Williston, Vermont facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Williston, Vermont
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The Old Brick Tavern in Williston
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| Motto(s):
"Old town charm, new town spirit"
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Location in Chittenden County and the state of Vermont
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 Williston, Vermont
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Vermont |
| County | Chittenden |
| Communities | Williston North Williston Kirby Corner |
| Area | |
| • Total | 30.6 sq mi (79.2 km2) |
| • Land | 30.1 sq mi (77.9 km2) |
| • Water | 0.5 sq mi (1.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 604 ft (184 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 10,103 |
| • Density | 330.39/sq mi (127.56/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code |
05495
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| Area code(s) | 802 |
| FIPS code | 50-84475 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1462263 |
Williston is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont. It started as a country town with many farms. In recent years, it has grown into a busy suburb of Burlington, which is Vermont's largest city.
As of the 2020 census, 10,103 people lived in Williston. The town is one of the fastest-growing in Vermont. It has also become a major shopping area for people living in and around Burlington. The town's center is a National Register Historic District, which means it has special, protected historic buildings.
Contents
History
The town was created in 1763 by Benning Wentworth, the governor of the New Hampshire colony. He named it after Samuel Willis, a merchant from New York. Mr. Willis was one of the first 65 people to be granted land there, but he never actually visited the town.
The town is known for its well-kept brick buildings from the 1800s. These include the "Old Brick Church" from 1832, which is seen as one of Vermont's most beautiful country churches. Other historic buildings are now used as the Town Hall and the Town Annex.
Williston was also home to the Chittenden family. The county is named after this family. Thomas Chittenden, the first governor of Vermont, lived in Williston. He is buried in the town's main cemetery.
Train Accident of 1984
On the night of July 7, 1984, a serious train accident happened in Williston. An Amtrak passenger train hit a landslide and went off the tracks. Many people were hurt. The accident led to one of the largest emergency rescue efforts in Vermont's history.
Geography
Williston is located in the middle of Chittenden County. The Winooski River runs along its northern border. To the west is the city of South Burlington.
According to the United States Census Bureau, Williston has a total area of 30.6 square miles (79.2 km²). Most of this is land, with a small part being water.
Brooks
Two main streams, called brooks, flow through Williston.
- Allen Brook starts at Mud Pond and flows north through the center of town. It eventually joins the Winooski River.
- Muddy Brook flows along the western edge of Williston. It forms the border between Williston and the city of South Burlington.
Population Growth
Williston's population has grown a lot over the years, especially since the 1960s. The chart below shows how the number of people living in the town has changed over time. This shows its change from a small farming town to a larger suburban community.
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1790 | 471 | — | |
| 1800 | 836 | 77.5% | |
| 1810 | 1,185 | 41.7% | |
| 1820 | 1,246 | 5.1% | |
| 1830 | 1,608 | 29.1% | |
| 1840 | 1,554 | −3.4% | |
| 1850 | 1,669 | 7.4% | |
| 1860 | 1,479 | −11.4% | |
| 1870 | 1,441 | −2.6% | |
| 1880 | 1,342 | −6.9% | |
| 1890 | 1,161 | −13.5% | |
| 1900 | 1,176 | 1.3% | |
| 1910 | 1,000 | −15.0% | |
| 1920 | 929 | −7.1% | |
| 1930 | 961 | 3.4% | |
| 1940 | 1,021 | 6.2% | |
| 1950 | 1,182 | 15.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,484 | 25.5% | |
| 1970 | 3,187 | 114.8% | |
| 1980 | 3,843 | 20.6% | |
| 1990 | 4,887 | 27.2% | |
| 2000 | 7,650 | 56.5% | |
| 2010 | 8,698 | 13.7% | |
| 2020 | 10,103 | 16.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Economy
Williston is a major center for shopping in Vermont. The area of town called Taft Corners has many large stores, known as "big-box stores." It also has many popular chain restaurants.
The town is also home to a large law enforcement center for the U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency.
Education
Williston has two public schools for younger students:
- Allen Brook School for students in Pre-Kindergarten through 2nd grade.
- Williston Central School for students in 3rd through 8th grade.
For high school, students from Williston attend Champlain Valley Union High School in the nearby town of Hinesburg.
From 1968 to 2009, a private school called Pine Ridge School was located in Williston. It was a special school for students with learning disabilities.
Infrastructure
Transportation
Public bus service in Williston is provided by the Chittenden County Transportation Authority. The buses connect Williston with South Burlington and Burlington.
Major Roads
- Interstate 89 (I-89) is a major highway that runs through Williston.
- U.S. Route 2 is another main road. The historic village of Williston is located along this road.
- Vermont Route 2A runs north and south through the town. Most of the town's big shopping centers are located along this route.
Notable people
Many interesting people have lived in Williston. Here are a few of them:
- Thomas Chittenden: The first governor of Vermont.
- Martin Chittenden: A U.S. congressman and governor of Vermont. He was Thomas Chittenden's son.
- Ben Cohen and Jerry Greenfield: The co-founders of the famous ice cream company, Ben & Jerry's.
- Raul Hilberg: A famous historian who was a leading expert on the Holocaust.
- Ross Miner: A professional figure skater and skating coach.
- Haviland Smith: A retired officer who worked for the CIA.
- Russell S. Taft: A chief justice of the Vermont Supreme Court.
Images for kids
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Williston Central School
See also
In Spanish: Williston (Vermont) para niños
