Bennington County, Vermont | |
|---|---|
 Bennington County courthouse in Manchester | |
 Location within the U.S. state ofVermont | |
| Coordinates:43°01′46″N73°06′29″W / 43.029419°N 73.107956°W /43.029419; -73.107956 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Vermont |
| Founded | 1778 |
| Named after | Benning Wentworth |
| Shire Town | Bennington &Manchester |
| Largest town | Bennington |
| Area | |
• Total | 678 sq mi (1,760 km2) |
| • Land | 675 sq mi (1,750 km2) |
| • Water | 2.7 sq mi (7.0 km2) 0.4% |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 37,347 |
• Estimate (2024)[1] | 37,039 |
| • Density | 55.3/sq mi (21.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−5 (Eastern) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−4 (EDT) |
| Congressional district | At-large |
| Website | https://benningtonvt.org/ |
Bennington County is acounty in theU.S. state ofVermont. As of the2020 census, the population was 37,347.[2] The shire towns (county seats) are jointlyBennington ("The Southshire") andManchester ("The Northshire"),[3] and the largest municipality is Bennington. Bennington is the only county in Vermont with two shire towns, and thus the only county in the United States to have two "shire towns" within its boundaries (as every US state except for Vermont refers to their seats of government as county/parish/borough seats) The county was created in 1778.[4]
Bennington is the oldest county in Vermont still in existence, created by the first general assembly on March 17, 1778.[5] Vermont was organized into two original counties, with Bennington in the west and Unity (a few days later renamedCumberland) in the east.[6] On February 16, 1781Rutland County was created from Bennington County.[7] On April 13, 1781, Bennington gained thegore east of the town of Bromley (nowPeru) fromWindham andWindsor Counties, now known asLandgrove.[8]
From June 26, 1781, until February 23, 1782, Vermont attempted to annex part of New York east of the Hudson River (the so-called West Union); inhabitants in the area favored Vermont's township form of government, while Vermont hoped to gain bargaining power through expansion.[9] New York did not lose control of the area. For almost seven months Bennington County overlapped part ofAlbany County, New York.[10]
On February 27, 1787, Windham County gained the town ofStratton from Bennington County,[11] On October 25, 1805, Rutland County gained from the county when the town ofMount Tabor gained from the town of Peru.[12] The county gained from Rutland County when the town ofDorset gained a small area from the town of Mount Tabor on November 17, 1825.[13]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 678 square miles (1,760 km2), of which 675 square miles (1,750 km2) is land and 2.7 square miles (7.0 km2) (0.4%) is water.[14]
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1790 | 12,206 | — | |
| 1800 | 14,617 | 19.8% | |
| 1810 | 15,893 | 8.7% | |
| 1820 | 16,125 | 1.5% | |
| 1830 | 17,468 | 8.3% | |
| 1840 | 16,872 | −3.4% | |
| 1850 | 18,589 | 10.2% | |
| 1860 | 19,436 | 4.6% | |
| 1870 | 21,325 | 9.7% | |
| 1880 | 21,950 | 2.9% | |
| 1890 | 20,448 | −6.8% | |
| 1900 | 21,705 | 6.1% | |
| 1910 | 21,378 | −1.5% | |
| 1920 | 21,577 | 0.9% | |
| 1930 | 21,655 | 0.4% | |
| 1940 | 22,286 | 2.9% | |
| 1950 | 24,115 | 8.2% | |
| 1960 | 25,088 | 4.0% | |
| 1970 | 29,282 | 16.7% | |
| 1980 | 33,345 | 13.9% | |
| 1990 | 35,845 | 7.5% | |
| 2000 | 36,994 | 3.2% | |
| 2010 | 37,125 | 0.4% | |
| 2020 | 37,347 | 0.6% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[15] 1790–1960[16] 1900–1990[17] 1990–2000[18] 2010–2018[2] | |||
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 37,347. Of the residents, 19.2% were under the age of 18 and 24.2% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 47.9 years. For every 100 females there were 95.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.2 males.[19][20]
The racial makeup of the county was 91.5% White, 1.2%Black or African American, 0.2%American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.1%Asian, 0.9% from some other race, and 5.2% fromtwo or more races.Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.5% of the population.[20]
There were 15,699 households in the county, of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 27.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 31.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[19]
There were 20,815 housing units, of which 24.6% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 72.1% were owner-occupied and 27.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.8% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.6%.[19]
