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As we enter 2026, the challenges women face in the workforce continue to evolve, yet disparities persist in various aspects, including pay, leadership roles, and healthcare access. Despite advancements, women in the United States still encounter significant hurdles compared to their male counterparts, making it crucial to examine local conditions that impact their quality of life and opportunities.
Following our analysis of the worst states for women, we focused on Vermont to identify the cities where women experience the greatest obstacles. The results show that geography plays a crucial role in these disparities.
Continue reading to discover how each city ranks and the criteria we used to evaluate the worst places for women in Vermont.
The 10 Worst Cities To Be A Woman In Vermont
- Brattleboro
- Winooski
- Bennington
- Burlington
- Essex Junction
- Rutland
- St. Johnsbury
- St. Albans
- Barre
- South Burlington
These are the 10 worst cities for women in Vermont. Keep reading to learn about the specific challenges faced by women in these locations, or skip ahead to see the top cities for women in Vermont.
Methodology – How We Determined The Worst Cities For Women In Vermont
Each city was evaluated based on four key metrics:
- Percentage of Women in Management (lower is worse)
- Percentage of Women in Poverty (higher is worse)
- Income ratio of women to men (lower is worse)
- Percentage of Uninsured Women (lower is worse)
To assess the income gap between women and men by city, we referenced the Census’ American Community Survey. This analysis involved calculating the median income for male and female earners to derive the earnings ratio.
For the percentage of women in poverty, we sourced data from the ACS, focusing specifically on women living alone, which often reflects a higher poverty rate. This allows for a clearer understanding of the economic challenges women face independently.
We examined the percentage of women in management roles from the ACS to highlight opportunities for women in leadership positions, a crucial factor for career advancement.
Finally, we used ACS data to determine the percentage of uninsured women in each city.
Our analysis focused on cities in Vermont with populations exceeding 5,000.
1. Brattleboro
Women’s Earnings Per Male Dollar: $0.46
Women in Management: 31.3%
Women in Poverty: 27.2%
Uninsured Women: 4.5%
Brattleboro ranks as the worst city for women in Vermont, with low scores across all evaluated metrics. The high poverty and uninsured rates highlight significant struggles faced by women in this community.
2. Winooski
Women’s Earnings Per Male Dollar: $0.80
Women in Management: 30.2%
Women in Poverty: 31.7%
Uninsured Women: 4.1%
Winooski ranks as the second worst city for women, reflecting high poverty rates and limited representation in management roles.
3. Bennington
Women’s Earnings Per Male Dollar: $0.77
Women in Management: 51.0%
Women in Poverty: 19.0%
Uninsured Women: 5.5%
While Bennington has a higher percentage of women in management, the poverty rate remains concerning, indicating ongoing economic challenges.
4. Burlington
Women’s Earnings Per Male Dollar: $0.71
Women in Management: 44.4%
Women in Poverty: 25.6%
Uninsured Women: 2.7%
Burlington ranks fourth, with a significant percentage of women living in poverty despite having a relatively low uninsured rate.
5. Essex Junction
Women’s Earnings Per Male Dollar: $0.67
Women in Management: 39.3%
Women in Poverty: 6.1%
Uninsured Women: 3.7%
Essex Junction, while showing some improvement, still presents challenges for women, particularly in management opportunities.
6. Rutland
Women’s Earnings Per Male Dollar: $0.72
Women in Management: 36.9%
Women in Poverty: 13.8%
Uninsured Women: 2.7%
Rutland ranks sixth, where women face a concerning poverty rate and limited representation in management.
7. St. Johnsbury
Women’s Earnings Per Male Dollar: $0.84
Women in Management: 45.8%
Women in Poverty: 14.4%
Uninsured Women: 5.4%
St. Johnsbury struggles with high poverty rates and limited health insurance coverage for women, making economic advancement difficult.
8. St. Albans
Women’s Earnings Per Male Dollar: $0.66
Women in Management: 47.3%
Women in Poverty: 9.1%
Uninsured Women: 3.6%
St. Albans presents challenges, particularly with a significant earnings gap for women compared to men, contributing to economic vulnerability.
9. Barre
Women’s Earnings Per Male Dollar: $0.92
Women in Management: 62.1%
Women in Poverty: 29.7%
Uninsured Women: 2.9%
Barre has the highest percentage of women in management but also a considerable poverty rate, highlighting the need for economic improvement.
10. South Burlington
Women’s Earnings Per Male Dollar: $0.77
Women in Management: 46.9%
Women in Poverty: 6.4%
Uninsured Women: 2.7%
South Burlington ranks tenth, with improvements in some areas but still facing challenges for women, particularly regarding economic security.
Summary On Worst Cities to Be A Woman In Vermont
This analysis highlights the cities in Vermont where women face the most significant challenges. Despite progress in many areas, these locations present unique obstacles that women must navigate. While individual experiences vary, the data underscores the need for ongoing efforts to improve conditions for women across the state.
As we reflect on the disparities, it’s clear that while some cities show promise, others require immediate attention to address systemic issues affecting women’s lives.
Detailed List Of The Worst Cities For Women In Vermont
| Rank | Place | Pay Gap |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Brattleboro | $0.46 |
| 2 | Winooski | $0.80 |
| 3 | Bennington | $0.77 |
| 4 | Burlington | $0.71 |
| 5 | Essex Junction | $0.67 |
| 6 | Rutland | $0.72 |
| 7 | St. Johnsbury | $0.84 |
| 8 | St. Albans | $0.66 |
| 9 | Barre | $0.92 |
| 10 | South Burlington | $0.77 |
| 11 | Montpelier | $0.79 |
Author
Kathy is the head of content at Zippia with a knack for engaging audiences. Prior to joining Zippia, Kathy worked at Gateway Blend growing audiences across diverse brands. She graduated from Troy University with a degree in Social Science Education.
