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Lewis VT Real Estate: Timberland in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom

By Tony Walton, Principal Broker, New England Landmark Realty

Quick Answer

Lewis is an unorganized town in Essex County, in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, with 2 residents at the 2020 Census. It never had enough permanent residents to incorporate, and its town business is handled by the Unified Towns & Gores of Essex County, based in Island Pond. Part of the town is in the Nulhegan Basin Division of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge, and the rest has been owned by a large timber company. That means private homes and land in Lewis almost never come up for sale; most buyers drawn to this area look in nearby Island Pond (Brighton). Listings for Lewis and Island Pond appear at the bottom of this page.

Lewis at a Glance

• County: Essex
• Population: 2 (2020 Census)
• Area: about 39.7 square miles
• Government: Unified Towns & Gores of Essex County, office in Island Pond
• Mailing address: Island Pond, 05846
• Public land: part of the Nulhegan Basin Division of the Conte refuge

About Lewis

Lewis was named for landholders Nathan, Sevignior, and Timothy Lewis. It never gained a large permanent population; it had 8 residents in 1900 and none for most of the 20th century. The town's business, including the town clerk, is handled by the Unified Towns & Gores of Essex County (UTG), which also covers Averill, Avery's Gore, Ferdinand, Warner's Grant, and Warren's Gore.

The Nulhegan Basin Division of the Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge covers more than 26,000 acres across Brunswick, Ferdinand, Bloomfield, and Lewis, with its headquarters and visitor contact station in Brunswick. The land outside the refuge has been working timberland owned by a single logging company.

Buying in and around Lewis

Because nearly all of Lewis is refuge or company timberland, a private parcel for sale here is rare. If one does come up, confirm:

• Legal access: a deeded right-of-way, since roads here may be private logging roads
• Boundaries: a current survey, especially next to refuge or timber company land
• Buildability: septic suitability, water, and state permits, plus the UTG's zoning rules
• Power: whether utility power is available or the property would be off-grid
• Current Use: whether the land is enrolled in Vermont's Current Use program

For homes, camps, and land in the same corner of the Kingdom, see Island Pond and Brighton and Averill. Our Vermont Land Buying Guide covers the 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

Does anyone live in Lewis, VT?

Very few people. The 2020 Census counted 2 residents.

Who runs Lewis if it has no town government?

The Unified Towns & Gores of Essex County, with its office in Island Pond, handles town business for Lewis and several other unorganized towns and gores.

Can you buy land in Lewis?

Rarely. Much of the town is in the Nulhegan Basin refuge, and the rest has been company-owned timberland. Nearby Island Pond has more homes, camps, and land for sale.

What is the mailing address for Lewis?

Island Pond, 05846.

Is Lewis part of the Conte refuge?

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

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), Averill

Sources

• Lewis, Vermont (county, population, area, never incorporated, UTG, land ownership, history, ZIP)
• Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge (Nulhegan Basin Division)
• NVDA, Unified Towns and Gores
• Vermont Department of Taxes, Property Transfer Tax