Essex County, Vermont | |
|---|---|
 Essex County Courthouse in Guildhall | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofVermont | |
| Coordinates:44°43′15″N71°44′42″W / 44.720894°N 71.745018°W /44.720894; -71.745018 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Vermont |
| Founded | 1800 |
| Named after | Essex |
| Shire Town | Guildhall |
| Largest town | Lunenburg |
| Area | |
• Total | 675 sq mi (1,750 km2) |
| • Land | 664 sq mi (1,720 km2) |
| • Water | 12 sq mi (31 km2) 1.7% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 5,920 |
• Estimate (2024)[1] | 6,037 |
| • Density | 8.92/sq mi (3.44/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | At-large |
| Website | https://essexcountyvermont.gov/ |
Essex County is acounty located in thenortheastern part of theU.S. state ofVermont. As of the2020 census, the population was 5,920,[2] making it the least-populous county in bothVermont andNew England. Its shire town (county seat) is the municipality ofGuildhall.[3] The county was created in 1792 and organized in 1800.[4] Bordered by theConnecticut River next toNew Hampshire, Essex County is south of the Canadian province ofQuebec. It is the county with the lowest household-income in Vermont.[citation needed]
Prior to the arrival of colonists of European descent, the area was populated by theAbenakis. They used the Connecticut and Nulhegan rivers as primary means of travel through the area along with many subsidiary rivers and streams. The culture was mostly hunter-gatherer with a combination of agriculture, hunting and fishing. While the rivers provided good fishing the primary food animal was moose.[5]
Vermont was divided into two counties in March 1778. In 1781 the legislature divided the northernmost county, Cumberland, into three counties: Windham and Windsor, in approximately the modern location for those counties. The northern remainder was called Orange County. This latter tract nearly corresponded with theold New York county of Gloucester, organized by that province March 16, 1770, with Newbury as the shire town.[6]
On September 3, 1783, as a result of the signing of theTreaty of Paris, the Revolutionary War ended with Great Britain recognizing the independence of the United States. Vermont's border with Quebec was established at45 degrees north latitude.[7][8]
On November 5, 1792, the legislature divided Chittenden and Orange counties into six separate counties, as follows: Chittenden, Orange, Franklin, Caledonia, Essex, and Orleans.[6] No reason is given for the county being named after the county ofEssex in England.[9]
In 1999, a group of investors bought 86,212 acres (34,889 ha) fromChampion International Paper for $7.5 million, covering parts of fourteen towns in the county. The state of Vermont and the Freeman Foundation purchased easements for $8.5 million to guarantee traditional uses of the land for logging and recreation. In 2008,Plum Creek Timber company announced plans to purchase this property.[10]
The last murder trial held at the county courthouse took place in 1923. In 1973, a non-resident murdered another non-resident.[11] In 2008, two residents died by homicide – the first in 85 years – when police said a young woman was shot by her boyfriend and a 59-year-old man shot his mother.[12]
In 2012, a study indicated that county residents, overall, were the least healthy in the state. The rating was based on premature death, low birth weight, smoking, obesity, inactivity, excessive drinking, car crashes, sexually transmitted diseases, graduation rates, poverty, violent crime rates, air pollution, limited access to healthy food, unemployment, and the number of single parent households.[13]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1800 | 1,479 | — | |
| 1810 | 3,087 | 108.7% | |
| 1820 | 3,284 | 6.4% | |
| 1830 | 3,981 | 21.2% | |
| 1840 | 4,226 | 6.2% | |
| 1850 | 4,650 | 10.0% | |
| 1860 | 5,786 | 24.4% | |
| 1870 | 6,811 | 17.7% | |
| 1880 | 7,931 | 16.4% | |
| 1890 | 9,511 | 19.9% | |
| 1900 | 8,056 | −15.3% | |
| 1910 | 7,384 | −8.3% | |
| 1920 | 7,364 | −0.3% | |
| 1930 | 7,067 | −4.0% | |
| 1940 | 6,490 | −8.2% | |
| 1950 | 6,257 | −3.6% | |
| 1960 | 6,083 | −2.8% | |
| 1970 | 5,416 | −11.0% | |
| 1980 | 6,313 | 16.6% | |
| 1990 | 6,405 | 1.5% | |
| 2000 | 6,459 | 0.8% | |
| 2010 | 6,306 | −2.4% | |
