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Westmore VT Real Estate: Homes and Camps on Lake Willoughby

By Tony Walton, Principal Broker, New England Landmark Realty

Quick Answer

Westmore is a small Orleans County town of about 360 people in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom, and it's home to Lake Willoughby, a glacier-carved lake set between the cliffs of Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor. The cliffs are a National Natural Landmark, and the state protects 7,600 acres around them as Willoughby State Forest. Most of Westmore's homes and camps cluster around the lake. Current Westmore listings appear at the bottom of this page, and our Westmore market report shows recent sales and prices.

Westmore at a Glance

• County: Orleans (Northeast Kingdom)
• ZIP codes: addresses use Barton (05822) or Orleans (05860)
• Population: 357 (2020 Census)
• Area: about 37.5 square miles, including about 2.9 square miles of water
• Lake: Lake Willoughby, carved by glaciers about 12,000 years ago
• Mountains: Mount Pisgah (2,752 feet) to the east and Mount Hor (2,654 feet) to the west
• Schools: high school students attend Lake Region Union High School

Living in Westmore

Lake Willoughby is the reason people come to Westmore. The lake sits in a narrow glacial gap, with Mount Pisgah rising on one side and Mount Hor on the other, and the cliffs above it are a designated National Natural Landmark. In 1970 the state acquired 7,600 acres around the lake as part of Willoughby State Forest.

Summer means swimming, boating, fishing, and hiking the trails up Pisgah and Hor. The town itself is small, with one village clustered around the lake. Barton and Orleans, a short drive west, have groceries and services.

Homes and Camps in Westmore

Buyers in Westmore find lakefront and lake-view homes, seasonal camps and cottages on Lake Willoughby, and rural homes and wooded land away from the water. See what's for sale now in the listings below, and check recent sale prices in the Westmore market report, which updates as homes sell.

Buying on the lake? Development and clearing within 250 feet of a lake larger than 10 acres may need a state shoreland permit, and many lake camps are seasonal. Ask about year-round use, winter access, septic, and water supply. Our second home guide covers what to check.

Getting Around

• Vermont Route 5A runs along Lake Willoughby, connecting north toward Derby and south toward US Route 5 and I-91.
• Barton and Orleans, to the west, are the nearest towns for services and I-91 access.

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; and a VHFA-financed primary residence is exempt on the first $250,000. Estimate your payment, transfer tax, and cash to close with our Vermont Home Cost Calculator. Most Westmore homes have private wells and septic systems; see our Vermont home inspection guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What county is Westmore, VT in?

Orleans County, in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom.

What ZIP code does Westmore use?

Westmore addresses use Barton (05822) or Orleans (05860).

Is Lake Willoughby in Westmore?

Yes. Lake Willoughby, set between Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor, is in Westmore, and its cliffs are a National Natural Landmark.

What is Willoughby State Forest?

About 7,600 acres around Lake Willoughby, acquired by the state in 1970.

How do I see recent home prices in Westmore?

Our Westmore 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.

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• Vermont Second Home Buying Guide
• Nearby: Derby, Newport, Jay

Sources

• Westmore, Vermont (county, population, area, ZIP codes, Lake Willoughby, Mount Pisgah and Mount Hor, Willoughby State Forest, National Natural Landmark, high school)
• Vermont DEC, Shoreland Permitting
• Vermont Department of Taxes, Property Transfer Tax