On the VT-NY border, West Haven is a tiny town with a rural feel
West Haven is a rural town at Lake Champlain’s southern tip, where the Poultney River traces the Vermont–New York border before flowing into the lake. Fewer than 300 people live in this agricultural community, making it Rutland County’s second smallest town. Residents live off the beaten path, trading everyday convenience for the quiet tranquility of country life. What West Haven lacks in city amenities, it makes up for in natural beauty. Bald Mountain rises along the town’s southern edge, framing its rolling hills and green pastures with a scenic backdrop. The town has a CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, the lowest possible rating and well below the national average of 4.
Homes offer privacy and acreage, though they rarely hit the market
Homes in West Haven sit along quiet country roads, many unpaved and surfaced with dirt or gravel. Long driveways lead to New England-style farmhouses, traditional Colonial Revivals and expansive raised-ranch or ranch-style homes. Newer builds include custom-designed properties in various architectural styles. Tree-lined lots provide privacy and often include enough acreage for a hobby farm or a small homestead. Listings are rare — only one home sold in 2024, a three-bedroom raised ranch on 25 acres for $425,000. According to a Homes.com calculation, which uses a combination of estimate data, the average home value in the neighborhood was just under $500,000 in late 2025.
Students can attend public schools in Fair Haven
West Haven belongs to the Slate Valley Unified School District, which has an average student-teacher ratio of 13-to-1 and scores a C-minus from Niche. Fair Haven Grade School also earns a C-minus, and Fair Haven Union Middle & High School scores a C-plus. Both schools are about 7 miles from West Haven. The grade school hosts annual events like Applefest, a fall-themed celebration that brings the community together each September. The high school features several award-winning athletic teams, with its girls basketball team capturing the 2025 state championship, and its football team claiming the Division 2 state title in 2024.
Getting outside at preserves and trails in the Lake Champlain Basin
Nature preserves help protect West Haven’s rural charm. The Nature Conservancy manages areas like the Helen W. Buckner Memorial Natural Area at Bald Mountain, which borders the Poultney River and supports rare plant and animal species. Its trails offer hiking and snowshoeing, with winters bringing more than 6 feet of annual snowfall to West Haven. Killington Resort and the Adirondacks are within reach for winter sports enthusiasts. “Killington is the largest ski resort in the northeast,” says Kyle Kershner, owner of Killington Pico Realty and a longtime Rutland County resident. Paddlers and fishermen can head north to Benson Landing for public boat access to Lake Champlain’s southern shore. West Haven also hosts the Devil’s Bowl Speedway, a half-mile dirt track that runs modified races from May through September.
Rural community where locals head outside town for shopping and dining
Family-run farms form the backbone of West Haven’s agricultural community. Charron Farm raises grass-fed Black Angus beef, while Book Farm offers pick-your-own pumpkins and a festive corn maze each fall. West Haven has no shops or restaurants, so residents travel outside town to run errands or grab a bite to eat. Fair Haven, about 7 miles away, has a grocery store, pharmacy and several casual restaurants.
Nearby highways connect West Haven to Burlington and Rutland
West Haven is a car-dependent community, with country roads that sit off the beaten path. State Route 22A runs along the town’s eastern edge and carries traffic north and south through the Champlain Valley. It’s about 65 miles north to Burlington International Airport. Rutland is roughly 25 miles east, offering access to health care at Rutland Regional Medical Center and flights to Boston from Rutland-Southern Vermont Regional Airport via Cape Air. "That’s one of Vermont's larger cities,” Kershner says. “It’s one of the main shopping hubs.” Residents can also hop across state lines to New York, where Whitehall has a train station on Amtrak’s Adirondack route.
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Written By
Sally Stimpson
