Milton, Vermont
Encyclopedia
Milton is a town
in Chittenden County
, Vermont
, United States
. The population was 10,352 at the 2010 census
. According to local legend, the town was named for the English poet John Milton
, but the name most likely originated from William FitzWilliam, 4th Earl FitzWilliam
, who held the title Viscount Milton.
Milton has a municipal building, school system, police force, fire department, rescue squad, several churches, and both civic and social organizations.
The town is home to RAF and USAF defense contractor
of New Hampshire on June 8, 1763. In February of 1782, the town was first settled by William Irish, Leonard Owen, Amos Mansfield, Absalom Taylor, and Thomas Dewey. There were approximately 300 settlers living in Milton by 1795. It was necessary to build a new meeting place, as meeting in private homes would no longer suffice. The Town House was built in 1849. In 1878 it was destroyed by a fire.
Early settlers in Milton made most of their income from lumber and potash until 1840 when dairy became popular and butter and cheese were sold. Eventually milk was also shipped to Boston and New York.
According to the United States Census Bureau
, the town has a total area of 60.9 square miles (157.7 km2), of which 51.5 square miles (133.3 km2) is land and 9.4 square miles (24.4 km2) (15.49%) is water.
of 2000, there were 9,479 people, 3,333 households, and 2,609 families residing in the town. The population density
was 184.2 people per square mile (71.1/km2). There were 3,505 housing units at an average density of 68.1 per square mile (26.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.10% White, 0.21% Black or African American
, 0.40% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races
, and 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.62% of the population.
There were 3,333 households out of which 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% were married couples
living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 15.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 35.8% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $49,379, and the median income for a family was $50,972. Males had a median income of $36,149 versus $27,256 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $20,048. About 4.2% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Chittenden County
Chittenden County, Vermont
Chittenden 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...
, 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...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 10,352 at the 2010 census
United States Census, 2010
The Twenty-third United States Census, known as Census 2010 or the 2010 Census, is the current national census of the United States. National Census Day was April 1, 2010 and is the reference date used in enumerating individuals...
. According to local legend, the town was named for the English poet John Milton
John Milton
John Milton was an English poet, polemicist, a scholarly man of letters, and a civil servant for the Commonwealth of England under Oliver Cromwell...
, but the name most likely originated from William FitzWilliam, 4th Earl FitzWilliam
William FitzWilliam, 4th Earl FitzWilliam
William Wentworth-Fitzwilliam, 4th Earl Fitzwilliam PC , styled Viscount Milton until 1756, was a British Whig statesman of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. In 1782 he inherited his uncle Charles Watson-Wentworth, 2nd Marquess of Rockingham's estates, making him one of the richest people in...
, who held the title Viscount Milton.
Milton has a municipal building, school system, police force, fire department, rescue squad, several churches, and both civic and social organizations.
The town is home to RAF and USAF defense contractor
History
Milton was chartered by Governor Benning WentworthBenning Wentworth
Benning Wentworth was the colonial governor of New Hampshire from 1741 to 1766.-Biography:The eldest child of the John Wentworth who had been Lieutenant Governor, he was born and died in Portsmouth, New Hampshire. Wentworth graduated from Harvard College in 1715...
of New Hampshire on June 8, 1763. In February of 1782, the town was first settled by William Irish, Leonard Owen, Amos Mansfield, Absalom Taylor, and Thomas Dewey. There were approximately 300 settlers living in Milton by 1795. It was necessary to build a new meeting place, as meeting in private homes would no longer suffice. The Town House was built in 1849. In 1878 it was destroyed by a fire.
Early settlers in Milton made most of their income from lumber and potash until 1840 when dairy became popular and butter and cheese were sold. Eventually milk was also shipped to Boston and New York.
Geography
Milton is located at 44°38′23"N 73°6′39"W.According to the United States Census Bureau
United 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 60.9 square miles (157.7 km2), of which 51.5 square miles (133.3 km2) is land and 9.4 square miles (24.4 km2) (15.49%) is water.
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 9,479 people, 3,333 households, and 2,609 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 184.2 people per square mile (71.1/km2). There were 3,505 housing units at an average density of 68.1 per square mile (26.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.10% White, 0.21% Black 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...
, 0.40% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% 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 0.76% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.62% of the population.
There were 3,333 households out of which 41.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.8% 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, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 21.7% were non-families. 15.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 4.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.84 and the average family size was 3.17.
In the town the population was spread out with 28.7% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 35.8% from 25 to 44, 22.6% from 45 to 64, and 5.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 98.8 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $49,379, and the median income for a family was $50,972. Males had a median income of $36,149 versus $27,256 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 $20,048. About 4.2% of families and 5.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.0% of those under age 18 and 6.0% of those age 65 or over.
Public safety
In 2008, property crimes increased by 54.9%. The number of incidents for all crime was 706.Transportation
The Chittenden County Transportation Authority has stated that they will provide commuter bus service starting February 15, 2010.Notable people
- George AllenGeorge Allen (Vermont)George Allen was a noted college professor and clergyman. He was born in Milton, Vermont in 1808.He graduated from the University of Vermont in 1827, and became a professor of languages at that school the following year. He left that position in 1830...
(1808–1876), born in Milton, noted clergyman and academic. - Luther S. DixonLuther S. DixonLuther S. Dixon was Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court.-Biography:Dixon was born Luther Swift Dixon on June 17, 1825 in Milton, Vermont. He moved to Portage, Wisconsin in 1851. Dixon passed away on December 6, 1891 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin....
(1825–1891), Chief Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme CourtWisconsin Supreme CourtThe Wisconsin Supreme Court is the highest appellate court in the state of Wisconsin. The Supreme Court has jurisdiction over original actions, appeals from lower courts, and regulation or administration of the practice of law in Wisconsin.-Location:...
. - John G. HaskellJohn G. HaskellJohn Gideon Haskell is an architect who designed portions of the Kansas State Capitol and other public buildings in the state....
(1832-1907), born in Milton, architect who designed Kansas public buildings including the Kansas State CapitolKansas State CapitolThe Kansas State Capitol, known also as the Kansas Statehouse, is the building housing the executive and legislative branches of government for the U.S. state of Kansas. It is located in the city of Topeka which has served as the capital of Kansas since it became a state in 1861... - George J. StannardGeorge J. StannardGeorge Jerrison Stannard was a Vermont farmer, teacher, and Union general in the American Civil War. After the war, he served as Doorkeeper of the United States House of Representatives.-Early life:...
(1820–1902), Civil War era general, lived in Milton where his house still stands.