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'{{For|other places named Montpellier or Montpelier|Montpelier (disambiguation)}} {{short description|Capital of Vermont, United States}} <!-- Infobox begins --> {{Infobox settlement |official_name = Montpelier, Vermont |settlement_type = [[List of capitals in the United States|State capital]] and [[List of cities in Vermont|city]] |named_for = [[Montpellier]], [[France]] |other_name = |nickname = |motto = |image_skyline = Vermont State House Montpelier VT 2014 10 18 09.JPG |imagesize = |image_caption = The [[Vermont State House]], Montpelier's best-known landmark |image_flag = |flag_size = |image_seal = MontpelierVTseal.png |seal_size = |image_shield = |shield_size = |image_blank_emblem = |blank_emblem_size = |image_map = Washington County Vermont Incorporated and Unincorporated areas Montpelier highlighted.svg |map_caption = Location in Washington County and the state of Vermont | pushpin_label = Montpelier | pushpin_map = USA | pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States |subdivision_type = [[List of sovereign states|Country]] |subdivision_name = {{US}} |subdivision_type1 = [[U.S. state|State]] |subdivision_name1 = {{flag|Vermont}} |subdivision_type2 = [[List of counties in Vermont|County]] |subdivision_name2 = [[Washington County, Vermont|Washington]] |subdivision_type3 = [[List of regions of the United States|Region]] |subdivision_name3 = [[New England]] |subdivision_type4 = |subdivision_name4 = |government_footnotes = |government_type = |leader_title = [[Mayor]] |leader_name = [[Anne Watson]] |leader_title1 = [[City Manager]] |leader_name1 = William J. Fraser |leader_title2 = |leader_name2 = |leader_title3 = |leader_name3 = |leader_title4 = |leader_name4 = |established_title = Settled |established_date = 1787 |established_title2 = Incorporated (village) |established_date2 = 1818 |established_title3 = Incorporated (city) |established_date3 = 1895 |area_magnitude = 1 E8 |unit_pref = Imperial |area_footnotes = |area_total_km2 = 26.6 |area_land_km2 = 26.5 |area_water_km2 = 0.0 |area_total_sq_mi = 10.3 |area_land_sq_mi = 10.2 |area_water_sq_mi = 0.1 |area_water_percent = |area_urban_km2 = |area_urban_sq_mi = |area_metro_km2 = |area_metro_sq_mi = |population_as_of = 2010 |population_footnotes = |population_note = |population_total = 7,855 (city proper) |population_density_km2 = 302.7 |population_density_sq_mi = 739.9 | population_est = 7,436 | pop_est_as_of = 2018 |population_demonym = Montpelierite |population_metro = |population_density_metro_km2 = |population_density_metro_sq_mi = |population_urban = |population_density_urban_km2 = |population_density_urban_sq_mi = |population_blank1_title = |population_blank1 = |population_density_blank1_km2 = |population_density_blank1_sq_mi = |timezone = [[Eastern Time Zone|EST]] |utc_offset = &minus;5 |timezone_DST = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]] |utc_offset_DST = &minus;4 |coordinates = {{coord|44|15|36|N|72|34|31|W|region:US-VT|display=inline,title}} |elevation_footnotes = <!--for references: use <ref> </ref> tags--> |elevation_m = |elevation_ft = 525 |postal_code_type = [[ZIP code]]s |postal_code = 05601-05604, 05609, 05620, 05633 |area_code = [[Area code 802|802]] |blank_name = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]] |blank_info = 50-46000<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=http://factfinder2.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2008-01-31|title=American FactFinder}}</ref> |blank1_name = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID |blank1_info = 1461834<ref name=GNIS1>{{Cite GNIS|1461834|Montpelier}}</ref> |website ={{Official website|http://www.montpelier-vt.org/}} |footnotes = }} <!-- Infobox ends --> '''Montpelier''' ({{IPAc-en|m|ɒ|n|t|ˈ|p|iː|l|i|ər}})<ref>{{cite web|url=http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/Montpelier|title=the definition of Montpelier|publisher=}}</ref> is the capital [[List of cities in Vermont|city]] of the U.S. state of [[Vermont]] and the [[County seat|seat]] of [[Washington County, Vermont|Washington County]]. As the site of [[Government of Vermont|Vermont's state government]], it is the [[List of capitals in the United States|least populous state capital]] in the [[United States]].