Vt. census: South losing, north gaining population

Vermont’s population is shifting from its earliest-established southern counties to its northern reaches, according to 2010 census figures released Thursday. But the population of Springfield increased by 3.2%.

http://www.rutlandherald.com/article/20110211/NEWS03/702119854

Published February 11, 2011 in the Rutland Herald
Vt. census: South losing, north gaining population

By Kevin O’Connor
STAFF WRITER

Vermont’s population is shifting from its earliest-established southern counties to its northern reaches, according to 2010 census figures released Thursday.

The state’s southernmost counties of Bennington, Rutland, Windham and Windsor all recorded stagnant demographics or slight losses in the past decade, while their northern counterparts of Addison, Caledonia, Chittenden, Franklin, Lamoille, Orange, Orleans and Washington reported growth since the last official count in 2000.

Burlington remains Vermont’s largest city with 42,417 people, up 6.5 percent from the 39,824 calculated 10 years ago.

Essex continues to be the state’s second most populated community with 19,587 people, up 5.2 percent from 18,626 in 2000.

South Burlington jumps from sixth to third with 17,904 people, up 20 percent from 14,879.

Colchester remains fourth with 17,067 people, up 0.5 percent from 16,986.

And Rutland City drops from third to fifth with 16,495 people, down 4.6 percent from 17,292.

Also in the top 15: No. 6 Bennington at 15,764, up 0.2 percent; No. 7 Brattleboro at 12,046, up 0.3 percent; No. 8 Milton at 10,352, up 9.2 percent; No. 9 Hartford at 9,952, down 4 percent; No. 10 Springfield at 9,373, up 3.2 percent; No. 11 Barre City at 9,052, down 2.6 percent; No. 12 Williston at 8,698, up 13.7 percent; No. 13 Middlebury at 8,496, up 3.8 percent; No. 14 Barre Town at 7,924, up 4.2 percent; and No. 15 Montpelier at 7,855, down 2.2 percent.

As for Vermont’s 14 counties, Chittenden remains the largest with 156,545 people, up 6.8 percent from 146,571 10 years ago.

Rutland County continues to be the state’s second most populous with 61,642 people, down 2.8 percent from 63,400.

Washington County is third with 59,534 people, up 2.6 percent from 58,039.

Windsor County is fourth with 56,670 people, down 1.3 percent from 57,418.

And Franklin County is fifth with 47,746 people, up 5.1 percent from 45,417.

The rest of the 14 counties: No. 6 Windham at 44,513, up 0.7 percent; No. 7 Bennington at 37,125, up 0.4; No. 8 Addison at 36,821, up 2.4 percent; No. 9 Caledonia at 31,227, up 5.1 percent; No. 10 Orange at 28,936, up 2.5 percent; No. 11 Orleans at 27,231, up 3.6 percent; No. 12 Lamoille at 24,475, up 5.3 percent; No. 13 Grand Isle at 6,970, up 1 percent; and No. 14 Essex at 6,306, down 2.4 percent.

The U.S. Census Bureau expects to post all the Vermont data at http://factfinder2.census.gov, by the end of the week.