Moving to Grafton, Vermont

Grafton is a small town located in the southwestern part of Vermont, nestled in the Green Mountains. With a population of just under 500 people, Grafton encompasses a rural, peaceful atmosphere.

The village center of Grafton is home to a variety of shops and businesses, including cafes, restaurants, and art galleries. The Grafton Historical Society Museum is also located here, preserving the town’s history. The village center is also home to the Grafton Inn, which has been an active part of the community since 1801. Every summer, the inn hosts a variety of events such as concerts and plays in its outdoor theater.

The surrounding area offers plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities for visitors and locals alike. There are miles of trails for hiking and biking throughout the area’s forests, hillsides and mountains. In addition to trails for biking and hiking there are also several ski resorts nearby offering skiing and snowboarding during winter months.

Grafton’s landscape is dotted with farms that grow various crops such as corn, hay, apples and pumpkins throughout the year. During autumn months visitors can pick their own pumpkins from local farms or take hay rides around town to take in all the fall colors.

One of Grafton’s most popular attractions is its covered bridge that spans across Saxtons River near downtown Grafton Village Center. This bridge was built in 1880 by Charles Austin Broughton using traditional timber framing techniques; it has since been designated as a National Historic Landmark by the National Park Service in 1977 due to its historical significance.

In addition to its rich history, culture and natural beauty; Grafton offers plenty of other attractions such as art galleries showcasing local artists’ work or antique shops with unique finds from days past among other things making it an ideal destination for those looking for something off-the-beaten-path but still close enough to larger towns like Bellows Falls or Brattleboro if more amenities are desired during their stay in Vermont’s beautiful countryside.

Population: 649. Estimated population in July 2024: 635 (-2.2% change)
Males: 346 (53.3%), Females: 303 (46.7%)

Windham County

Demographics

Median resident age: 46.0 years
Median household income: $42,312
Median house value: $98,800

Population by Race

Races in Grafton:

  • White Non-Hispanic (98.5%)
  • Hispanic (0.8%)

Ancestries: English (15.1%), Irish (12.3%), United States (12.3%), French (8.3%), German (6.0%), Scottish (5.1%).

Elevation: 841 feet

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Grafton

  • High school or higher: 83.0%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 25.8%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 9.6%
  • Unemployed: 4.4%
  • Mean travel time to work: 24.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Grafton town

  • Never married: 17.2%
  • Now married: 66.4%
  • Separated: 0.8%
  • Widowed: 6.2%
  • Divorced: 9.4%

5.9% Foreign born (2.9% Europe, 1.4% North America, 1.2% Latin America).

Population change in the 1990s: +45 (+7.5%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Grafton:

  • GRACE COTTAGE HOSPITAL (about 10 miles; TOWNSHEND, VT)
  • SPRINGFIELD HOSPITAL INC (about 13 miles; SPRINGFIELD, VT)
  • BRATTLEBORO MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 23 miles; BRATTLEBORO, VT)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Grafton:

  • RUTLAND STATE (about 33 miles; RUTLAND, VT; Abbreviation: RUT)
  • WESTOVER ARB/METROPOLITAN (about 69 miles; SPRINGFIELD/CHICOPEE, MA; Abbreviation: CEF)
  • FLOYD BENNETT MEMORIAL (about 70 miles; GLENS FALLS, NY; Abbreviation: GFL)

Other public-use airports nearest to Grafton:

  • NORTH WINDHAM (about 8 miles; LONDONDERRY, VT; Abbreviation: 3N3)
  • HARTNESS STATE (SPRINGFIELD) (about 13 miles; SPRINGFIELD, VT; Abbreviation: VSF)
  • CLAREMONT MUNI (about 22 miles; CLAREMONT, NH; Abbreviation: CNH)

Amtrak stations near Grafton:

  • 12 miles: BELLOWS FALLS (DEPOT ST.). Services: enclosed waiting area, public restrooms, public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for taxi service.
  • 18 miles: OKEMO (LUDLOW, OKEMO MOUNTAIN) – Seasonal Bus Station

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Grafton:

  • KEENE STATE COLLEGE (about 30 miles; KEENE, NH; Full-time enrollment: 4,049)
  • DARTMOUTH COLLEGE (about 45 miles; HANOVER, NH; Full-time enrollment: 5,309)
  • WILLIAMS COLLEGE (about 54 miles; WILLIAMSTOWN, MA; Full-time enrollment: 2,047)
  • UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS-AMHERST (about 56 miles; AMHERST, MA; Full-time enrollment: 21,468)
  • SMITH COLLEGE (about 59 miles; NORTHAMPTON, MA; Full-time enrollment: 3,053)
  • MOUNT WACHUSETT COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 60 miles; GARDNER, MA; Full-time enrollment: 2,023)
  • MOUNT HOLYOKE COLLEGE (about 65 miles; SOUTH HADLEY, MA; Full-time enrollment: 2,029)

Public primary/middle school in Grafton:

  • GRAFTON ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 76; Location: 58 SCHOOL STREET; Grades: KG – 06)

Libraries

Library in Grafton:

  • GRAFTON PUBLIC (Operating income: $33,400; Location: PO BOX 129, 204 MAIN ST.; 30,619 books; 134 audio materials; 69 video materials; 17 serial subscriptions)