Chittenden County, Vermont
Encyclopedia
Chittenden County ˈtʃɪtəndən is a county located in the U.S. state
of Vermont
. As of 2010, the population was 156,545. Its shire town is Burlington
. Chittenden is the most populous county in the state, with more than twice as many residents as Vermont's second-most populous county, Rutland.
Chittenden County is part of the Burlington-South Burlington, VT Metropolitan Statistical Area.
, the county has a total area of 620 square miles (1,605.8 km²), of which 539 square miles (1,396 km²) is land and 81 square miles (209.8 km²) (13.01%) is water.
Originally, Chittenden County contained parts of other counties. It included all of today's Franklin
, Grand Isle
, and Lamoille counties, and parts of today's Orleans
, Washington
, and Addison
counties.
of 2000, there were 146,571 people, 56,452 households, and 35,169 families residing in the county. The population density
was 272 people per square mile (105/km²). There were 58,864 housing units at an average density of 109 per square mile (42/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.14% White
, 0.91% Black
or African American
, 0.27% Native American
, 1.99% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.34% from other races
, and 1.33% from two or more races. 1.07% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 13.9% were of Irish
, 12.7% English
, 12.0% French Canadian
, 11.9% French
, 7.4% German, 6.9% American
and 6.3% Italian
ancestry according to Census 2000. 92.5% spoke English
, 2.7% French
and 1.2% Spanish
as a first language.
In 2008, 19% described their ancestry as Irish, 17% English, 14% French and 9% French-Canadian.
There were 56,452 households out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% were married couples
living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.70% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was distributed by age as follows: 23.50% under the age of 18, 13.10% from 18 to 24, 32.00% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.
In 2007, census department estimates that Chittenden had the youngest average age in the state, 37.5. This compares with the actual census in 2000 of 34.2 years.
In 2008, about 29% of the population lives alone. Fifty-nine percent of households consist of families. Thirty-eight percent of men and 35% of women, 15 years or older, have never married. Six percent of the population were born in a foreign country, Eight percent of residents speak a language other than English at home. Half of the population has a college degree.
From 2000 to 2008, residents had left Chittenden in high numbers for destinations beyond Vermont's borders. Nevertheless, population had increased slightly, in part from immigration from foreign countries.
In 2007, median property taxes in the county were $3,809, placing it 265 out of 1,817 counties in the nation with populations over 20,000. It stood first in Vermont.
for the county was $23,501. About 4.90% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.00% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.
, in Essex Junction, is Vermont's largest for-profit employer. It provides 25% of all manufacturing jobs in Vermont. It is responsible for $1 billion of the state's annual economy.
Burton Snowboards employs 500 people with a payroll of $28 million in 2008.
* In Vermont, gores and grants are unincorporated portions of a county which are not part of any town and have limited self-government (if any, as many are uninhabited).
passes through Chittenden County from southeast to northwest. There are seven interchanges within the county. Four of the interchanges provide direct access to U.S. Route 2
, which parallels the interstate throughout most of the county.
In 2009, the National Department of Transportation measured 105.5 miles (169.8 km) of "major arteries" in the county. Of these 24.5% were considered to be in "not acceptable" condition, the worst percentage in the state.
The Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization measures traffic, analyzes road conditions, and allocates federal and state funds accordingly.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Vermont
Vermont
Vermont is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state ranks 43rd in land area, , and 45th in total area. Its population according to the 2010 census, 630,337, is the second smallest in the country, larger only than Wyoming. It is the only New England...
. As of 2010, the population was 156,545. Its shire town is Burlington
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
. Chittenden is the most populous county in the state, with more than twice as many residents as Vermont's second-most populous county, Rutland.
Chittenden County is part of the Burlington-South Burlington, VT Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the county has a total area of 620 square miles (1,605.8 km²), of which 539 square miles (1,396 km²) is land and 81 square miles (209.8 km²) (13.01%) is water.
Originally, Chittenden County contained parts of other counties. It included all of today's Franklin
Franklin County, Vermont
Franklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. It is part of the Burlington-South Burlington, VT Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 47,746. Its shire town is the City of St. Albans.-Geography:...
, Grand Isle
Grand Isle County, Vermont
Grand Isle County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 6,970. Its shire town is North Hero.Grand Isle County is part of the Burlington-South Burlington, VT Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
, and Lamoille counties, and parts of today's Orleans
Orleans County, Vermont
Orleans County is one of the four northernmost counties in the U.S. state of Vermont. It borders Canada. In 2010, the population was 27,231. Its county seat is Newport. As in the rest of New England, few governmental powers have been granted to the county...
, Washington
Washington County, Vermont
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 59,534; Vermont's third-most populous county after Chittenden County and Rutland County. Its shire town is Montpelier, the state capital. The center of population of Vermont is located in Washington...
, and Addison
Addison County, Vermont
Addison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. In 2010, the population was 36,821. Its shire town is Middlebury.-Geography:...
counties.
