St. Johnsbury, Vermont
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| St. Johnsbury, Vermont | |
|---|---|
| Name | St. Johnsbury |
| Settlement type | Town |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Vermont |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Caledonia County |
| Leader title | Town Manager |
| Leader name | Chad Whitehead |
| Area total km2 | 93.0 |
| Population total | 7571 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Coordinates | 44, 25, 10, N... |
| Website | www.stjohnsburyvt.org |
St. Johnsbury, Vermont is the shire town of Caledonia County and the largest community by population in Vermont's Northeast Kingdom. Founded in the late 18th century, it grew into a significant industrial and cultural center during the 19th century, largely due to the success of the Fairbanks scale manufacturing empire. The town is renowned for its distinctive Victorian architecture, historic institutions, and its role as a commercial hub for the surrounding region.
History
The town was chartered in 1786, named for Jean de Crèvecœur, a French-American writer whose pen name included St. John. Early settlement was slow, but the arrival of the Fairbanks family in the early 19th century transformed the community. Thaddeus Fairbanks invented the platform scale in 1830, founding the E. & T. Fairbanks Company, which became a global industrial leader. The town's growth was further spurred by the arrival of the Portland and Ogdensburg Railroad and the St. Johnsbury and Lake Champlain Railroad, connecting it to major markets. Prominent 19th-century citizens, including Horace Fairbanks and Ernest L. Crandall, funded the construction of many civic institutions, such as the St. Johnsbury Athenaeum and the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 93.0 square kilometers, of which 92.2 square kilometers is land and 0.8 square kilometers is water. The Passumpsic River and its tributary, the Sleepers River, flow through the town. St. Johnsbury is situated in a valley within the foothills of the Green Mountains, with notable local peaks including Mount Pleasant and Bald Mountain. The town is bisected by Interstate 91 and Interstate 93, and is a junction for several U.S. and state routes, including U.S. Route 5 and Vermont Route 18.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 7,571. The racial makeup was predominantly White, with smaller populations identifying as African American, Native American, Asian, and Hispanic or Latino. The town is the central population center for the Northeast Kingdom and serves as a regional hub for services. Educational attainment levels are near the state average, with many residents employed in healthcare, education, and manufacturing sectors.
Economy
The historic economic engine was the Fairbanks Scales company, part of the Fairbanks Morse conglomerate, though its local manufacturing presence has greatly diminished. Today, the economy is diversified, with major employers including the Northeastern Vermont Regional Hospital, the St. Johnsbury Academy private school, and several industrial manufacturers like Bretton Group and GW Plastics. The town is also a retail and service center for the surrounding agricultural region, hosting branches of national chains like Walmart and Shaw's. The Catamount Arts center and the Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium contribute to a growing cultural and tourism sector.
Culture and recreation
St. Johnsbury is noted for its exceptional Victorian architecture and historic cultural institutions. The St. Johnsbury Athenaeum houses an original 19th-century art gallery featuring works by Albert Bierstadt and Hudson River School artists. The Fairbanks Museum and Planetarium is a natural history museum and the only public planetarium in Vermont. Catamount Arts operates a film and performing arts center, hosting events like the First Night North celebration. Outdoor recreation is centered on the Kingdom Trails mountain biking network, the Lamoille Valley Rail Trail, and nearby state parks including Lake Willoughby and Burke Mountain.
Government
The town operates under a Town manager-Selectboard form of government. The administrative offices are located in the St. Johnsbury Municipal Building. As the shire town, it is home to the Caledonia County courthouse and other county offices. The town is represented in the Vermont General Assembly as part of the Caledonia-3 district. In federal elections, it is part of Vermont's at-large congressional district.
Category:Towns in Caledonia County, Vermont Category:Shire towns in Vermont Category:Populated places established in 1786