| Northfield, Vermont | |
|---|---|
| — Town — | |
| Depot Square, Downtown Northfield | |
| Located in Washington County, Vermont | |
| Location of Vermont with the U.S.A. | |
| Coordinates: | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Vermont |
| County | Washington |
| Chartered | 1781 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 44.8 sq mi (113.3 km2) |
| • Land | 43.7 sq mi (113.2 km2) |
| • Water | 0.0 sq mi (0.1 km2) |
| Elevation | 735 ft (441 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 6,207 |
| • Density | 142.7/sq mi (369.6/km2) |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 05663 |
| Area code(s) | 802 |
| FIPS code | 50-50275[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1462163[2] |
| Website | www.northfield-vt.gov |
Northfield is a town in Washington County, Vermont, United States. It lies in a valley within the Green Mountains, and has been the home of Norwich University since 1866. The town contains the village of Northfield, where over half of its population lives. The population was 6,207 at the 2010 census.
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Throughout the 19th century, Northfield was an important railway hub. The Vermont Central Railroad was based here until 1853, when Charles Paine, the president, died. After this, the company merged with the Central Vermont Railroad. Even after the merger, the town remained an important center of commerce for the area. Due largely to its proximity to the depot, Northfield Center became the focus of economic activity to the many villages within the Northfield town limits. Each village retains a personality of its own to this day, however. Since the 20th century, the main employer of the town has remained Norwich University, which moved from Norwich, Vermont to Northfield in 1866. The school's enrollment is approximately 2,000. Norwich is the oldest private military college in the United States. In 2002, the school opened the National Center for the Study of Counter-Terrorism and Cybercrime on the village common, just feet from the old railroad depot which closed in the mid-20th century. Norwich University was also the site of the Vermont Quilt Festival until its relocation in 2006.
A schoolhouse built in 1877 was renovated in 2004, with over one million dollars in donations, into public and municipal offices known as the Gray Building. The facade was renewed. It remains the most visible building in Northfield.
The largest employer of people in Northfield is Norwich University. Many Northfield residents commute to the nearby cities of Montpelier and Barre for employment.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 43.7 square miles (113.3 km2), of which 43.7 square miles (113.2 km2) is land and 0.04 square mile (0.1 km2) (0.07%) is water.
The town is also the center of Vermont, with markers on the University of the Geographical and Magnetic centers.
Northfield can be accessed via Exit 5 of Interstate 89.
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 5,791 people, 1,819 households, and 1,224 families residing in the town. The population density was 132.5 people per square mile (51.2/km2). There were 1,958 housing units at an average density of 44.8 per square mile (17.3/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.41% White, 1.02% Black or African American, 0.36% Native American, 1.33% Asian, 0.43% from other races, and 1.45% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.21% of the population.
There were 1,819 households out of which 32.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.5% were couples living together and joined in either marriage or civil union, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 24.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.95.
In the town the population was spread out with 19.4% under the age of 18, 27.2% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 18.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 122.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 122.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $41,523, and the median income for a family was $51,818. Males had a median income of $32,168 versus $24,781 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,592. About 3.2% of families and 6.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 6.4% of those under age 18 and 6.2% of those age 65 or over.
Northfield's local newspapers include Northfield News & Transcript and Barre Montpelier Times Argus. Every county in Vermont except for Bennington is part of the Burlington, Vermont broadcast television market. WCAX has an office in Montpelier.
The only radio station within town limits is WNUB-FM.
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