Northfield, Vermont
Encyclopedia
Northfield is a town
in Washington County
, Vermont, United States. It lies in a valley within the Green Mountains
, and has been the home of Norwich University
since 1866. The town contains the village of Northfield
, where over half of its population lives. The population was 6,207 at the 2010 census
.
Throughout the 19th century, Northfield was an important railway hub. The Vermont Central Railroad was based here
until 1853, when Charles Paine
, the president, died. After this, the company merged with the Central Vermont Railroad. Even after the merger, the town remained an important center of commerce for the area. Due largely to its proximity to the depot, Northfield Center became the focus of economic activity to the many villages within the Northfield town limits. Each village retains a personality of its own to this day, however. Since the 20th century, the main employer of the town has remained Norwich University
, which moved from Norwich
, Vermont to Northfield in 1866. The school's enrollment is approximately 2,000. Norwich is the oldest private military college in the United States. In 2002, the school opened the National Center for the Study of Counter-Terrorism and Cybercrime on the village common, just feet from the old railroad depot which closed in the mid-20th century. Norwich University was also the site of the Vermont Quilt Festival until its relocation in 2006.
A schoolhouse built in 1877 was renovated in 2004, with over one million dollars in donations, into public and municipal offices known as the Gray Building. The facade was renewed. It remains the most visible building in Northfield.
The largest employer of people in Northfield is Norwich University. Many Northfield residents commute to the nearby cities of Montpelier
and Barre for employment.
, the town has a total area of 43.7 square miles (113.3 km2), of which 43.7 square miles (113.2 km2) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km2) (0.07%) is water.
The town is also the center of Vermont, with markers on the University of the Geographical and Magnetic centers.
Northfield can be accessed via Exit 5 of Interstate 89
.
, 0.36% Native American, 1.33% Asian, 0.43% from other races
, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.21% of the population.
There were 1,819 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were couples living together and joined in either marriage or civil union
, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the town the population was spread out with 19.4% under the age of 18, 27.2% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 122.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,523, and the median income for a family was $51,818. Males had a median income of $32,168 versus $24,781 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,592. About 3.2% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.
and Barre Montpelier Times Argus
. Every county in Vermont except for Bennington is part of the Burlington, Vermont
broadcast television market. WCAX has an office in Montpelier.
The only radio station within town limits is WNUB-FM
.
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 Washington County
Washington County, Vermont
Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2010, the population was 59,534; Vermont's third-most populous county after Chittenden County and Rutland County. Its shire town is Montpelier, the state capital. The center of population of Vermont is located in Washington...
, Vermont, United States. It lies in a valley within the Green Mountains
Green Mountains
The Green Mountains are a mountain range in the U.S. state of Vermont. The range extends approximately .-Peaks:The most notable mountains in the range include:*Mount Mansfield, , the highest point in Vermont*Killington Peak, *Mount Ellen,...
, and has been the home of Norwich University
Norwich University
Norwich University is a private university located in Northfield, Vermont . The university was founded in 1819 at Norwich, Vermont, as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy. It is the oldest of six Senior Military Colleges, and is recognized by the United States Department of...
since 1866. The town contains the village of Northfield
Northfield (village), Vermont
Northfield is a village in the town of Northfield in Washington County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,208 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
, where over half of its population lives. The population was 6,207 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...
.
History
Throughout the 19th century, Northfield was an important railway hub. The Vermont Central Railroad was based here
Central Vermont Railway Depot
The Central Vermont Railway Depot is a former train station in the village of Northfield, Vermont. It has been on the List of Registered Historic Places since May 1, 1975, and is the oldest building in Vermont to have once served as a railway depot...
until 1853, when Charles Paine
Charles Paine
Charles Paine was an American Whig politician.Paine was the son of U.S. Senator Elijah Paine. He was a Harvard graduate , and woolen mill owner. He moved to Northfield, Vermont in the early part of the nineteenth century to run the family woolen mill. He opearted this business until it was...
, the president, died. After this, the company merged with the Central Vermont Railroad. Even after the merger, the town remained an important center of commerce for the area. Due largely to its proximity to the depot, Northfield Center became the focus of economic activity to the many villages within the Northfield town limits. Each village retains a personality of its own to this day, however. Since the 20th century, the main employer of the town has remained Norwich University
Norwich University
Norwich University is a private university located in Northfield, Vermont . The university was founded in 1819 at Norwich, Vermont, as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy. It is the oldest of six Senior Military Colleges, and is recognized by the United States Department of...
, which moved from Norwich
Norwich, Vermont
Norwich is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States, located along the Connecticut River opposite Hanover, New Hampshire. The population was 3,544 at the 2000 census....
, Vermont to Northfield in 1866. The school's enrollment is approximately 2,000. Norwich is the oldest private military college in the United States. In 2002, the school opened the National Center for the Study of Counter-Terrorism and Cybercrime on the village common, just feet from the old railroad depot which closed in the mid-20th century. Norwich University was also the site of the Vermont Quilt Festival until its relocation in 2006.
