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Orwell VT Real Estate: Homes on Lake Champlain near Mount Independence

By Tony Walton, Principal Broker, New England Landmark Realty

Quick Answer

Orwell is an Addison County town of about 1,240 people in the county's southwest corner, with Lake Champlain along its western edge across from Ticonderoga, New York. It's home to Mount Independence State Historic Site, a 300-plus-acre Revolutionary War fortification begun in 1776 and now a National Historic Landmark. Vermont Route 22A runs through town, and Route 73 leads toward the Ticonderoga ferry. Children attend Orwell Village School (PreK-6) and Fair Haven Union Middle and High School in the Slate Valley Unified Union School District. Current Orwell listings appear at the bottom of this page, and our Orwell market report shows recent sales and prices.

Orwell at a Glance

• County: Addison
• ZIP code: 05760
• Population: 1,239 (2020 Census)
• Area: about 49.7 square miles
• Neighbors: Shoreham, Whiting, Sudbury, and Benson; Putnam and Ticonderoga, New York, across the lake
• Highways: Vermont Routes 22A and 73
• Schools: Orwell Village School (PreK-6); Fair Haven Union Middle and High School, Slate Valley Unified Union School District

Living in Orwell

Orwell calls itself "The Fortress of America," and Mount Independence is the reason. Construction began there in July 1776, after the American defeat in Canada, and it became the largest fortification built by American colonial forces. Today it's described as the least disturbed major Revolutionary War site in the country. The state historic site has about 6 miles of hiking trails, including the wheelchair-accessible 1.6-mile Baldwin Trail, and a museum with artifacts recovered from Lake Champlain; the visitor center is open daily from late May through mid-October.

Route 22A runs north toward Vergennes and south toward Fair Haven, and Route 73 crosses it west of the town center, heading toward the Ticonderoga ferry and east toward Sudbury and Brandon.

Schools

Orwell is part of the Slate Valley Unified Union School District. Orwell Village School, on Main Street, serves pre-K through grade 6, and older students attend Fair Haven Union Middle and High School in Fair Haven.

Homes in Orwell

Buyers in Orwell find village homes, farmhouses and farmland, Lake Champlain waterfront and lake-view homes, camps, and land. See what's for sale now in the listings below, and check recent sale prices in the Orwell market report, which updates as homes sell.

For lakefront homes, check the flood zone, and remember that clearing or building within 250 feet of Lake Champlain may need a state shoreland permit. For farmland or land, confirm septic suitability and whether the parcel is enrolled in Current Use. Our Lake Champlain waterfront guide covers more.

Getting Around

• Vermont Route 22A runs through Orwell, north toward Vergennes and south toward Fair Haven.
• Vermont Route 73 crosses Route 22A west of the town center and leads toward the Ticonderoga–Larrabees Point ferry.

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; 1.47% for land and camps not suited to year-round use; and a VHFA-financed primary residence is exempt on the first $250,000. Estimate your costs with our Vermont Home Cost Calculator, and see our Vermont home inspection guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Mount Independence?

A Revolutionary War fortification in Orwell, begun in 1776, now a Vermont State Historic Site and National Historic Landmark with a museum and about 6 miles of trails.

What is the ZIP code for Orwell, VT?

05760.

What schools serve Orwell?

Orwell Village School for pre-K through grade 6, and Fair Haven Union Middle and High School, in the Slate Valley Unified Union School District.

Is Orwell on Lake Champlain?

Yes. Lake Champlain forms the town's western border, across from Ticonderoga and Putnam, New York.

How do I see recent home prices in Orwell?

Our Orwell 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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• Lake Champlain Waterfront Homes
• Nearby: Sudbury, Whiting, Castleton

Sources

• Orwell, Vermont (county, population, area, neighbors, Routes 22A and 73, ferry, nickname)
• Mount Independence (Vermont)
• Orwell Village School; Fair Haven Union High School
• Vermont Department of Taxes, Property Transfer Tax