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Ferdinand VT Real Estate: Land along the Nulhegan River

By Tony Walton, Principal Broker, New England Landmark Realty

Quick Answer

Ferdinand is an Essex County town in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom with 16 residents at the 2020 Census, down from 213 in 1910. It covers about 52.8 square miles; the Nulhegan River flows across its northern part alongside Vermont Route 105, which links Island Pond and Bloomfield, and part of the town is in the Nulhegan Basin Division of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge. Ferdinand never organized a town government, and its business is handled by the Unified Towns & Gores of Essex County. Listings for Ferdinand and Island Pond appear at the bottom of this page.

Ferdinand at a Glance

• County: Essex
• Population: 16 (2020 Census)
• Area: about 52.6 square miles of land
• ZIP codes: 05846 (Island Pond) and 05905 (Guildhall)
• Government: Unified Towns & Gores of Essex County
• Highway: Vermont Route 105
• Highest point: Seneca Mountain, 3,170 feet

About Ferdinand

Ferdinand was named for Prince Karl Wilhelm Ferdinand of Brunswick-Lüneburg. Though it was chartered as a town, it never gained enough permanent residents to organize a local government.

The Nulhegan River runs west to east across the northern part of town, next to Route 105, and part of Ferdinand is in the Nulhegan Basin Division of the Conte refuge, which covers more than 26,000 acres across Brunswick, Ferdinand, Bloomfield, and Lewis. Seneca Mountain, at 3,170 feet, is the town's high point.

How the Unified Towns & Gores Work

Ferdinand has no town government of its own. Its town business, including the town clerk and land records, is handled by the Unified Towns & Gores of Essex County (UTG), which also covers Averill, Avery's Gore, Lewis, Warner's Grant, and Warren's Gore. The UTG's mailing address is in Island Pond (05846), and it keeps zoning bylaws and flood hazard regulations. For school arrangements, contact the Essex North Supervisory Union, and ask the UTG early about taxes, zoning, and permits for any property you're considering.

Buying Land or a Camp in Ferdinand

Most of Ferdinand is forest, much of it refuge or large timber holdings. If a parcel or camp comes up, confirm:

• Legal access: a deeded right-of-way or public road access, and whether the road is maintained year-round
• Boundaries: a current survey, especially next to large timber or conservation holdings
• Buildability: septic suitability, water supply, state permits, and the UTG's zoning rules
• Power: whether utility power is available or the property would be off-grid
• Flood zone: for property near the Nulhegan River, read the seller's flood disclosure and check the flood zone
• Current Use: whether the land is enrolled in Vermont's Current Use program

For more homes, camps, and land nearby, see Island Pond and Brighton and Averill. Our Vermont Land Buying Guide covers these steps in more detail.

Costs to Plan For

Vermont's property transfer tax, paid by the buyer at closing, is 1.47% for land and camps not suitable for year-round use; 3.62% for a second home suitable for year-round use; and 0.5% on the first $200,000 of a primary residence and 1.47% above that. Estimate your costs with our Vermont Home Cost Calculator.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many people live in Ferdinand, VT?

16, as of the 2020 Census.

What ZIP code does Ferdinand use?

05846 (Island Pond) or 05905 (Guildhall), depending on the part of town.

Who handles town business for Ferdinand?

The Unified Towns & Gores of Essex County, with its mailing address in Island Pond.

Is Ferdinand part of the Conte refuge?

Part of it is. The Nulhegan Basin Division spans Brunswick, Ferdinand, Bloomfield, and Lewis.

What road runs through Ferdinand?

Vermont Route 105, between Island Pond and Bloomfield, along the Nulhegan River.

What to Do Next

Call our office at 802-253-4711, reach Tony Walton directly at 802-233-4107, or contact us.

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• Vermont Land Buying Guide
• Nearby: Island Pond (Brighton), Lewis, Averill

Sources

• Ferdinand, Vermont (county, population, area, ZIP codes, Nulhegan River, Route 105, Seneca Mountain, name, UTG)
• Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (Nulhegan Basin Division)
• NVDA, Unified Towns and Gores
• Vermont Department of Taxes, Property Transfer Tax