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Addison County, Vermont facts for kids

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Addison County
Addison County courthouse in Middlebury
Addison County courthouse in Middlebury
Map of Vermont highlighting Addison County
Location within the U.S. state of Vermont
Map of the United States highlighting Vermont
Vermont's location within the U.S.
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)
 • 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.

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

Dunmore
Lake Dunmore is located in Salisbury and Leicester, entirely within Addison County.
SnakeMT 20151011 (23945838081)
Eastern view from Vermont Route 17 in Addison of Snake Mountain (right) and Mount Abraham (center).

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

National protected area

  • Green Mountain National Forest (part)

Demographics

Historical population
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

Midd wiki 2
Middlebury College is located in Addison County.

Addison County has the following high schools:

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

  • US 7.svg U.S. Route 7
  • Vermont 12A.svg Vermont Route 12A
  • Vermont 17.svg Vermont Route 17
  • Vermont 22A.svg Vermont Route 22A
  • Ellipse sign 23.svg Vermont Route 23
  • Vermont 30.svg Vermont Route 30
  • Ellipse sign 53.svg Vermont Route 53
  • Vermont 73.svg Ellipse sign 73.svg Vermont Route 73
  • Vermont 74.svg Vermont Route 74
  • Vermont 100.svg Vermont Route 100
  • Vermont 116.svg Vermont Route 116
  • Vermont 125.svg Vermont Route 125

Communities

City

Towns

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Addison para niños

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