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 the United States
Shelburne, Vermont
Shelburne, Vermont
Location in the United States
Coordinates: 44°23′23″N 73°13′29″W / 44.38972°N 73.22472°W / 44.38972; -73.22472
CountryUnited States
StateVermont
CountyChittenden
CommunitiesShelburne
Shelburne Falls
Area
 • Total45.1 sq mi (116.7 km2)
 • Land24.3 sq mi (63.0 km2)
 • Water20.8 sq mi (53.8 km2)
Elevation
203 ft (62 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total7,717
 • Density317/sq mi (122.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
05482
Area code802
FIPS code50-64300[1]
GNIS feature ID1462206[2]
Websitewww.shelburnevt.org

Shelburne is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. Located along the shores of Lake Champlain, Shelburne's town center lies approximately 7 miles (11 km) south of the city center of Burlington, the largest city in the state of Vermont. As of the 2020 census, the population of Shelburne was 7,717.[3]

The main settlement of Shelburne in the center of town is a census-designated place (CDP), with a population of 6,178 at the 2020 census.[4] Shelburne municipality has the highest median income in both Chittenden County and the Burlington metropolitan area.[5]

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.

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.

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.[6]

Geography

According to the U.S. 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 and politics

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%.[7]

In the Vermont Democratic Party presidential primary of 2016, the town was the worst-performing of all municipalities in both Chittenden County and the Burlington metro area for U.S. senator Bernie Sanders of nearby Burlington. Bernie Sanders received 76.6% of the Democratic primary vote in the town and former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton received her highest level of support for any municipality in the county and metro area, at 23.1%.[8] Kathryn Webb and Jessica Brumsted, both Democrats, represent the town in the Vermont House of Representatives.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1790389—
180072385.9%
181098736.5%
1820936−5.2%
18301,12320.0%
18401,089−3.0%
18501,25715.4%
18601,178−6.3%
18701,1901.0%
18801,096−7.9%
18901,30018.6%
19001,202−7.5%
19101,097−8.7%
1920997−9.1%
19301,0060.9%
19401,0100.4%
19501,36535.1%
19601,80532.2%
19703,728106.5%
19805,00034.1%
19905,87117.4%
20006,94418.3%
20107,1442.9%
20207,7178.0%
U.S. Decennial Census[9]

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

barn at Shelburne Farms
Shelburne Farms

The town contains businesses, including manufacturers, service providers, retail establishments and the state's largest continuing care retirement community. In 2007 a historic inn was converted into a mixed use array of offices, small retail, and a restaurant.

Personal income

In 2016, the median income for a household in the town was $98,898, and the median income for a family was $118,492.[10] Males had a median income of $50,085 versus $28,428 for females. The per capita income for the town was $55,638.[10] 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 three major tourist attractions: the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms, and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. Also attracting tourists to Shelburne are: Shelburne Vineyard and Fiddlehead Brewery.[11]

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

Transportation

The "Strip" in the Shelburne business district (Shelburne Road)

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

Bus service is provided by Green Mountain Transit.

Schools

Public:

  • Shelburne Community School (elementary and middle school)

The town is part of the Champlain valley School District and sends students of high school age to Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg.

Private:

  • Vermont Day School
  • Lake Champlain Waldorf School

Preschools:

  • Heartworks (shelburne campus)
  • Shelburne nursery school

Other Schools:

  • Shelburne craft school

Media

The Shelburne News is a weekly newspaper mailed to all residents of Shelburne. It was established in 1967. In 2017, it was sold to the owners of the Stowe Reporter[12] who then created the Vermont Community Newspaper Group in 2019.[13]

