The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 05872 sells for about $185,000, or $135 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.5% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 92 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,150 a month.
ZIP 05872 — West Charleston
The housing market in 05872 is characterized by low inventory and slow turnover, typical of a rural Vermont community. Prices have seen steady, modest appreciation over the last decade, driven by limited supply rather than high-volume demand. The market remains stable with little speculative activity.
This ZIP is best suited for those seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle, including retirees, remote workers, and families who prioritize outdoor access over proximity to urban employment centers.
Median prices moved up 2.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 92 days on market with 6.2 months of supply — a slower-moving market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 96.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 2.2% · poverty 7.3% — a stable, low-distress 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 2.7%/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 1.9%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 05872, Orleans County, VT
Crime rates in West Charleston are generally low, consistent with the rural character of Orleans County and significantly lower than national urban averages.
Schools serving the area are part of the Orleans Central Supervisory Union, characterized by small class sizes and a focus on community-integrated education.
The area is subject to typical Vermont seasonal hazards, including heavy winter snow loads and potential spring flooding near local waterways; wildfire risk is low.
Economic momentum is modest, driven primarily by local agriculture, tourism, and small-scale service businesses with limited large-scale industrial development.
Property taxes are assessed at the municipal and state level, with rates determined by the local grand list and state-wide education funding formulas.
Commutes are primarily by private vehicle, with residents traveling to nearby employment hubs like Newport or St. Johnsbury via rural state highways.
The area offers extensive access to outdoor recreation, including proximity to Echo Lake, hiking trails in the Northeast Kingdom, and seasonal fishing and boating.
The rental market is tight with limited inventory, primarily consisting of single-family homes and small multi-unit conversions; short-term rentals are present due to tourism.
The local economy is anchored by small businesses, agriculture, and tourism-related services, with many residents commuting to larger towns in Orleans County.
Public transit is minimal; the area relies on state-maintained road networks for all transportation needs.
There are no major large-scale commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction in this ZIP.
Orleans County assessments are conducted at the municipal level, following state guidelines for fair market value appraisal.
Parcels are subject to local school district taxes and county-level administrative levies.
Property insurance premiums are stable but reflect the rural nature of the area and the associated costs of emergency service response.
Vermont has seen modest net domestic migration, with interest in rural areas increasing post-2020.
Vermont is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court intervention for the foreclosure process.
Vermont law requires sellers to provide a property disclosure statement regarding the condition of the home.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA 05872 profile.
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 & Pub4.411.8 mi
- Tavern on the Hill4.510.5 mi
- Brighton State Park4.78.1 mi
- Beach Lake Lyster4.612.7 mi
- Lake Willoughby North Beach4.76.5 mi
- Crystal Lake State Park4.711.5 mi
- Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village4.88.4 mi
- The Parker Pie Company4.614.4 mi
- Bread & Puppet Theater4.814.9 mi
- The Museum of Everyday Life4.818.1 mi
- Old Stone House Museum & Historic Village4.88.4 mi
- Brighton State Park4.78.1 mi
- Beach Lake Lyster4.612.7 mi
- Crystal Lake State Park4.711.5 mi
- White Caps Campground4.49.9 mi
- The Stanstead Stone Circle4.611.4 mi
- Shaw's4.310.2 mi
- Price Chopper4.110.4 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Popular destination for swimming, fishing, and boating.
Extensive network of trails for hiking and snowmobiling.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.