Fairfield, Vermont

Fairfield, Vermont is a town located in Franklin County, Vermont, bordered by Sheldon, Vermont to the north, Enosburg, Vermont to the northeast, Bakersfield, Vermont to the east, Fletcher, Vermont to the southeast, and St. Albans, Vermont to the west. The town is situated near the Missisquoi River and is part of the Burlington, Vermont metropolitan area, which includes Chittenden County, Vermont, Franklin County, Vermont, and Grand Isle County, Vermont. Fairfield is also close to the Adirondack Park in New York and the Green Mountains in Vermont. The town is home to several notable residents, including Bernie Sanders, who has represented Vermont in the United States Senate and has run for president in the Democratic Party presidential primaries, 2016 and Democratic Party presidential primaries, 2020.

Geography

The town of Fairfield is located in the northwestern part of Vermont, near the border with New York and Quebec, Canada. The town is situated in the Missisquoi Valley and is bordered by the Missisquoi River to the west and the Lamoille River to the east. The town's geography is characterized by rolling hills, forests, and farmland, with several notable peaks, including Mount Mansfield and Camel's Hump. The town is also home to several lakes and ponds, including Lake Champlain and Lake Memphremagog, which are popular for fishing, boating, and other water sports. Nearby cities include Burlington, Vermont, Montpelier, Vermont, and St. Albans, Vermont, which are connected to Fairfield by U.S. Route 7 and Vermont Route 36.

History

The town of Fairfield was chartered in 1763 by Benning Wentworth, the governor of New Hampshire, and was named after Fairfield, Connecticut. The town was settled in the late 18th century by European-Americans, who were attracted by the area's fertile soil and abundant natural resources. During the American Revolution, the town was a key location for the Continental Army, which used the town as a staging ground for attacks on British forces in Canada. The town was also home to several notable figures, including Ethan Allen, who led the Green Mountain Boys in the Battle of Ticonderoga and the Battle of Bennington. Other notable residents include John Deere, who invented the steel plow and founded the Deere & Company, and Orson Bean, who was a comedian and actor.

Demographics

As of the 2020 United States Census, the town of Fairfield had a population of approximately 1,900 people, with a median age of 42 and a median household income of $60,000. The town's population is predominantly White American, with smaller percentages of African American, Asian American, and Hispanic and Latino American residents. The town is also home to several notable institutions, including the University of Vermont, Vermont Technical College, and Champlain College, which are located in nearby Burlington, Vermont. Other nearby institutions include Middlebury College, Norwich University, and Johnson State College, which are located in Middlebury, Vermont, Northfield, Vermont, and Johnson, Vermont, respectively.

Economy

The economy of Fairfield is primarily based on agriculture, with several farms in the area producing dairy products, maple syrup, and other agricultural products. The town is also home to several small businesses, including restaurants, retail stores, and service providers. The town's economy is also supported by nearby cities, including Burlington, Vermont, which is a major hub for technology and healthcare companies, including IBM, GE Healthcare, and University of Vermont Medical Center. Other nearby employers include Ben & Jerry's, Keurig Green Mountain, and Cabot Creamery, which are located in Waterbury, Vermont, Waterbury, Vermont, and Cabot, Vermont, respectively.

Education

The town of Fairfield is served by the Franklin East Supervisory Union, which operates several schools in the area, including Bellows Free Academy in St. Albans, Vermont and Missisquoi Valley Union Middle/High School in Swanton, Vermont. The town is also home to several private schools, including Rice Memorial High School in South Burlington, Vermont and The Vermont Commons School in South Burlington, Vermont. Nearby institutions of higher education include University of Vermont, Champlain College, and Vermont Technical College, which offer a range of academic programs, including business, engineering, and health sciences. Other nearby institutions include Middlebury College, Norwich University, and Johnson State College, which offer programs in liberal arts, military science, and education.

Infrastructure

The town of Fairfield is connected to nearby cities and towns by several major roads, including U.S. Route 7 and Vermont Route 36. The town is also served by the Amtrak Vermonter train, which runs from Washington, D.C. to St. Albans, Vermont with stops in New York City, Albany, New York, and Burlington, Vermont. The town's infrastructure is also supported by several nearby airports, including Burlington International Airport and Plattsburgh International Airport, which offer flights to Boston, New York City, and other destinations. Other nearby transportation options include the Lake Champlain Transportation Company, which operates ferry services between Vermont and New York, and the Green Mountain Transit, which operates bus services throughout Chittenden County, Vermont.