The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 05860 sells for about $449,000, or $199 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 120 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $787 a month.
ZIP 05860 — Orleans
The housing market in 05860 remains stable with limited inventory and steady demand for rural properties. Prices have seen moderate growth, driven by a lack of new construction and interest from buyers seeking remote-work-friendly locations. Market activity is currently balanced, though constrained by the low volume of available listings.
This area is best suited for outdoor enthusiasts, retirees, and families seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with access to Vermont's natural amenities.
Median prices moved up 4.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 120 days on market with 6.5 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 8.6% · poverty 14.4% — a mixed stability profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 8.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 3.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 05860, Orleans County VT
Crime rates in the Orleans area are generally low, consistent with rural Vermont trends, and remain significantly below national averages.
Schools serving the area are part of the Orleans Central Supervisory Union, generally characterized by small class sizes and community-focused rural education models.
The region faces typical rural Vermont hazards, including seasonal flooding risks near water bodies and winter-related infrastructure challenges; wildfire risk is low.
Economic momentum is driven by small-scale tourism, agriculture, and local services, with limited large-scale industrial development.
Property taxes are assessed at the municipal level with a statewide education property tax component; rates are influenced by local school district budgets.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents traveling to nearby employment hubs like Newport or St. Johnsbury via I-91.
The area offers extensive access to outdoor recreation, including Lake Willoughby, VAST snowmobile trails, and hiking in the Northeast Kingdom.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and high demand for long-term housing, with limited new multi-family construction.
The economy is anchored by agriculture, forestry, and small-scale tourism, with significant employment in local government and education.
Transportation is almost exclusively private vehicle-based, with I-91 serving as the primary north-south corridor.
Development is largely focused on small-scale residential infill and renovation of existing structures rather than large-scale master-planned communities.
Parcels are subject to local municipal and school district taxes; no major MUD/PID structures are present.
Property insurance premiums are rising due to increased regional weather volatility and replacement cost inflation.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- The East Side Restaurant & Pub4.416.6 mi
- Tavern on the Hill4.515.9 mi
- Brighton State Park4.77.7 mi
- Lake Willoughby North Beach4.74.1 mi
- Crystal Lake State Park4.78.6 mi
- The Museum of Everyday Life4.812.8 mi
- Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village4.810.1 mi
- The Parker Pie Company4.611.4 mi
- Bread & Puppet Theater4.810 mi
- The Museum of Everyday Life4.812.8 mi
- Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village4.810.1 mi
- Brighton State Park4.77.7 mi
- Crystal Lake State Park4.78.6 mi
- White Caps Campground4.42.9 mi
- Willoughby State Forest4.84.1 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A major glacial lake known for its dramatic cliffs and recreational swimming/boating.
Features a sandy beach and picnic areas popular with local residents.
Extensive network of snowmobile trails traversing the region.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.