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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
Country United States
State Vermont
County Chittenden
Communities Shelburne
Shelburne Falls
Area
 • Total 45.1 sq mi (116.7 km2)
 • Land 24.3 sq mi (63.0 km2)
 • Water 20.8 sq mi (53.8 km2)
Elevation
203 ft (62 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 7,717
 • Density 317/sq mi (122.5/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
05482
Area code(s) 802
FIPS code 50-64300
GNIS feature ID 1462206

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.

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. Shelburne municipality has the highest median income in both Chittenden County and the Burlington metropolitan area.

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.

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).

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 389 —
1800 723 85.9%
1810 987 36.5%
1820 936 −5.2%
1830 1,123 20.0%
1840 1,089 −3.0%
1850 1,257 15.4%
1860 1,178 −6.3%
1870 1,190 1.0%
1880 1,096 −7.9%
1890 1,300 18.6%
1900 1,202 −7.5%
1910 1,097 −8.7%
1920 997 −9.1%
1930 1,006 0.9%
1940 1,010 0.4%
1950 1,365 35.1%
1960 1,805 32.2%
1970 3,728 106.5%
1980 5,000 34.1%
1990 5,871 17.4%
2000 6,944 18.3%
2010 7,144 2.9%
2020 7,717 8.0%
U.S. Decennial Census

As of the census 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

Shelburne Farm VT
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. Males had a median income of $50,085 versus $28,428 for females. The per capita income for the town was $55,638. 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.

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

Transportation

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 who then created the Vermont Community Newspaper Group in 2019.

Notable people

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Shelburne (Vermont) para niños

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