Shelburne, Vermont
| Shelburne, Vermont | |
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| — Town — | |
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| Coordinates: 44°23′23″N 73°13′29″W / 44.38972°N 73.22472°WCoordinates: 44°23′23″N 73°13′29″W / 44.38972°N 73.22472°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Vermont |
| County | Chittenden |
| Area | |
| • Total | 44.9 sq mi (116.3 km2) |
| • Land | 24.3 sq mi (63.0 km2) |
| • Water | 20.6 sq mi (53.3 km2) |
| Elevation | 203 ft (62 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 7,144 |
| • Density | 294.0/sq mi (114.3/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. The population was 7,144 at the 2010 census.
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History [edit]
Shelburne was chartered by New Hampshire, August 18, 1763 to Jesse Hallock and sixty-four 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]
The town of Shelburne comprises 22.3 square miles (57.8 km2). 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 LaPlatte 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, to be 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.[3]
Geography [edit]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 44.9 square miles (116.3 km2), of which 24.3 square miles (63.0 km2) is land and 20.6 square miles (53.3 km2) (45.85%) is water.
Government [edit]
The town had the highest voter turnout in Vermont in the general election 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%.[4]
Demographics [edit]
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 [edit]
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 [edit]
The median income for a household in the town was $68,091, and the median income for a family was $78,492. Males had a median income of $50,085 versus $28,429 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 [edit]
The town has three tourist attractions, the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company.
The town maintains a beach on Lake Champlain which has a boat launch and nature park.
Transportation [edit]
Bus service is provided by Chittenden County Transportation Authority.
Schools [edit]
Public:
- Shelburne Community School (elementary and middle school)
The town is part of a Union School District and sends students of high school age to Champlain Valley Union High School, Hinesburg.
Private:
- The Renaissance School[5] (elementary and middle school; has a Shelburne campus)
- The Lake Champlain Waldorf School
Notable people [edit]
- Sam Bartlett, musician and author (1961–present)
- Madeleine Kunin, 77th governor of Vermont (1985–1991)[citation needed]
- Kevin Lepage, driver with NASCAR
- Michael Dante DiMartino, co-creator of Avatar: The Last Airbender and The Legend of Korra
- Lucius Lyon, first US senator from Michigan
- Ezra Meech (1773–1856), US congressman
- George A. Meigs (1816–1897), prominent entrepreneur and shipbuilder in the Washington Territory
- Barbara Snelling, 76th lieutenant governor of Vermont (1992–1996)
- Richard Snelling, 78th governor of Vermont (1977–1985, 1991)
- Kyle Stanley, designer of Honda Ridgeline and former jockey
- Electra Havemeyer Webb (1888–1960), art collector and founder of the Shelburne Museum
- Dr. William Seward Webb (1851–1926), railroad executive and founder of Shelburne Farms
- Joseph Precourt, adult film star
References [edit]
- ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ^ [1]
- ^ Hemmingway, Sam, Absentee voting sets Vermont record, Burlington Free Press, November 12, 2008
- ^ The Renaissance School
External links [edit]
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