Franklin County, Vermont
Encyclopedia
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
.
, the county has a total area of 692 square miles (1,792.3 km²), of which 637 square miles (1,649.8 km²) is land and 55 square miles (142.4 km²) (7.94%) is water.
of 2000, there were 45,417 people, 16,765 households, and 12,188 families residing in the county. The population density
was 71 people per square mile (28/km²). There were 19,191 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.06% White
, 0.30% Black
or African American
, 1.51% Native American
, 0.26% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.21% from other races
, and 1.64% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 18.0% were of French Canadian
, 17.8% French
, 17.4% American
, 12.8% English
and 9.8% Irish
ancestry according to Census 2000. 94.2% spoke English
and 4.8% French
as a first language.
There were 16,765 households out of which 37.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% were married couples
living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county, the population was spread out with 28.10% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 31.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.90 males.
As of the 2000 RCMS, the three largest denominational groups in Franklin County are Catholic
, Mainline Protestant, and Orthodox
. The Catholic Church has the highest number of adherents in Franklin County (at 16,280), followed by the United Methodist Church
with 2,674 members reported and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Vasiloupulis, reporting 1,720 adherents. The religious body with the largest number of congregations is the United Methodist Church
(with 17 congregations) followed by the Catholic Church (with 14 congregations).
for the county was $17,816. About 7.00% of families and 9.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.40% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.
on January 15, 1777 when Vermont declared itself to be a state distinct from New York. The land originally was contested by Massachusetts
, New Hampshire
, and New Netherlands, but it remained undelineated until July 20, 1764 when King George III
established the boundary between New Hampshire and New York along the west bank of the Connecticut River
, north of Massachusetts and south of the parallel of 45 degrees north latitude. New York assigned the land gained to Albany County
. On March 12, 1772 Albany County was partitioned to create Charlotte County
, and this situation remained until Vermont's independence from New York and Britain. However, this did not end the contest.
On September 3, 1783, as a result of the signing of the Treaty of Paris
the Revolutionary War ended with Great Britain recognizing the independence of the United States. Vermont's border with Quebec was established at 45 degrees north latitude.
in 2008, the federal government declared the county a disaster area after severe storms and flooding June 14–17.
* Villages are census divisions, but have no 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...
. 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
St. Albans (city), Vermont
St. Albans is a city in and the shire town of Franklin County, Vermont, in the United States. At the 2000 census, the city population was 7,650. St Albans City is completely surrounded by St. Albans town, which is incorporated separately from the city of St. Albans...
.
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 692 square miles (1,792.3 km²), of which 637 square miles (1,649.8 km²) is land and 55 square miles (142.4 km²) (7.94%) is water.
Adjacent counties
- Orleans CountyOrleans County, VermontOrleans 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...
, VermontVermontVermont 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...
- east - Lamoille County, VermontVermontVermont 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...
- southeast - Chittenden CountyChittenden County, VermontChittenden County 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...
, VermontVermontVermont 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...
- southwest - Grand Isle CountyGrand 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:...
, VermontVermontVermont 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...
- west - Brome-Missisquoi Regional County MunicipalityBrome-Missisquoi Regional County Municipality, Quebec- External links :* * *...
, QuebecQuebecQuebec or is a province in east-central Canada. It is the only Canadian province with a predominantly French-speaking population and the only one whose sole official language is French at the provincial level....
- north
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 45,417 people, 16,765 households, and 12,188 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 71 people per square mile (28/km²). There were 19,191 housing units at an average density of 30 per square mile (12/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.06% 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...
, 0.30% 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...
, 1.51% 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...
, 0.26% 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...
, 0.21% 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 1.64% from two or more races. 0.59% 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. 18.0% were of 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...
, 17.8% 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...
, 17.4% American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, 12.8% 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...
and 9.8% 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...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 94.2% 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...
and 4.8% 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 a first language.
There were 16,765 households out of which 37.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.40% 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, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.30% were non-families. 20.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.40% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the county, the population was spread out with 28.10% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 31.40% from 25 to 44, 22.50% from 45 to 64, and 11.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 98.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.90 males.
As of the 2000 RCMS, the three largest denominational groups in Franklin County are Catholic
Catholic
The word catholic comes from the Greek phrase , meaning "on the whole," "according to the whole" or "in general", and is a combination of the Greek words meaning "about" and meaning "whole"...
, Mainline Protestant, and Orthodox
Eastern Orthodox Church
The Orthodox Church, officially called the Orthodox Catholic Church and commonly referred to as the Eastern Orthodox Church, is the second largest Christian denomination in the world, with an estimated 300 million adherents mainly in the countries of Belarus, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Georgia, Greece,...
. The Catholic Church has the highest number of adherents in Franklin County (at 16,280), followed by the United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
with 2,674 members reported and the Greek Orthodox Archdiocese of Vasiloupulis, reporting 1,720 adherents. The religious body with the largest number of congregations is the United Methodist Church
United Methodist Church
The United Methodist Church is a Methodist Christian denomination which is both mainline Protestant and evangelical. Founded in 1968 by the union of The Methodist Church and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the UMC traces its roots back to the revival movement of John and Charles Wesley...
(with 17 congregations) followed by the Catholic Church (with 14 congregations).
