Sharon is an Upper Valley town with a slower pace of life
Sharon is a small town in Vermont’s Upper Valley, a region straddling the Vermont-New Hampshire border known for its scenic landscapes and recreational opportunities. Its residents live among acres of farmland and have access to outdoor recreation along the White River, all complete with distant views of the Green Mountains. While Sharon itself is home to fewer than 1,600 people, it’s less than 20 miles from West Lebanon's commercial hub and the cultural scene of Hanover, New Hampshire. “West Lebanon has big-box stores and everything like that, so you can go and do your main shopping there,” says Kyle Kershner, a Vermont local and owner of Killington Pico Realty. “Dartmouth College is also over there, so there’s some culture and local spots.” With a central location in the Upper Valley, Sharon attracts those looking for a slower pace of life near some of the region’s major cities. Its overall CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score and significantly lower than the national average of 4.
Recreation along the White River and multi-use trails near Killington
The White River passes through town and is a destination for outdoor recreation. Vermont Route 14 runs parallel to the river and provides access to several swimming holes, including one near the Sharon Dam. The White River is also a well-known fishing spot, with various species of bass and trout being the most common catches. Residents can access multi-use trails in the Charles Downer State Forest and the Ashley Community Forest, which was established in 2022 and is still expanding its trail network between the towns of Sharon and Stafford. Hikers and cross-country skiers can also explore the trail loop at My Walden, a 236-acre conservation area with hardwood forests and wetlands where native perennials bloom each spring.
Winter sports enthusiasts are less than 30 miles from Killington Resort, a popular ski resort with more than 150 trails. “Killington is the largest ski resort in the northeast, so it attracts a lot of skiers and mountain biker-types,” Kershner says. The resort sees an average of 250 inches of natural snowfall each winter, and it stays open in the summer for activities like hiking and mountain biking.
Low inventory and varied home prices in Vermont’s Upper Valley
The town is sparsely populated and features a variety of housing styles. Most properties surround the town center along Vermont Route 14. This includes a mix of 19th-century cottages and Greek Revival estates, some of which offer panoramic views of the White River. Several tributaries of the White River wind through town, and properties near the river and its major tributaries may be susceptible to flooding during periods of heavy rainfall. Farther from the town center, houses range from traditional Cape Cods to sprawling custom-built estates with several acres of land.
Low inventory means that homes rarely go on the market in Sharon. Only eight homes sold in 2024, with prices ranging from $140,000 for a smaller Cape Cod-style home to nearly $780,000 for a prairie-style estate with enough acreage for a small homestead. The median price for single-family homes is around $270,000, and most houses rely on private septic systems and wells. While new construction can be expensive since public utilities are not readily available, buyers can purchase land and build their own properties. Lots typically sell for $50,000 to $150,000, depending on acreage.
Sharon is a “sending town” with public and independent school options
Residents here are served by the Sharon School District, part of the White River Valley Supervisory Union. Sharon Elementary School covers prekindergarten through sixth grade and earns a C-plus from Niche. It’s part of the Vermont Farm to School & Early Childhood Network, a statewide initiative connecting schools with local farms and giving students hands-on agricultural education experience. The district does not have a middle or high school. Instead, Sharon is a “sending town” that pays for seventh through 12th-grade students to attend approved public or independent schools. Public school options include the C-minus-rated White River Valley Middle School and the B-minus-rated White River Valley High School. Alternatively, The Sharon Academy is a popular independent day school with a B-minus from Niche.
Residents can visit the town center, or shop and dine in West Lebanon
A quaint town center along Vermont Route 14 features a post office, a gas station and the Sharon Congregational Church. It’s also home to the Sharon Trading Post, a classic country store where residents can stock up on groceries and household essentials. The Baxter Memorial Library offers free Wi-Fi and weekly story times, while the Seven Stars Arts Center supports the community with art classes, fitness groups and live concerts. Future planned additions to the town center include The Midway, a commercial development with flex spaces for lease. It’s currently home to the Something Wonderful Shop and does not yet have an estimated completion date.
Residents typically head to West Lebanon, about 15 miles away, for more comprehensive shopping and dining. Folks can run errands at spots such as Home Depot, Walmart, Target and Shaw’s, one of several grocery stores in the area. The dining scene ranges from fast-casual chains like Five Guys and Chili’s to local favorites like Four Aces Diner. Sharon is also less than 20 miles from Hanover, home to Dartmouth College and the Dartmouth-Hitchcock Medical Center.
Local festivities include Old Home Day and the Sprouty race
Each summer, Old Home Day invites current and former residents to celebrate their small town with a parade, live music and a chicken barbecue put on by the Sharon Firemen’s Association. Folks can also join Sharon Connects, a volunteer group hosting and supporting local events such as the Sprouty, a 5K and 10K race along the White River that raises money for Sharon Elementary School’s farm-to-school program.
Highway access and local bus service in the Upper Valley
Residents typically rely on their own cars to get around the rest of the Upper Valley and beyond. The town’s main thoroughfares are Vermont State Routes 14 and 132 and Interstate 89. The interstate offers direct routes to bigger cities such as Montpelier, about 40 miles northwest of Sharon. Public transportation includes the Tri-Valley Transit, which offers local bus service between the Sharon Park & Ride and destinations such as West Lebanon, Hanover and more. For flights, Lebanon Municipal Airport is about 15 miles away and has daily service to Boston and White Plains, New York.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