<ref>[http://www.everyday-democracy.org/en/Article.495.aspx Smallest capital city plans big MLK celebration] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110726042724/http://www.everyday-democracy.org/en/Article.495.aspx |date=2011-07-26 }}. Retrieved 2010-04-23.</ref> The population was 7,855 as of the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]]. However, the daytime population grows to about 21,000, due to the large number of jobs within city limits.<ref>[http://www.montpelier-vt.org/DocumentCenter/View/2804 A Study and Analysis of the Fiscal Impacts of Growth in the City of Montpelier]</ref> The [[Vermont College of Fine Arts]] and [[New England Culinary Institute]] are located in the municipality. It was named after [[Montpellier]], a city in the south of [[France]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.virtualvermont.com/towns/montpelier.html|title=Washington County|publisher=Virtual Vermont|language=English|accessdate=9 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170713020504/http://www.virtualvermont.com/towns/montpelier.html|archive-date=13 July 2017|url-status=dead|df=dmy-all}}</ref> ==History== [[File:The first Vermont State House (1808 wood engraving).jpg|thumb|left|The first [[Vermont State House]], built in 1808, was designed by Sylvanus Baldwin.]] [[File:Montpelier, 1884.png|thumb|left|Montpelier as illustrated in 1884]] [[File:Rues de Montpelier Vermont USA.jpg|thumb|right|State Street, [[Montpelier Historic District (Vermont)|Montpelier Historic District]], 2006]] Between 1600 and 1800, European settlers began to arrive in the region.<ref name=":1" /> Soon after, war, genocide, and dispersal virtually destroyed the Native American settlements. However, evidence suggests some Native Americans remained in the area as late as the mid-1800s.<ref name=":1" /> Originally charted on August 14, 1781, the Town of Montpelier was granted municipal powers by the "Governor, Council and General Assembly of the Freemen of the State of Vermont".<ref name=":0">{{Cite web|url=http://www.montpelier-vt.org/DocumentCenter/View/1454/City-Charter-PDF|title=Charter of the City of Montpelier|website=www.montpelier-vt.org/DocumentCenter/View/1454/City-Charter-PDF|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180524222713/http://www.montpelier-vt.org/DocumentCenter/View/1454/City-Charter-PDF|archive-date=2018-05-24|url-status=dead}}</ref> The first permanent settlement began in May 1787, when Colonel Jacob Davis and General Parley Davis arrived from [[Charlton, Massachusetts]]. General Davis surveyed the land, while Colonel Davis cleared forest and erected a large log house on the west side of the North Branch of the [[Winooski River]]. His family moved in the following winter. Colonel Davis selected the name "Montpelier" after the French city of [[Montpellier]].<ref>{{cite book |author=[[Federal Writers' Project]] of the [[Works Progress Administration]] for the State of Vermont |title=Vermont: A guide to the Green Mountain State |year=1996 |publisher=The Stephen Greene Press |pages=117}}</ref> There was a general enthusiasm for things French as a result of the country's aid to the American colonies during the [[American Revolution|Revolutionary War]].<ref>{{cite book |author=Swift, Esther Munroe |title=Vermont Place Names: Footprints of History |year=1977 |publisher=Houghton Mifflin |pages=451–454 |isbn=0-8289-0291-7}}</ref> The settlement grew quickly, and by 1791 the population reached 117. The configuration of the early village was strongly influenced by geography. As early as 1799 a bridge was constructed across the Winooski River to [[Berlin, Vermont|Berlin]].<ref name=":1">{{Cite web|url=https://www.montpelier-vt.org/552/About-Montpelier|title=About Montpelier {{!}} Montpelier, VT|website=www.montpelier-vt.org|language=en|access-date=2018-05-24}}</ref> The Town's Charter was reissued on February 6, 1804, to include a boundary description of the lands granted to the Town's inhabitants and proprietors.