Addison County, Vermont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Addison County
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Addison County courthouse in Middlebury
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Location within the U.S. state of Vermont
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Vermont's location within the U.S. |
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Country | United States |
State | Vermont |
Founded | 1785 |
Named for | Joseph Addison |
Shire Town | Middlebury |
Largest town | Middlebury |
Area | |
• Total | 808 sq mi (2,090 km2) |
• Land | 766 sq mi (1,980 km2) |
• Water | 41 sq mi (110 km2) 5.1%% |
Population
(2020)
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• Total | 37,363 |
• Density | 46.241/sq mi (17.854/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
Congressional district | At-large |
Addison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,363. Its shire town (county seat) is the town of Middlebury.
Contents
History
Iroquois settled in the county before Europeans arrived in 1609. French settlers in Crown Point, New York, extended their settlements across Lake Champlain. A few individuals or families came up the lake from Canada and established themselves at Chimney Point in 1730. In 1731, Fort Frederic was erected at Cross Point. In 1759, General Amherst occupied Cross Point and British settlers came in. The Battle of Bennington in Bennington, fought on August 16, 1777, brought a turning point for the American independence against British.
Addison County was established by act of the Legislature October 18, 1785, during the period of Vermont Republic. In 1791, Vermont joined the federal union after the original thirteen colonies. The main product of the county was wheat. In the 1820s, farmers began to raise sheep. The Champlain Canal was opened on 1823, making it possible for ships to navigate from the Hudson River. In 1840, the county produced more wool than any other county in the United States.
When Vermont was admitted into the Union in 1791, there were 9,267 people living in Addison County. By 1830, the population had grown to 26,503 people.
In 2008, the federal government declared the county a disaster area after severe storms and flooding June 14–17.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 808 square miles (2,090 km2), of which 766 square miles (1,980 km2) is land and 41 square miles (110 km2) (5.1%) is water. It is the third-largest county in Vermont by total area.
Addison County is located in the western half of the state of Vermont and nearly in the center north and south; between 43° 50′ and 44° 10′ north latitude. The primary stream of the county is Otter Creek, which runs through the county from the south to the north.
Adjacent counties
- Chittenden County - north
- Washington County - northeast
- Orange County - east
- Windsor County - southeast
- Rutland County - south
- Washington County, New York - southwest
- Essex County, New York - west
National protected area
- Green Mountain National Forest (part)
Demographics
Historical population | |||
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Census | Pop. | %± | |
1790 | 6,420 | — | |
1800 | 13,417 | 109.0% | |
1810 | 19,998 | 49.0% | |
1820 | 20,469 | 2.4% | |
1830 | 24,940 | 21.8% | |
1840 | 23,583 | −5.4% | |
1850 | 26,549 | 12.6% | |
1860 | 24,010 | −9.6% | |
1870 | 23,484 | −2.2% | |
1880 | 24,173 | 2.9% | |
1890 | 22,277 | −7.8% | |
1900 | 21,912 | −1.6% | |
1910 | 20,010 | −8.7% | |
1920 | 18,666 | −6.7% | |
1930 | 17,952 | −3.8% | |
1940 | 17,944 | 0.0% | |
1950 | 19,442 | 8.3% | |
1960 | 20,076 | 3.3% | |
1970 | 24,266 | 20.9% | |
1980 | 29,406 | 21.2% | |
1990 | 32,953 | 12.1% | |
2000 | 35,974 | 9.2% | |
2010 | 36,821 | 2.4% | |
2020 | 37,363 | 1.5% | |
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2018 |
2010 census
As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 36,821 people, 14,084 households, and 9,340 families living in the county. The population density was 48.0 inhabitants per square mile (18.5/km2). There were 16,760 housing units at an average density of 21.9 per square mile (8.5/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 95.3% white, 1.4% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.2% American Indian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.9% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 18.1% were English, 17.2% were Irish, 12.0% were German, 7.5% were American, 7.2% were French Canadian, 5.9% were Italian, and 5.3% were Scottish.
Of the 14,084 households, 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.3% were married couples living together, 8.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.7% were non-families, and 25.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 41.3 years.
The median income for a household in the county was $55,800 and the median income for a family was $67,721. Males had a median income of $43,643 versus $34,486 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,599. About 5.7% of families and 11.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 5.8% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Addison County has the following high schools:
- Vergennes Union High School in Vergennes
- Mt. Abraham Union High School in Bristol
- Middlebury Union High School in Middlebury
- Middlebury Union Middle School in Middlebury
Addison County is also home to two institutions of higher learning, Middlebury College and the Community College of Vermont, both located in Middlebury.
Transportation
Air
The Middlebury State Airport serves private aviation for Addison County. Commercial airlines are available to the north at Burlington International Airport in Chittenden County, and to the south at Rutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport in Rutland County.
Public transportation
Public bus service in Addison County is operated by Tri-Valley Transit (formerly ACTR). There is extensive bus service around Middlebury with connections to Vergennes, New Haven and Bristol, seasonal service to Middlebury Snow Bowl, as well as commuter buses to Burlington and Rutland operated in conjunction with Green Mountain Transit and the Marble Valley Regional Transit District, respectively.
Although the majority of rides are provided through the Shuttle Bus System, ACTR also operates a Dial-A-Ride System. This system enhances ACTR's ability to provide comprehensive transportation alternatives for all Addison County residents.
The Dial-A-Ride System includes programs that focus on specialized populations including elders, persons with disabilities, low-income families and individuals, as well as the visually impaired. Those eligible for Medicaid, Reach Up, are aged 60+ or with a disability may be eligible for free transportation. Nearly 40 Volunteer Drivers work with ACTR to provide these rides. Additional information about ACTR's transportation services are available at www.actr-vt.org.
Amtrak's daily Ethan Allen Express train serves two stations in Addison County: Middlebury and Ferrisburgh–Vergennes. The train makes major stops in Burlington, Rutland, Albany, and New York City. Begun in July 2022, this is the first regular passenger rail route in the county since the Rutland Railroad discontinued service in 1953.
Vermont Translines, an intercity bus carrier and interline partner with Greyhound and Amtrak, serves Addison County from Middlebury and Vergennes as well.
Major highways
Communities
City
Towns
Census-designated places
- Bristol
- East Middlebury
- Lincoln
- Middlebury
- New Haven
- South Lincoln
Other unincorporated communities
See also
In Spanish: Condado de Addison para niños