Problem is too many companies have moved out leaving the better educated and youth to leave. Many headed to Boston, but even the companies there aren't hiring youth in the numbers they once did so they have a hard time there because they take lower paying jobs which makes it hard to live there as its so expensive. Vermont almost went republican this past November as they came close to taking the legislature and even the governor. As I say, we will see big changes here over the next decade or so..Well the reality is northern New England has always been known for a couple of things, farming and factories (mills). Farmers are getting hammered and the mills have all closed. Some high tech companies moved in like IBM in Vermont but they just sold them to a Chinese company and its possible a ton of jobs could be lost. Financially its possible Vermont could see double digit unemployment if that happens. New Hampshire is now known for defense with the Portsmouth Naval Yard and BAE systems which of course is all dependent on the defense budget. Maine has tourism and some shipbuilding. Energy costs have skyrocketed in New England and many have had a hard time affording their bills. Its certainly been problematic and you are going to see huge changes in the future both socially and politically due to it.
They are getting exactly what they have been voting for for decades.
Some of the best educated, healthiest, least polluting states in the country (all three in the top 10 in each category). They have absolutely nothing to be ashamed of.
They just happen to be extremely white, old, and rural, none of which means high population growth.