Orange County
County
Orange County Superior Court in Chelsea
Orange County Superior Court in Chelsea
Map of Vermont highlighting Orange County
Location within the U.S. state of Vermont
Map of the United States highlighting Vermont
Vermont's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 43°59′45″N 72°22′30″W / 43.995815°N 72.374886°W / 43.995815; -72.374886
Country United States
State Vermont
Founded1781
Named forWilliam of Orange (William III of England)[1]
Shire TownChelsea
Largest townRandolph
Area
 • Total692 sq mi (1,790 km2)
 • Land687 sq mi (1,780 km2)
 • Water5.2 sq mi (13 km2)  0.8%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total29,277
 • Density42/sq mi (16/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districtAt-large

Orange County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of the 2020 census, the population was 29,277.[2] Its shire town (county seat) is the town of Chelsea.[3] Orange County was organized on February 2, 1781, as an original county within the state.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 692 square miles (1,790 km2), of which 687 square miles (1,780 km2) is land and 5.2 square miles (13 km2) (0.8%) is water.[4] Orange County is located near the geographic center of the state.

Despite Orange County's hilly terrain, several major routes cross the county. The county is served by both of Vermont's main Interstate highways; with Interstate 89 running north-south through the western side of the county, and Interstate 91 running north-south along the county's eastern edge and the New Hampshire state line. In addition to the Interstates, two U.S. Routes also enter Orange County. U.S. Route 5 parallels I-91 in a north-south route along the county's eastern edge, while U.S. Route 302 runs east-west along the county's northern border with Caledonia County. There are also several Vermont state routes located partially or fully within Orange County. Vermont Route 12, Vermont Route 14, Vermont Route 25, and Vermont Route 110 are all north-south routes, while Vermont Route 66 and Vermont Route 113 are east-west routes.

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
179010,526—
180018,23873.3%
181025,24738.4%
182024,681−2.2%
183027,28510.6%
184027,8732.2%
185027,296−2.1%
186025,455−6.7%
187023,090−9.3%
188023,5251.9%
189019,575−16.8%
190019,313−1.3%
191018,703−3.2%
192017,279−7.6%
193016,694−3.4%
194017,0482.1%
195017,027−0.1%
196016,014−5.9%
197017,67610.4%
198022,73928.6%
199026,14915.0%
200028,2267.9%
201028,9362.5%
202029,2771.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2018[2]

2000 census

As of the census[9] of 2000, the county had 28,226 people, 10,936 households, and 7,611 families. The population density was 41 people per square mile (16 people/km2). There were 13,386 housing units at an average density of 19 per square mile (7.3/km2).

The county's racial makeup was 98.02% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.35% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.13% from other races, and 0.95% from two or more races. 0.58% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.3% were of English, 12.8% French, 11.5% American, 10.8% Irish, 6.0% German and 5.5% French Canadian ancestry. 97.4% spoke English and 1.5% French as their first language.

There were 10,936 households, of which 33.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.10% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 30.40% were non-families. 23.40% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.52 and the average family size was 2.97.

25.60% of the county's population was under age 18, 7.80% was from age 18 to 24, 28.20% was from age 25 to 44, 25.60% was from age 45 to 64, and 12.80% was age 65 or older.

The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 99.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.60 males.

The county's median household income was $39,855, and the median family income was $45,771. Males had a median income of $30,679 versus $24,144 for females. The county's per capita income was $18,784. About 6.10% of families and 9.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.40% of those under age 18 and 8.80% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, the county had 28,936 people, 11,887 households, and 7,865 families.[10] The population density was 42.1 inhabitants per square mile (16.3/km2). There were 14,845 housing units at an average density of 21.6 per square mile (8.3/km2).[11]

The county's racial makeup was 97.0% white, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population.[10] The largest ancestry groups were English (22.4%), Irish (16.5%); French (14.7%), German (10.4%), "American" (7.3%), French Canadian (7.1%), Italian (6.5%); Scottish (6.5%).[12]

Of the 11,887 households, 28.3% had children under age 18 living with them, 51.9% were married couples living together, 9.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 33.8% were non-families, and 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age was 43.8 years.[10]

The county's median household income was $52,079 and the median family income was $61,221. Males had a median income of $41,281 versus $35,938 for females. The county's per capita income was $25,951. About 6.2% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.2% of those under age 18 and 7.2% of those age 65 or over.[13]

Government

As in all Vermont counties, there is a small executive function that is mostly consolidated at the state level. Remaining county government is judicial. There are no "county taxes."

Legislators

Towns in Orange County are represented in four Vermont Senate Districts. The Orange Senate district includes most of Orange County. It is represented in the Vermont Senate by Mark A. MacDonald (D).

The Washington Senate district includes the Towns of Braintree and Orange, both in Orange County, as well as all of Washington County and the Town of Stowe in Lamoille County. It is represented in the Vermont Senate by Ann Cummings (D), Andrew Perchlik (D), and Anne Watson (D).

The Windsor Senate district includes the Town of Thetford, in Orange County, as well as most of Windsor County. It is represented in the Vermont Senate by Alison Clarkson (D), Dick McCormack (D), and Rebecca White (D).

The Caledonia Senate district includes the Town of Newbury, in Orange County, as well as most of Caledonia County. It is represented in the Vermont Senate by Jane Kitchel (D).

Politics

In 1828, Orange County was won by National Republican Party candidate John Quincy Adams.

In 1832, the county was won by Anti-Masonic Party candidate William Wirt.

From William Henry Harrison in 1836 to Winfield Scott in 1852, the county would vote the Whig Party candidates.

From John C. Frémont in 1856 to Richard Nixon in 1960 (barring 1912, where the county was won by Progressive Party candidate and former president Theodore Roosevelt), the Republican Party would have a 104-year winning streak in the county.

