There are 14 counties in Vermont: (1) Addison; (2) Bennington; (3)Caledonia; (4) Chittenden; (5) Essex; (6) Franklin; (7) Grand Isle; (8) Lamoille; (9) Orange; (10) Orleans; (11) Rutland; (12) Washington; (13) Windham; (14) Windsor.
There are no county governments in Vermont, but there are County officials such as judges and sherrifs. Vermont cities and towns have independent municipal governments. However, in many counties there is some consolidation at the school level, particularly at the high school level.
Each county is defined by geographic boundary lines rather than a minimum or set number of cities and towns. The counties are situated in the following parts of Vermont:
- Northwestern Vermont Counties - Addison, Chittenden, Franklin and Grand Isle.
- Northcentral Vermont Counties - Lamoille, Orleans and Washington
- Southwest Vermont Counties - Bennington and Rutland
The most populated cities and towns by county are:
Addison - Bristol, Middlebury and Vergennes
Bennington - Bennington and Shaftsbury
Caledonia - Lyndon and Saint Johnsbury
Chittenden - Burlington, Colchester, Essex and South Burlington
Essex - Brighton and Lunenburg
Franklin - Georgia, Swanton and Saint Albans
Grand Isle - Alburgh, Grand Isle and South Hero
Lamoille - Johnson, Morristown and Stowe
Orange - Randolph and Williamstown
Rutland -Brandon, Castleton and Rutland
Washington - Barre, Montpelier and Waterbury
Windham - Brattleboro and Rockingham (Bellows Falls and Saxtons River)
Windsor - Hartford (White River Junction), Springfield and Woodstock