Moving to Bridgewater, Vermont

by btobers · Published July 1, 2019 · Updated November 18, 2024

Bridgewater, Vermont is located in the heart of the Green Mountains and is part of Windsor County. It has a population of just over 1,000 and is a small but vibrant community. The climate in Bridgewater is typical for the region with cold winters and mild summers. Snowfall can be quite heavy during the winter months, but it rarely accumulates to more than two feet at once. The city has a rich history that dates back to the early 1700s when it was first settled by Europeans. It remained an agricultural center for many years until industrialization began to take hold in the late 19th century. The economy of Bridgewater relies heavily on tourism as well as small businesses such as restaurants, shops, and antique stores.

The school system in Bridgewater consists of two elementary schools and one high school, which are all highly rated according to various surveys conducted by local newspapers. There are also several higher education opportunities nearby, including colleges and universities that offer degree programs in business, engineering, education, and other areas of study.

Bridgewater has many notable landmarks that visitors should check out while visiting the city. One such landmark is the historic Town Hall building which was built in 1819 and still stands today as a reminder of Bridgewater’s past. Another popular destination is the Quechee Gorge which overlooks a deep ravine filled with stunning beauty that can be seen from various points along its rim trail. Lastly, visitors should make sure to check out the historic bridge crossing over Otter Creek which was constructed in 1876 and remains standing today as a symbol of resilience through time.

Population: 980. Estimated population in July 2024: 956 (-2.4% change)
Males: 497 (50.7%), Females: 483 (49.3%)

Windsor County

Demographics

Median resident age: 41.0 years
Median household income: $39,107
Median house value: $94,100

Population by Race

Races in Bridgewater:

White Non-Hispanic (98.4%)
American Indian (0.8%)
Two or more races (0.7%)

Ancestries: English (28.9%), Irish (12.4%), Italian (11.1%), German (10.5%), French (10.3%), United States (8.0%).

Elevation: 834 feet

Population by Education

Bridgewater, Vermont is a small town located in Windsor County. As of the 2020 census, the population of Bridgewater was 1,068 people. The majority of the population is white (92%), followed by Asian (2.2%), African American (1.7%), and Hispanic or Latino (1.4%). The median age in Bridgewater is 45 years old and most of the residents are married couples with children (47%). The average household size is 2.48 and the average family size is 3.10 people. The median income for households in Bridgewater was $53,921 in 2019 and the per capita income was $24,622.

The majority of Bridgewater’s workforce consists of professionals in education and health services (21%) followed by retail trade (15%) and manufacturing (12%). These are followed by accommodation and food services (7%), construction (6%) and finance/insurance/real estate/rental leasing at 5%. In addition to these industries, there are also many small businesses located within Bridgewater’s limits including cafes, restaurants, shops, galleries, salons, antique stores and more that provide additional employment opportunities for residents as well as attract tourists to the area.

The town has an excellent school system with three elementary schools; one middle school; one high school; two private schools; one community college; plus numerous day-care centers throughout town to meet all educational needs for children from kindergarten through college age students. There are also several recreational activities available such as hiking trails along the White River; camping at nearby lakes; fishing spots; swimming pools; tennis courts; basketball courts; a golf course; a ski resort nearby and much more!

For population 25 years and over in Bridgewater

High school or higher: 85.5%
Bachelor’s degree or higher: 23.6%
Graduate or professional degree: 7.2%
Unemployed: 5.2%
Mean travel time to work: 21.2 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Bridgewater town

Never married: 22.6%
Now married: 59.3%
Separated: 1.6%
Widowed: 6.6%
Divorced: 9.9%

1.4% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +67 (+7.3%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Bridgewater:

MT ASCUTNEY HOSPITAL (about 16 miles; WINDSOR, VT)
SPRINGFIELD HOSPITAL INC (about 23 miles; SPRINGFIELD, VT)
RUTLAND REGIONAL MEDICAL CENTER (about 24 miles; RUTLAND, VT)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Bridgewater:

RUTLAND STATE (about 22 miles; RUTLAND, VT; Abbreviation: RUT)
FLOYD BENNETT MEMORIAL (about 70 miles; GLENS FALLS, NY; Abbreviation: GFL)
BURLINGTON INTL (about 71 miles; BURLINGTON, VT; Abbreviation: BTV)

Other public-use airports nearest to Bridgewater:

HARTNESS STATE (SPRINGFIELD) (about 20 miles; SPRINGFIELD, VT; Abbreviation: VSF)
CLAREMONT MUNI (about 24 miles; CLAREMONT, NH; Abbreviation: CNH)
NORTH WINDHAM (about 27 miles; LONDONDERRY, VT; Abbreviation: 3N3)

Amtrak stations near Bridgewater:

14 miles: KILLINGTON (RTE 4) – Seasonal Bus Station. Services: fully wheelchair accessible, enclosed waiting area, public payphones, snack bar, free short-term parking, call for car rental service, call for taxi service, public transit connection.
15 miles: OKEMO (LUDLOW, OKEMO MOUNTAIN) – Seasonal Bus Station
19 miles: WINDSOR-MOUNT ASCUTNEY (WINDSOR, DEPOT AVE.). Services: public payphones, free short-term parking, free long-term parking, call for car rental service, intercity bus service.

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Bridgewater:

DARTMOUTH COLLEGE (about 28 miles; HANOVER, NH; Full-time enrollment: 5,309)
NORWICH UNIVERSITY (about 39 miles; NORTHFIELD, VT; Full-time enrollment: 2,585)
MIDDLEBURY COLLEGE (about 48 miles; MIDDLEBURY, VT; Full-time enrollment: 2,265)
KEENE STATE COLLEGE (about 52 miles; KEENE, NH; Full-time enrollment: 4,049)
UNIVERSITY OF VERMONT AND STATE AGRICULTURAL COLL (about 67 miles; BURLINGTON, VT; Full-time enrollment: 8,852)
PLYMOUTH STATE COLLEGE (about 69 miles; PLYMOUTH, NH; Full-time enrollment: 3,542)
SAINT MICHAELS COLLEGE (about 73 miles; COLCHESTER, VT; Full-time enrollment: 2,272)

Public primary/middle school in Bridgewater:

BRIDGEWATER VILLAGE SCHOOL (Students: 60; Location: ROUTE 4; Grades: PK – 06)