The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 05251 sells for about $406,807, or $230 per square foot.
Prices are up +7.3% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 74 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,650 a month.
This ZIP has no home sales of its own, so its market figures come from Bennington County, Vermont (county-level). Population, rents, hazards, lending and amenities are this ZIP's own readings.
ZIP 05251 — Dorset
The market in 05251 remains highly exclusive with limited inventory, driving prices to record highs. Demand is sustained by affluent buyers seeking luxury properties, though the high price point and low turnover result in a slow pace of sales.
This ZIP is ideal for affluent buyers, second-home owners, and retirees seeking a high-end, scenic lifestyle with access to outdoor recreation and historic charm.
Median prices moved up 7.3% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 74 days on market with 4.1 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
19% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.6% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 1.3% · poverty 10.0% — 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 12.0%/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 9.7%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 05251, Bennington County VT
Crime rates in the area are consistently low, with the region experiencing significantly less violent and property crime compared to national averages.
The area is served by highly-rated public schools within the Bennington-Rutland Supervisory Union, known for strong academic performance and small class sizes.
The region faces moderate risks from seasonal flooding near water bodies and winter storm impacts, with property insurance premiums reflecting these environmental factors.
Economic momentum is driven by tourism, hospitality, and a growing base of remote professionals, supported by the area's reputation as a premier Vermont destination.
Property taxes are assessed at the municipal and state education levels, with rates determined by the town of Dorset and the state's uniform education tax system.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents traveling along VT-30 and VT-7 toward regional employment hubs in Manchester and Bennington.
The area offers extensive access to the Green Mountains, including hiking trails, fly fishing, and proximity to world-class skiing, alongside boutique shopping in nearby villages.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and high demand, heavily influenced by seasonal tourism and a limited supply of long-term housing.
The local economy is anchored by tourism, high-end hospitality, and small-scale artisanal businesses, with significant influence from the regional Manchester market.
Public transit is limited; the area relies on private vehicle travel via major state routes.
Development is strictly managed through local zoning to preserve the historic and rural character of the village.
Parcels are subject to local school district taxes and municipal assessments.
Insurance markets are stable but sensitive to wildfire and flood risk assessments common in rural Vermont.
Vermont experiences modest net domestic migration, with a trend of remote workers moving from urban centers.
Vermont is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court intervention for the foreclosure process.
Sellers are required to provide a property disclosure statement regarding the condition of the home.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov for ZCTA 05251.
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.
Historic private club offering golf and tennis.
Popular destination for swimming, camping, and hiking.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass. Coherence hold-out: this pass's median price ($2,850,000) sat outside the 0.25–4× band around Bennington County's retained level and was not stored.