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 | 61.4% 13,179 | 36.6% 7,853 |
| 2004 | 53.2% 10,598 | 44.9% 8,936 |
| 2000 | 49.6% 9,514 | 43.7% 8,395 |
Personal income
The median income for a household in the county was $41,659, and the median income for a family was $46,733. Males had a median income of $32,009 versus $24,078 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 $17,816. About 7.00% of families and 9.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.40% of those under age 18 and 10.30% of those age 65 or over.
History
Franklin County is one of several Vermont counties created from land ceded by the state of New YorkNew York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
on January 15, 1777 when Vermont declared itself to be a state distinct from New York. The land originally was contested by Massachusetts
Massachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
, and New Netherlands, but it remained undelineated until July 20, 1764 when King George III
George III of the United Kingdom
George III was King of Great Britain and King of Ireland from 25 October 1760 until the union of these two countries on 1 January 1801, after which he was King of the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland until his death...
established the boundary between New Hampshire and New York along the west bank of the Connecticut River
Connecticut River
The Connecticut River is the largest and longest river in New England, and also an American Heritage River. It flows roughly south, starting from the Fourth Connecticut Lake in New Hampshire. After flowing through the remaining Connecticut Lakes and Lake Francis, it defines the border between the...
, north of Massachusetts and south of the parallel of 45 degrees north latitude. New York assigned the land gained to Albany County
Albany County, New York
Albany County is a county located in the U.S. state of New York, and is part of the Albany-Schenectady-Troy Metropolitan Statistical Area. The name is from the title of the Duke of York and Albany, who became James II of England . As of the 2010 census, the population was 304,204...
. On March 12, 1772 Albany County was partitioned to create Charlotte County
Charlotte County, Province of New York
Charlotte County was a county in the colonial Province of New York in the British American colonies. It was created from Albany County on March 24, 1772. The county was named for Charlotte, Princess Royal, oldest daughter and fourth child of George III of the United Kingdom. Its boundaries extended...
, and this situation remained until Vermont's independence from New York and Britain. However, this did not end the contest.
On September 3, 1783, as a result of the signing of the Treaty of Paris
Treaty of Paris (1783)
The Treaty of Paris, signed on September 3, 1783, ended the American Revolutionary War between Great Britain on the one hand and the United States of America and its allies on the other. The other combatant nations, France, Spain and the Dutch Republic had separate agreements; for details of...
the Revolutionary War ended with Great Britain recognizing the independence of the United States. Vermont's border with Quebec was established at 45 degrees north latitude.
in 2008, the federal government declared the county a disaster area after severe storms and flooding June 14–17.
Cities, towns, and villages
- BakersfieldBakersfield, VermontBakersfield is a town in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,215 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 44.6 square miles , of which, 44.6 square miles of it is land and 0.04 square miles of...
- BerkshireBerkshire, VermontBerkshire is a town in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,388 at the 2000 census. It contains the unincorporated village of East Berkshire.-Geography:...
- Enosburgh
- Enosburg FallsEnosburg Falls, VermontEnosburg Falls is a village in the town of Enosburgh in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,473 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
(a village of Enosburgh*)
- Enosburg Falls
- FairfaxFairfax, VermontFairfax is a town in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,765 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 40.5 square miles , of which, 40.2 square miles of it is land and 0.3 square miles of it ...
- FairfieldFairfield, VermontFairfield is a town in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,800 at the 2000 census. It is believed President Chester A...
- FletcherFletcher, VermontFletcher is a town in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,179 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 38.0 square miles , of which, 37.8 square miles of it is land and 0.2 square miles of it ...
- FranklinFranklin, VermontFranklin is a town in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,268 at the 2000 census.The original name was Huntsburgh but the name was changed to Franklin in 1817.-Geography:...
- GeorgiaGeorgia, VermontGeorgia is a town in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population was 4,375 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.2 square miles , of which, 39.5 square miles of it is land and 5.7 square miles of it ...
- HighgateHighgate, VermontHighgate is a town in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,397 at the 2000 census. The town is on the border of Quebec, Canada and is a border town of Philipsburg, Quebec.-History:...
- MontgomeryMontgomery, VermontMontgomery is a town in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population, according to 2010 census United States Census Bureau is 1,201. In 1963, part of Averys Gore in Franklin County became part of Montgomery, with the other section becoming part of Belvidere.-Geography:According to the...
- RichfordRichford, VermontRichford is a town in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,321 at the 2000 census.Richford is the birthplace of R.G. LeTourneau, American industrialist who founded LeTourneau University in Longview, Texas.-Geography:...
- SheldonSheldon, VermontSheldon is a town in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,990 at the 2000 census. It contains the unincorporated village of Sheldon Springs.-Geography:...
- St. Albans (city)St. Albans (city), VermontSt. Albans is a city in and the shire town of Franklin County, Vermont, in the United States. At the 2000 census, the city population was 7,650. St Albans City is completely surrounded by St. Albans town, which is incorporated separately from the city of St. Albans...
- St. Albans (town)St. Albans (town), VermontSt. Albans is a town in Franklin County, Vermont. The population was 6,392 at the 2010 census. The town completely surrounds the city of St. Albans, which was separated from the town and incorporated in 1902. References to "St. Albans" prior to this date generally refer to the town center, which...
- SwantonSwanton (town), VermontSwanton is a town in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population was 6,203 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 61.7 square miles , of which 48.4 square miles is land and 13.3 square miles is...
- Swanton VillageSwanton (village), VermontSwanton is a village in the town of Swanton in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. It is sometimes called Swanton Village to distinguish it from the surrounding town of the same name...
(a village of Swanton*)
- Swanton Village