<ref name=":0" /> The confluence of the Winooski, North Branch and Dog Rivers provided a central point for the local population and commerce. By 1805 the town had a population of 1,200. In that year the state legislature sought a permanent home. Montpelier was selected because of its central location and accessibility, and because local residents provided land and money. A humble State House was soon constructed on State Street.<ref name=":1" /> In 1825, the [[Gilbert du Motier, marquis de Lafayette|Marquis de Lafayette]] visited Montpelier on a triumphal tour of the United States, 50 years after the Revolutionary War. The town developed into a center for manufacturing, especially after the [[Central Vermont Railway]] opened in Montpelier on June 20, 1849. In response to Montpelier's growth and changing demographics, on November 9, 1848, the General Assembly divided the original Town into two district municipal corporations. The towns of East Montpelier and Montpelier were created. Later on, in an attempt to modernize its form of government, the town was reconstituted as the Village of Montpelier.<ref name=":0" /> By 1858, the layout of the main streets paralleling the rivers was in place. The downtown street pattern has changed very little since that time.<ref name=":1" /> Ten thousand people turned out to greet Major General [[Philip Sheridan]] when he visited to address the fourth annual meeting of Vermont former Union officers. He particularly thanked Vermont veterans of the [[American Civil War|Civil War]] for their performance at the [[Battle of Cedar Creek]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=DUjDdl0YyzUC&pg=PT589&lpg=PT589&dq=sheridan%20address%20vermont%20October%2030%201867%20montpelier&source=bl&ots=CC-OTmTEe5&sig=HNj10d3VASkPb9szIGBb42P5Xko&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwiOuoPM7-PMAhUF5iYKHXRBB9oQ6AEIHTAA#v=onepage&q=sheridan%20address%20vermont%20October%2030%201867%20montpelier&f=false|title=Something Abides: Discovering the Civil War in Today's Vermont|last=Coffin|first=Howard|date=6 May 2013|publisher=The Countryman Press|via=Google Books}}</ref><ref>{{Cite journal|last=Huegenin|first=Joan|date=May 18, 2016|title=Reunion Society of Vermont Officers|journal=Journal of the Northeast Kingdom Civil War Roundtable|pages=7–8}}</ref> In 1875, a large fire destroyed many downtown buildings.<ref name=":1" /><!---tertiary citation. Would prefer secondary---> The village had the first municipal water driven hydro system in Vermont in 1884. Water pressure generated sufficient electricity for streetlights.<ref>{{cite news|title=Power from the plumbing|last=Barg|first=Lori|date=9 August 2009|work==Burlington Free Press|location=Burlington, Vermont|pages=5D}}</ref> The first charter of Montpelier was granted in 1894, and was amended shortly thereafter in 1898, and again in 1900 and 1912. The first amendment permitted the city to annex a part of the Town of Berlin; the latter enactments amended the 1898 charter to deal with such matters as water works, the relationship between the city and the Washington County Grammar School, and composition of the City Council.<ref name=":0" /> The state proclaimed October 12, 1899, as "Dewey Day" to honor native son [[George Dewey]], the hero of [[Battle of Manila Bay]] in the [[Spanish–American War]]. Thousands turned out from the state to his hometown of Montpelier for the celebration.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.vermonthistory.org/documents/findaid/dewey.pdf |title=George Dewey (1837–1917) Family Papers, 1844–1901 MS 125 |accessdate=April 14, 2013}}</ref><!---doubtless the ONLY day the state has ever celebrated a living person---><!