| Race / Ethnicity(NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 2000[21] | Pop 2010[22] | Pop 2020[23] | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| White alone (NH) | 35,916 | 35,517 | 33,897 | 97.08% | 95.66% | 90.76% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 149 | 291 | 405 | 0.40% | 0.78% | 1.08% |
| Native American orAlaska Native alone (NH) | 69 | 71 | 63 | 0.18% | 0.19% | 0.16% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 226 | 264 | 397 | 0.61% | 0.71% | 1.06% |
| Pacific Islander alone (NH) | 4 | 13 | 5 | 0.01% | 0.03% | 0.01% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 34 | 20 | 119 | 0.09% | 0.05% | 0.31% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | 252 | 424 | 1,522 | 0.68% | 1.14% | 4.07% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 344 | 525 | 939 | 0.92% | 1.41% | 2.51% |
| Total | 36,994 | 37,125 | 37,347 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
As of the2010 United States census, there were 37,125 people, 15,470 households, and 9,767 families living in the county.[24] The population density was 55.0 inhabitants per square mile (21.2/km2). There were 20,922 housing units at an average density of 31.0 units per square mile (12.0 units/km2).[25] The racial makeup of the county was 96.6% white, 0.8% black, 0.7% Asian, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.[24] The largest ancestry groups were:
18.8% Irish
17.1% English
14.8% French
13.9% German
9.8% Italian 5.9% American
5.5% French Canadian
4.2% Scottish
3.9% Polish
2.8% Scotch-Irish
2.3% Dutch
1.7% Swedish
1.6% Russian
1.3% WelshOf the 15,470 households, 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.1% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.9% were non-families, and 29.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.30 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age was 45.1 years.[24]
The median income for a household in the county was $47,396 and the median income for a family was $60,642. Males had a median income of $40,996 versus $32,068 for females. The per capita income for the county was $27,962. About 8.6% of families and 10.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.1% of those under age 18 and 5.9% of those age 65 or over.[27]
As of thecensus[28] of 2000, there were 36,994 people, 14,846 households, and 9,917 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 55 people per square mile (21 people/km2). There were 19,403 housing units at an average density of 29 units per square mile (11 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.75%White, 0.42%Black orAfrican American, 0.20%Native American, 0.62%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 0.21% fromother races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 16.5% were ofIrish, 16.0%English, 10.5%French, 9.1%German, 9.0%American, 8.1%Italian and 6.3%French Canadian ancestry. 96.4% spokeEnglish, 1.2%Spanish and 1.2%French as their first language.
There were 14,846 households, out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% weremarried couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.20% were non-families. 26.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.91.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.70% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $39,926, and the median income for a family was $46,565. Males had a median income of $31,982 versus $23,632 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $21,193. About 7.00% of families and 10.00% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 13.40% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.
In1828, Bennington County voted forNational Republican Party candidateJohn Quincy Adams and forHenry Clay in1832.
FromWilliam Henry Harrison in1836 toWinfield Scott in1852, the county would vote for theWhig Party's candidates.
FromJohn C. Frémont in1856 toRichard Nixon in1960, theRepublican Party would have a 104-year winning streak in the county.
In1964, the county was won byDemocratic Party incumbent PresidentLyndon B. Johnson, who became not only the first Democratic presidential candidate to win the county, but to win the state of Vermont entirely.
Following the Democrats' victory in 1964, the county went back to voting for Republican candidates for another 20 year winning streak starting with Richard Nixon in1968 and ending withGeorge H. W. Bush in1988, who became the last Republican presidential candidate to win the county.
In1992 the county was won byBill Clinton and has been won by Democratic candidates ever since.
The county has voted for the statewide winner in forty-seven consecutive elections, tied with neighboringRutland County, Vermont for the longest such streak in the nation.
