Victory

With a population of roughly 70, Victory is one of the least populated towns in Vermont. Located in Essex County — the state's most sparsely settled region — Victory was chartered in 1781 but has never supported a large population. The Victory Basin, a vast area of boreal wetland and bog, is now managed as the Victory State Forest and Victory Wildlife Management Area, protecting thousands of acres of habitat for moose, bear, and boreal bird species.

There are no stores, no gas stations, no paved state roads through the center of town. Victory is wild country by Vermont standards. The handful of residents who live here govern themselves through a selectboard and annual town meeting, making Victory perhaps the purest example of direct democracy in the state — a place where nearly every eligible voter can fit in a single room and every voice is heard.