Windham County, Vermont
Encyclopedia
Windham County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Vermont
. As of 2010, the population was 44,513. Its shire town is Newfane.
, the county has a total area of 798 square miles (2,067 km²) - 789 square miles (2,043 km²) is land and 9 square miles (24 km²) (1.18%) is water.
of 2000, there were 44,216 people, 18,375 households, and 11,447 families residing in the county. The population density
was 56 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 27,039 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.72% White
, 0.50% Black
or African American
, 0.22% Native American
, 0.79% Asian
, 0.04% Pacific Islander
, 0.32% from other races
, and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 18.1% were of English
, 13.3% Irish
, 9.5% French
, 8.9% American
, 7.7% German, 6.0% Italian
and 5.0% French Canadian
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.9% spoke English
, 1.3% Spanish
and 1.2% French
as their first language.
There were 18,375 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.20% were married couples
living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.70% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.50% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 27.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,204, and the median income for a family was $46,989. Males had a median income of $31,094 versus $24,650 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $20,533. About 6.10% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.00% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.
In 2006, four towns in Windham County, Dummerston
, Marlboro
, Newfane
, and Stratton
, had their citizens pass resolutions supporting the proposed impeachment of President George W. Bush
.
The county was Vermont's bluest county
in both the 2004 and 2008 U.S. Presidential elections. In 2004
, John Kerry
carried the county by 35.2% margin over Bush, with Kerry carrying the state by 20.1% over Bush. In 2008
, Barack Obama
won Windham by 48.1% margin over John McCain
, with Obama winning by 37% over McCain statewide.
is one source of law enforcement in this county except for large towns such as Brattleboro. Other towns also have contracts with the Vermont State Police.
* Villages are census divisions, but do not necessarily have any separate corporate existence from the towns they are in.
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 44,513. Its shire town is Newfane.
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 798 square miles (2,067 km²) - 789 square miles (2,043 km²) is land and 9 square miles (24 km²) (1.18%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Windsor County, Vermont - north
- Sullivan County, New HampshireSullivan County, New Hampshire-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 40,458 people, 16,530 households, and 11,174 families residing in the county. The population density was 29/; . There were 20,158 housing units at an average density of 38 per square mile...
- northeast - Cheshire County, New HampshireCheshire County, New Hampshire-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 73,825 people, 28,299 households, and 18,790 families residing in the county. The population density was 104 people per square mile . There were 31,876 housing units at an average density of 45 per square mile...
- east - Franklin County, MassachusettsFranklin County, Massachusetts-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 71,535 people, 29,466 households, and 18,416 families residing in the county. The population density was 102 people per square mile . There were 31,939 housing units at an average density of 46 per square mile...
- south - Bennington County, Vermont - west
National protected areas
- Green Mountain National ForestGreen Mountain National ForestGreen Mountain National Forest is a national forest located in Vermontwhich supports a variety of wildlife, including beaver, moose, black bear, and white tailed deer. It also supports an abundant variety of bird species. The forest has been referred to as the 'granite backbone' of the state...
(part) - Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife RefugeSilvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife RefugeSilvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge was established in 1997 to conserve, protect and enhance the abundance and diversity of native plant, fish and wildlife species and the ecosystems on which they depend throughout the Connecticut River watershed. The watershed covers large areas of...
(part)
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 44,216 people, 18,375 households, and 11,447 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 56 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 27,039 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.72% 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...
, 0.50% 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...
, 0.22% 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...
, 0.79% 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...
, 0.04% 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...
, 0.32% 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 1.42% from two or more races. 1.11% 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. 18.1% were of 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...
, 13.3% 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...
, 9.5% 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...
, 8.9% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 7.7% German, 6.0% 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...
and 5.0% 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...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.9% 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...
, 1.3% 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...
and 1.2% 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...
as their first language.
There were 18,375 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.20% 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, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.70% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.50% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 27.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $38,204, and the median income for a family was $46,989. Males had a median income of $31,094 versus $24,650 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 county was $20,533. About 6.10% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.00% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.
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 | 73.0% 17,585 | 24.9% 5,997 |
| 2004 | 66.4% 15,489 | 31.2% 7,280 |
| 2000 | 52.7% 11,319 | 34.2% 7,358 |
In 2006, four towns in Windham County, Dummerston
Dummerston, Vermont
Dummerston is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,915 at the 2000 census. Dummerston is home to the longest covered bridge still in use inside the state borders of Vermont.-History:...