| 2020 | 5,920 | −6.1% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[14] 1790–1960[15] 1900–1990[16] 1990–2000[17] 2010–2020[2] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 5,920. Of the residents, 17.4% were under the age of 18 and 26.9% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 52.1 years. For every 100 females there were 101.8 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.2 males.[18][19]
The racial makeup of the county was 94.0% White, 0.3%Black or African American, 0.3%American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.3%Asian, 0.2% from some other race, and 4.9% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.1% of the population.[19]
There were 2,695 households in the county, of which 21.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 23.4% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[18]
There were 4,867 housing units, of which 44.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 80.1% were owner-occupied and 19.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.3%.[18]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[20] | Pop 2010[21] | Pop 2020[22] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 6,218 | 6,094 | 5,544 | 96.26% | 96.63% | 93.64% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 11 | 16 | 15 | 0.17% | 0.25% | 0.23% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 41 | 36 | 14 | 0.63% | 0.57% | 0.23% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 17 | 22 | 16 | 0.26% | 0.34% | 0.27% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 0 | 0 | 5 | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.08% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 4 | 1 | 5 | 0.06% | 0.01% | 0.08% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 136 | 78 | 254 | 2.10% | 1.23% | 4.29% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 32 | 59 | 67 | 0.49% | 0.93% | 1.13% |
| Total | 6,459 | 6,306 | 5,920 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 United States census, there were 6,306 people, 2,818 households, and 1,814 families residing in the county.[23] The population density was 9.5 inhabitants per square mile (3.7/km2). There were 5,019 housing units at an average density of 7.6 per square mile (2.9/km2).[24]
Of the 2,818 households, 24.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.0% were married couples living together, 8.7% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.6% were non-families, and 29.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.70. The median age was 47.4 years.[23]
The median income for a household in the county was $37,734 and the median income for a family was $46,263. Males had a median income of $37,021 versus $28,710 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,040. About 13.0% of families and 16.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 25.8% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over.[25]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 675 square miles (1,750 km2), of which 664 square miles (1,720 km2) is land and 12 square miles (31 km2) (1.7%) is water.[26]
In the north central portion of the county the Nulhegan Basin is a circular area roughly 10 miles (16 km) in diameter. While the origin of this basin may be either an asteroid hit or ancient volcano it has not been proven as either one so far. Within the basin is a bog and the Silvio O. Conte Fish and Wildlife RefugeError in Webarchive template: Empty url. with a visitor center, hiking trails, and viewing platforms where one can wait under shelter.
The county has many mountains and waterways. The Northern Forest Canoe Trail passes through this area along the Clyde, Nulhegan, and Connecticut rivers.
In 2011, there were about 1,000 moose in the county. State officials estimated that this was about the "correct number" for a sustainable herd, with the moose not showing signs of starvation, nor the feeding grounds showing signs of overgrazing.[5] In recent years the moose population has been suffering from infestations by ticks. Some moose have been found having as many as 10,000 ticks on one moose, thus causing death from anemia. Warmer winter weather in recent years has prevented the normal die-off of ticks from freezing.
TheEssex Senate district includes all of Essex County, as well as parts ofOrleans County andCaledonia County. It is represented in theVermont Senate byRuss Ingalls, aRepublican.
