Chittenden County’s population grew 7.5% over the past decade, according to 2020 census data released this month.
Although 7.5% may seem a significant number, planners and other experts say the growth in what was already Vermont’s most populous county was quite manageable, and cities and towns have been able to keep up without too much trouble.
“The census numbers were consistent with the projections for Chittenden County,” said Charles Baker, executive director of the Chittenden County Regional Planning Commission. “All of our towns have been working to provide infrastructure with the growth that we’re expecting.”
Essex, South Burlington and Williston had the largest population increases by percentages. Essex increased by 2,507, or 12.8%, South Burlington grew by 13.3%, adding 2,388 people to the city. Williston’s population rose 16.2%, or 1,405 people.
Officials in the county had projected that level of growth and prepared for it, looking into how to handle issues such as transportation, greenhouse gas emissions, and racial equity as the population grew, Baker said.
For example, regional planners encourage infill — steering new construction toward already urbanized areas, which already have sewer systems, public transportation and other infrastructure.
“That helps our transportation issue,” said Baker. “More housing near bus lines, more riders, more people using bike paths and sidewalks.”
Paul Connor, South Burlington’s director of planning and zoning, said the city has long positioned itself for population growth.
“We’re in an area well served by transport, water and sewer, and electricity,” Connor said. “It’s not surprising to us that this is a popular place to live and work.”
The city looks decades ahead to project how its infrastructure will withstand time and population growth, Connor said. It regularly tracks sewer plant capacity, has strict stormwater regulations, and plans to deal with historic flooding. It also works with regional planners to coordinate across the area.
Richard Watts, a UVM professor who is an expert in economics, natural resource planning, and community development, said that the new census data underscores one of the state’s demographic challenges — that, as growth steadily continues in Chittenden County, towns in the rest of Vermont are largely losing population.
Watts said it’s important to encourage people to move to town centers in communities where the populations are shrinking.
“We need to keep driving population growth into designated cities and towns that have adequate sewage, water and transportation,” he said, where growth can be accommodated more easily because the basic infrastructure is already in place.
Watts noted that, through the American Rescue Plan Act and funds from a federal infrastructure bill, communities across the state will have additional money in hand to make changes they need to support population growth and build up their town centers.
Although Baker told mostly a sunny success story of sustainable, thoughtful growth in Chittenden County, housing is an exception. The area wasn’t ready for the population increase it absorbed.
“We haven’t gotten to a healthy housing market,” he said. “Vacancy rates are really low, which drives up pricing. There is still a lot more need for housing to address demand. For people to be able to work in Chittenden County, they need a place to live.”
