Highgate, Vermont

Highgate, Vermont
—  Town  —
Highgate, Vermont
Coordinates:
Country United States
State Vermont
County Franklin
Area
 • Total 59.9 sq mi (155.1 km2)
 • Land 51.1 sq mi (132.5 km2)
 • Water 8.7 sq mi (22.6 km2)
Elevation 322 ft (98 m)
Population (2000)
 • Total 3,397
 • Density 66.4/sq mi (25.6/km2)
Time zone Eastern (EST) (UTC-5)
 • Summer (DST) EDT (UTC-4)
ZIP code 05459
Area code(s) 802
FIPS code 50-33025[1]
GNIS feature ID 1462118[2]

Highgate is a town in Franklin County, Vermont, United States. The population was 3,397 at the 2000 census. The town is on the border of Quebec, Canada and is a border town of Philipsburg, Quebec.

Contents

History

In town there is an egg farm which has 100,000 chickens. In 2008, the farm wanted to double its operation, requiring state permission. Neighbors objected to this increase.[3]

The Grateful Dead played two shows in Highgate at the Franklin County Airport, one in July 1994 and one in June 1995. An estimated 60,000 people attended in 1994 and an estimated 100,000 in 1995, when Bob Dylan opened.[4]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 59.9 square miles (155.1 km2), of which 51.1 square miles (132.5 km2) is land and 8.7 square miles (22.6 km2) (14.59%) is water. The Missisquoi and Rock Rivers flow through the town.

Surrounding areas

Demographics

As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 3,397 people, 1,207 households, and 922 families residing in the town. The population density was 66.4 people per square mile (25.6/km2). There were 1,375 housing units at an average density of 26.9 per square mile (10.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 92.93% White, 0.03% African American, 4.21% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.21% from other races, and 2.44% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.15% of the population.

There were 1,207 households out of which 40.8% had children under the living with them, 60.2% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.6% were non-families. 16.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.81 and the average family size was 3.13.

In the town the population was spread out with 29.4% under the , 7.8% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 21.3% from 45 to 64, and 8.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34 years. For every 100 females there were 100.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 100.9 males.

Economy

Personal income

The median income for a household in the town was $41,556, and the median income for a family was $44,697. Males had a median income of $30,342 versus $25,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,505. About 7.4% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 8.3% of those age 65 or over.

Agriculture

The largest egg farm in Vermont is located there. There are 100,000 chickens.[6]

Infrastructure

Electricity

Highgate has had an HVDC back-to-back station since 1985, which was built by Asea in the record time of eight months. It operates with a bipolar voltage of 56 kV and can transfer a maximum power of 200 megawatts. It was built on short notice because the Vermont Yankee nuclear power plant had an extended maintenance period approaching.[7]

Natural gas

Vermont has one natural gas distribution company, Vermont Gas Systems, Inc. (VGS). VGS's gas is supplied from a connection at Highgate Springs to the TransCanada Pipeline.

Transportation

Located within the town is the Interstate 89 Highgate Springs border crossing.

References

  1. ^ a b "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. http://factfinder.census.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  2. ^ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. http://geonames.usgs.gov. Retrieved 2008-01-31. 
  3. ^ Page, Candace (July 17, 2008). Neighbors fear farm has the advantage. Burlington Free Press. 
  4. ^ Blair Jackson, Garcia: An American Life. Penguin, 2000: p. 446.
  5. ^ Vermont Atlas and Gazetteer (1988) Freeport, Maine: DeLorme Mapping Company<, maps 53-54
  6. ^ Heminsgway, Sam (29 July 2010). "Canadian concern buys Vt. Egg Farm". Burlington, Vermont: Burlington Free Press. pp. 8B. 
  7. ^ HVDC-back-to back station Highgate

External links