About Poultney

Poultney, Vermont, located along the western Vermont- eastern New York border, is a vibrant community of approximately 3,600 people. Poultney is comprised of a Village, a Town, and the Lake St. Catherine region.

In 2002 the Village of Poultney earned the distinction of being recognized as a “Designated Downtown” by the State of Vermont Downtown Development Board. The Village consists of a mixture of residences, businesses, light industries, places of worship, and contains the campus of the former Green Mountain College. VIsit the Poultney Downtown Revitalization Committtee for more information on Poultney’s Designated Downtown District.

The Town of Poultney is a mix of rural lands, containing residences, businesses, agricultural endeavors, numerous slate quarry operations, and East Poultney, which contains several historic structures, places of worship, and a quintessential New England town green.

The Lake St. Catherine region contains numerous homes, lake-front homes, seasonal cottages, camps, and businesses. The area is a year-round destination for various recreational activities, including fishing, boating, swimming, ice fishing, snowshoeing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing, and snowmobiling.

Whether you live in Poultney, are just visiting the area, or are simply “passing through,” you are sure to find the people and the places of Poultney friendly and welcoming.

The Poultney Historical Society provides excellent information about the Town of Poultney. Their website is available here: http://www.poultneyhistoricalsociety.org/

Be sure to check out their Walking/Driving Brochures! These can be downloaded online, picked up at local businesses, and are available at The Stonebridge Visitor's Center. Podcasts are available on their website.

The Town of Poultney was chartered in 1761 and named after Lord William Poulteney, Earl of Bath. This Village, with East Poultney, is listed in the National Registry of Historic Places. Although simply a rest stop on the Albany to Montreal turnpike in early days, the village now includes the Town’s main business district, the homes of approximately 1,700 residents and the campus of the former Green Mountain College.

East Poultney was settled in 1771 by Ethan Allen’s cousins. His brother, Heber Allen, was the first town clerk. Its Historic District includes about 60 houses, two churches, a store and post office and three museums.

The north half of Lake St. Catherine is within the Town’s boundaries, and has been recognized as a vacation resort for over 100 years. Although the lakeshore is mostly in private ownership, the State Park and campground on the east side of the Lake provides campsites, picnic areas and swimming facilities for general public use. An exceptional expanse of wild and undeveloped land lies in the Northeast sector of the Town and is characterized by mountain peaks, steep slopes and a high ridge line.

Poultney has a varied natural environment. It is bounded on the west by the Poultney River. Its land boundaries range from elevations of 500 feet or less to 2,320 feet elevation at Spruce Knob on the east boundary. Several small streams ripple through the hills to the east and flow west to the Poultney River or to Lake St. Catherine. The Bozeck Marsh Wildlife Management Area (96 acres) is located about halfway between the Village and the Lake south of Route 30. The Bird Mountain Wildlife Management Area (350 acres) is located in the northwest corner of Poultney. The Dean Nature Preserve is east of the lake and encompasses the row of prominent cliffs that extend into the Town of Wells.

Government is divided into Village and Town components. Poultney Village is governed by an elected 5-member Board of Trustees. The Town is governed by an elected 5-member Board of Selectmen. Day-to-day administration is provided by a Town Manager; and in the Village, by a Village Manager.

Village facilities include a sewage treatment facility, a water system, the Village offices and 5 miles of streets. Village offices are located at 177 Main Street. Town facilities include a library, a visitor center that also houses important service organizations, a senior center, a highway department garage and the solid waste transfer station and recycling center. Town offices are located at 9 Main Street.

Recreation opportunities are plentiful. The Town’s Recreation Commission provides a year- round program for children and adults. Many private organizations also provide social and recreational opportunities. Slate Valley Trails, the Delaware and Hudson (D&H) Rail Trail, local rivers and streams and Lake St. Catherine provide exceptional outdoor recreational opportunities. In the winter, the Vermont Association of Snow Travelers (VAST) uses the D&H Rail Trail and connects to an extensive system of trails.

During the past century Poultney’s population has fluctuated significantly, from a high of 3,699 in 1910, to a low of 2,781 in 1940. The most current census of 2020 reported a population of 3020, a decrease from the 2010 census (3,432). Poultney’s population changes have generally coincided with population changes in the County and State.

While population projections estimate that Poultney’s population will continue to decrease slightly over the next decade, trends show that a shift to a larger elderly population will also occur. In recent years, Poultney has invested in outdoor recreation as a primary economic driver to enhance quality of life and to attract new residents and businesses.

More Poultney residents are receiving formal education. The population with four or more years of higher education increased from 21.0% of the total population 25 years old and older in 1990 to 29% in 2000.

Changes in income are effective ways to assess the economic health of the people of a community. Tracking the number of individuals and families living in poverty is another method of understanding the local and regional economic situation. Real per capita income is projected to keep increasing for the Town of Poultney.

Poultney is a very historic community that has retained many of its original buildings. The Town’s housing stock is among the oldest in the county. Fifty percent of Poultney’s residences were built before 1939, according to the US Census. Because of this, housing availability and affordability is based not only on the number of units of housing in the Town but the condition of the housing stock as well.

The Town of Poultney is located in the southwestern part of Rutland County, 17 miles from Rutland, 35 miles from Glens Falls, NY and 80 miles from Albany, NY. The historic Poultney Village is within the town’s 44 square miles.