Essex combines rural and suburban living near Burlington
The small town of Essex offers a blend of rural charm and suburban convenience, allowing its 22,000 residents to live in a quiet, country setting without sacrificing access to everyday necessities. While residential neighborhoods and newer commercial developments form this community’s suburban core, its northern half maintains more of a rustic feel with lush green spaces like Indian Brook Park and farms such as Chapin Orchard. “People really like Essex,” says Corrine Bonnette, a Vermont native and Realtor with the Bean Group at eXp Realty. “You do have that rural feel without having houses on top of each other, but you’re close to everything.”
Four seasons of outdoor recreation in Northwest Vermont
Indian Brook Park spans 740 acres, making it the town’s largest green space. It features miles of wooded nature trails for hikers, runners and horseback riders to explore. Indian Brook Reservoir is popular with swimmers, paddle boaters and fishermen. The town stocks the reservoir with rainbow and brown trout every spring. In Essex’s southern half, neighborhood parks such as Pearl Street Park offer various athletic facilities and playgrounds.
Sand Hill Park is home to the town’s pool, and natural green spaces like the Mathieu Town Forest have multi-use trails for mountain biking, hiking and winter activities such as cross-country skiing. "The town does a great job of keeping up with the trails," Bonnette says. Those who prefer paved paths can head to the Essex Bike Path, which spans nearly 3 miles near Essex Center. The Links at Lang Farm and the Essex Country Club each have public 18-hole courses. Essex also offers a central location between Lake Champlain and the Green Mountains, within 30 miles of major ski areas like Bolton Valley and Stowe Mountain Resort.
Essex residents can choose from a suburban or a country setting
Essex has a mix of residential neighborhoods, townhouse developments and country estates. Established neighborhoods to the south feature Colonial Revival, Cape Cod and ranch-style homes. To the north, properties embrace a variety of architectural styles, ranging from traditional farmhouse to modern custom builds. "We're seeing people trying to get more property by going out a little bit more north," Bonnette says. Prices for single-family homes typically range from $350,000 for smaller ranch-style homes to $760,000 for larger homes with spacious lots. There are also several townhouse developments in the town’s southern half, where units sell for $270,000 to $590,000.
Properties sell after an average of less than a month on the market, faster than the national average. "The problem there right now is a lack of inventory. In Vermont as a whole, we just don't have a lot on the market," Bonnette says. The town also maintains an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 2 out of 10, lower than the national average of 4.
High ratings and top-notch athletics in the Essex Westford School District
The Essex Westford School District earns an overall grade of B-plus from Niche. Essex Elementary School scores a B from Niche and serves prekindergarten through second grade, while Founders Memorial School covers third through fifth grade and receives a B-plus. Essex Middle School also earns a B-plus, and Essex High School scores an A-minus. The high school is known for its award-winning athletic programs and has won more than 270 state championships since 1970. Recent standouts include its girls’ volleyball team, which won four consecutive state titles from 2021 to 2024. Higher education revolves around the University of Vermont, less than 10 miles away in Burlington, and Saint Michael’s College, a private liberal arts college about 5 miles from town.
An emphasis on local businesses in Essex Center and The Essex Experience
Essex Center anchors the town. It’s home to spots like the Essex Free Library, Essex Center United Methodist Church and Hoagie’s Pizza & Pasta, a family-owned restaurant that’s been around for nearly 30 years. Residents can also support small businesses at The Essex Experience, a shopping center with more than 20 retail options and restaurants. "If you're looking for shopping, dining or entertainment, it's all there," Bonnette says. Standouts include Bramble, a micro-seasonal restaurant where the menu changes frequently to reflect what’s in season, and Black Flannel Brewing Co. and Distillery, the state’s only combination brewery and distillery. The shopping center is also home to Hannaford, Essex Cinemas and the ArtHound Gallery, where locals can see the work of more than 400 Vermont artisans. There’s more shopping and dining just south of town in Essex Junction.
Community festivities and annual events at the Champlain Valley Exposition
Townwide events bring residents together throughout the year. Favorites include the EPR Farmers Market, which brings local vendors to Sand Hill Park each week from June through October. The annual Community Day Festival invites locals to celebrate their town with family friendly games, live music and horse-drawn wagon rides. Big events are held in Essex Junction at the Champlain Valley Exposition, an event venue hosting festivities like the Champlain Valley Fair. "The fair brings a lot of top performers to the area over Labor Day weekend," Bonnette says.
Highway access and public transportation near Burlington
While residents can access Green Mountain Transit bus stops in Essex’s southern half, they typically rely on their own cars to get around. Vermont Route 15 passes through town, and Essex is within 10 miles of Burlington, Burlington International Airport and the University of Vermont Medical Center. VT 15 also provides access to Interstate 89, which leads 36 miles southeast to Montpelier. Locals can take the train at Amtrak’s Essex Junction Station, about 2 miles away. It’s part of the Vermonter route, which offers daily service between Washington, D.C. and Saint Albans, Vermont. Essex Junction is also home to major employers like Global Foundries, a manufacturing company and one of Chittenden County’s largest employers.
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Sally Stimpson
