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Brighton VT Real Estate: Homes and Camps in Island Pond

By Tony Walton, Principal Broker, New England Landmark Realty

Quick Answer

Brighton is an Essex County town of about 1,160 people in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, and its village, Island Pond, sits on the lake of the same name. It's a four-season outdoor town: Brighton State Park on Spectacle Pond and Island Pond in summer, and about 130 miles of snowmobile trails in winter. Island Pond grew up as the midpoint of the Grand Trunk Railway between Montreal and Portland, Maine. Current Brighton listings appear at the bottom of this page, and our Brighton market report shows recent sales and prices.

Brighton at a Glance

• County: Essex (Northeast Kingdom)
• ZIP code: 05846 (Island Pond)
• Population: 1,157 (2020 Census)
• Area: about 53.3 square miles, including about 1.5 square miles of water
• Village: Island Pond
• Lakes: Island Pond (the town's largest) and Spectacle Pond
• Roads: Vermont Routes 105 and 114, which join through the village
• Schools: Brighton Elementary School in Island Pond; North Country Union High School in Newport

Living in Brighton

Island Pond, the lake, is the town's centerpiece, with the village on its shore. Brighton State Park, on Spectacle Pond just east of Island Pond, has 54 tent and RV sites, 23 lean-tos, 5 cabins, a sandy beach on Island Pond, and easy walking trails, and it's known for its remoteness and its loons. Anglers fish both ponds for brown trout, pickerel, and largemouth bass.

Winter is a big season here. The Brighton Snowmobile Club maintains about 130 miles of trails; if you ride, ask about trail access when you look at homes.

The village has a real railroad story. The Grand Trunk Railway reached Island Pond in 1853, and as the halfway point between Montreal and Portland, Maine, it became a busy rail hub with a roundhouse. Rail traffic declined after the 1920s, and the roundhouse closed in 1966, but the historic station still stands and is used by a local bank and the town's historical society. In 1957, a 67-foot white spruce from Brighton became the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.

Schools

Brighton students attend Brighton Elementary School in Island Pond, and high school students attend North Country Union High School in Newport.

Homes and Camps in Brighton

Buyers in Brighton find village homes in Island Pond, lakefront homes and camps, log homes and cabins, and wooded land. See what's for sale now in the listings below, and check recent sale prices in the Brighton market report, which updates as homes sell.

Buying on the water? Clearing or building within 250 feet of a lake larger than 10 acres may need a state shoreland permit, and some camps are seasonal, so ask about year-round use, winter access, septic, and water supply. For remote parcels, check legal access and road maintenance. Our second home guide covers what to check.

Getting Around

• Vermont Route 105 runs through Island Pond, west toward Derby and Newport.
• Vermont Route 114 joins Route 105 through the village and runs north toward Norton and south toward East Burke.

Costs to Plan For

Vermont's property transfer tax, paid by the buyer at closing, is 0.5% on the first $200,000 of a primary residence and 1.47% above that; 3.62% for a second home suitable for year-round use; and a VHFA-financed primary residence is exempt on the first $250,000. Estimate your payment, transfer tax, and cash to close with our Vermont Home Cost Calculator. Homes outside the village often have private wells and septic systems; see our Vermont home inspection guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Island Pond the same as Brighton, VT?

Island Pond is the main village in the town of Brighton, and it shares its name with the lake it sits on.

What county is Brighton, VT in?

Essex County, in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom.

What is the ZIP code for Island Pond, VT?

05846.

Is Island Pond good for snowmobiling?

Yes. The Brighton Snowmobile Club maintains about 130 miles of trails around town in winter.

How do I see recent home prices in Brighton?

Our Brighton market report lists recent sales, prices, and days on market, and updates automatically.

What to Do Next

Call our office at 802-253-4711, reach Tony Walton directly at 802-233-4107, or contact us.

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• Vermont Second Home Buying Guide
• Nearby: Averill, Westmore (Lake Willoughby), Derby, Newport

Sources

• Brighton, Vermont (county, population, area, ZIP code, Island Pond, Spectacle Pond, routes, snowmobile trails, 1957 Christmas tree)
• Vermont State Parks, Brighton
• Island Pond station
• Town of Brighton, Schools
• Vermont DEC, Shoreland Permitting
• Vermont Department of Taxes, Property Transfer Tax