--plenty of footnotes available BTW if you don't like this one---> In 1899, [[Hubbard Park (Montpelier, Vermont)|Hubbard Park]] was established with a donation of land, known as "Hubbard Hill", bequeathed to the City of Montpelier by John Erastus Hubbard (1847–1899) with the intent to "preserve wilderness" for future generations. In 1911, additional land was donated and from 1915 to 1930 an observation tower was constructed on this donated land. In 1927, after a particularly wet summer and fall, heavy rains began on the evening of November 2 that continued until the morning of November 4. The heaviest rain fell on November 3, when more than seven inches fell in a six-hour period. The prolonged heavy rains on top of the already saturated soil from the summer and fall proved to be more than the watercourses could handle. Brooks and rivers overflowed carrying trees and logs in their wake. Dams, bridges and embankments were destroyed. Buildings were submerged, farm animals drowned, and homes and barns were swept away. Rivers reached 13 feet or more above their normal depths. Flood waters gradually receded, leaving behind silt, gravel and debris. At least a foot of mud was left on the floors of downtown stores.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web|url=http://vermonthistory.org/research/research-resources-online/green-mountain-chronicles/the-flood-of-27-1927|title=The Flood of ‘27, 1927 - Vermont Historical Society|website=vermonthistory.org|language=en|access-date=2018-05-24}}</ref> At the time only two stores in Montpelier carried flood insurance. The staggering loss represented an average of $400 for every man, woman, and child in town &ndash; equivalent to roughly $5,760 in 2018 dollars. In the days following the flood, Vermont was widely praised for its recovery efforts. President [[Calvin Coolidge]], in particular, hailed the “indomitable spirit” of Vermonters, of whom he was one.<ref name=":2" /> In response to the damage suffered by Montpelier and surrounding communities in the [[Great Vermont Flood of 1927|Great Flood of 1927]], the [[Civilian Conservation Corps]] built the Wrightsville Dam during a period from 1933 to 1935. The resulting reservoir, [[Wrightsville Reservoir]], required the disbandment and flooding of the village of Wrightsville, which contained at least 30 built structures at the time. The City of Montpelier grew slowly in the late 19th and early 20th centuries during the period of intensive out-migration from the state to new lands in the West, or to industrial centers elsewhere in New England. Montpelier was already established as a government, market, service and industrial center in the region. When the automobile arrived, new state highways were routed to the city limits, and traffic then circulated through the original streets of the city. In 1954, a new bridge was constructed at Bailey Avenue which linked to an extension of Winooski Avenue, now Memorial Drive, and diverted some of the traffic from the downtown area.<ref name=":1" /> An early spring thaw in March 1992 caused an ice jam to form in the Winooski River downstream of the Bailey Avenue bridge in Montpelier. In less than an hour, water levels in the Winooski and North Branch rivers rose upstream of the ice jam and flooded downtown Montpelier. The damage shut down 120 businesses, left 50 residents without homes, disrupted the operations the state government, and caused upwards of $5 million in damage.<ref>{{cite web |title=Vermont's capital braces for possible river flooding |url=http://archive.boston.com/news/local/articles/2007/03/12/vermonts_capital_braces_for_possible_river_flooding/}}</ref> ==Geography== [[File:Winooski river montpelier.jpg|thumb|right|[[Winooski River]] at Montpelier]] Montpelier is located in the north-central area of Vermont.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/gazette.html|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|accessdate=2011-04-23|date=2011-02-12|title=US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990}}</ref> The city center is a flat clay zone (elevation 520&nbsp;ft/158&nbsp;m), surrounded by hills and granite ledges. Towne Hill runs in a {{convert|2|mi|km|adj=on}} ridge (~900&nbsp;ft/275&nbsp;m) along the northern edge of the city. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|10.3|sqmi|km2}}, of which {{convert|10.2|sqmi|km2}} is land and 0.10% is water. The [[Winooski River]] flows west along the south edge of downtown village and is fed by several smaller tributaries that cut through residential districts. Montpelier is subject to periodic flooding in the flat city center, with two major floods occurring [[Great Vermont Flood of 1927|1927]] and 1992.