Topography

The Rutland region lies among beautiful lakes and streams, encircled by mountains at about 540 feet above sea level. It encompasses 939 square miles, with the highest peak being Mount Killington at 4,235 feet. The Green Mountain National Forest to the east includes Killington and Pico Peak, with Bird's Eye and the northern end of the Taconics to the west. The broad valley contains rich agriculture fields, orchards, pastures and meadows, and fine buildings.

Population & Income

The population of Rutland County as of 2001 is 63,516 with the City of Rutland making up the majority of that at 17,309 (2000 census figures). The City population has decreased since the 1980 census but the county population has increased indicating that more people choose to live in the surrounding area and commute to the city for work.

According to the U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Census, the Rutland County population is projected to increase 7% by the year 2010, as compared to a statewide growth of 5.7%. Statewide, the projection is a 12.6% increase or 71,042 people.

Taxes

The State of Vermont has a 6% sales tax and a 9% rooms and meals tax. The city of Rutland also has a 1% rooms/meals & entertainment tax. The state income tax is coupled to the Federal tax and is 25% of the federal tax liability. Property taxes are the primary source of revenue for local governments and school districts with varying rates for each town.

Real Estate

A broad spectrum of housing is available in the Rutland region, from early 19th century farmhouses to ultra modern condominiums. Prices vary from one town to another, but homes are considered a good buy when compared to urban areas. Apartment rents fall between $600 and $750, and house rentals are available with prices around $800.

Sample Average Prices 3rd quarter - 2000

Single Family Home	$150,300
Multi Family Home	$94,363
Townhouses	$90,500
Mobile Homes	$27,790

Utilities

Electrical needs of the region are served by Central Vermont Public Service Corporation - an investor-owned company. Portions of the county are also served by Vermont Marble Power Division of Omya. Coal, fuel oil and bottled gas are readily available from many area dealers.

Verizon serves 16 of the county's towns with VTel serving the others.

Water supply systems vary from town to town, with rural landowners relying on drilled or artisan wells. Most municipalities now provide both water and sewage treatment facilities as well.

Transportation

Rutland is situated at the junction of two main highways, Route 7 and Route 4, crossing Vermont from north to south and east to west.

The Rutland State Airport, five miles south of the city, has complete fixed base operator Columbia Air Service services including: instruction, tie downs, aircraft rentals, preheating, deicing and fuel. Continental Connection operated by CommutAir provides commuter service with three flights daily to Boston. A new terminal building and expanded parking make the facility a convenient and modern one.

Amtrak provides scheduled passenger service to New York City. Railroad freight service is available throughout the area and a number of trucking companies offer prompt, reasonable service. Vermont Transit offers intrastate as well as interstate service and Marble Valley Regional Transit District "The Bus" provides local transportation on set routes.

Human Services

The Rutland Regional Medical Center is a comprehensive medical/surgical hospital offering a wide variety of services and specialized care. A full service emergency department, staffed by a team of qualified nursing and health care professionals and physicians trained in emergency medicine, operates 24-hours a day. The hospital offers a wide range of in-patient and out-patient services and has a high quality of medical care.

The range of services provided and the physicians available to provide those services has qualified the Rutland Regional Medical Center as a Medicare-designated Rural Referral Center.

A regional ambulance service is available to serve emergency services and outlying towns have volunteer rescue squads.

Four licensed nursing homes have a capacity of over 400 patients. Other health services include the Vermont Achievement Center for special needs children, Rutland Area Community Services, Rutland Area Visiting Nurses Association, Southern Vermont Women's Health Center, Community Health Plan, Convenient Medical Center, and Planned Parenthood. Comprehensive services are available throughout the region with many medical and dental specialties represented.

Media

The Rutland region is served by a daily newspaper, the Rutland Herald, with a circulation of 22,000. In cooperation with the Barre Times Argus it also publishes a Sunday paper with statewide distribution. Also published in the area are some weeklies: The Mountain Times, Sam's Good News, Rutland Tribune, as well as a monthly, The Rutland Business Journal.

Excellent radio coverage is available from the following stations: Vermont Public Radio VPR 88.9 FM, Cat Country WJAN 94.5 FM, WEBK 105.3 FM, WHDQ Q106 FM, WJJR 98.1 FM, WVNR 1340 AM, WZRT 97.1 FM, WSYB 1380 AM, WEXP-101.5FM The Fox

An expanded cable system and the availability of satellite dishes brings a wide variety of programming into the Rutland region. Local TV news channels covering the area are WCAX Channel 3, WPTZ Channel 5, WNNE Channel 31, The WB/WWIN TV and Community Access Channels 15, 20 & 21.

Average Temperatures

Month	Hi	Low
January	25	08
February	27	09
March	38	21
April	53	33
May	66	44
June	76	54
July	80	59
August	78	57
September	69	49
October	57	39
November	44	30
December	30	15

(Weather Bureau - Burlington, VT)

Motor Vehicle Information

Motor vehicle liability insurance is mandatory in the State of Vermont. Proof of insurance should be carried with you at all times. A Motor Vehicle Department office is located next to the State Police office on McKinley Avenue in Rutland. Services include picture licensing, registration and permit/licensing exams. For more information call 802-828-2000.

Seat Belt Use Is Not Only Required - It's the Law!

Rutland County Town Clerks

Benson	802-537-2611
Brandon	802-247-5721
Castleton	802-468-2212
Chittenden	802-483-6647
Clarendon	802-775-4274
Danby	802-293-5136
Fair Haven	802-265-3610
Hubbardton	802-273-2951
Ira	802-235-2480
Mendon	802-775-1662
Middletown Springs	802-235-2220
Mount Holly	802-259-2391
Mount Tabor	802-293-5282
Pawlet	802-325-3309
Pittsfield	802-746-8170
Pittsford	802-483-2931
Poultney	802-287-5761
Proctor	802-459-3333
Rutland City	802-773-1800
Rutland Town	802-773-2528
Sherburne (Killington)	802-422-3234
Shrewsbury	802-775-5689
Sudbury	802-623-7296
Tinmouth	802-446-2460
Wallingford	802-446-2336
Wells	802-645-0188
West Haven	802-265-4589
West Rutland	802-438-2204

Churches

Rutland County hosts the following churches:

10 Catholic Churches	1 The Salvation Army
7 United Churches of Christ	1 Unitarian Universalist Church
6 Baptist Churches	1 Jewish Synagogue
2 Lutheran Churches	1 Non-Denominational
2 Methodist Churches	1 Church of Latter Day Saints
1 Bible Church	1 Jehovah Witness Kingdom Hall
1 Christian & Missionary Alliance	1 Episcopal Church
1 Christian Science	1 Greek Orthodox