State of the Greater Burlington Young Professional Community Survey Results Released
Vermont Business Magazine In a just-released survey, young professionals in the Burlington area defied stereotypes and said they want to stay in Vermont and even buy a single-family home. In both cases, however, circumstances and opportunity are limiting their opportunities. Completed by 500 young professionals in the region between January and March of this year, the State of the Greater Burlington Young Professional Community Survey covered housing, employment, and civic engagement topics as a means to understand what young professionals want and need to continue to live and work in the greater Burlington area.
- 74% of survey respondents were between the ages of 22 and 34
- 85% of respondents were employed full-time.
- Average student monthly loan payments for those who completed the survey was $424.
- 56% are renting with Burlington and South Burlington being the top rental locations.
- Work topped the list of reasons respondents live in the greater Burlington area
- They listed culture and community, natural assets, and localvore values as the region’s top assets
- While citing cost of living, housing and lack of job growth opportunities as the biggest challenges.
“Young professionals love Burlington and want to stay here but challenges like a lack of single family homes, a high cost of living and insufficient job growth opportunities are major concerns,” said Erin Bombard, Director of Burlington Young Professionals. “While 26% of survey respondents indicate that they plan to leave the area between 1 and 4 years, this snapshot of our young professional community gives us an opportunity to work together on these challenges.”
“We are fortunate that so many took the time to share their thoughts on how we make the Burlington region an even better place to live, work and give back,” said Catherine Davis, Executive Vice President of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce. “While it shouldn’t be a surprise that people in their 20s and 30s are looking to buy homes, start families and grow in their careers, it should galvanize us into action since retaining our workforce is vital to our community’s future.”
You can view the survey results here: https://adobe.ly/2IoO1dZ.
Burlington Young Professionals sees an emerging and diverse workforce as a competitive advantage for Burlington’s growing economy. As a leading voice for our community’s young professionals, BYP collaborates with local businesses that share its commitment to attracting and retaining young professional talent and empowers young professionals with all business relationships, education and community awareness necessary to become an active community leader. BYP is a talent development and retention program of the Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce. Learn more at www.vermont.org/chamber.
Source: Lake Champlain Regional Chamber of Commerce 4.19.2019