Bethel, Vermont

Last updated

Bethel, Vermont
Town
Bethel vermont.jpg
Old mill buildings in Bethel, Vermont
Windsor County Vermont incorporated and unincorporated areas Bethel highlighted.svg
Location in Windsor County and the state of Vermont.
Coordinates: 43°50′40″N72°38′46″W / 43.84444°N 72.64611°W / 43.84444; -72.64611
Country United States
State Vermont
County Windsor
Chartered1779 (Vermont)
Communities
Area
  Total45.4 sq mi (117.7 km2)
  Land45.2 sq mi (117.0 km2)
  Water0.3 sq mi (0.7 km2)
Elevation
573 ft (256 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total1,942
  Density43/sq mi (16/km2)
  Households
817
  Families
548
Time zone UTC-5 (EST)
  Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
05032
Area code 802
FIPS code 50-05800 [1]
GNIS feature ID1462043 [2]
Website bethelvt.govoffice3.com

Bethel is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,942 at the 2020 census. [3] The town includes the locations of Bethel village, Bethel-Gilead, East Bethel, Lilliesville, Lympus (formerly Olympus), and West Bethel. Bethel is best known for being the source of Bethel White granite which was used to build Washington Union Station and the National Museum of Natural History. Bethel was the first town created by the independent Republic of Vermont in 1779 and was named after the Biblical village of Bethel.

Contents

Geography

Lithograph of Bethel from 1886 by L.R. Burleigh with list of landmarks Bethel, Vt. (2675060343).jpg
Lithograph of Bethel from 1886 by L.R. Burleigh with list of landmarks

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.4 square miles (117.7 km2), of which 45.2 square miles (117.0 km2) is land and 0.27 square miles (0.7 km2), or 0.58%, is water. [4]

Bethel is crossed by Interstate 89 (Exit 3 serves the town), Vermont Route 12 and Vermont Route 107. Amtrak's Vermonter train, operating daily between St. Albans and Washington, DC also passes through, but does not stop in town as it traverses the New England Central Railroad. The closest stations are Randolph to the north and White River Junction to the southeast.

Etymology

Dudley Chase, a grantee, was on a surveying expedition with a group of men. The men made camp in an area near the (now)entrance to Gilead Brook road where there is a group of large moss covered rocks. The men slept on the rocks and upon waking, Dudley Chase declared that it was the best night sleeping he had just like the Biblical experience of Jacob when sleeping in a field with a stone for a pillow. [5] In the Biblical story, Jacob named the place Beth-el (House of God). Chase's associates were so impressed that they named the town the same. [6]

Demographics

Bethel Town Hall BethelVT TownHall.jpg
Bethel Town Hall
Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1790 473
1800 91393.0%
1810 1,04114.0%
1820 1,31826.6%
1830 1,66726.5%
1840 1,88613.1%
1850 1,730−8.3%
1860 1,8346.0%
1870 1,817−0.9%
1880 1,693−6.8%
1890 1,448−14.5%
1900 1,61111.3%
1910 1,94320.6%
1920 1,782−8.3%
1930 1,650−7.4%
1940 1,477−10.5%
1950 1,5343.9%
1960 1,356−11.6%
1970 1,347−0.7%
1980 1,71527.3%
1990 1,8668.8%
2000 1,9685.5%
2010 2,0303.2%
2020 1,942−4.3%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]

As of the census [1] of 2000, there were 1,968 people, 817 households, and 548 families residing in the town. The population density was 43.4 people per square mile (16.8/km2). There were 956 housing units at an average density of 21.1 per square mile (8.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.82% White, 0.25% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 1.37% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.47% of the population.

There were 817 households, out of which 30.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.2% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.9% were non-families. 25.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.0% 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 2.87.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.7% under the age of 18, 6.3% from 18 to 24, 28.8% from 25 to 44, 27.3% from 45 to 64, and 13.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.

The median income for a household in the town of Bethel was $34,141, and the median income for a family was $41,250. Males had a median income of $30,109 versus $21,829 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,577. About 7.9% of families and 10.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.7% of those under age 18 and 15.7% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Residents of Bethel in grades Pre-K–5 attend the Bethel Elementary School. Until July 2018, students in grades 7–12 attended Whitcomb Junior-Senior High School. In October 2017, residents of Bethel and South Royalton voted to merge as White River Unified School District in order to comply with Vermont Act 46. Those in grade 6–8 attend White River Valley Middle School, which is on the Bethel School campus. Grades 9–12 attend White River Valley High School. The two towns have a six-person school board composed of three members from each town. [8] Bethel is part of the White River Valley Supervisory Union which serves the towns of Bethel, Chelsea, South Royalton, Tunbridge, Sharon, Stockbridge, Strafford, and Rochester. [9]

Bethel Revitalization Initiative

Since 2016, the town has focused on revitalizing the downtown. Each Fall, there is a "Bethel Better Block" event with a focus on bringing people downtown and fostering community with pop up shops and street art. In the Winter, Bethel presents Bethel University, a chance for community members to teach and learn from each other. In Spring of 2017, the Vermont Arts Council awarded Bethel a grant that funded three community arts projects, including a trout mural, lamp post banners by a local artist, and sculpture benches. [10]

Notable people

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Bethel has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps. [14]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windsor County, Vermont</span> County in Vermont, United States

