Bennington (town), Vermont
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- For other places in Vermont called Bennington, see Bennington, Vermont (disambiguation).
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Bennington is a town located in Bennington County, Vermont. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 15,737.
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History
The history of the town of Bennington goes back to 1749, when New Hampshire Governor Benning Wentworth chartered the first town in the territory now known as Vermont, and named it after himself.
The town is known primarily for the Battle of Bennington, fought during the Revolutionary War (the battle was actually fought a few miles further west, in the state of New York). On August 16th 1777, Gen. John Stark’s 1,500 New Hampshire militias defeated 800 troops of German mercenaries, local Loyalists, Canadians and Indians under German Lt. Col. Friedrich Baum. German reinforcements under the command of Lt. Col. Heinrich von Breymann looked set to reverse the outcome, but were prevented by the arrival of Seth Warner’s Green Mountain Boys; the Vermont militia founded by Ethan Allen.
There are three historic districts within the town today: Old Bennington, Downtown Bennington and North Bennington. Of these, Old Bennington is the original settlement, dating back to 1761 when Congregational Seperatists arrived from Connecticut and Massachusetts. In the early 1800’s , Downtown Bennington started developing, and by 1854 the county’s population had reached 18,589.
In 1891, the Bennington Battle Monument was opened, which features a 306 foot high stone obelisk. The monument is a popular tourist attraction.
Bennington has ready access to natural resources and waterpower, and a long history of manufacture, primarily within wood processing. The town is also recognized nationally for its pottery, iron, and textiles.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 110.0 km² (42.5 mi²). 109.9 km² (42.4 mi²) of it is land and 0.2 km² (0.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.14% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 15,737 people, 6,162 households, and 3,863 families residing in the town. The population density is 143.2/km² (370.9/mi²). There are 6,574 housing units at an average density of 59.8/km² (154.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 96.96% White, 0.63% Black or African American, 0.25% Native American, 0.95% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.97% from two or more races. 0.99% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 6,162 households out of which 30.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% are married couples living together, 12.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 37.3% are non-families. 30.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 12.8% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.36 and the average family size is 2.94.
In the town the population is spread out with 23.5% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 87.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $33,706, and the median income for a family is $40,615. Males have a median income of $30,712 versus $22,411 for females. The per capita income for the town is $17,290. 14.6% of the population and 11.1% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.1% of those under the age of 18 and 11.8% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Attractions
- The Grandma Moses Museum.
- The Park-McCullough Historic House, a well-preserved, 35-room, Victorian country house.
- Robert Frost's grave.
See also
External link
- Bennington Free Library Website (http://www.bennington.lib.vt.us/index.html)
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