Rural Georgia sits beside Lake Champlain and Burlington
Georgia is a close-knit rural township in Northern Vermont. It's settled beside the recreationally rich Lake Champlain to the west and the commercially dense cities of Saint Albans and Burlington to the north and south. The town has been a farming community from its establishment in 1788 up to the early 1960s, and many residents have lived there for generations. "Once in a while, some summer homes become available, but many people here are multigenerational families," says Cindy Ploof, a longtime local and President of the Georgia Historical Society.
Fishing, hiking and exploring the Champlain Islands
Arrowhead Mountain Lake is open to residents and allows fishing, swimming and kayaking. The Russell Greene Natural Area is beside the lake, with trails through dense marshlands for hikers and birdwatchers. The massive Lake Champlain borders Georgia to the west, and residents take full advantage of the shoreline for public and private use. "The Georgia shore has many plots turned into family residences or access points for boating and fishing," says Ploof. "There are a lot of ice fishermen in the winter, too." Folks can fish at Georgia Beach, which also hosts a playground, picnic areas, basketball and volleyball courts and baseball diamonds, and Ploof says it's a popular spot for little league games. Locals can also take a kayak or the Island Runner Ferry to access Burton Island State Park, part of the Champlain Islands, with hiking trails and remote campgrounds.
Community events draw neighbor together
Georgia residents organize numerous annual events to connect with neighbors. "The town common started hosting Concerts on the Green; the first one is on the 18th of June; they're every other week, running through July and August," says Ploof. "There are food vendors, local music, and people usually bring their own lawn chairs." Several churches in Georgia also serve dinners to the community, including a Senior Dinner in December, served takeout style since the Covid pandemic. For over 15 years, the community has hosted the Fall Festival in September, with fireworks, live music and horse carriage rides.
Local markets, and shopping and dining in Saint Albans
Though the town doesn't have many businesses, folks can head to the family-owned Georgia Market along Ethan Allen Highway for groceries. A few miles north on Saint Albans' Main Street is a thriving corridor of local bars and restaurants. Twiggs American Gastropub serves draft beers, craft cocktails and a menu of soups, wings, and mac and cheese.
Midcentury modern homes on rural land
Single-family homes in Georgia cost between $300,000 and $800,000, varying by lot size, square footage and location. Styles range between Cape Cods, Colonial Revivals, ramblers and raised ranch-style homes. Most homes were built from the 1970s through the last decade, while a few 19th-century farmhouses are also on the market. Homes sit on spacious lots along narrow country roads and rolling farmland.
Locals can drive to Saint Albans, Burlington or Montreal
Commuters can reach Saint Albans after a 10-mile drive north on Interstate 89, while Burlington is 24 miles south, along with Burlington International Airport, which offers domestic flights. Georgia residents are also 32 miles from the Canadian border, so road trips to Montreal take around an hour and a half.
Students learn at "Gems" before choosing their high school
Students can attend Georgia Elementary and Middle School, which gets a C-plus rating from Niche and is affectionately nicknamed "GEMS." Due to Vermont's school choice program, parents can opt to send their children to any public high school in the state. Bellows Free Academy in Saint Albans is the nearest high school and receives a C-plus rating.
Written By
Maxwell Olarinde