Windsor County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of the 2020 census, the population was 57,753. The shire town is the town of Woodstock. The county's largest municipality is the town of Hartford.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Shelburne, New Hampshire</span> Town in New Hampshire, United States

Shelburne is a town in Coös County, New Hampshire, United States. The population was 353 at the 2020 census. It is located in the White Mountains, and part of the White Mountain National Forest is in the south. Shelburne is home to Leadmine State Forest. The Appalachian Trail crosses the town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Royalton, Ohio</span> City in Ohio, United States

North Royalton is a city in Cuyahoga County, Ohio, United States. It is a suburb of Cleveland. The population was 31,322 as of the 2020 census. Originally incorporated as a village in 1927, it achieved the status of city in 1961.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Granville, Vermont</span> Town in Vermont, United States

Granville is a town in Addison County, Vermont, United States. The population was 301 at the 2020 census. The town was originally called Kingston but was renamed in 1833.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Huntington, Vermont</span> Town in Vermont, United States

Huntington is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,938 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Morristown, Vermont</span> Town in Vermont, United States

Morristown is a town in Lamoille County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 5,434. Morristown is the largest town by population in Lamoille County, and its central village of Morrisville serves as the county's main commercial center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dover, Vermont</span> Town in Vermont, United States

Dover is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,798 at the 2020 census. It is famed for being the location of the Mount Snow ski area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridgewater, Vermont</span> Town in Vermont, United States

Bridgewater is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 903 at the 2020 census. Bridgewater contains the hamlets of Bridgewater Village, Bridgewater Corners, West Bridgewater, and Bridgewater Center.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cavendish, Vermont</span> Town in Vermont, United States

Cavendish is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The town was likely named after William Cavendish, 4th Duke of Devonshire. The population was 1,392 at the 2020 census. The town of Cavendish includes the unincorporated villages of Cavendish and Proctorsville.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hartland, Vermont</span> Town in Vermont, United States

Hartland is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,446 at the 2020 census. It includes the villages of Hartland, Hartland Four Corners, and North Hartland.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Reading, Vermont</span> Town in Vermont, United States

Reading is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 687 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rochester, Vermont</span> Town in Vermont

Rochester is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,099 at the 2020 census. The central village is delineated as the Rochester census-designated place.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royalton, Vermont</span> Town in Vermont, United States

Royalton is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,750 at the 2020 census. It includes the villages of Royalton, South Royalton, and North Royalton. Vermont Law School, the state's only accredited law school, is located in South Royalton.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sharon, Vermont</span> Town in Vermont, United States

Sharon is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. It had a population of 1,560 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stockbridge, Vermont</span> Town in Vermont, United States

Stockbridge is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States, which contains the village of Gaysville. The population was 718 at the 2020 census. Stockbridge was one of thirteen Vermont towns isolated by flooding caused by Hurricane Irene in 2011.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Royalton, Minnesota</span> City in Minnesota, United States

Royalton is a city in Morrison and Benton counties in the U.S. state of Minnesota, along the Platte River. The population was 1,281 at the 2020 census. The city is located mainly within Morrison County.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Springfield, Vermont</span> Town in Vermont, United States

Springfield is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 9,062.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Ludlow (town), Vermont</span> Town in Vermont, United States

Ludlow is a town in Windsor County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,172 at the 2020 census. Ludlow is the home of Okemo Mountain, a popular ski resort. Before becoming a ski destination, Ludlow was originally a mill town, and was the home of a General Electric plant until 1977. It was arguably the most impacted by the flooding and natural disaster which ravaged Vermont in July 2023. The town of Ludlow was named after Ludlow, Massachusetts which is less than 100 miles away. There is also, where the town started, a village of Ludlow located in the town.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Windsor, Wisconsin</span> Village in Wisconsin, United States

Windsor is a village and former town in Dane County, Wisconsin. The population was 8,754 at the time of the 2020 census. The communities of Lake Windsor, Morrisonville, and Token Creek are located within the village. Windsor voted to incorporate as a village on November 3, 2015; prior to its incorporation, it was a town, and a portion of the town was a census-designated place. Windsor is a part of the Census Bureau's Madison metropolitan statistical area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wilmington, Vermont</span> Town in Windham County, Vermont, US

Wilmington is a town in Windham County, Vermont, United States. The population was 2,255 at the 2020 census.

References

  1. 1 2 "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  2. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  3. "Census - Geography Profile: Bethel town, Windsor County, Vermont". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 28, 2021.
  4. "Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Bethel town, Windsor County, Vermont". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 30, 2012.
  5. Genesis 28:11-22
  6. "Bethel, Vermont, New England, USA" . Retrieved February 5, 2017.
  7. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved May 16, 2015.
  8. "Royalton, Bethel Agree to Merger". Valley News. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  9. "White River Valley Suervisory Union" . Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  10. "Better Block". BETHEL REVITALIZATION INITIATIVE. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  11. "Harry Burrell". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved September 22, 2012.
  12. Vermont Senate (2019). "Biography, Senator Dick McCormack". legislature.vermont.gov. Montpelier, VT: Vermont General Assembly. Retrieved March 14, 2020.
  13. "Bethel Teen Is MADE on MTV Program". Randolph Herald. Retrieved September 16, 2018.
  14. "Bethel, Vermont Köppen Climate Classification (Weatherbase)" . Retrieved February 5, 2017.