Geographically, Montpelier was chosen because of its strategic location at the center of its state.
Montpelier’s name was based on the city Montpellier in France, in recognition of French assistance to the American colonies during the Revolutionary War.
A popular nickname for Vermont is The Green Mountain State.
Tourism is one of Montpelier’s principal businesses. Historical attractions in Vermont’s capital are the Vermont History Museum, Vermont State House, Lost Nation Theater and the Kellogg Hubbard Library.
The biggest employers in Montpelier include the State of Vermont government services, Central Vermont Medical Center, National Life Group, Sugarbush Resort for skiing, Rock of Ages granite quarry and family-owned farm cooperative Cabot Creamery.
From an international trade perspective, Vermont shipped U$3.022 billion worth of goods around the globe during 2019. Its most valuable exports include electronic integrated processors and controllers (31.1% of Vermont’s global total), miscellaneous electronic integrated circuits (25%), physical exercise equipment (2.9%), civilian aircraft engines and other parts (2.6%), amplifiers (2.4%), paper and paperboard (1.6%), rubber and plastics working machinery (1.2%), spectrometers and similar equipment (also 1.2%), infant food preparations (0.8%), and chocolate (also 0.8%) according to United States Census Bureau data.
The non-seasonally adjusted unemployment rate for Washington County, in which Montpelier is located, was 8.5% as of June 2020 up from 2.2% one year earlier.
Capital Facts for Montpelier, United States: Quick Reference
Geography
Capital landmarks: Bragg Farm Sugar House & Gift Shop, Ethan Allan Statue, Morse Farm Maple Sugarworks and the Vermont State House
Famous People
Below, you will find 10 of the most famous people born in Montpelier, United States.
- Anaïs Mitchell, singer-songwriter (born Mar. 26, 1981)
- Patrick Leahy, senior U.S. senator (born Mar. 31, 1940)
- Richard A. Cody, U.S. army general (born Aug. 2, 1950)
- Bob Yates, professional football player (born Nov. 20, 1938)
- Jim Laird, professional football running back (born Sep. 10, 1897)
- George W. Cate, Wisconsin District Attorney (born Sep. 17, 1825)
- Ruth Payne Burgess, naturalistic painter (born Oct. 11, 1965)
- Arthur E. Scott, professional photographer (born Mar. 14, 1917)
- Thomas Waterman Wood, painter (born Nov. 12, 1823)
- George Howes, Vermont treasurer (born Nov. 14, 1814)
Note: Data for our Famous People tab was sourced from Google searches of published Wikipedia articles specific to each person’s name.
Population
Demonym for a Montpelier resident: Montpelierite
Population: 7,325 (Montpelier) at August 31, 2020
Density: 732 people per square mile (282 per square kilometer)
Population: 628,061 (Vermont state) at August 31, 2020
Density: 68 people per square mile (26 per square kilometer)
Financial
GDP: US$3.825 billion for 2018 (Washington County, Vermont)
GDP per person: $65,859
Note: The above GDP metrics are on a current basis and are in U.S. dollars.
Official currency used in Montpelier: U.S. dollars
Research
Research Sources:
Brookings Institution, Global Metro Monitor Report (includes GDP data).
City-Data.com, Montpelier: Economy.
Dilemma X, U.S. Census Bureau metropolitan population estimates July 1, 2016.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Total Gross Domestic Product for Washington County, VT.
Federal Reserve Bank of St. Louis, Unemployment Rate in Washington County, VT.
Forbes Global 2000, The World’s Biggest Public Companies.
Guinness World Records, Largest sea turtle ever.
Nations Online, Capital Cities of the USA.
Numbeo, Quality of Life Index by City.
Official Government Website, City of Montpelier official website.
United States Census Bureau, Foreign Trade: State by 6-Digit HS Code and Top Countries.
United States Census Bureau, State Population Totals Tables: 2010-2016.
United States Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics, Local Area Unemployment Statistics: Seasonally Adjusted Metropolitan Area Estimates.
U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Economic Analysis, Gross Domestic Product by Metropolitan Area, 2015 (Tables Only).
Vermont Department of Labor, Labor Force by LMA–with employment and unemployment.
Wikimedia Commons, Vermont state flag.
Wikipedia, Montpelier, Vermont.
Wikipedia, List of Metropolitan Statistical Areas.
Wikipedia, Vermont.
Wikipedia, Washington County, Vermont.
World Population Review, Vermont Population.
Montpelierites celebrate Independence Day as a national holiday each July 4.
Montpelier’s land area occupies 10.05 square miles (26.04 square kilometers). The Vermont state capital’s population was an estimated 7,325 Montpelierites at August 31, 2020.
The state of Vermont covers a land area equal to 9,250 square miles (23,957.4 square kilometers) with an overall population of 628,061 inhabitants.
Montpelier’s population density is more concentrated averaging 732 residents per square mile (282 per square kilometer).
Zooming out to Vermont state land boundaries, population density drops to an average 68 people per square mile (26 per square kilometer).