In 1964, the county was won by Democratic Party incumbent President Lyndon B. Johnson, who became not only the first Democratic presidential candidate to win Orange County, but the first 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 in 1968 and ending with George H. W. Bush in 1988.

The county would be won by Bill Clinton in both the 1992 and 1996 presidential elections.

George W. Bush would win Orange County in 2000 and would be the last time a Republican presidential candidate would carry the county.

John Kerry won the county in 2004, and Orange County has been won by the Democratic candidates in presidential elections since then.

United States presidential election results for Orange County, Vermont[14]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 6,187 36.13% 10,304 60.18% 631 3.69%
2016 5,007 34.18% 7,541 51.48% 2,101 14.34%
2012 4,588 32.65% 9,076 64.58% 389 2.77%
2008 5,047 33.25% 9,799 64.56% 333 2.19%
2004 6,421 43.11% 8,159 54.78% 315 2.11%
2000 6,858 46.67% 6,694 45.55% 1,143 7.78%
1996 4,043 32.96% 6,107 49.79% 2,116 17.25%
1992 4,249 31.69% 5,774 43.06% 3,387 25.26%
1988 6,151 54.35% 4,977 43.97% 190 1.68%
1984 6,407 60.24% 4,088 38.44% 140 1.32%
1980 4,656 49.52% 3,079 32.75% 1,667 17.73%
1976 4,768 58.61% 3,171 38.98% 196 2.41%
1972 5,389 69.12% 2,332 29.91% 76 0.97%
1968 4,135 66.16% 1,879 30.06% 236 3.78%
1964 2,723 41.00% 3,918 58.99% 1 0.02%
1960 5,363 77.23% 1,581 22.77% 0 0.00%
1956 5,616 83.95% 1,072 16.02% 2 0.03%
1952 5,610 83.49% 1,082 16.10% 27 0.40%
1948 4,061 76.97% 1,139 21.59% 76 1.44%
1944 4,117 73.77% 1,464 26.23% 0 0.00%
1940 4,527 68.81% 2,029 30.84% 23 0.35%
1936 4,956 73.28% 1,796 26.56% 11 0.16%
1932 4,305 69.30% 1,830 29.46% 77 1.24%
1928 5,223 84.69% 914 14.82% 30 0.49%
1924 4,657 82.85% 724 12.88% 240 4.27%
1920 3,713 78.93% 938 19.94% 53 1.13%
1916 2,151 59.31% 1,379 38.02% 97 2.67%
1912 1,289 34.19% 956 25.36% 1,525 40.45%
1908 2,262 74.46% 667 21.96% 109 3.59%
1904 2,259 77.13% 587 20.04% 83 2.83%
1900 2,515 75.32% 740 22.16% 84 2.52%
1896 3,067 80.20% 567 14.83% 190 4.97%
1892 2,395 66.18% 1,088 30.06% 136 3.76%
1888 2,792 62.61% 1,277 28.64% 390 8.75%
1884 2,351 60.50% 1,392 35.82% 143 3.68%
1880 3,107 65.14% 1,631 34.19% 32 0.67%

Education

Vermont State University Randolph, known as Vermont Technical College until July 2023, has its campus in the village of Randolph Center.

The county is served by four school districts (supervisory unions):[15]

  • Orange East Supervisory Union (Superintendent: Wendy Baker[16])
  • Orange North Supervisory Union
  • Orange Southwest Supervisory Union
  • Orange Windsor Supervisory Union

The town of Randolph is also home to the campus of Vermont State University Randolph (which was known as Vermont Technical College, or Vermont Tech, until July 2023).[17]

Orange North Supervisory Union

The union's superintendent is Douglas Shiok,[18] and it includes:[18]

  • Orange Center School (Principal: Richard P. Jacobs[19])
  • Washington Village School (Principal: Charles R. Witters, Jr.[20])
  • Williamstown Elementary School (Principal: Elaine K. Watson[21])
  • Williamstown Middle High School (Principal: Heidi Moccia [middle]; Juanita Burch-Clay [high][22]).

Recreation

Allis State Park[23] is located in the town of Brookfield, and features a hiking trail, picnic pavilion, fire tower, and small campground.

Communities

Towns

Villages

Census-designated places

Unincorporated community

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Orange County, Vermont: History and Information".
  2. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved October 28, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 3, 2015. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  5. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  6. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  7. ↑ Forstall, Richard L., ed. (March 27, 1995). "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  8. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. April 2, 2001. Archived (PDF) from the original on October 9, 2022. Retrieved June 29, 2015.
  9. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 14, 2011.
  10. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  11. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  12. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  13. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 20, 2016.
  14. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
  15. ↑ Education, Vermont Department of (April 30, 2009). "Directories : Vermont Supervisory Unions/Districts (O–R)". Archived from the original on June 12, 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
  16. ↑ Union, Orange East Supervisory. "Home Page". Archived from the original on May 6, 2013. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
  17. ↑ Vermont Technical College
  18. 1 2 Union, Orange North Supervisory. "ONSU Office Staff". Retrieved May 30, 2009.
  19. ↑ School, Orange Center (May 16, 2009). "Message From The Principal". Archived from the original on September 19, 2007. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
  20. ↑ School, Washington Village. "Copy: principal's message". Archived from the original on June 8, 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
  21. ↑ School, Williamstown Elementary. "homepage". Archived from the original on June 9, 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
  22. ↑ School, Williamstown Middle High. "Williamstown Middle High School, Vermont". Archived from the original on February 1, 2009. Retrieved May 30, 2009.
  23. ↑ https://vtstateparks.com/allis.html

44°01′N 72°23′W / 44.01°N 72.38°W / 44.01; -72.38

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