Notable people

References

  1. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  2. ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. ↑ "Shelburne town, Vermont: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  4. ↑ "Shelburne CDP, Vermont: 2020 DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171)". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved October 12, 2021.
  5. ↑ "Richest VT town is outside wealthiest county". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved March 14, 2019.
  6. ↑ Archived December 5, 2009, at the Wayback Machine
  7. ↑ Hemmingway, Sam, Absentee voting sets Vermont record, Burlington Free Press, November 12, 2008
  8. ↑ "Vermont Primary Results". The New York Times. March 5, 2016. Retrieved March 6, 2016.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  10. 1 2 "U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Vermont". U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Vermont. Retrieved January 18, 2018.
  11. ↑ "Fiddlehead Brewing Company - Shelburne, VT - Beers". BeerAdvocate.
  12. ↑ Walters, John. "Media Note: Stowe Reporter Owners Buy Shelburne, Charlotte Newspapers". Seven Days. Retrieved October 20, 2018.
  13. ↑ "Newspaper group has new name, six weekly papers". Stowe Today. Retrieved April 8, 2020.
  14. ↑ "Vermonter Megan Nick's journey from gymnast to U.S. Olympian". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. February 1, 2022.
  15. ↑ "Obituary, Frederic W. Allen". Burlington Free Press. Burlington, VT. April 13, 2016.
  16. ↑ "Biography, Governor John L. Barstow". NGA.org. Washington, DC: National Governors Association. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  17. ↑ Barsch, Sky (September 28, 2008). "Stuntology: Do try this at home". Times Argus. Barre, VT.
  18. ↑ "Author's Biography, Michael Dante Dimartino". Penguin Random House Higher Education.com. New York, NY: Penguin Random House. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  19. ↑ "Vermont Vital Records, 1720-1908, Birth Entry for Isaac Russell Harrington". Ancestry.com. Lehi, UT: Ancestry.com, LLC. Retrieved February 8, 2020.
  20. ↑ Guest, James A. (1979). Vermont Legislative Directory (1979). Montpelier, VT: Vermont Secretary of State. p. 131.
  21. ↑ Marquis Who's Who Staff (2000). Who Was Who In America. Chicago, IL: Marquis Who's Who. p. 131. ISBN 9780837902326.
  22. ↑ McCullum, April. "Former VT Gov. Madeleine Kunin hopes honesty will make aging 'less foreboding'". Burlington Free Press. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  23. ↑ "Lepage Returning to Thunder Road for Milk Bowl". Thunder Road VT.com. Barre, VT. September 18, 2017.
  24. ↑ William L. Clements Library. "Biography, Lucius Lyon". Lucius Lyon Papers. Ann Arbor, MI: University of Michigan. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  25. ↑ Historian of the U.S. House of Representatives. "Biography, Ezra Meech". Biographical Directory of the United States Congress. Washington, DC: U.S. House of Representatives. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  26. ↑ Meigs, Rick. "Biography, George Anson Meigs # 395". Meigs.org. Meigs Family History and Genealogy. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  27. ↑ "Biography, Almon Heath Read". Historical Biographies. Harrisburg, PA: Pennsylvania State Senate. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  28. ↑ Remsen, Nancy (November 2, 2015). "Barbara Snelling, Former Vermont GOP Matriarch, Dies". Vermont Seven Days. Burlington, VT.
  29. ↑ "Vermont Governors 1777-2011, Terms of Service" (PDF). Vermont.gov. Montpelier, VT: Vermont General Assembly. 2011. Retrieved January 30, 2020.
  30. ↑ Smith, Jenn (January 2, 2018). "Jane Swift answers questions of Lee Middle and High School students". Manchester Journal. Manchester, VT – via The Berkshire Eagle (Pittsfield, MA).
  31. ↑ Polston, Pamela (September 24, 1997). "Living History: Lilian Baker Carlisle remembers Electra Havemeyer Webb and the birth of the Shelburne Museum". Vermont Seven Days. Burlington, VT.
  32. ↑ Henderson, Keith (September 22, 1986). "A Victorian family's vision. William Seward Webb builds his dream house". The Christian Science Monitor. Boston, MA.
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