Shelburne, Vermont

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Shelburne, Vermont
Town
A section of central Shelburne
A section of central Shelburne
Location in Chittenden County and the state of Vermont.
Location in Chittenden County and the state of Vermont.
Shelburne, Vermont is located in the United States
Shelburne, Vermont
Shelburne, Vermont
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 44°23′23″N 73°13′29″W / 44.38972°N 73.22472°W / 44.38972; -73.22472Coordinates: 44°23′23″N 73°13′29″W / 44.38972°N 73.22472°W / 44.38972; -73.22472
CountryUnited States
StateVermont
CountyChittenden
CommunitiesShelburne
Shelburne Falls
Area
 • Total45.1 sq mi (116.7 km2)
 • Land24.3 sq mi (63.0 km2)
 • Water20.8 sq mi (53.8 km2)
Elevation
203 ft (62 m)
Population
 (2010)
 • Total7,144
 • Density294/sq mi (113.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
05482
Area code(s)802
FIPS code50-64300[1]
GNIS feature ID1462206[2]
Websitewww.shelburnevt.org

Shelburne is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. Located along the shores of Lake Champlain, Shelburne is a suburb of Burlington, the largest city in the state of Vermont. Shelburne's town center lies approximately 7 miles (11 km) south of Burlington's city center. The population of Shelburne was 7,775 in 2018 according to the US census bureau[3]

The main settlement of Shelburne in the center of town is a census-designated place (CDP), with a population of 592 at the 2010 census.[4] The town is the wealthiest municipality in both Chittenden County and the Burlington, Vermont metropolitan area.[5]

History[]

Shelburne was chartered by New Hampshire, August 18, 1763, to Jesse Hallock and 64 associates by Governor Benning Wentworth. The name "Shelburne" or "Shelburn" was chosen to honor William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne, a celebrated nobleman of the British Parliament and Prime Minister. According to the charter, the town was to have an area of 23,500 acres (95.1 km2), or a tract a little over 6 square miles (15.5 km2), but owing to a blunder on the part of the surveyors, it was shorn of a large portion of its possessions.[citation needed]

From the beginning, Shelburne's economy was based on farming. With the clearing of land and burning of logs the town experienced a potash boom. A carding and fulling mill, a gristmill, a sawmill, and a blacksmith shop were erected on the La Platte River at Shelburne Falls. In 1811, a few Merino sheep imported from Spain led to an upsurge in sheep raising. Orchards and fruit growing became a major source of income for the farmers, with some 17,740 trees in 1880. Following the War of 1812, commerce on the lake expanded rapidly.[citation needed]

The Lake Champlain Transportation Company established its shipyard at Shelburne Harbor and launched its first steamboat, the General Green, in 1825; this was followed by ten others before the Ticonderoga in 1906. In 1955, the Ticonderoga was moved overland to the Shelburne Museum, where it is now on display.[6]

Geography[]

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.1 square miles (116.7 km2), of which 24.3 square miles (63.0 km2) is land and 20.8 square miles (53.8 km2), or 46.06%, is water (primarily Lake Champlain, but also including Shelburne Pond in the eastern part of town).

Government and politics[]

The town had the highest voter turnout in Vermont in the general election of 2008 with 89.4%. It had the highest number of registered voters among the top ten towns with the highest turnout. It also had the second-highest percentage of people voting absentee of any town in Vermont, 50.2%.[7]

In the Vermont Democratic Party Presidential primary of 2016, the town was the worst-performing of all municipalities in both Chittenden County and the Burlington metro area for U.S. Senator Bernie Sanders of nearby Burlington. Bernie Sanders received 76.6% of the Democratic primary vote in the town and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton received her highest level of support for any municipality in the county and metro area, at 23.1%.[8] Kathryn Webb and Jessica Brumsted (both democrat) represent the town in the Vermont House of Representatives.

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790389—
180072385.9%
181098736.5%
1820936−5.2%
18301,12320.0%
18401,089−3.0%
18501,25715.4%
18601,178−6.3%
18701,1901.0%
18801,096−7.9%
18901,30018.6%
19001,202−7.5%
19101,097−8.7%
1920997−9.1%
19301,0060.9%
19401,0100.4%
19501,36535.1%
19601,80532.2%
19703,728106.5%
19805,00034.1%
19905,87117.4%
20006,94418.3%
20107,1442.9%
20207,7178.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 6,944 people, 2,632 households, and 1,845 families residing in the town. The population density was 285.6 people per square mile (110.3/km2). There were 2,741 housing units at an average density of 112.8 per square mile (43.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.60% White, 0.23% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.86% of the population.

There were 2,632 households, out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were couples living together and joined in either marriage or civil union, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.08.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.

Economy[]

barn at Shelburne Farms
Shelburne Farms

The town contains businesses, including manufacturers, service providers, retail establishments and the state's largest continuing care retirement community.[citation needed] In 2007 a historic inn was converted into a mixed use array of offices, small retail, and a restaurant.

