Westfield, Vermont
Encyclopedia
Westfield is a town
in Orleans County
, Vermont
in the United States
. The population was 503 at the 2000 census. It is the least densely populated (most rural) town in the county. The town was founded in 1780 and named after Rhode Island general and politician, William West, a supporter of Vermont statehood.
Westfield is home to the Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a contemplative order of women, following the Benedictine
rule.
, the town has a total area of 40.2 square miles (104.1 km2), all of it land.
Hazens Notch
is located in town.
of 2000, there were 503 people, 200 households, and 141 families residing in the town. The population density
was 12.5 people per square mile (4.8/km2). There were 339 housing units at an average density of 8.4 per square mile (3.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.02% White, 0.40% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.60% from other races
, and 2.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.59% of the population.
There were 200 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% were married couples
living together, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 31.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $38,021, and the median income for a family was $43,125. Males had a median income of $30,694 versus $21,042 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $18,098. About 6.1% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.
Vermont municipality
A Vermont municipality is a particular type of New England municipality. It is the basic unit of local government.-Background:Vermont contains 246 incorporated towns and cities. Nine are cities and 237 are towns. Collectively, these 246 municipalities cover the vast majority of, but not all of,...
in Orleans County
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...
, 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...
in the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 503 at the 2000 census. It is the least densely populated (most rural) town in the county. The town was founded in 1780 and named after Rhode Island general and politician, William West, a supporter of Vermont statehood.
Westfield is home to the Monastery of the Immaculate Heart of Mary, a contemplative order of women, following the Benedictine
Benedictine
Benedictine refers to the spirituality and consecrated life in accordance with the Rule of St Benedict, written by Benedict of Nursia in the sixth century for the cenobitic communities he founded in central Italy. The most notable of these is Monte Cassino, the first monastery founded by Benedict...
rule.
Geography
According to the United States 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 town has a total area of 40.2 square miles (104.1 km2), all of it land.
Hazens Notch
Hazens Notch
Hazen's Notch is a mountain pass in Westfield, in the northern Green Mountains of Vermont. Hazen's Notch was named after Moses Hazen who in 1779 led the construction of the Bayley Hazen Military Road as far as this point on a route which started at Newbury, Vermont and was originally planned to...
is located in town.
Climate
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 503 people, 200 households, and 141 families residing in the town. 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 12.5 people per square mile (4.8/km2). There were 339 housing units at an average density of 8.4 per square mile (3.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.02% White, 0.40% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.20% Asian, 0.60% 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 2.58% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.59% of the population.
There were 200 households out of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.0% 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, 9.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.5% were non-families. 21.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.78.
In the town the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 22.9% from 25 to 44, 31.6% from 45 to 64, and 16.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 101.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $38,021, and the median income for a family was $43,125. Males had a median income of $30,694 versus $21,042 for females. The per capita income
Per 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 town was $18,098. About 6.1% of families and 9.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.0% of those under age 18 and none of those age 65 or over.