Secluded, countryside getaway in rural Vermont
Eighteen miles northwest of Barre, rustic Duxbury offers small-town seclusion and a close-knit community next to its larger sister town, Waterbury. "I think people like the ruralness of the area," says Joan Sabin, a Realtor with BHHS Vermont Realty Group who has over 32 years of experience. "Most homes in Duxbury afford a bit of privacy; it takes a special type of outdoorsy person." Shopping and dining are minimal, so most everyday tasks, like grocery shopping or coffee runs, are done in Waterbury. "There's no date night in Duxbury," Sabin says. Mature trees line Duxbury's country roads, and pristine state parks with quiet, scenic views surround the town.
A diverse range of homes on private, wooded lots
"There's pretty much a mix of homes," Sabin says. "From farmhouse to Cape Cod to contemporary." Single-family homes generally date from the 19th century through today, often set along rural backroads instead of sidewalk-lined subdivisions. "You can find some 100-year-old homes, but I would say the average age would be anywhere between 1945 and 2005," Sabin says. "All of the homes are pretty private." Multi-acre, wooded lots are standard, some with additions like detached garages or workshops, horse stables and chicken coops. "There are not a lot of new homes that come on the market in Duxbury, but there is land," Sabin says. "People are buying the land and then building. We don't have a builder developing the land." The median home price in Duxbury is about $450,000, compared to $550,000 in neighboring Waterbury.
Academic and athletic opportunities at Harwood Union High
Duxbury is part of the Harwood Unified Union School District, which serves about 1,800 students. All of the district's schools are rated B or better by Niche. Through the Vermont Dual Enrollment program, Harwood Union High students may take two free college courses at any Vermont college after their sophomore year. The high school also has a successful athletics department, with the boys' soccer and hockey teams winning state championships in 2024 and 2025, respectively.
State parks with dense forests and wildlife
Much of Duxbury is forest, but Camel's Hump State Park is the area's primary green space. The 20,000-acre park takes its name from a 4,000-foot peak that visitors can summit via the Monroe, Alpine and Long trails — a 7-mile trek. The trails are shared by hikers and mountain bikers, and in winter, some are open to snowmobiles and skiers. Anglers can fish for brook trout in the park's streams, while birders may spot yellow-rumped warblers, ovenbirds and cedar waxwings among the park's mature maple and birch trees. Waterbury Center State Park, 6 miles away, offers boating and fishing on the Waterbury Reservoir.
Shopping and dining in neighboring Waterbury
Duxbury isn't known for shopping or dining; aside from a few local workshops and tradespeople, there's little commercial activity. "For shopping, you're going to need to travel a bit," Sabin says. "There are no grocery stores in Duxbury, but Waterbury has a very nice market." The Village Market of Waterbury is a mile away and has locally sourced and organic groceries. Nearby, a handful of small businesses and eateries are along U.S. Route 2, including coffee shops, bars and restaurants. The Reservoir serves locally brewed beer on draft and elevated comfort food favorites like the hot honey burger with farm-to-table beef, fried pepperoni and banana peppers.
Active town government shaped by local voices
There aren't many events in Duxbury, but the town does have an active, locally elected government. Residents can help shape local decisions on January's Have Your Say Day, or by attending monthly meetings, such as those of the Duxbury Planning Commission or the Town Forest and Cemetery committees. In May, Green Up Day encourages residents to volunteer to clean up litter from nearby roadsides and waterways.
Getting around from Duxbury
Interstate 89 borders Duxbury, granting access to Barre, 18 miles away. "There's really no job base in Duxbury," Sabin says. "A lot of people are working from home, which is what made Vermont boom during COVID." Commuting to larger communities like St. Albans, Montpelier and Burlington is common. There isn't any public transportation in Duxbury, but the Waterbury-Stowe station is a mile away with service to East Coast hubs like Washington, D.C. and New York City. Central Vermont Medical Center is 15 miles away, and Burlington International Airport is 26 miles away.
Climate and snowfall
Summers in Duxbury are warm and humid, and winters are cold and snowy, with 89 inches of snow annually. Frequent snowfall means school delays and travel disruptions are common, especially in February when snow is heaviest. Due to nearby bodies of water, Duxbury is at moderate to severe risk of flooding.