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.montpelierbridge.com/2014/03/the-rivers-and-montpelier/ | title = The Rivers and Montpelier | work = The Bridge | author = C. B. Hall | date = March 7, 2014 | accessdate = November 27, 2015 }}</ref> On its borders are the towns of [[Middlesex, Vermont|Middlesex]] to the west, [[Berlin, Vermont|Berlin]] to the south, and [[East Montpelier, Vermont|East Montpelier]] to the north and east. Montpelier lies near the [[geographic center]] of the state.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.virtualvermont.com/towns/montpelier.html | title = Montpelier | publisher = Virtual Vermont | accessdate = November 27, 2015 | quote = Montpelier's proximity to the geographic center of the state was a principal deciding factor. | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20170713020504/http://www.virtualvermont.com/towns/montpelier.html | archive-date = July 13, 2017 | url-status = dead | df = mdy-all }}</ref> Though it does not share a border, Montpelier is frequently associated with the nearby city of [[Barre (city), Vermont|Barre]], and the two are often referred to together as "Barre-Montpelier". ===Climate=== Montpelier features a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfb''), with long, cold, and snowy winters, short springs and autumns, and warm, humid summers. From January to July, daily means range from {{convert|16.4|to|67.3|F|C|1}}. In winter, lows fall below {{convert|0|F|1|disp=or}} on 24 mornings and daytime highs stay below freezing for the majority of afternoons from December to February. Snow is also frequent and remains on the ground for long stretches throughout the winter, though thaws are by no means infrequent. Average annual snowfall is {{convert|94.2|in|m|2|disp=or}}.<ref>[http://www.erh.noaa.gov/btv/climo/stations/montpelier.shtml NWS Burlington Forecast Office]</ref> Summers are warm and often humid, with 2 or 3 days above {{convert|90|F|1|disp=or}}, but rarely reaching {{convert|95|F|disp=or}}. Extremes have ranged from {{convert|−34|F|1|disp=or}} in January 1981 to {{convert|97|F|1|disp=or}}, most recently recorded in July 1977. {{Weather box|collapsed = |location = Montpelier, Vermont |single line = Y |Jan record high F = 66 |Feb record high F = 61 |Mar record high F = 82 |Apr record high F = 90 |May record high F = 90 |Jun record high F = 95 |Jul record high F = 97 |Aug record high F = 97 |Sep record high F = 92 |Oct record high F = 84 |Nov record high F = 76 |Dec record high F = 67 |year record high F = 97 |Jan high F = 26.4 |Feb high F = 30.3 |Mar high F = 39.0 |Apr high F = 53.3 |May high F = 65.7 |Jun high F = 74.3 |Jul high F = 78.5 |Aug high F = 76.7 |Sep high F = 68.7 |Oct high F = 56.0 |Nov high F = 43.8 |Dec high F = 31.6 |year high F = 53.7 |Jan low F = 7.0 |Feb low F = 9.5 |Mar low F = 18.9 |Apr low F = 31.5 |May low F = 41.9 |Jun low F = 51.2 |Jul low F = 55.7 |Aug low F = 53.8 |Sep low F = 46.1 |Oct low F = 35.3 |Nov low F = 26.9 |Dec low F = 14.4 |year low F = 32.7 |Jan record low F = -34 |Feb record low F = -29 |Mar record low F = -18 |Apr record low F = 2 |May record low F = 20 |Jun record low F = 29 |Jul record low F = 35 |Aug record low F = 31 |Sep record low F = 20 |Oct record low F = 14 |Nov record low F = -7 |Dec record low F = -27 |year record low F = -34 |precipitation colour = green |Jan precipitation inch = 2.45 |Feb precipitation inch = 2.04 |Mar precipitation inch = 2.39 |Apr precipitation inch = 2.66 |May precipitation inch = 3.37 |Jun precipitation inch = 3.80 |Jul precipitation inch = 4.08 |Aug precipitation inch = 4.01 |Sep precipitation inch = 3.12 |Oct precipitation inch = 3.44 |Nov precipitation inch = 3.17 |Dec precipitation inch = 2.74 |Jan snow inch = 22.6 |Feb snow inch = 18.0 |Mar snow inch = 16.8 |Apr snow inch = 4.9 |May snow inch = 0.0 |Jun snow inch = 0.0 |Jul snow inch = 0.0 |Aug snow inch = 0.0 |Sep snow inch = 0.0 |Oct snow inch = 0.9 |Nov snow inch = 9.1 |Dec snow inch = 21.9 |year snow inch = 94.2 |unit precipitation