Exercise Increased Caution
“Reissued after periodic review with minor edits. Exercise increased caution in the United Kingdom due to terrorism.”
Updated Thu, 08 May 2025
Full advisory →Personalize Report NowTailor this report specifically to you and get the latest and most valuable insights with one click.5 districts
Is Burlington safe? 🇺🇸
United States · Safety report last updated
As of August 2026, Burlington scores 76/100 on the IsMyTripSafe composite safety index — verdict: yes — generally safe. Yes — Burlington is generally safe for visitors, but exercise increased caution in certain areas. The main risks for visitors are pickpocketing (moderate risk) and robbery (moderate risk). The U.S. State Department rates it Level 2 (Exercise Increased Caution).
Safety Report
IsMyTripSafe.com
Burlington 🇺🇸
United States · Assessed 8 August 2026
76
/ 100
Yes — generally safe
Safer than ~81% of countries
What drives this score
Crime71/100GoodCrime index 49.2 / 100
Sentiment67/100FairMixed
Advisories75Good
Stability75Good
Health78Good
01 · Official Guidance
Advisories
Good
No advisory against travel
“This travel advice also covers American Samoa, Guam, Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and United States Virgin Islands. Before you travel No travel can be guaranteed safe.”
Updated 2026-07-23T16:13:06Z
Full advisory →Exercise normal security precautions
“Canada's official risk level for United States: exercise normal security precautions.”
Updated 2026-08-03T14:07:48.9689885-04:00
Full advisory →02 · Evidence Signals
Crime
Good
Urban scale factor
42k residents
90
City SignalCity Geocoding
Homicide rate
5.8 / 100kHomicide rate · per 100kJapan0.2Switzerland0.6World avg5.2United States5.8Brazil19.3South Africa43.7
62
Robbery / mugging
ModerateMugging risk is low but can occur in isolated spots near the South Burlington industrial zone after dark
Pickpocketing
ModeratePickpocketing is most common in the Church Street Marketplace and on public buses during peak tourist hours
03 · Environment
Health & Air
Good
04 · Institutions
Stability
Good
05 · Field Research
Current Situation
Moderate
Traveller sentiment score
Mixed
67/100
Reported feel68Mixed
Robbery risk62Moderate risk
Pickpocket risk78Moderate risk
Recent traveler reports on Reddit and local forums describe feeling generally secure but note occasional confrontations with unhoused individuals and heightened vigilance during ICE‑related protests.
Yes — Burlington is generally safe for visitors, but exercise increased caution in certain areas.
Burlington’s composite safety index of 73 reflects overall safety, though crime perception and recent protests indicate localized risks. The city scores well on health, environment, and institutional stability, but its crime index of 49.2 and 60% feeling safe after dark suggest moderate everyday concerns.
Recent developments
- Mar 2026Violent clashes erupt on Dorset Street during an ICE protest, resulting in multiple arrests and injuries— Vermont Public (Mar 2026)
- Mar 2026Demonstrators arrested after chaotic scene at South Burlington ICE facility; police call for community cooperation— Burlington Free Press (Mar 2026)
- Apr 2026Burlington County implements intersection safety upgrades following a series of traffic incidents— Burlington County Government (.gov) (Apr 2026)
- Jun 2026Local news highlights a spike in petty theft reports near the University of Vermont campus during summer break— University of Vermont (Aug 2025) – referenced in recent coverage (Jun 2026)
Common scams
- Overpriced souvenir or craft‑beer tours targeting tourists in the Church Street Marketplace
- Fake “guided” walking tours that claim exclusive access to historic sites but divert to commercial venues for commission
Full briefing
Safety Briefing
Burlington is classified as “generally safe” for travelers, but the city’s safety profile is tempered by a Moderate robbery risk and Moderate pickpocketing level, especially in the bustling Church Street Marketplace and on public buses during peak hours. The composite safety index of 73 and a 60 % figure for feeling safe walking alone after dark indicate that while most visitors encounter no serious trouble, a noticeable share remain cautious.
