The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 05451 sells for about $336,800, or $187 per square foot.
Prices are down 2.1% from a year ago, which gives buyers more room to negotiate. Homes take about 45 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,650 a month.
ZIP 05451 — Essex
The Fairfax housing market remains stable, characterized by low inventory and steady demand from local commuters. While prices have seen minor fluctuations, the market is supported by its appeal as a rural, community-centered alternative to the Burlington metro area.
Fairfax is well-suited for families and commuters seeking a balance between rural living and accessibility to larger employment hubs in Chittenden County.
Median prices moved down 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 45 days on market with 4.2 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
12% 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 3.1% · poverty 13.9% — 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 3.6%/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 3.7%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 05451, Franklin County VT
Crime rates in Fairfax are generally low, consistent with the rural character of Franklin County and significantly lower than regional urban centers like Burlington.
The area is served by the Fairfax School District, which is generally regarded for its community-focused approach and stable academic performance.
The region faces typical New England climate risks, including seasonal flooding near the Lamoille River and winter storm impacts; property insurance remains standard for the state.
Fairfax has experienced steady residential growth as a bedroom community, balancing its rural identity with its role as a commuter hub for Chittenden County employment centers.
Property taxes are assessed at the town level in Vermont, with rates determined by local school budgets and state-wide education funding formulas.
Residents primarily commute by car toward Burlington and St. Albans, with an average commute time of approximately 28 minutes.
The town offers access to the Lamoille River for outdoor activities, local parks, and proximity to broader regional trails and recreational amenities in Franklin County.
The rental market is characterized by limited inventory and steady demand from commuters, with few large-scale multi-family developments.
The local economy is largely driven by small businesses, agriculture, and the service sector, with many residents employed in the nearby Burlington metropolitan area.
Transportation is primarily highway-dependent, with limited public transit options connecting the town to regional employment centers.
Development is focused on maintaining the town's rural character while accommodating modest residential growth.
Parcels are subject to local town and school district taxes, with no major MUD/PID structures typical of the region.
Property insurance markets are stable, though premiums reflect regional risks associated with severe weather and rural fire protection.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau and Data USA profiles.
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.
- Smugglers' Notch Resort4.517.5 mi
- Spare Time Colchester4.33.4 mi
- Get Air Trampoline Park4.13 mi
- Monkey Do!4.32.7 mi
- The Great Escape Room Burlington55.2 mi
- Stowe Mountain Resort4.216.3 mi
- Champlain Valley Exposition4.30.8 mi
- ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain4.65.5 mi
- Foam Brewers - Burlington4.75.5 mi
- Spare Time Colchester4.33.4 mi
- Shelburne Museum4.810.1 mi
- Shelburne Farms4.89.4 mi
- Champlain Valley Exposition4.30.8 mi
- ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain4.65.5 mi
- Waterfront Park4.75.6 mi
- Shelburne Museum4.810.1 mi
- ECHO, Leahy Center for Lake Champlain4.65.5 mi
- Ethan Allen Homestead Museum and Historic Site4.56.1 mi
- Lake Champlain Causeway4.911.8 mi
- Fleming Museum of Art4.54.4 mi
- Shelburne Farms4.89.4 mi
- Waterfront Park4.75.6 mi
- Causeway Park4.810.1 mi
- North Beach Park4.66.4 mi
- Leddy Park4.57 mi
- Apple Island Resort4.312.7 mi
- Point Bay Marina4.917.2 mi
- Indian Bay Marina and Restaurant4.814.6 mi
- Burlington Harbor Marina4.75.7 mi
- Apple Island Resort4.312.7 mi
- Cedar Knoll Country Club4.713 mi
- West Bolton Golf Club4.510.6 mi
- Kwiniaska Golf Course4.18 mi
- Church Street Marketplace4.55.2 mi
- University Mall3.84 mi
- T.J. Maxx4.25.7 mi
- Healthy Living4.43.9 mi
- Shaw's43.7 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area from Google Maps, ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
Provides recreational opportunities including fishing and paddling.
Local green space serving the town center.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.