Personal income[]

In 2016, the median income for a household in the town was $98,898, and the median income for a family was $118,492.[10] Males had a median income of $50,085 versus $28,428 for females. The per capita income for the town was $55,638.[10] About 2.9% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.

Tourism[]

The town has three major tourist attractions: the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms, and the Vermont Teddy Bear. Also attracting tourists to Shelburne are: Shelburne Vineyard and Fiddlehead Brewery.[11]

The town maintains a beach on Lake Champlain which has a boat launch and nature park.

Transportation

The "Strip" in the Shelburne business district (Shelburne Road)

U.S. Route 7 (Shelburne Road) crosses the center of town, leading north into South Burlington and south towards Vergennes.

Bus service is provided by Green Mountain Transit.

Schools[]

Public:

  • Shelburne Community School (elementary and middle school)

The town is part of the Champlain valley School District and sends students of high school age to Champlain Valley Union High School, Hinesburg.

Private:

  • Vermont Day School
  • Lake Champlain Waldorf School

Preschools:

  • Heartworks (shelburne campus)
  • Shelburne nursery school

Other Schools:

  • Shelburne craft school

Media[]

The Shelburne News is a weekly newspaper mailed to all residents of Shelburne. It was established in 1967. In 2017, it was sold to the owners of the Stowe Reporter[12] who then created the Vermont Community Newspaper Group in 2019.[13]

Notable people[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  3. ^ "Population in the U.S. - Google Public Data Explorer". www.google.com. Retrieved 2020-04-30.
  4. ^ "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Shelburne CDP, Vermont". U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. Retrieved August 19, 2015.[dead link]
  5. ^ "Richest VT town is outside wealthiest county". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved 2019-03-14.
  6. ^ [1] Archived December 5, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ^ Hemmingway, Sam, Absentee voting sets Vermont record, Burlington Free Press, November 12, 2008
  8. ^ "Vermont Primary Results". The New York Times. March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  9. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  10. ^ Jump up to: a b "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Vermont". U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Vermont. Retrieved 18 January 2018.
  11. ^ "Fiddlehead Brewing Company - Shelburne, VT - Beers". BeerAdvocate.
  12. ^ Walters, John. "Media Note: Stowe Reporter Owners Buy Shelburne, Charlotte Newspapers". Seven Days. Retrieved 2018-10-20.
  13. ^ "Newspaper group has new name, six weekly papers". Stowe Today. Retrieved 2020-04-08.
  14. ^ "Obituary, Frederic W. Allen". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. April 13, 2016.
  15. ^ "Biography, Governor John L. Barstow". NGA.org. Washington, DC: National Governors Association. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  16. ^ Barsch, Sky (September 28, 2008). "Stuntology: Do try this at home". Times Argus. Barre, VT.
  17. ^ "Author's Biography, Michael Dante Dimartino". Penguin Random House Higher Education.com. New York, NY: Penguin Random House. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  18. ^ "Vermont Vital Records, 1720-1908, Birth Entry for Isaac Russell Harrington". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. Retrieved February 8, 2020.<
  19. ^ Guest, James A. (1979). Vermont Legislative Directory (1979). Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. p. 131.
  20. ^ Marquis Who's Who Staff (2000). Who Was Who In America. Chicago, IL: Marquis Who's Who. p. 131. ISBN 9780837902326.
  21. ^ McCullum, April. "Former VT Gov. Madeleine Kunin hopes honesty will make aging 'less foreboding'". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved 2020-01-30.
  22. ^ "Lepage Returning to Thunder Road for Milk Bowl". Thunder Road VT.com. Barre, VT. September 18, 2017.
  23. ^ William L. Clements Library. "Biography, Lucius Lyon". Lucius Lyon Papers. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  24. ^ Historian of the U.S. House of Representatives. "Biography, Ezra Meech". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Washington, DC: U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  25. ^ Meigs, Rick. "Biography, George Anson Meigs # 395". Meigs.org. Meigs Family History and Genealogy. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  26. ^ "Biography, Almon Heath Read". Historical Biographies. Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania State Senate. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  27. ^ Remsen, Nancy (November 2, 2015). "Barbara Snelling, Former Vermont GOP Matriarch, Dies". Vermont Seven Days. Burlington, VT.
  28. ^ "Vermont Governors 1777-2011, Terms of Service" (PDF). Vermont.gov. Montpelier, VT: Vermont General Assembly. 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  29. ^ Smith, Jenn (January 2, 2018). "Jane Swift answers questions of Lee Middle and High School students". Manchester Journal. Manchester, VT – via The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, MA).
  30. ^ Polston, Pamela (September 24, 1997). "Living History: Lilian Baker Carlisle remembers Electra Havemeyer Webb and the birth of the Shelburne Museum". Vermont Seven Days. Burlington, VT.
  31. ^ Henderson, Keith (September 22, 1986). "A Victorian family's vision. William Seward Webb builds his dream house". The Christian Science Monitor. Boston, MA.

External links[]

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