Orleans County
VT · Pop. 27,492 · Suburban County
Orleans County, Vermont covers 695 square miles with a population of 27,492 and a density of 39.6 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on haylage, hay, corn. The median home price is $213,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.68%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 137-day growing season, average summer highs of 75.6°F and average winter lows of 6.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 41.4 inches, generally adequate for the region's crops and pasture. North Country Hospital and Health Center is 9.1 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 71.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- North Country Hospital and Health Center, with an emergency room, is just 9.1 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- Annual rainfall of 41.4 inches supports rain-fed gardens and pasture in most years.
- A low poverty rate of 10.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A 137-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- An effective property tax rate of 1.68% is on the higher side and adds to annual carrying costs.
- Broadband reaches only 71.4% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 6.8°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Orleans County, VT is a mixed homesteading prospect — weigh the tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 46/100
- Median home price
- $213k
- Property tax
- 1.68%
- Growing season
- 137 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 41.4"
- Broadband
- 71.4%
- Nearest hospital
- North Country Hospital and Health Center, 9.1 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Orleans County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Orleans County?
- Orleans County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 137-day growing season, average summer highs of 75.6°F, and average winter lows of 6.8°F. The established crops are haylage, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $213,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.68%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 71.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- North Country Hospital and Health Center is 9.1 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
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More counties in Vermont
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Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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