Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and is the Shire town of Chittenden County, Vermont. The city is the core of one of the nation's smaller metropolitan areas. The urbanized area consists of the cities of Burlington, South Burlington, and Winooski; the towns of Colchester, Essex, and Williston; and the village of Essex Junction. As of 2000, the metropolitan area contained the three northwestern counties of Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle, with a 2000 confirmed population of 198,889, and an estimated 2003 population of 203,503.