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1856 | 2,120 | 71.26% | 785 | 26.39% | 70 | 2.35% |
| 1860 | 1,937 | 70.54% | 710 | 25.86% | 99 | 3.61% |
| 1864 | 2,327 | 69.44% | 1,021 | 30.47% | 3 | 0.09% |
| 1868 | 2,592 | 74.55% | 885 | 25.45% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1872 | 2,471 | 72.19% | 864 | 25.24% | 88 | 2.57% |
| 1876 | 2,426 | 58.40% | 1,728 | 41.60% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1880 | 2,641 | 64.71% | 1,440 | 35.29% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1884 | 2,335 | 62.58% | 1,366 | 36.61% | 30 | 0.80% |
| 1888 | 2,497 | 60.72% | 1,128 | 27.43% | 487 | 11.84% |
| 1892 | 2,196 | 64.21% | 1,155 | 33.77% | 69 | 2.02% |
| 1896 | 3,086 | 80.39% | 656 | 17.09% | 97 | 2.53% |
| 1900 | 2,666 | 74.57% | 871 | 24.36% | 38 | 1.06% |
| 1904 | 2,419 | 74.29% | 745 | 22.88% | 92 | 2.83% |
| 1908 | 2,453 | 73.66% | 748 | 22.46% | 129 | 3.87% |
| 1912 | 1,464 | 36.10% | 1,057 | 26.07% | 1,534 | 37.83% |
| 1916 | 2,602 | 60.40% | 1,590 | 36.91% | 116 | 2.69% |
| 1920 | 4,172 | 71.43% | 1,615 | 27.65% | 54 | 0.92% |
| 1924 | 5,341 | 72.91% | 1,466 | 20.01% | 518 | 7.07% |
| 1928 | 6,114 | 63.49% | 3,498 | 36.32% | 18 | 0.19% |
| 1932 | 5,250 | 55.76% | 3,964 | 42.10% | 202 | 2.15% |
| 1936 | 5,515 | 56.08% | 4,166 | 42.36% | 153 | 1.56% |
| 1940 | 5,845 | 57.42% | 4,308 | 42.32% | 27 | 0.27% |
| 1944 | 5,252 | 58.61% | 3,709 | 41.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1948 | 5,840 | 62.30% | 3,340 | 35.63% | 194 | 2.07% |
| 1952 | 8,385 | 73.31% | 3,018 | 26.39% | 34 | 0.30% |
| 1956 | 8,434 | 75.59% | 2,719 | 24.37% | 4 | 0.04% |
| 1960 | 7,099 | 61.19% | 4,502 | 38.80% | 1 | 0.01% |
| 1964 | 3,895 | 34.61% | 7,359 | 65.39% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 5,967 | 52.27% | 4,966 | 43.50% | 483 | 4.23% |
| 1972 | 7,542 | 60.56% | 4,804 | 38.58% | 107 | 0.86% |
| 1976 | 6,712 | 54.19% | 5,443 | 43.94% | 232 | 1.87% |
| 1980 | 6,091 | 44.39% | 5,361 | 39.07% | 2,269 | 16.54% |
| 1984 | 9,035 | 59.11% | 6,039 | 39.51% | 210 | 1.37% |
| 1988 | 8,387 | 53.34% | 7,174 | 45.62% | 164 | 1.04% |
| 1992 | 5,895 | 32.36% | 8,178 | 44.89% | 4,143 | 22.74% |
| 1996 | 5,229 | 32.37% | 8,139 | 50.39% | 2,784 | 17.24% |
| 2000 | 7,284 | 41.21% | 9,021 | 51.03% | 1,372 | 7.76% |
| 2004 | 7,616 | 39.95% | 11,069 | 58.06% | 380 | 1.99% |
| 2008 | 6,133 | 32.06% | 12,524 | 65.47% | 472 | 2.47% |
| 2012 | 5,687 | 32.33% | 11,514 | 65.45% | 392 | 2.23% |
| 2016 | 5,925 | 34.09% | 9,539 | 54.88% | 1,917 | 11.03% |
| 2020 | 7,114 | 34.77% | 12,705 | 62.09% | 643 | 3.14% |
| 2024 | 7,697 | 37.17% | 12,326 | 59.52% | 687 | 3.32% |
Bennington is home toBennington College. TheCommunity College of Vermont andVermont Technical College also have campuses in downtown Bennington.Southern Vermont College was located in Bennington, but closed in 2019.
Bennington County is home to these high schools:
Bennington County is home to these local law enforcement agencies:
The Bennington County Sheriff's Department andVermont State Police are two other sources of law enforcement for the county, especially in towns without their own local police departments.
The main public transportation provider in Bennington County is theGreen Mountain Community Network, whoseGreen Mountain Express bus system has five local bus routes in and around the town ofBennington and three commuter routes toManchester;Wilmington;Williamstown, Massachusetts; and points in between as of September 29, 2014.Readsboro is served out ofWilmington by Southeast Vermont Transit's (formerly theDeerfield Valley Transit Association) fare freeMOOver bus. There are also commuter buses toRutland from Manchester and a regional bus line toAlbany, New York from Bennington viaMarble Valley Regional Transit District and Yankee Trails World Travel, respectively. Premier Coach'sVermont Translines (a partner ofGreyhound) also stops in Bennington and Manchester on its intercity bus route between Albany andBurlington. The Shires Connector, anAmtrak Thruway intercity bus route also operated by Vermont Translines, also links Manchester and Bennington with Albany, NY's train station inRensselaer, New York, their Greyhound bus station and airport.[31]
William H. Morse State Airport is a small public-use and state-owned airport west of downtown Bennington, serving private aviation interests. Commercial airlines are available atAlbany International Airport to the west in the state of New York, and to the north atRutland Southern Vermont Regional Airport inRutland County.
Places adjacent to Bennington County, Vermont | |
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Municipalities and communities ofBennington County, Vermont,United States | ||
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| Towns |  | |
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| Other communities | ||
| Footnotes | § Disincorporated ‡ This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county or counties | |
Montpelier (capital) | |
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