Brighton, Vermont
| Brighton, Vermont | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 | |
 | |
| Coordinates: 44°48′32″N 71°52′10″W / 44.80889°N 71.86944°WCoordinates: 44°48′32″N 71°52′10″W / 44.80889°N 71.86944°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Vermont |
| County | Essex |
| Chartered | 1781 |
| Settled | 1824 |
| Organized | 1832 |
| Government | |
| • Type | New England town |
| Area | |
| • Total | 53.4 sq mi (138.3 km2) |
| • Land | 52.2 sq mi (135.2 km2) |
| • Water | 1.2 sq mi (3.2 km2) |
| Elevation | 1,280 ft (365 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| • Total | 1,260 |
| • Density | 24.1/sq mi (9.3/km2) |
| • Households | 529 |
| • Families | 356 |
| Time zone | EST (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 05846 |
| Area code(s) | 802 |
| FIPS code | 50-08725[1] |
| GNIS feature ID | 1462052[2] |
| Website | Brighton town website |
Brighton is a town in Essex County, Vermont, United States. The population was 1,260 at the 2000 census. The town was named Gilead in its original grant in 1780. The town was sold to a group consisting primarily of soldiers commanded by Colonel Joseph Nightingale and subsequently named Random. The town's name was finally changed by the legislature to Brighton in 1832. The Brighton village of Island Pond gets its name from the Abenaki word Menanbawk which literally means island pond.
Brighton is part of the Berlin, NH–VT Micropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 53.4 square miles (138.4 km2), of which 52.2 square miles (135.2 km2) is land and 1.2 square miles (3.2 km2) (2.28%) is water.
The Clyde River originates in Spectacle Pond, Brighton. It flows from there to Island Pond[3][4] from the north end of Island Pond to the west. It proceeds towards Charleston, in a northwesterly direction.
Geology
Spectacle Pond is actually a kettle. It is only 8 to 10 feet deep with a thick bottom of muck.[5]
History
Spectacle Pond apparently was the site of the council fires of the Iroquois Five Nations and was part of the migration route of the St. Francis Indians when traveling from Canada to the Atlantic coast.[6]
In 1957, a 67 feet (20 m) white spruce was chosen from the town for display as the Rockefeller Center Christmas Tree.[7]
Demographics
As of the census[1] of 2000, there were 1,260 people, 529 households, and 356 families residing in the town. The population density was 24.1 people per square mile (9.3/km2). There were 891 housing units at an average density of 17.1 per square mile (6.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.16% White, 0.16% African American, 1.03% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 3.10% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.32% of the population.
There were 529 households out of which 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.8% were couples living together and joined in either marriage or civil union, 11.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 27.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.0% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 23.8% from 25 to 44, 25.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 94.7 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.3 males.
Economy
Personal income
The median income for a household in the town was $26,932, and the median income for a family was $31,316. Males had a median income of $26,413 versus $23,125 for females. The per capita income for the town was $12,999. About 14.9% of families and 19.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.7% of those under age 18 and 15.3% of those age 65 or over.
Industry
Tourism
The Brighton Snowmobile Club maintains 130 miles of trails during the winter.[8]
Media
WVTI 106.9 broadcasts from Island Pond.[9]
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. 2007-10-25. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
- ↑ After which the town of Island Pond is named
- ↑ The pond was originally called "Knowles Pond" in the 19th century
- ↑ Johnson, Charles W. (1984). The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England.
- ↑ Johnson, Charles W. (1984). The Nature of Vermont. University Press of New England.
- ↑ Hunt, Pat (December 2008). Vermont's Northland Journal 7 (9): 6.
- ↑ Creaser, Richard (February 11, 2009). Myers handles groomer for I.P. club. the Chronicle.
- ↑ VPR (October 28, 2008). VPR Classical broadcasts from I.P. the Chronicle.
External links
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