Addison County, Vermont

Addison County
Addison County
County
	Addison County courthouse in Middlebury
	Location within the U.S. state of Vermont
	Vermont's location within the U.S.
	Coordinates: 44°01′58″N 73°10′05″W / 44.032776°N 73.167923°W
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/sq mi (18/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	At-large
Website	www.addisoncounty.com

44°03′N 73°07′W / 44.050°N 73.117°W / 44.050; -73.117

Addison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of the 2020 census, the population was 37,363.^[1] Its shire town (county seat) is the town of Middlebury.^[2]

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.^{[citation needed]} 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,^[3] 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.^{[citation needed]} The Champlain Canal was opened in 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.^[3]

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.^{[citation needed]}

In 2008, the federal government declared the county a disaster area after severe storms and flooding June 14–17.^[4]

Geography

Lake Dunmore is located in Salisbury and Leicester, entirely within Addison County.

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.^[5] It is the third-largest county in Vermont by total area.^{[citation needed]}

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.^{[citation needed]}

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^[6] 1790–1960^[7] 1900–1990^[8] 1990–2000^[9] 2010–2018^[10]

2000 census

According to the 2000 census,^[11] there were 35,974 people, 13,068 households and 9,108 families living in the county. The population density was 47 people per square mile (18 people/km²). There were 15,312 housing units at an average density of 20 units per square mile (7.7 units/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.86% White, 0.54% Black or African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.73% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.29% from other races, and 1.29% from two or more races. 1.10% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 15.5% were of English, 12.7% American, 12.0% French, 10.8% French Canadian, 10.8% Irish and 6.7% German ancestry. 96.0% spoke English, 1.8% French and 1.2% Spanish as their first language.

There were 13,068 households, of which 34.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.40% were married couples living together, 8.30% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.30% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.90% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.55 and the average family size was 3.02.

Age distribution was 24.90% under the age of 18, 12.50% from 18 to 24, 26.90% from 25 to 44, 24.30% from 45 to 64, and 11.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 97.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.40 males.

The median household income was $43,142, and the median family income was $49,351. Males had a median income of $31,836 versus $24,416 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,539. About 5.10% of families and 8.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.10% of those under age 18 and 8.00% of those age 65 or over.

For historical populations since 1900, see Historical U.S. Census totals for Addison County, Vermont

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.^[12] 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).^[13] 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.^[12] 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.^[14]

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.^[12]

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.^[15]

Politics

In 1828, the county voted for National Republican Party candidate John Quincy Adams.

In 1832, the county voted for Anti-Masonic Party candidate William Wirt.

From William Henry Harrison in 1836 to Winfield Scott in 1852, the state would vote the Whig Party candidates.

From John C. Frémont in 1856 to Richard Nixon in 1960, the Republican Party would have a 104-year winning streak in the county.

In 1964, the county was won by Democratic Party incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson, who became not only the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the county, but to win the state of Vermont entirely.

Following the Democrats victory in 1964, the county went back to voting for Republican candidates for another 16 year winning streak starting with Richard Nixon in 1968 and ending with Ronald Reagan in 1984, who became the last Republican presidential candidate to win the county.

In 1988, the county was won by Michael Dukakis and has been won by Democratic candidates ever since.

United States presidential election results for Addison County, Vermont^[16]
Year	Republican / Whig		Democratic		Third party(ies)
Year	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	6,292	28.57%	14,967	67.96%	763	3.46%
2016	5,297	27.83%	11,219	58.95%	2,515	13.22%
2012	5,203	29.05%	12,257	68.44%	450	2.51%
2008	5,667	29.46%	13,202	68.62%	369	1.92%
2004	7,077	38.09%	11,147	60.00%	355	1.91%
2000	6,953	39.90%	8,936	51.28%	1,538	8.83%
1996	4,798	31.05%	8,164	52.83%	2,491	16.12%
1992	5,034	29.57%	8,092	47.53%	3,900	22.91%
1988	6,773	49.09%	6,791	49.22%	233	1.69%
1984	7,589	58.26%	5,299	40.68%	137	1.05%
1980	5,216	44.85%	4,351	37.41%	2,063	17.74%
1976	5,726	56.52%	4,164	41.10%	241	2.38%
1972	6,467	65.99%	3,262	33.29%	71	0.72%
1968	5,006	60.84%	2,914	35.42%	308	3.74%
1964	3,500	42.38%	4,758	57.62%	0	0.00%
1960	5,520	65.03%	2,969	34.97%	0	0.00%
1956	5,990	78.22%	1,668	21.78%	0	0.00%
1952	6,057	78.18%	1,667	21.52%	24	0.31%
1948	4,148	70.68%	1,615	27.52%	106	1.81%
1944	4,097	66.25%	2,079	33.62%	8	0.13%
1940	4,500	63.22%	2,593	36.43%	25	0.35%
1936	5,161	65.90%	2,646	33.79%	24	0.31%
1932	5,295	62.83%	3,031	35.96%	102	1.21%
1928	5,247	72.09%	2,003	27.52%	28	0.38%
1924	4,927	87.68%	557	9.91%	135	2.40%
1920	4,515	88.93%	503	9.91%	59	1.16%
1916	2,765	74.67%	874	23.60%	64	1.73%
1912	1,835	45.34%	621	15.34%	1,591	39.31%
1908	2,986	84.42%	444	12.55%	107	3.03%
1904	3,146	87.20%	366	10.14%	96	2.66%
1900	3,286	86.41%	467	12.28%	50	1.31%
1896	4,314	89.17%	404	8.35%	120	2.48%
1892	3,146	80.73%	621	15.94%	130	3.34%
1888	4,036	82.77%	618	12.67%	222	4.55%
1884	4,878	85.85%	600	10.56%	204	3.59%
1880	3,842	85.72%	585	13.05%	55	1.23%
1876	3,787	81.92%	835	18.06%	1	0.02%
1872	3,586	87.00%	517	12.54%	19	0.46%
1868	3,679	90.08%	405	9.92%	0	0.00%
1864	3,548	91.21%	342	8.79%	0	0.00%
1860	2,411	86.91%	302	10.89%	61	2.20%
1856	3,084	89.21%	306	8.85%	67	1.94%
1852	1,847	65.43%	341	12.08%	635	22.49%
1848	2,319	65.20%	273	7.68%	965	27.13%

Education

Middlebury College is located in Addison County.

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.^[17]

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.^[18]

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.^[19]

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.^[20]

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.^[21]

Vermont Translines, an intercity bus carrier and interline partner with Greyhound and Amtrak, serves Addison County from Middlebury and Vergennes as well.