| Official Name: | Shelburne, Vermont |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Mapsize: | 260px |
| Pushpin Map: | USA |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location in the United States |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Vermont |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Chittenden |
| Parts Type: | Communities |
| Parts: | Shelburne Shelburne Falls |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Total Km2: | 116.7 |
| Area Land Km2: | 63.0 |
| Area Water Km2: | 53.8 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 7717 |
| Population Density Km2: | 122.5 |
| Timezone: | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Elevation M: | 62 |
| Elevation Ft: | 203 |
| Coordinates: | 44.3897°N -73.2247°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 05482 |
| Area Code: | 802 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 50-64300[1] |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 1462206[2] |
Shelburne is a town in Chittenden County, Vermont, United States. Located along the shores of Lake Champlain, Shelburne's town center lies approximately 7miles south of the city center of Burlington, the largest city in the state of Vermont. As of the 2020 census, the population of Shelburne was 7,717.[3]
The main settlement of Shelburne in the center of town is a census-designated place (CDP), with a population of 6,178 at the 2020 census.[4] Shelburne municipality has the highest median income in both Chittenden County and the Burlington metropolitan area.[5]
Shelburne was chartered by New Hampshire, August 18, 1763, to Jesse Hallock and 64 associates by governor Benning Wentworth. The name "Shelburne" or "Shelburn" was chosen to honor William Petty, 2nd Earl of Shelburne, a celebrated nobleman of the British parliament and Prime Minister. According to the charter, the town was to have an area of 23500acres, or a tract a little over 6sqmi, but owing to a blunder on the part of the surveyors, it was shorn of a large portion of its possessions.
From the beginning, Shelburne's economy was based on farming. With the clearing of land and burning of logs the town experienced a potash boom. A carding and fulling mill, a gristmill, a sawmill, and a blacksmith shop were erected on the La Platte River at Shelburne Falls. In 1811, a few Merino sheep imported from Spain led to an upsurge in sheep raising. Orchards and fruit growing became a major source of income for the farmers, with some 17,740 trees in 1880. Following the War of 1812, commerce on the lake expanded rapidly.
The Lake Champlain Transportation Company established its shipyard at Shelburne Harbor and launched its first steamboat, the General Green, in 1825; this was followed by ten others before the Ticonderoga in 1906. In 1955, the Ticonderoga was moved overland to the Shelburne Museum, where it is now on display.[6]
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 116.7sqkm, of which 63sqkm is land and 53.8sqkm, or 46.06%, is water (primarily Lake Champlain, but also including Shelburne Pond in the eastern part of town).
The town had the highest voter turnout in Vermont in the general election of 2008 with 89.4%. It had the highest number of registered voters among the top ten towns with the highest turnout. It also had the second-highest percentage of people voting absentee of any town in Vermont, 50.2%.[7]
In the Vermont Democratic Party presidential primary of 2016, the town was the worst-performing of all municipalities in both Chittenden County and the Burlington metro area for U.S. senator Bernie Sanders of nearby Burlington. Bernie Sanders received 76.6% of the Democratic primary vote in the town and former U.S. secretary of state Hillary Clinton received her highest level of support for any municipality in the county and metro area, at 23.1%.[8] Kathryn Webb and Jessica Brumsted, both Democrats, represent the town in the Vermont House of Representatives.
As of the census of 2000, there were 6,944 people, 2,632 households, and 1,845 families residing in the town. The population density was 285.6 people per square mile (110.3/km2). There were 2,741 housing units at an average density of 112.8 per square mile (43.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.60% White, 0.23% African American, 0.10% Native American, 1.01% Asian, 0.32% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.86% of the population.
There were 2,632 households, out of which 37.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.3% were couples living together and joined in either marriage or civil union, 6.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.9% were non-families. 22.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.08.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.6% under the age of 18, 3.9% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 27.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.3 males.
The town contains businesses, including manufacturers, service providers, retail establishments and the state's largest continuing care retirement community. In 2007 a historic inn was converted into a mixed use array of offices, small retail, and a restaurant.
In 2016, the median income for a household in the town was $98,898, and the median income for a family was $118,492.[9] Males had a median income of $50,085 versus $28,428 for females. The per capita income for the town was $55,638.[9] About 2.9% of families and 4.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 2.7% of those under age 18 and 7.6% of those age 65 or over.
The town has three major tourist attractions: the Shelburne Museum, Shelburne Farms, and the Vermont Teddy Bear Company. Also attracting tourists to Shelburne are: Shelburne Vineyard and Fiddlehead Brewery.[10]
The town maintains a beach on Lake Champlain which has a boat launch and nature park.
Transportation
U.S. Route 7 (Shelburne Road) crosses the center of town, leading north into South Burlington and south towards Vergennes.
Bus service is provided by Green Mountain Transit.
Public:
The town is part of the Champlain valley School District and sends students of high school age to Champlain Valley Union High School in Hinesburg.
Private:
Preschools:
Other Schools:
The Shelburne News is a weekly newspaper mailed to all residents of Shelburne. It was established in 1967. In 2017, it was sold to the owners of the Stowe Reporter[11] who then created the Vermont Community Newspaper Group in 2019.[12]