, Marlboro
Marlboro, Vermont
Marlboro is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 978 at the 2000 census. The town is home to both the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum and Marlboro College, which each summer hosts the Marlboro Music School and Festival....
, Newfane
Newfane, Vermont
Newfane is the shire town of Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,680 at the 2000 census. The town includes the villages of Newfane and Williamsville.-History:...
, and Stratton
Stratton, Vermont
Stratton is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 136 at the 2000 census.Stratton was one of thirteen Vermont towns isolated by flooding caused by Hurricane Irene in 2011.-Geography:...
, had their citizens pass resolutions supporting the proposed impeachment of President George W. Bush
Movement to impeach George W. Bush
During the presidency of George W. Bush, several American politicians sought to either investigate Bush for allegedly impeachable offenses, or to bring actual impeachment charges on the floor of the United States House of Representatives Judiciary Committee...
.
The county was Vermont's bluest county
Red counties and blue counties
Red counties and blue counties are counties of the United States whose residents predominantly and consistently vote for the Republican Party or the Democratic Party, respectively. These patterns are seen in local, state, United States House of Representatives, U.S. Senate, and U.S. Presidential...
in both the 2004 and 2008 U.S. Presidential elections. In 2004
United States presidential election, 2004
The United States presidential election of 2004 was the United States' 55th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on Tuesday, November 2, 2004. Republican Party candidate and incumbent President George W. Bush defeated Democratic Party candidate John Kerry, the then-junior U.S. Senator...
, John Kerry
John Kerry
John Forbes Kerry is the senior United States Senator from Massachusetts, the 10th most senior U.S. Senator and chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. He was the presidential nominee of the Democratic Party in the 2004 presidential election, but lost to former President George W...
carried the county by 35.2% margin over Bush, with Kerry carrying the state by 20.1% over Bush. In 2008
United States presidential election, 2008
The United States presidential election of 2008 was the 56th quadrennial presidential election. It was held on November 4, 2008. Democrat Barack Obama, then the junior United States Senator from Illinois, defeated Republican John McCain, the senior U.S. Senator from Arizona. Obama received 365...
, Barack Obama
Barack Obama
Barack Hussein Obama II is the 44th and current President of the United States. He is the first African American to hold the office. Obama previously served as a United States Senator from Illinois, from January 2005 until he resigned following his victory in the 2008 presidential election.Born in...
won Windham by 48.1% margin over John McCain
John McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
, with Obama winning by 37% over McCain statewide.
County Law Enforcement
The Windham County Sheriff's DepartmentWindham County Sheriff's Department
The Windham County Sheriff's Department is a full-service rural county law enforcement agency that serves Windham County, Vermont. It provides contract service law enforcement to towns within Windham County, acting as an equivalent of a town police department...
is one source of law enforcement in this county except for large towns such as Brattleboro. Other towns also have contracts with the Vermont State Police.
Cities, towns, and villages*
- AthensAthens, VermontAthens is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 340 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 13.1 square miles , of which 13.0 square miles is land and 0.04 square mile is...
- BrattleboroBrattleboro (town), VermontBrattleboro, originally Brattleborough, is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States, located in the southeast corner of the state, along the state line with New Hampshire. The population was 12,046 at the 2010 census...
- West BrattleboroWest Brattleboro, VermontWest Brattleboro is a census-designated place in the town of Brattleboro, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,222 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
(an unincorporated community of Brattleboro)
- West Brattleboro
- BrooklineBrookline, VermontBrookline is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 467 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 12.9 square miles , all land...
- DoverDover, VermontDover is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,410 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.3 square miles , all land...
- DummerstonDummerston, VermontDummerston is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,915 at the 2000 census. Dummerston is home to the longest covered bridge still in use inside the state borders of Vermont.-History:...
- GraftonGrafton, VermontGrafton is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 649 at the 2000 census.-History:The town was founded as Thomlinson, but renaming rights were auctioned in 1791. The high bidder, who reportedly offered "five dollars and a jug of rum," changed the name to Grafton after...
- GuilfordGuilford, VermontGuilford is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for Francis North, 1st Earl of Guilford. The population was 2,046 at the 2000 census.- Geography :...
- AlgiersAlgiers, VermontAlgiers is a village center in the town of Guilford, Vermont, United States.- History :Algiers was first known as East Guilford. The first known buildings built were the Tracy House in 1789, the Broad Brook Grange in 1791, the Broad Brook House in 1816, and the Christ Church in 1817...
