Coastal charm, a historic small-town feel and access to outdoor recreation draw residents to Cape Vincent, a town cradled on the edge of Lake Ontario and the St. Lawrence River in upstate New York. Landmarks like Tibbett’s Point Lighthouse create a unique historical tapestry that showcases Cape Vincent’s legacy. While a profound past keep locals rooted, the town has been seeing steady growth as its tourism industry continues to draw visitors, and more homebuyers are deciding to buy primary residences. “Cape Vincent is going through a revitalization period,” says local Realtor Noah Taylor of Keller Williams Northern New York. “It has a quaint and quiet village, and more people are living there year-round. It’s similar to Clayton without the level of tourism.”
Cape Vincent
Homes
Most homes in Cape Vincent line the waterfront or are clustered close to the shore, with few homes in the more rural areas. Inland, roads cut through forests and fields, set sparsely with modest homes. Waterfront properties range from quaint cottages to contemporary retreats. Colonial-inspired cottages, rustic bungalows and ranch-style homes are most common among smaller single-family homes. Larger waterfront properties, especially newer builds from the last 20 years, take on more contemporary stylings with heavy Neo-Colonial influences. Single-family homes start at around $145,000. Waterfront homes with more spacious layouts tend to price around $450,000 and can range up to $1.4 million. Manufactured homes, typically located more inland, price between $15,000 and $95,000.
Parks
Cape Vincent’s location on the easternmost side of Lake Ontario gives residents unlimited access to water activities as the lake turns into St. Lawrence River. Marinas like East End Waterfront Park & Boat Launch dot the coastline, offering river and lake access for boating, fishing and more. The park also features a riverfront boardwalk for relaxing walks. Larger waterfront spaces include Cedar Point State Park and Burnham Point State Park, both destinations for outdoor recreation like fishing, swimming and hiking. In town, the Cape Vincent Village Green and Town of Cape Vincent Recreation Park offer additional green space; the latter also features a playground and athletic facilities such as tennis courts, baseball diamonds and new pickleball courts that were added in 2023.
The town blends its historic significance with its recreation, offering landmarks and attractions such as the iconic Tibbetts Point Lighthouse. The tower is listed on the National Register of Historic Places on national and state scales for being one of the oldest lighthouses in the state and the only still operating with a classical Fresnel lens. The Cape Vincent Historical Museum tells the local story of the town’s significance in the 1800s and as a coastal port. Additional landmarks include the Captain Louis Peugnet House and the Cape Vincent Breakwater Lighthouse, both of which help preserve the town’s legacy.
Schools
The Thousand Islands Central School District serves kids in Cape Vincent and earns a B-minus overall score from Niche. Students may begin at Bashaw Elementary School before advancing to Thousand Islands Middle and Thousand Islands High School. Home of the Vikings, the high school offers a variety of sports programs, including soccer, swimming, basketball and more. Students can also get involved in a diverse range of clubs and activities such as Ski Club, marching band and National Honor Society.
Shopping and Dining
Life is centered around Cape Vincent’s village, where a few establishments cluster around the Village Green and waterfront buildings. A little strip of charming locales, including a gift shop, café, brewery and grocery store, sits across from the shoreline. Cape Vincent Brewing Company is a popular spot for its craft beers and casual, laid-back atmosphere. Aubrey’s French Towne Market anchors the commercial strip, offering grocery and pantry essentials. The Cape Winery and Snug Harbor Restaurant & Bar also provide relaxed ambiances that help foster Cape Vincent’s small-town vibe. Watertown, about 37 minutes away, has national grocery stores like Walmart and Aldi as well as familiar retailers for shopping in Salmon Run Mall.
Transportation
Cape Vincent residents rely on cars and travel mainly via Routes 12 and 12E, which connect to Watertown and nearby areas. Interstate 81 is easily accessible to the east, offering routes south to Syracuse and north to Canada. A seasonal ferry links Cape Vincent to Point Alexandria, Ontario, providing a unique international crossing. For air travel, residents use Watertown International Airport for regional flights or Syracuse Hancock International Airport, about 75 miles south, for broader options.
Written By
Christina von Claparede-Crola
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this area.