A schoolhouse built in 1877 was renovated in 2004, with over one million dollars in donations, into public and municipal offices known as the Gray Building. The facade was renewed. It remains the most visible building in Northfield.
The largest employer of people in Northfield is Norwich University. Many Northfield residents commute to the nearby cities of Montpelier
Montpelier, Vermont
Montpelier is a city in the U.S. state of Vermont that serves as the state capital and the shire town of Washington County. As the capital of Vermont, Montpelier is the site of the Vermont State House, seat of the legislative branch of Vermont government. The population was 7,855 at the 2010...
and Barre for employment.
Geography
According to the United States 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 town has a total area of 43.7 square miles (113.3 km2), of which 43.7 square miles (113.2 km2) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km2) (0.07%) is water.
The town is also the center of Vermont, with markers on the University of the Geographical and Magnetic centers.
Northfield can be accessed via Exit 5 of Interstate 89
Interstate 89
Interstate 89 is an interstate highway in the New England region of the United States travelling between Bow, New Hampshire and Highgate Springs, Vermont. As with all odd-numbered primary interstates, I-89 is signed as a north–south highway...
.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 5,791 people, 1,819 households, and 1,224 families residing in the town. The population density was 132.5 people per square mile (51.2/km2). There were 1,958 housing units at an average density of 44.8 per square mile (17.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.41% White, 1.02% Black or African AmericanRace (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...
, 0.36% Native American, 1.33% Asian, 0.43% 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 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.21% of the population.
There were 1,819 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were couples living together and joined in either marriage or civil union
Civil union
A civil union, also referred to as a civil partnership, is a legally recognized form of partnership similar to marriage. Beginning with Denmark in 1989, civil unions under one name or another have been established by law in many developed countries in order to provide same-sex couples rights,...
, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the town the population was spread out with 19.4% under the age of 18, 27.2% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 122.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,523, and the median income for a family was $51,818. Males had a median income of $32,168 versus $24,781 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,592. About 3.2% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.
Media
Northfield's local newspapers include Northfield News & TranscriptNorthfield News & Transcript
The Northfield News is a small weekly newspaper available in Northfield and Roxbury, Vermont, as well as some other local towns. The Northfield News has been continually published since 1878....
and Barre Montpelier Times Argus
Barre Montpelier Times Argus
The Barre Montpelier Times Argus is a daily morning newspaper serving the capital region of Vermont. It was established in 1897. The newspaper claims that "80% of all adults in the Barre/Montpelier area read the Times Argus for local news, state government, sports, and advertising...
. Every county in Vermont except for Bennington is part of the Burlington, Vermont
Burlington, Vermont
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and the shire town of Chittenden County. Burlington lies south of the U.S.-Canadian border and some south of Montreal....
broadcast television market. WCAX has an office in Montpelier.
The only radio station within town limits is WNUB-FM
WNUB-FM
WNUB-FM is a radio station licensed to serve Northfield, Vermont. The station is owned by The Trustees of the Norwich University. It airs a College radio format....
.
Notable people
- Charles PaineCharles PaineCharles Paine was an American Whig politician.Paine was the son of U.S. Senator Elijah Paine. He was a Harvard graduate , and woolen mill owner. He moved to Northfield, Vermont in the early part of the nineteenth century to run the family woolen mill. He opearted this business until it was...
, 15th Governor of Vermont and president of the Vermont Central Railroad - Trijang Chocktrul RinpocheTrijang Chocktrul RinpocheKyabje Trijang Chocktrul Rinpoche is considered the current reincarnation of the Trijang Rinpoche, who was the junior tutor and spiritual guide of the 14th Dalai Lama.-Continue the legacy:...
, Tibetan Buddhist spiritual leader.
See also
- Central Vermont Railway DepotCentral Vermont Railway DepotThe Central Vermont Railway Depot is a former train station in the village of Northfield, Vermont. It has been on the List of Registered Historic Places since May 1, 1975, and is the oldest building in Vermont to have once served as a railway depot...
- Vermont Central Railroad
- Northfield Savings BankNorthfield Savings BankNorthfield Savings Bank is a small, Vermont-owned bank chain based in Northfield, Vermont. It was established in 1867 and currently has over a dozen branches across Chittenden and Washington Counties, including Burlington, Barre, and Montpelier. The bank donates 10% of its profits to community...
- Norwich UniversityNorwich UniversityNorwich University is a private university located in Northfield, Vermont . The university was founded in 1819 at Norwich, Vermont, as the American Literary, Scientific and Military Academy. It is the oldest of six Senior Military Colleges, and is recognized by the United States Department of...
- Northfield News & TranscriptNorthfield News & TranscriptThe Northfield News is a small weekly newspaper available in Northfield and Roxbury, Vermont, as well as some other local towns. The Northfield News has been continually published since 1878....