(an unincorporated community of Guilford)
- Algiers
- HalifaxHalifax, VermontHalifax is a town in Windham County, Vermont, in the United States. The town was named for the Earl of Halifax. As of the 2000 census, the town population was 782.-Geography:...
- JamaicaJamaica, VermontJamaica is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 946 at the 2000 census. Jamaica includes the villages of East Jamaica and Rawsonville....
- LondonderryLondonderry, VermontLondonderry is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. It is bounded on the north by Landgrove and Weston, on the east by Windham, on the south by Jamaica and on the west by Winhall and Landgrove. The population was 1,709 at the 2000 census. Londonderry also includes the village of South...
- MarlboroMarlboro, VermontMarlboro is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 978 at the 2000 census. The town is home to both the Southern Vermont Natural History Museum and Marlboro College, which each summer hosts the Marlboro Music School and Festival....
- NewfaneNewfane, VermontNewfane is the shire town of Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,680 at the 2000 census. The town includes the villages of Newfane and Williamsville.-History:...
- Newfane VillageNewfane (village), VermontNewfane is an incorporated village in the town of Newfane in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 116 at the 2000 census....
- Newfane Village
- PutneyPutney, VermontPutney is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,634 at the 2000 census.On December 26, 1753 Col.Josiah Willard led a proprietors' petition for a Putney charter which was issued by Governor Benning Wentworth of the New Hampshire Grants under King George II of England...
- RockinghamRockingham, VermontRockingham is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States, along the Connecticut River. The population was 5,309 at the 2000 census. Rockingham includes the incorporated villages of Bellows Falls and Saxtons River, as well as a large rural area west of Interstate 91.Rockingham has no formal...
- Bellows FallsBellows Falls, VermontBellows Falls is an incorporated village located in the town of Rockingham in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,165 at the 2000 census...
(an incorporated village of Rockingham) - Saxtons RiverSaxtons River, VermontSaxtons River is an incorporated village in the town of Rockingham in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 519 at the 2000 census. For over a hundred years, Saxtons River has been the home of Vermont Academy, an independent secondary school.The Saxtons River Village Historic...
(an incorporated village of Rockingham)
- Bellows Falls
- SomersetSomerset, VermontSomerset is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 5, and is one of only a handful of places in the United States with a population of five people. Somerset is one of five unincorporated towns in Vermont. The town disincorporated...
- StrattonStratton, VermontStratton is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 136 at the 2000 census.Stratton was one of thirteen Vermont towns isolated by flooding caused by Hurricane Irene in 2011.-Geography:...
- TownshendTownshend, VermontTownshend is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for the Townshend family, powerful figures in British politics...
- Harmonyville (an unincorporated community of Townshend)
- West Townshend (an unincorporated community of Townshend)
- VernonVernon, VermontVernon is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,141 at the 2000 census. Vernon is the home of Vermont Yankee, Vermont's only nuclear power plant.-Geography:...
- WardsboroWardsboro, VermontWardsboro is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 854 at the 2000 census. The town includes the villages of Wardsboro Center, West Wardsboro and South Wardsboro.-History:...
- WestminsterWestminster (town), VermontWestminster is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,210 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 46.1 square miles , of which 46.1 square miles is land and 0.04 square mile is...
- North WestminsterNorth Westminster, VermontNorth Westminster is a village in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 271 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 0.3 square mile , all land....
(a village of Westminster)
- North Westminster
- WhitinghamWhitingham, VermontWhitingham is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The town was named for Nathan Whiting, a landholder. The population was 1,298 at the 2000 census. Whitingham is the birthplace of Brigham Young, the second President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and founder of...
- JacksonvilleJacksonville, VermontJacksonville is a village in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 237 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the village has a total area of 1.2 square miles , of which 1.1 square miles is land and 0.04 square mile is...
(a village of Whitingham)
- Jacksonville
- WilmingtonWilmington, VermontWilmington is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,225 at the 2000 census.-History:The town was chartered in 1751 by Benning Wentworth, colonial governor of New Hampshire. It was named in honor of Spencer Compton, 1st Earl of Wilmington...
- WindhamWindham, VermontWindham is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 328 at the 2000 census. The town center village is designated as the Windham Village Historic District.-Geography:...
- South Windham (an unincorporated community of Windham)
See also
- List of counties in Vermont
- List of towns in Vermont
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Windham County, Vermont