The elected officials of the county as of the2018 elections are as follows:
| Position[27] | Name | Party | First elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| State Senator | Robert A. Starr | Democratic | 2004 |
| Russ Ingalls | Republican | 2020 | |
| State Rep District 1 | Terrie Lynn Williams | Republican | 2020 |
| State Rep District 2 | Paul D. Lefebvre | Independent | 2014 |
| State's Attorney | Vincent Illuzzi | Prog/Rep/Dem/Lib | 1998 |
| Assistant Judge | Evan Hammond | Republican | 2023 |
| Kenn Stransky | Republican | 2023 | |
| Probate Judge | Samuel Swope | Independent | 2023 |
| Sheriff | Trevor Colby | Rep/Prog | 2010 |
| High Bailiff | Eric Engels | N/A | 2023 |
| Justices of the Peace: |
| Town | Name | Party | First elected |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bloomfield 5 | Sharon Belknap | Republican | 2014 |
| Martin Lomansey | Independent | 2012 | |
| Raymond Bowen Jr. | Independent | 2014 | |
| Steven Bunnell | Republican | 2016 | |
| Suzanne Routhier | Independent | 2006 | |
| Brighton 7 | Krystyna Kurzej | Democratic | 2016 |
| Stephanie Nagle | Democratic | 2012 | |
| Janet Osborne | Democratic | 2014 | |
| Peder Pederson | Independent | 2014 | |
| Susan Pederson | Independent | 2012 | |
| David Robbins | Republican | 2014 | |
| Dolores Robbins | Republican | 2014 | |
| Brunswick 5 | Sharon Graham | Independent | 2008 |
| Claudette Hook | Independent | 2012 | |
| June Hook | Independent | 2012 | |
| Deborah Tetreault | Independent | 2010 | |
| Janet Washburn | Independent | 2016 | |
| Canaan 7 | Martha Allen | Democratic | 2012 |
| Irving Cullivan | Democratic | 2012 | |
| Michael Daley | Democratic | 2014 | |
| Renee Marchesseault | Republican | 2004 | |
| Judith Masson | Democratic | 2008 | |
| Fern Owen Brown | Democratic | 2016 | |
| Vacant | N/A | ||
| Concord 5 | Linda Blakslee | Republican | 2012 |
| Paula N. Christopher | Republican | 2018 | |
| Mary Gochie | Republican | 2010 | |
| Nancy Goodwin | Republican | 2008 | |
| Arlene Hovey | Republican | 2012 | |
| East Haven 5 | Robert J. Burke | Democratic | 2008 |
| Franklin Higgins | Independent | 2014 | |
| Michael Masure | Republican | 2012 | |
| Delbert Reed | Republican | 2016 | |
| Bonnie Ricci | Democratic | 2014 | |
| Granby 5 | Bruce Berryman | Republican | 2016 |
| Reginald Bunnell | Republican | 2012 | |
| Calvin Noble | Republican | 2006 | |
| John Noble | Republican | 2008 | |
| Sonia Peters | Republican | 2008 | |
| Guildhall 5 | Casey Dowland | Republican | 2014 |
| Valerie Foy | Democratic | 2010 | |
| Kelly McLain | Republican | 2016 | |
| Alfred McVetty | Republican | 2014 | |
| Jacqueline Spillane | Republican | 2018 | |
| Lemington 5 | Myra Ellingwood | Democratic | 2012 |
| Walter Noyes | Independent | 2010 | |
| Michelle Thibault | Republican | 2018 | |
| Mary Jane Walker | Republican | 2016 | |
| Linda Young | Democratic | 2016 | |
| Lunenburg 5 | Maren Downing | Republican | 2014 |
| Gisele Hallee | Independent | 2016 | |
| Patricia Kenny | Republican | 2008 | |
| James Peyton | Independent | 2016 | |
| Barbara Willson | Independent | 2016 | |
| Maidstone 3 | Bruce Hobaugh | Independent | 2012 |
| Cheryl McVetty | Independent | 2016 | |
| Gail Tattan Giampalo | Independent | 2016 | |
| Norton 5 | Janice Daniels | Republican | 2016 |
| Betsy Fontaine | Republican | 2018 | |
| Andre Gagnon | Republican | 2016 | |
| Franklin Henry | Republican | 2012 | |
| Kenneth Stransky | Republican | 2016 | |
| Victory 5 | Zane Cooke | Independent | 2014 |
| Laurie Gilman | Republican | 2018 | |
| Howard Lynaugh | Independent | 2016 | |
| Sylvia McKinstry | Republican | 2016 | |
| Lori Miller | Independent | 2016 |
Essex County is a historicallyRepublican county in presidential elections, supporting the party in all but seven elections since its founding.
