Burlington, Vermont
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Categories: Articles needing additional references from June 2007 | All articles with unsourced statements | Articles with unsourced statements since January 2008 | Burlington, Vermont | Chittenden County, Vermont | Cities in Vermont | Burlington-South Burlington metropolitan area
Burlington is the largest city in the U.S. state of Vermont and is the shire town (county seat)[7] of Chittenden County.[11] With a population of 38,889, the city is the core of one of the nation's smaller metropolitan areas, and is also the smallest U.S. city that is the largest city in its state. The urbanized area consists of the cities of Burlington, South Burlington, and Winooski; the towns of Colchester, Essex, and Williston; and the village of Essex Junction. As of 2000, the metropolitan area contained the three northwestern Vermont counties of Chittenden, Franklin, and Grand Isle, with an estimated 2006 population of 206,007, approximately one third of Vermont's total population.[12][13]
GovernmentBurlington has a city council-mayor form of government.[14]Democrats and the Progressive Party share seats. Bob Kiss, the current Mayor, is a Progressive who was elected in 2006. The City Council has 14 seats, which are currently occupied by 5 Democrats, 4 Progressives, 3 Republicans, and 2 Independents. Peter Clavelle, Burlington's longest serving Mayor, held that office from 1989 to 1993, and again from 1995 to 2006. As a non-profit institution, the University of Vermont pays no real estate taxes, though like many other schools, it does make an annual payment in lieu of taxes. In 2007, the college agreed to raise this from $456,006 to $912,011 in 2010 plus a "public works" supplement rising from $180,040 to $191,004 over the same time frame.[15] DemographicsAs of the census[3] of 2000, there were 38,889 people, 15,885 households, and 7,052 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,682.0 people per square mile (1,421.9/km²). There were 16,395 housing units at an average density of 1,552.3 per square mile (599.4/km²). In the city the population was spread out with 16.3% under the age of 18, 25.4% from 18 to 24, 31.0% from 25 to 44, 16.8% from 45 to 64, and 10.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 29 years. For every 100 females there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.7 males. The median age is 32.1, well under the state figure of 40.7, and under the national figure of 37.6.[17] The average family size is 2.2 people. 12.59% of the people are married with children. 8.16% have children and are not married.[17] The racial makeup of the city was:[3]
GeographyThe city is situated on the eastern shore of Lake Champlain, north of Shelburne Bay. It was built on a strip of land extending about 6 mi south from the mouth of the Winooski River along the lake shore and rises from the water's edge to a height of 300 ft. [19] Climate
Lake Champlain as a body of water is often responsible for localized snowsqualls, producing up to 13 inches in 12 hours on rare occasions.[21] EconomyPersonal incomeAs of the census of 2000,[3] the median income for a household in the city was $33,070, and the median income for a family was $46,012. Males had a median income of $30,144 versus $25,270 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,011. About 10.4% of families and 20.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under age 18 and 10.5% of those age 65 or over. IndustryThe city is home to the corporate headquarters of Bruegger's, a chain of bagel bakeries, Seventh Generation Inc., and Lake Champlain Chocolates. Downtown on Church Street is the Burlington Town Center mall with over 75 specialty shops and 15 national retailers such as Macy's, Hollister Co., Abercrombie & Fitch, American Eagle Outfitters and Old Navy. The G.S. Blodgett Company, one of the oldest and largest commercial oven companies in the country, manufactures restaurant equipment. Its history dates back to the mid 1800s. IDX Systems, now a division of General Electric, develops software for the hospital industry and is headquartered in South Burlington. Vermont Teddy Bear Company whose founder started on a cart on a Burlington street, is now a publicly traded company that ships custom teddy bears worldwide. The Magic Hat Brewing Company, one of the nation's larger craft breweries, is located in South Burlington, just outside the city limits. Burlington is also the birthplace of the ice cream enterprise Ben & Jerry's, founded in 1978 in a renovated gas station. It is now headquartered in South Burlington. Burlington is home to Burton Snowboards' central offices. HistoryImage:Child workers in Burlington, Vermont.jpg
Noon hour at the Queen City Mill. May 1909. Photographed by Lewis Hine.
The War of 1812 was not popular in Vermont. Along with the rest of New England, Vermont did not provide militia units or financial support. This was a serious blow to the cause. Vermont voted Federalist which opposed the war.[23] 5,000 troops were stationed here at one point during the War of 1812, outnumbering residents. About 500 of these died of disease.[24] In a skirmish on August 2, 1813, the British shelled Burlington. This has either been cited as a bold stroke by the British with an ineffectual response from the Americans; or a weak sally by the British properly ignored by the Americans, depending on who related the story. The cannonade lasted for about ten minutes and did not affect the outcome of the war. The American side was commanded by Naval Lieutenant Thomas MacDonough, later the hero of the Battle of Lake Champlain.[23] Current U.S. Senator Bernard Sanders was the Independent mayor of Burlington from 1981 to 1989. In 2007, the city was named one of the top four "places to watch" in the United States.[25] The ratings were based on what was perceived as ideal for older residents. Criteria included what makes a community livable: new urbanism, smart growth, mixed-use development, and easy-living standards HealthBurlington is the home of Fletcher Allen Health Care, a tertiary referral hospital for Vermont and northern New York State, Level I Trauma Center, and teaching hospital. In 2006 Burlington was rated the ninth-best city to live in. The criteria were health, quality of life and fitness.[26] In 2007, it was rated 11th out of 100, for auto safety. The criteria were observing speed limits, accident infrequency, and seatbelt use.[27] EducationImage:UVM Old Mill building 20040101.jpg
University of Vermont - Old Mill building
Burlington is a college town, home to the University of Vermont (UVM), Burlington College, and to Champlain College, as well as a Community College of Vermont campus. Saint Michael's College is located in nearby Colchester. ReligionThe episcopal see for the Roman Catholic Diocese of Burlington is in Burlington. Culture and landmarksImage:Burlington, Vermont.jpg
Church Street, Burlington
The Church Street Marketplace, a pedestrian mall in the heart of the city, is the site of festivals throughout the year. Events such as the South End Art Hop and public galleries such as The Firehouse Gallery and Pine Street Art Works, provide a forum for the visual arts. The Burlington Waterfront on the shore of Lake Champlain has bench swings, shoreline, walking and bike paths. It provides a place to view the Adirondacks. ECHO Lake Aquarium and Science Center,[28] housed in Vermont's first Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design Certified Green Building, is located at the waterfront and harbors over 70 species of fish, amphibians, invertebrates, and reptiles. Dragon boat races to benefit charity have been held in Lake Champlain in August since 2006.[29] Local musicThe city has, over the years, supported a number of local bands as various "scenes" waxed and waned, and has even launched a handful of national acts. The most famous of these was Phish, which originated at the University of Vermont circa 1983 (they also attended Vermont's Goddard College), and which gave its final performance in 2004. Other acts with ties to the city include Strangefolk, The Essex Green, Raq, James Kochalka, The Jazz Mandolin Project, Pork Tornado, Anais Mitchell, and KT Tunstall. MediaNewspapers & Other PublicationsBurlington is served by the
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