South Hero VT Real Estate: Island Homes on Lake Champlain, Closest to Burlington

By Tony Walton, Principal Broker, New England Landmark Realty

Quick Answer

South Hero is the southernmost of the Champlain Islands towns, with about 1,670 people in Grand Isle County. US Route 2 crosses the lake on the Sand Bar bridge from Milton, making South Hero the islands' closest town to Burlington and I-89. It's a town of orchards, farms, and lakeshore, with the Island Line Trail's seasonal bike ferry to the Colchester Causeway. The Folsom Education and Community Center serves grades K-8, and families choose their high school. Current South Hero listings appear at the bottom of this page, and our South Hero market report shows recent sales and prices.

South Hero at a Glance

County: Grand Isle
ZIP code: 05486
Population: 1,674 (2020 Census)
Area: about 14.9 square miles of land and 32.6 square miles of water
Communities: South Hero village and Keeler Bay
Access: US Route 2 over the Sand Bar bridge from Milton
Schools: Folsom Education and Community Center (K-8); high school choice for grades 9-12

Living in South Hero

South Hero mixes island lake life with working farmland. Apples and dairy have long been mainstays here, and the town has several orchards and dairy farms. Much of the town's area is water, with homes and camps along the shore and around Keeler Bay.

It's also the most connected of the island towns. US Route 2 crosses the lake over the Sand Bar bridge into Milton, and from there it's a straightforward drive to I-89 and Burlington. For cyclists, the Island Line Trail runs across the lake on the Colchester Causeway toward Burlington; a small bike ferry, run seasonally by Local Motion, carries riders across the 200-foot gap known as "the Cut."

South Hero hosts an annual marathon and half-marathon and the parade for all of Grand Isle County.

Schools and High School Choice

South Hero runs its own school, the Folsom Education and Community Center, for grades K-8. For grades 9-12, the school district pays tuition and families choose among area high schools; recent choices have included South Burlington, Essex, Colchester, Champlain Valley Union, and others. Confirm current tuition rules with the school district.

Homes in South Hero

Buyers in South Hero find lakefront homes, seasonal camps and cottages, year-round homes with lake views, farmhouses, and land. See what's for sale now in the listings below, and check recent sale prices in the South Hero market report, which updates as homes sell.

Buying on the water? Check:

Year-round use: many island camps are seasonal; ask about heat, insulation, and water lines.
Water supply: some lake properties draw water from the lake; ask how it's treated and test it.
Septic: older camp systems may not meet current rules; get them inspected.
Shoreline and flooding: read the flood disclosure and check the flood zone, and remember that clearing or building within 250 feet of the lake may need a state shoreland permit.

Our Lake Champlain waterfront guide covers more.

Getting Around

US Route 2 crosses the Sand Bar bridge into Milton toward I-89 and Burlington, and runs north through Grand Isle and North Hero.
Island Line Trail connects South Hero to the Colchester Causeway and Burlington by bike, with a seasonal bike ferry across "the Cut."

Costs to Plan For

Vermont's property transfer tax, paid by the buyer at closing, is 0.5% on the first $200,000 of a primary residence and 1.47% above that; 3.62% for a second home suitable for year-round use; 1.47% for camps not suited to year-round use and land; and a VHFA-financed primary residence is exempt on the first $250,000. Estimate your costs with our Vermont Home Cost Calculator, and see our Vermont home inspection guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is South Hero, VT in?

Grand Isle County, in the Champlain Islands.

What is the ZIP code for South Hero, VT?

05486.

How do you get to South Hero from Burlington?

By car, take I-89 north to US Route 2 and cross the Sand Bar bridge from Milton. By bike, the Island Line Trail and its seasonal bike ferry connect South Hero to the Colchester Causeway and Burlington.

What schools serve South Hero?

The Folsom Education and Community Center for grades K-8, and high school choice for grades 9-12, with tuition paid by the school district.

How do I see recent home prices in South Hero?

Our South Hero market report lists recent sales, prices, and days on market, and updates automatically.

