Windham County, VT

Windham County, Vermont

Windham County is a county located in the U.S. state of Vermont. As of 2000, the population was 44,216. Its shire town is Newfane.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 798 square miles (2,067 km²), of which, 789 square miles (2,043 km²) of it is land and 9 square miles (24 km²) of it (1.18%) is water.

Adjacent counties

Windsor County, Vermont - north
Sullivan County, New Hampshire - northeast
Cheshire County, New Hampshire - east
Franklin County, Massachusetts - south
Bennington County, Vermont - west

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 44,216 people, 18,375 households, and 11,447 families residing in the county. The population density was 56 people per square mile (22/km²). There were 27,039 housing units at an average density of 34 per square mile (13/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.72% White, 0.50% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.79% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 1.42% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 18.1% were of English, 13.3% Irish, 9.5% French, 8.9% American, 7.7% German, 6.0% Italian and 5.0% French Canadian ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.9% spoke English, 1.3% Spanish and 1.2% French as their first language.

There were 18,375 households out of which 29.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.20% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 37.70% were non-families. 29.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.50% under the age of 18, 7.10% from 18 to 24, 28.10% from 25 to 44, 27.20% from 45 to 64, and 14.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $38,204, and the median income for a family was $46,989. Males had a median income of $31,094 versus $24,650 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,533. About 6.10% of families and 9.40% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.00% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

In 2006, four towns in Windham County, Dummerston, Marlboro, Newfane, and Stratton, had their citizens pass resolutions supporting the proposed impeachment of President George W. Bush. In the 2004 election, the county voted for John Kerry over Bush by 66.4%-31.2%, Kerry's biggest victory by county in Vermont.

County Law Enforcement

The Windham County Sheriff's Department is one source of law enforcement in this county except for large towns such as Brattleboro. Other towns also have contracts with the Vermont State Police.