Adjacent Counties
- Grand Isle County, VermontGrand Isle County, VermontGrand Isle County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 6,970. Its shire town is North Hero.Grand Isle County is part of the Burlington-South Burlington, VT Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
- north - Franklin County, VermontFranklin County, VermontFranklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. It is part of the Burlington-South Burlington, VT Metropolitan Statistical Area. As of 2010, the population was 47,746. Its shire town is the City of St. Albans.-Geography:...
- northeast - Lamoille County, Vermont - east
- Washington County, VermontWashington County, VermontWashington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 59,534; Vermont's third-most populous county after Chittenden County and Rutland County. Its shire town is Montpelier, the state capital. The center of population of Vermont is located in Washington...
- southeast - Addison County, VermontAddison County, VermontAddison County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. In 2010, the population was 36,821. Its shire town is Middlebury.-Geography:...
- south - Essex County, New YorkEssex County, New YorkEssex County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 39,370. Its name is from the English county of Essex. Its county seat is Elizabethtown...
- southwest - Clinton County, New YorkClinton County, New YorkClinton County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York. As of the 2010 census, the population was 82,128. Its name is in honor of the first Governor of New York as a state, George Clinton. Its county seat is Plattsburgh.-History:...
- northwest
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 146,571 people, 56,452 households, and 35,169 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 272 people per square mile (105/km²). There were 58,864 housing units at an average density of 109 per square mile (42/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.14% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.91% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.27% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 1.99% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.34% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.33% from two or more races. 1.07% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 13.9% were of Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
, 12.7% English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 12.0% French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
, 11.9% French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
, 7.4% German, 6.9% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and 6.3% Italian
Italian people
The Italian people are an ethnic group that share a common Italian culture, ancestry and speak the Italian language as a mother tongue. Within Italy, Italians are defined by citizenship, regardless of ancestry or country of residence , and are distinguished from people...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 92.5% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
, 2.7% French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
and 1.2% Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
as a first language.
In 2008, 19% described their ancestry as Irish, 17% English, 14% French and 9% French-Canadian.
There were 56,452 households out of which 32.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.30% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 8.70% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.70% were non-families. 26.10% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 3.02.
In the county, the population was distributed by age as follows: 23.50% under the age of 18, 13.10% from 18 to 24, 32.00% from 25 to 44, 21.90% from 45 to 64, and 9.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 95.10 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.
In 2007, census department estimates that Chittenden had the youngest average age in the state, 37.5. This compares with the actual census in 2000 of 34.2 years.
In 2008, about 29% of the population lives alone. Fifty-nine percent of households consist of families. Thirty-eight percent of men and 35% of women, 15 years or older, have never married. Six percent of the population were born in a foreign country, Eight percent of residents speak a language other than English at home. Half of the population has a college degree.
From 2000 to 2008, residents had left Chittenden in high numbers for destinations beyond Vermont's borders. Nevertheless, population had increased slightly, in part from immigration from foreign countries.
Government
As in all Vermont counties, there is a small executive function which is mostly consolidated at the state level. Remaining county government is judicial. There are no "county taxes."In 2007, median property taxes in the county were $3,809, placing it 265 out of 1,817 counties in the nation with populations over 20,000. It stood first in Vermont.
Judicial
The State Attorney (elected) is T. J. Donovan. In 2008, he said that "Alcohol is involved in most of our cases."Elections
| Year | Democrat Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 71.4% 59,611 | 26.7% 22,237 |
| 2004 | 63.5% 49,369 | 34.0% 26,422 |
| 2000 | 54.4% 39,156 | 36.3% 26,105 |
Personal income
The median income for a household in the county was $47,673, and the median income for a family was $59,460. Males had a median income of $38,541 versus $27,853 for females. The per capita incomePer capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $23,501. About 4.90% of families and 8.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.00% of those under age 18 and 8.20% of those age 65 or over.
Industry
IBMIBM
International Business Machines Corporation or IBM is an American multinational technology and consulting corporation headquartered in Armonk, New York, United States. IBM manufactures and sells computer hardware and software, and it offers infrastructure, hosting and consulting services in areas...
, in Essex Junction, is Vermont's largest for-profit employer. It provides 25% of all manufacturing jobs in Vermont. It is responsible for $1 billion of the state's annual economy.
Burton Snowboards employs 500 people with a payroll of $28 million in 2008.
Retailing
One measure of economic activity is retail sales. In 2007, Chittenden led the state with 29% of sales, as measured by sales tax reports. This amounted to US$1.52 billion. Four local cities stood among the top five areas in the state: 1- Williston, 2-South Burlington, 4-Colchester, and 5-Burlington.Cities, towns, villages, and unincorporated places
- BoltonBolton, VermontBolton is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 971 at the 2000 census.The principal transportation artery of the town is US Route 2, which follows the north side of the Winooski River...
- Buels GoreBuels Gore, VermontBuel's Gore is a gore in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 12 at the 2000 census. In Vermont, gores and grants are unincorporated portions of a county which are not part of any town and have limited self-government .-Geography:According to the United States Census...
