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 USA
Shelburne, Vermont
Shelburne, Vermont
Location in the United States
Coordinates: Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
Country United States
State Vermont
County Chittenden
Area
 • Total 45.1 sq mi (116.7 km2)
 • Land 24.3 sq mi (63.0 km2)
 • Water 20.8 sq mi (53.8 km2)
Elevation 203 ft (62 m)
Population (2010)
 • Total 7,144
 • Density 294/sq mi (113.5/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 05482
Area code(s) 802
FIPS code 50-64300[1]
GNIS feature ID 1462206[2]
Website www.shelburnevt.org

Shelburne is a town in southwestern Chittenden County, Vermont, United States, along the shores of Lake Champlain. Shelburne is a suburb of Burlington, the largest city in Vermont; Shelburne's center of town lies approximately 7 miles (11 km) south of the city's center. The population of Shelburne was 7,144 at the 2010 census.[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]

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.[5]

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

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%.[6]

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 389 —
1800 723 85.9%
1810 987 36.5%
1820 936 −5.2%
1830 1,123 20.0%
1840 1,089 −3.0%
1850 1,257 15.4%
1860 1,178 −6.3%
1870 1,190 1.0%
1880 1,096 −7.9%
1890 1,300 18.6%
1900 1,202 −7.5%
1910 1,097 −8.7%
1920 997 −9.1%
1930 1,006 0.9%
1940 1,010 0.4%
1950 1,365 35.1%
1960 1,805 32.2%
1970 3,728 106.5%
1980 5,000 34.1%
1990 5,871 17.4%
2000 6,944 18.3%
2010 7,144 2.9%
Est. 2014 7,736 [7] 8.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]

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

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

The median income for a household in the town was $68,091,[when?] and the median income for a family was $78,492. Males had a median income of $50,085 versus $28,428 for females. The per capita income for the town was $37,210. 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 four major tourist attractions: the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms, the Vermont Teddy Bear Company, and the Fiddlehead Brewery.[9]

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

Transportation

File:Shelburneroadvt.JPG
The "Strip" in the Shelburne business district (Shelburne Road)

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

Bus service is provided by Chittenden County Transportation Authority.

Schools

Public:

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

Private:

  • The Renaissance School[10] (elementary and middle school; has a Shelburne campus)
  • Lake Champlain Waldorf School

Notable people

John L. Barstow, politician

References

  1. ↑ 1.0 1.1 Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  2. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  3. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  4. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  5. ↑ [1] Archived January 26, 2013 at the Wayback Machine
  6. ↑ Hemmingway, Sam, Absentee voting sets Vermont record, Burlington Free Press, November 12, 2008
  7. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  8. ↑ Lua error in package.lua at line 80: module 'strict' not found.
  9. ↑ Beer Advocate
  10. ↑ The Renaissance School

External links

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