Agents Specializing in this Area
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Noah Taylor
Noah Taylor
Responds QuicklyKeller Williams Northern New York
(315) 871-5746
146 Total Sales
7 in Cape Vincent
$45K - $1.5M Price Range
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Teddy Lewandowski
Teddy Lewandowski
Hunt Real Estate ERA
(315) 470-3284
221 Total Sales
1 in Cape Vincent
$352,500 Price
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Julie Ablan-Woodrow
Julie Ablan-Woodrow
Responds QuicklyMarble Key Realty LLC
(315) 918-7260
235 Total Sales
3 in Cape Vincent
$127K - $320K Price Range
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Stephen Gleason
SG
Stephen Gleason
Responds QuicklyNNY Homes Inc
(315) 954-4382
141 Total Sales
1 in Cape Vincent
$95,000 Price
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Naomi Adams
Naomi Adams
Responds QuicklyLPT Realty
(315) 998-3506
66 Total Sales
1 in Cape Vincent
$199,820 Price
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Jennifer Flynn
Jennifer Flynn
Responds QuicklyBridgeview Real Estate
(680) 210-3026
173 Total Sales
1 in Cape Vincent
$307,500 Price
Schools
Source:
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Parks in this Area
Burnham Point State Park
Cedar Point State Park
Tibbetts Point Lighthouse Park
East End Waterfront Park
Cape Vincent Village Green
Lazy Acres Park
Parks Recreation & Histori
Town of Cape Vincent Recreation Park Office
Mary Island State Park
Cape Vincent Housing Trends
On average, homes in Cape Vincent, NY sell after 97 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Cape Vincent, NY over the last 12 months is $325,000, up 33% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$289,900
Median Sale Price
$325,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$259,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
3%
Last 12 months Home Sales
50
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
33%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$221
Area Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
701
Number of Homes for Sale
21
Median Year Built
1973
Months of Supply
5.00
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,607
Below the national average
1,924
Average Townhouse Size Sq Ft
1,633
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
23,086
Homes for Sale
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$199,000
- Land
- 5.99 Acre Lot
- 3939 Carleton Island Road 2
Incredible opportunity to own a premier piece of waterfront in the heart of the 1000 Islands! This stunning 5.99-acre lot on Carleton Island offers an unmatched setting to build your dream retreat on the majestic St. Lawrence River. Boasting an impressive 510 feet of waterfront, this property provides panoramic views of the world-famous river, with large freighters and ships passing through the
Noah TaylorKeller Williams Northern New York(315) 362-5516 -
$310,000
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2,212 Sq Ft
- 304 William St
- New 11 days ago
Cape Vincent has become a popular village and with this spectacular 3 bedroom, 2 bath home situated on a quiet dead end street you will have the best of both worlds. Enjoy the peace and serenity of being on a street with very little traffic while being only a short distance from public access points to the St. Lawrence River, shops and restaurants. As you approach the home, check out the enclosed
Melanie Curley Bridgeview Real Estate
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$225,000
- 2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 560 Sq Ft
- 2202 Humphrey Ln
- New 15 days ago
Two-bedroom cottage on Mud Bay, just off Lake Ontario. Furnishings and appliances already in place. Enjoy fishing and boating plus access to nearby amenities the area has to offer. Be on Lake Ontario in minutes from cottage's dock. Public water is connected for the cottage. Plus, new 12 X 16 workshop-storage or bunk house, you decide. Electricity had been run to the shed and dock. Cottage
Keith Lawrence Bridgeview Real Estate
Homes for Rent
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$1,175 per month
- Condo for Rent
- 2 Beds
- 1.5 Baths
- 1,250 Sq Ft
- 139 S Esselstyne St
- Unit 135
- Cape Vincent, NY
Distribution of Home Values
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
Cape Vincent Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
2,753
Median Age
49
Population Density
5 ppl/acre
Population under 18
17.8%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
28.9%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$57,802
Below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$83,903
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
90.4%
College Graduates
25.5%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
14.3%
% Population in Labor Force
46.1%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
9°F
Average Summer High Temperature
76°F
Annual Snowfall
31''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25
/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0
/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Walk Score® measures the walkability of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.