What to Do Next

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

Want Vermont market updates and homeowner tips in your inbox? Sign up for Tony's newsletter. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Lake Champlain Waterfront Homes
Nearby: Grand Isle, North Hero, Colchester

Sources

South Hero, Vermont (county, population, area, ZIP code, communities, Route 2 and Sand Bar bridge, orchards and dairy, marathon, parade)
Local Motion, Island Line Bike Ferry
Vermont Agency of Education, South Hero School District proposal (Folsom K-8, high school tuition and choices)
Folsom Education and Community Center
Vermont Department of Taxes, Property Transfer Tax

South Hero Homes & Land

9 Old Farm Rd, South Hero $669,000

Tucked away on a quiet private road shared by just four homes, this property offers the perfect blend of seclusion and convenience. Just three-tenths of a mile from publi...

5 Beds
3 Baths
5114662 MLS
2.68 Acres

487 Us Route 2, South Hero $250,000

This two-bedroom 14'x52' Mobile Home sits on a prime building lot with .52 acres of land right on Route 2 in South Hero. Zoned for both commercial and residential use, th...

2 Beds
1 Baths
5114161 MLS
0.52 Acres

342 Us Route 2, South Hero $499,000

Located in the heart of South Hero Village, this well-kept 4-bedroom, 2-bath home offers timeless charm, spacious living, and a convenient Lake Champlain Islands location...

4 Beds
2 Baths
5110168 MLS
0.61 Acres

9 Cedar St, South Hero $599,900

Enjoy the best of South Hero Island living in this thoughtfully designed 2006 contemporary home, ideally located just a few hundred feet from Lake Champlain’s Broad Lake....

3 Beds
3 Baths
5110108 MLS
0.38 Acres

24 Eagle Ln, South Hero $69,000

Don't miss seeing this home on one of the best lots in the Apple Island Resort. Relax on the expansive front to back deck and enjoy the shade of mature trees, a quiet sid...

1 Beds
5106988 MLS
0.09 Acres

7 Colonel Allen Dr, South Hero $169,000

Gorgeous 3+ acre building lot in great South Hero location! This lot is level and fully permitted for a three bedroom home. Its south end location provides a sense of p...

5105275 MLS
3.1 Acres

36 Island Cir S, South Hero $147,000 ▼

Welcome to 36 Island Circle, where summers slow down and Lake Champlain becomes part of your everyday routine. One of the newest homes in Apple Island Resort, this 2023 s...

1 Beds
1 Baths
5102018 MLS

47 Phelps Ln, South Hero $360,000

From the moment you turn onto the long, winding private driveway and emerge into wide open, sun-drenched fields, you feel an immediate sense of quiet freedom. Surrounded ...

5101340 MLS
3.7 Acres

47 Phelps Ln, South Hero $360,000

From the moment you turn onto the long, winding private driveway and emerge into wide open, sun-drenched fields, you feel an immediate sense of quiet freedom. Surrounded ...

4 Beds
3 Baths
5101337 MLS
3.7 Acres

33 Island Cir S, South Hero $75,000 ▼

This nicely furnished summer retreat, located in the prestigious Apple Island Resort, features abundant windows and multiple versatile spaces designed for seamless relaxa...

1 Beds
1 Baths
5100413 MLS

97 Kibbe Farm Rd, South Hero $1,395,000

Welcome to Kibbe Point, one of the most distinctive lakefront settings in South Hero, Vermont. Tucked among cedar trees at the end of a dead-end road, this seasonal Lake ...

6 Beds
5 Baths
5097897 MLS
1.4 Acres

17 Eagle Ln Unit 17, South Hero $65,000

Start making lifelong summer memories at Apple Island Resort on the shores of beautiful Lake Champlain! Whether you enjoy golfing, swimming, boating, fishing, arts and cr...

1 Beds
1 Baths
5097511 MLS

8 Angler Ln, South Hero $67,500 ▼

DRASTIC END OF SEASON REDUCTION!!!!!! The price of this property was just reduced from $99,000 to $67,500!! Act fast to have this cottage, with it's spectacular view of L...