* - BurlingtonBurlington, VermontBurlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
- CharlotteCharlotte, VermontCharlotte is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for Sofia Charlotte of Mecklenburg-Strelitz, youngest daughter of Duke Charles Louis Frederick of Mecklenburg-Strelitz.The population was 3,569 at the 2000 census....
- ColchesterColchester, VermontColchester is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 17,067 at the 2010 census. It is the fourth-largest municipality and second-largest town in Vermont by population.-Geography:...
- EssexEssex, VermontEssex is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 19,587 at the 2010 census.By population, Essex is the largest town in Vermont, and the second-largest municipality .-Government:...
- Essex JunctionEssex Junction, VermontEssex Junction is a village in the town of Essex in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 8,591 at the 2000 census. It was incorporated on November 15, 1892....
(a village in Essex)
- Essex Junction
- HinesburgHinesburg, VermontHinesburg is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for Abel Hine, town clerk. The population was 4,340 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- HuntingtonHuntington, VermontHuntington is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,861 at the 2000 census.The town was originally called New Huntington but the name was changed to Huntington in 1795...
- JerichoJericho (town), VermontJericho is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 5,015 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.5 square miles , of which 35.4 square miles is land and 0.1 square mile is...
- MiltonMilton, VermontMilton is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 10,352 at the 2010 census. According to local legend, the town was named for the English poet John Milton, but the name most likely originated from William FitzWilliam, 4th Earl FitzWilliam, who held the title...
- RichmondRichmond, VermontRichmond is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The 2000 census revealed a population of 4,090.Local students attend Mount Mansfield Union High School, Camel's Hump Middle School, And Richmond Elementary School. Mount Mansfield Union High is in the neighboring town of Jericho...
- ShelburneShelburne, VermontShelburne is a town in southwestern Chittenden County, Vermont, United States, along the shores of Lake Champlain. The population was 7,144 at the 2010 census.-History:...
- South BurlingtonSouth Burlington, Vermont-Economy:CommutAir, a regional airline, is headquartered in the city, by the airport. The Magic Hat Brewing Company, one of the United States's larger craft breweries, is located here.One measure of economic activity is retail sales...
- St. GeorgeSt. George, VermontSt. George is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for the patron saint of England. St. George has the smallest land area of any town in Vermont, though the incorporated cities of Vergennes and Winooski are smaller...
- UnderhillUnderhill, VermontUnderhill is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,980 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 51.4 mi2 , of which 51.3 mi2 is land and 0.1 mi2 is water.-Education:Underhill...
- WestfordWestford, VermontWestford is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,087 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 39.3 square miles , of which 39.3 square miles is land and 0.04 square mile is...
- WillistonWilliston, VermontWilliston is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 8,698 at the 2010 census, an increase of over 1,000 people since the 2000 census...
- WinooskiWinooski, VermontWinooski is a city in Chittenden County, Vermont, in the United States. Located at the mouth of the Winooski River, as of the 2010 census the city population was 7,267...
Education
There are several school districts within the county, including Burlington, Winooski and Chittenden East. Teachers salaries in 2007-8 varied from lows of $33,000 to $38,000 annually. Top salaries ranged from $66,000 to $79,000. Teachers pay from 10-20% of their health premiums with many contracts at 12%.Personal health and safety
In the first national survey by Robert Wood Johnson and the University of Wisconsin in 2010, Vermont ranked the highest in the country for health outcomes. The top county in Vermont was Chittenden.Infrastructure
Consistent with the rest of New England, Vermont (and Chittenden) have little formal county government. There are a few agencies that serve county-wide. One is the Chittenden County Solid Waste District.Solid Waste
In 2008, the Solid Waste District announced that it would charge trash haulers $17/ton for recyclables. Formerly it was paying $7/ton. The global economy has reduced the demand for recycled materials.Roads
Interstate 89Interstate 89
Interstate 89 is an interstate highway in the New England region of the United States travelling between Bow, New Hampshire and Highgate Springs, Vermont. As with all odd-numbered primary interstates, I-89 is signed as a north–south highway...
passes through Chittenden County from southeast to northwest. There are seven interchanges within the county. Four of the interchanges provide direct access to U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2
U.S. Route 2 is an east–west U.S. Highway spanning across the northern continental United States. US 2 consists of two segments connected by various roadways in southern Canada...
, which parallels the interstate throughout most of the county.
In 2009, the National Department of Transportation measured 105.5 miles (169.8 km) of "major arteries" in the county. Of these 24.5% were considered to be in "not acceptable" condition, the worst percentage in the state.
The Chittenden County Metropolitan Planning Organization measures traffic, analyzes road conditions, and allocates federal and state funds accordingly.
Athletics
There is a private, amateur Champlain Valley Swim League with nine members, mostly from Chittenden.See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Chittenden County, Vermont
- USS Chittenden County (LST-561)USS Chittenden County (LST-561)USS Chittenden County , originally USS LST-561, was an built for the United States Navy during World War II. Later named for Chittenden County, Vermont, she was the only U.S. Naval vessel to bear the name....