South Hero

Located on one of the Lake Champlain islands, South Hero was part of the Two Heroes township — named for Ethan Allen and Samuel Herrick — granted in 1779. The town occupies the southern portion of the largest island in the chain, connected to the mainland by bridges and causeways. Apple orchards have defined the landscape here for generations, and Snow Farm Vineyard, one of Vermont's few wineries, adds to the agricultural character.

South Hero's population of roughly 2,399 swells in summer as visitors come for the lake, the beaches, and the slower pace. The Champlain Islands are a distinct corner of Vermont — flatter, warmer, and more connected to the lake than to the mountains. The town operates under a selectboard, and town meeting each March brings island residents together to set budgets and make the decisions that keep this small, water-defined community running smoothly.