Shopping Mall.
Vermont’s scenic byways and major highways near Chittenden
Chittenden has no major thoroughfares or busy streets, only a series of winding, low-traffic country roads that cut through the town’s hilly topography. To get to Rutland, commuters take U.S. Route 7, also known as Ethan Allen Highway, a few miles west of town. This north-south corridor runs straight through Rutland and all of New England, starting at the Connecticut coast and going up to the Canadian border. Parallel to Chittenden’s southern boundary is the east-west U.S. Route 4, also known as the Crossroad of Vermont Byway, one of 10 designated scenic byways in the state. The closest airport, Burlington International Airport, is 65 miles north of Chittenden, or an hour-and-a-half-long drive. Rutland Regional Medical Center is a general hospital with 24-hour emergency services only 8 miles away. Amtrak’s Ethan Allen Express line makes a stop at the Rutland train station and offers services to much larger cities like Burlington and New York City.