Recent incidents documented in the live dossier underscore this nuance. In March 2026, violent clashes erupted on Dorset Street during an ICE‑related protest, leading to multiple arrests and injuries (Vermont Public). A similar protest in South Burlington the following month resulted in arrests and police calls for cooperation (Burlington Free Press). These events, though isolated, can create temporary spikes in police activity and heightened tensions around certain neighborhoods, particularly South Burlington and the industrial zone near the airport.
Scams targeting tourists are modest but present. The most common are overpriced souvenir or craft‑beer tours that operate in the Church Street Marketplace, and “guided” walking tours that promise exclusive historic access but redirect participants to commercial venues for commission. Keeping valuables concealed, using a money belt, and opting for reputable rideshares after dark are practical steps to mitigate these risks.
Overall, the data suggest a low‑to‑moderate risk environment: violent crime remains rare, but petty theft and opportunistic scams are the primary concerns for visitors. By staying aware of crowd density, avoiding poorly lit side streets after dark, and steering clear of protest hotspots, travelers can enjoy Burlington’s historic charm, lakefront scenery, and vibrant arts scene with confidence.
06 · Neighbourhoods
Safest areas and areas to avoid
Our field research rated 5 Burlington districts for visitors: 2 safer, 2 needing caution and 1 best avoided. See them plotted on the Burlington safety map.
South Burlingtonavoidsite of recent ICE protests and violent clashes; heightened police activity and risk of confrontations
Church Streetcautiondowntown hub with heavy foot traffic; pickpocketing and occasional aggressive panhandling reported, stay alert after dark
North Endcautionresidential area with rising property crime; avoid isolated streets at night
University Districtsaferwell-lit, campus-focused area with low violent crime; petty theft possible near student events
Lake Champlain Waterfrontsafertourist-friendly promenade with security patrols; minimal crime but watch personal belongings
07 · After Dark
Is Burlington safe at night?
60% of people in United States say they feel safe walking alone at night in their area (UN SDG survey, 2023).
Mugging risk is low but can occur in isolated spots near the South Burlington industrial zone after dark
After dark, be most careful around South Burlington, Church Street, North End. Stick to busy, well-lit streets and licensed taxis or ride-hail late at night.
08 · Questions
Burlington safety FAQ (2026)
Is Burlington safe right now (2026)?
Yes — Burlington is generally safe for visitors, but exercise increased caution in certain areas. Burlington’s composite safety index of 73 reflects overall safety, though crime perception and recent protests indicate localized risks. The city scores well on health, environment, and institutional stability, but its crime index of 49.2 and 60% feeling safe after dark suggest moderate everyday concerns. (Assessed 8 August 2026.)
Is Burlington safe for women, families and solo travelers?
Safety is not one number, and this Burlington report does not pretend it is: the score is re-weighted for who is travelling. A woman travelling alone, a family with children and a solo backpacker face different street-level risks, so the headline score shifts and the report leads with the findings that matter for that group. Personalize this report in one click to see the 2026 score and safety briefing for your specific travellers.
Which areas of Burlington should tourists avoid?
Field research flags South Burlington as best avoided. See the district-by-district safety map.
What are the most common scams in Burlington (2026)?
- Overpriced souvenir or craft‑beer tours targeting tourists in the Church Street Marketplace
- Fake “guided” walking tours that claim exclusive access to historic sites but divert to commercial venues for commission
How does Burlington compare with other places in United States (2026)?
Burlington ranks #9 of 9 United States destinations we've assessed, scoring 76/100. See the United States safety overview for the full list.
How is this burlington safety score calculated (2026)?
The score blends 12+ public data sources — government advisories, UNODC/World Bank crime statistics, FBI crime data for U.S. cities, WHO health data, live air quality and disaster alerts — with AI field research over current local reporting. The databases carry the bulk of the weight (and U.S. reports lean more on the latest field research); the traveller-sentiment score from field research carries the rest. Full methodology.
More United States reports
6 reportsNearby destinations
4 reportsSimilar safety profile
4 reportsBrowse the United States safety overview or all destinations. Raw data: burlington.json (CC BY 4.0).