In1828, Essex County voted forNational Republican Party candidateJohn Quincy Adams.Democrats would win the county in1832 and1836, thenWhigs from1840 to1852, and Republicans fromJohn C. Frémont in1856 toAlf Landon in1936. Since the latter election, the Democrats carried the county in1940,1944,1964,1992,1996,2008, and2012. Since1980, Essex County is abellwether county, consistently backing the national winner except in2020.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 2024 | 1,890 | 55.18% | 1,344 | 39.24% | 191 | 5.58% |
| 2020 | 1,773 | 53.92% | 1,405 | 42.73% | 110 | 3.35% |
| 2016 | 1,506 | 51.49% | 1,019 | 34.84% | 400 | 13.68% |
| 2012 | 1,164 | 41.60% | 1,539 | 55.00% | 95 | 3.40% |
| 2008 | 1,284 | 41.41% | 1,733 | 55.89% | 84 | 2.71% |
| 2004 | 1,591 | 54.17% | 1,276 | 43.45% | 70 | 2.38% |
| 2000 | 1,564 | 54.08% | 1,129 | 39.04% | 199 | 6.88% |
| 1996 | 819 | 33.44% | 1,120 | 45.73% | 510 | 20.82% |
| 1992 | 1,038 | 34.65% | 1,092 | 36.45% | 866 | 28.91% |
| 1988 | 1,535 | 64.20% | 837 | 35.01% | 19 | 0.79% |
| 1984 | 1,632 | 69.48% | 693 | 29.50% | 24 | 1.02% |
| 1980 | 1,305 | 55.77% | 799 | 34.15% | 236 | 10.09% |
| 1976 | 1,161 | 53.04% | 1,002 | 45.77% | 26 | 1.19% |
| 1972 | 1,441 | 68.29% | 655 | 31.04% | 14 | 0.66% |
| 1968 | 1,009 | 49.83% | 952 | 47.01% | 64 | 3.16% |
| 1964 | 750 | 30.95% | 1,673 | 69.05% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 1,439 | 57.51% | 1,063 | 42.49% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1956 | 1,714 | 70.42% | 719 | 29.54% | 1 | 0.04% |
| 1952 | 1,592 | 69.04% | 705 | 30.57% | 9 | 0.39% |
| 1948 | 1,055 | 54.21% | 881 | 45.27% | 10 | 0.51% |
| 1944 | 1,064 | 48.58% | 1,126 | 51.42% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1940 | 1,365 | 46.96% | 1,531 | 52.67% | 11 | 0.38% |
| 1936 | 1,474 | 55.00% | 1,203 | 44.89% | 3 | 0.11% |
| 1932 | 1,567 | 52.58% | 1,397 | 46.88% | 16 | 0.54% |
| 1928 | 1,703 | 67.74% | 805 | 32.02% | 6 | 0.24% |
| 1924 | 1,391 | 63.60% | 576 | 26.34% | 220 | 10.06% |
| 1920 | 1,243 | 68.90% | 552 | 30.60% | 9 | 0.50% |
| 1916 | 734 | 56.77% | 544 | 42.07% | 15 | 1.16% |
| 1912 | 463 | 39.01% | 348 | 29.32% | 376 | 31.68% |
| 1908 | 744 | 68.07% | 327 | 29.92% | 22 | 2.01% |
| 1904 | 750 | 75.53% | 233 | 23.46% | 10 | 1.01% |
| 1900 | 758 | 67.50% | 358 | 31.88% | 7 | 0.62% |
| 1896 | 873 | 72.99% | 277 | 23.16% | 46 | 3.85% |
| 1892 | 721 | 61.36% | 418 | 35.57% | 36 | 3.06% |
| 1888 | 907 | 61.62% | 502 | 34.10% | 63 | 4.28% |
| 1884 | 898 | 61.46% | 500 | 34.22% | 63 | 4.31% |
| 1880 | 853 | 64.14% | 472 | 35.49% | 5 | 0.38% |
WVTI 106.9 broadcasts fromIsland Pond, Vermont.[30]
In Vermont,gores and grants are unincorporated portions of a county which are not part on any town and have limited self-government (if any, as many are uninhabited).
In addition, three formally chartered towns have never had sufficient population to organize. Those which are inhabited also have limited self-government.
Places adjacent to Essex County, Vermont | |
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Municipalities and communities ofEssex County, Vermont,United States | ||
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| Towns |  | |
| CDPs | ||
| Grants and gores | ||
| Other community | ||
| Footnotes | ‡ Unorganized | |
Montpelier (capital) | |
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