The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 05038 sells for about $350,000, or $185 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.5% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 62 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,567 a month.
ZIP 05038 — Chelsea
The housing market in 05038 remains stable with low inventory and steady demand for rural properties. Prices have seen modest year-over-year growth, driven by limited supply and the area's appeal to remote workers. Market activity is currently balanced, reflecting the slow-paced nature of this rural Vermont community.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle, remote workers, and those looking for a community-focused environment away from urban centers.
Median prices moved up 2.5% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 62 days on market with 6.0 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
15% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 0.9% · poverty 13.4% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 4.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 05038, Orange County VT
The area is served by local public schools within the Orange Southwest Unified Union School District, generally characterized by small class sizes and rural community engagement.
The region faces moderate risks from seasonal flooding and winter weather events, with property insurance premiums reflecting standard New England hazard profiles.
Economic momentum is driven by local agriculture, small-scale tourism, and remote work, with limited large-scale commercial development.
Property taxes are assessed at the municipal level in Chelsea, Vermont, based on fair market value with a statewide education property tax component.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents traveling to regional employment hubs like Barre or Montpelier via state highways.
The area offers extensive access to rural outdoor recreation, including hiking trails, local parks, and proximity to the Green Mountain National Forest.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and high demand for single-family housing, with limited multi-family supply.
The local economy is anchored by small businesses, agricultural operations, and public sector employment in the surrounding county.
Transportation is entirely reliant on private vehicles; there is no significant public transit infrastructure.
Development is strictly managed by local zoning to preserve the rural character of the town.
The Orange County appraisal process follows Vermont state standards for annual property valuation.
Parcels are subject to local school district taxes and municipal levies.
Property insurance availability is stable, though premiums are influenced by regional wildfire and flood risk assessments.
Vermont is a judicial foreclosure state requiring court intervention.
Vermont law requires sellers to provide a property disclosure statement regarding known material defects.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Historic town center and community gathering space.
Provides local fishing and recreational access.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.