Burlington, VT
Community Dashboard
This dashboard shows a live, representative picture of what Burlington residents are thinking and feeling — based on answers from verified residents across the city.
Over the past ninety days, Burlington residents consistently raised concerns about transportation, education, and the cost of housing — while appreciating the city’s bike paths, parks, and summer concert series.
Most Tagged Issues
The sum of all tags applied to all responses received over the past 90 days. Provides a strong sense of the community’s priorities.
Top Themes
Clusters of resident responses surfaced through thematic analysis — each anchored by the most representative quote and two supporting perspectives.
#1 Theme:Housing
Sustainable Housing
More focus on environmentally sustainable housing.
What people are saying:
#2 Theme:Safety
Downtown Safety
Concerns about public safety, particularly downtown.
What people are saying:
#3 Theme:Families
Childcare Crisis
Working parents struggle to find affordable childcare.
What people are saying:
Resident Ideas
Concrete proposals surfaced by residents in open-response questions, categorized by the issue area they most closely address.
Convert Empty Storefronts to Pop-Up Markets
Use vacant Church Street spaces for rotating local vendor pop-ups, reducing blight while supporting small businesses.
Community Land Trust Expansion
Expand the Champlain Housing Trust model to keep more homes permanently affordable.
Late-Night Community Safety Ambassadors
Trained civilian ambassadors on Church Street evenings, providing help and de-escalation without police.
Appreciations
What residents love about Burlington. Balances the report's focus on problems with what's already working.
