Local Wiki · State overview
Local Government in Vermont
How local government works in Vermont, the kinds of local government it has, and where to look for more. For your own county or city, browse Vermont’s Local Wiki pages below.
Real local governance happens at the town level, not the county level. Towns are run by an elected selectboard, and most hold an annual town meeting (commonly in March) where residents vote directly on budgets and bylaws; the town clerk keeps records and runs elections. Vermont's counties have no legislative body, no executive, and no independent taxing authority — they exist mainly for court administration and the sheriff's office. A resident wanting a public meeting or records should contact their town's selectboard or clerk, not a county office.
Most states structure local government as a small elected commission with combined legislative and executive power over county-wide services; Vermont instead leaves counties with no governing body at all, because day-to-day municipal government was built around towns and never delegated to a county layer.
Local government in Vermont
- County governments14
The main local government across most of the state.
Browse county pages - Cities, towns & villages40
Incorporated municipalities with their own elected council or board.
Browse city & town pages - Towns237
Town governments, which cover most of the state outside its cities.
- School districts121
Independent school districts with their own elected boards. Listed on county pages where known.
- Special districts159
Single-purpose governments — fire, water, library, parks, housing, transit, and more.
Counts: U.S. Census Bureau, 2022 Census of Governments — Government Units listing. A consolidated city-county is counted once.
Continue your own research