1 Beds
1 Baths
5089349 MLS

2 Perch Cir S, South Hero $98,000

Enjoy lake life in the beautiful Champlain Islands! This charming 1-bedroom, 1-bath seasonal cottage is located in the highly desirable Apple Island Resort in South Hero....

1 Beds
1 Baths
5089347 MLS

2 Gull Ln, South Hero $189,000 ▼

Don’t miss this beautifully updated Apple Island retreat located on a corner lot across from the golf course and clubhouse, with lake and mountain views in the distance. ...

2 Beds
2 Baths
5088935 MLS

59 Island Cir S, South Hero $164,900 ▼

Beautifully updated seasonal home on one of the larger lots in Apple Island Resort, offering lake views, privacy, and the perfect blend of comfort and convenience. This 2...

2 Beds
2 Baths
5088620 MLS

49 Hill Rd, South Hero $765,000 ▼

SELLER OFFERING $10,000 IN SELLER CONCESSIONS TOWARDS LANDSCAPING, PERSONAL FINISHES OR BUYERS CLOSING COSTS! Experience refined single-level living just moments from Kee...

3 Beds
3 Baths
5088616 MLS
1.59 Acres

14 Turtle Bay Ln, South Hero $1,899,000 ▼

Life on Turtle Bay brings together substantial year-round living on Lake Champlain, offering 101’ of private lake frontage, exceptional indoor and outdoor spaces, and a r...

3 Beds
5 Baths
5088034 MLS
1.8 Acres

14 Ferry Rd, South Hero $719,000 ▼

Welcome to this multifunctional property sitting on 9.60 acres five minutes to the South Hero Lake Champlain boat access and boat docking. The home has three bedrooms, wi...

3 Beds
2 Baths
5085368 MLS
9.6 Acres

40 Rachel Way, South Hero $394,750

Ready to build your dream lakefront retreat this summer? Nestled on the shores of Lake Champlain in the heart of South Hero, this rare opportunity lets you craft a custom...

5083330 MLS
0.32 Acres

32 Phoebe Ln, South Hero $394,750

Ready to build your dream lakefront retreat this summer? Nestled on a hillside with sweeping easterly views of Keeler Bay on Lake Champlain, this rare South Hero homesite...

5083327 MLS
0.25 Acres

38 Featherbed Ln, South Hero $495,000 ▼

Discover this waterfront property on this expansive 1.6-acre property boasting 200 feet plus or minus of shoreline on the 'inland sea' of Lake Champlain. Enjoy sunrise vi...

2 Beds
2 Baths
5083074 MLS
1.6 Acres

316 South St, South Hero $3,250,000 ▼

Set along the coveted western shoreline of Lake Champlain in the heart of the Champlain Islands, this extraordinary 13+ acre estate offers over 350 feet of prime lake fro...

3 Beds
5 Baths
5078166 MLS
13.3 Acres

36 Sunrise Dr, South Hero $1,150,000 ▼

Welcome to your perfect Lake Champlain getaway and proven income producer! This beautifully updated and fully furnished lakefront home offers the ideal blend of relaxatio...

3 Beds
4 Baths
5066518 MLS
0.58 Acres

2 Angler Ln, South Hero $269,000 ▼

Tucked away in the Champlain Islands, where sunrises and sunsets paint the sky, this spectacular seasonal cottage at Apple Island Resort is a true summer sanctuary! With ...

2 Beds
2 Baths
5065074 MLS

Lot 2 Gifford, South Hero $175,000

This wonderful country building lot in the beautiful town of South Hero has a State of Vermont Waste water/well permit for a three-bedroom home. Surrounded by the family'...

5062902 MLS
1 Acres

Lot 1 Gifford, South Hero $185,000

This wonderful country building lot in the beautiful town of South Hero has a State of Vermont Waste water/well permit for a three bedroom home. Surrounded by the family'...

5062895 MLS
1.02 Acres

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