days = 0.01 in |unit snow days = 0.1 in |Jan precipitation days = 13.0 |Feb precipitation days = 11.2 |Mar precipitation days = 11.3 |Apr precipitation days = 12.6 |May precipitation days = 12.9 |Jun precipitation days = 12.4 |Jul precipitation days = 12.4 |Aug precipitation days = 11.7 |Sep precipitation days = 10.4 |Oct precipitation days = 12.3 |Nov precipitation days = 14.0 |Dec precipitation days = 14.4 |year precipitation days = 148.6 |Jan snow days = 12.0 |Feb snow days = 9.1 |Mar snow days = 7.5 |Apr snow days = 3.3 |May snow days = 0.0 |Jun snow days = 0.0 |Jul snow days = 0.0 |Aug snow days = 0.0 |Sep snow days = 0.0 |Oct snow days = 0.9 |Nov snow days = 5.7 |Dec snow days = 11.7 |source 1 = NOAA (normals 1981–2010, extremes 1948–present) <ref name= NCDC >{{cite web | url = http://www.nws.noaa.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=btv | title = NOWData – NOAA Online Weather Data | publisher = [[National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration]] | accessdate = June 10, 2013}}</ref><ref name="NOAA txt"> {{cite web | url = ftp://ftp.ncdc.noaa.gov/pub/data/normals/1981-2010/products/station/USW00094705.normals.txt | publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration | title = VT Barre Montpelier AP | accessdate = 18 December 2014}}</ref> |date=August 2010 }} <div style="width: 80%;"></div> ==Demographics== {{US Census population |1800= 890 |1810= 1877 |1820= 2308 |1830= 1193 |1840= 3725 |1850= 2310 |1860= 2411 |1870= 3023 |1880= 3219 |1890= 4160 |1900= 6266 |1910= 7856 |1920= 7125 |1930= 7837 |1940= 8006 |1950= 8559 |1960= 8782 |1970= 8609 |1980= 8241 |1990= 8247 |2000= 8035 |2010= 7855 |estyear=2018 |estimate=7436 |estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2018">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.2018.html|title=Population and Housing Unit Estimates|accessdate=July 12, 2019}}</ref> |footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/prod/www/decennial.html|title=Census of Population and Housing|publisher=Census.gov|accessdate=June 4, 2015}}</ref><ref name="VTHistory">{{cite web|url=http://www.vermonthistory.org/explorer|title=Vermont History Explorer|accessdate=August 7, 2015}}</ref> }} Along with [[Barre (city), Vermont|Barre]], the city forms a small [[micropolitan area]] in the center of the state; together they are known as ''the twin cities''. As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2" /> of 2010, there were 7,855 people, 3,739 households, and 1,940 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was 784.0 people per square mile (302.7/km²). There were 3,899 housing units at an average density of 380.4 per square mile (146.9/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 93.7% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.0% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.3% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 2.2% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.39% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 2.2% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.1% of the population. There were 3,739 households out of which 26.0% had children under the age of 18 years living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.1% were non-families. 39.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.09 and the average family size was 2.84. In the city, the population was spread out with 21.3% under the age of 18, 8.6% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 27.1% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females, there were 84.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.0 males. ===Personal income=== The median income for a household in the city was $37,513, and the median income for a family was $51,818. Males had a median income of $35,957 versus $29,442 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $22,599. About 7.2% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over. ==Economy== [[File:MontperierVT downtown.jpg|thumb|right|Downtown shops]] Government, higher education, insurance and tourism are principal businesses.<ref>{{cite web|title=Montpelier: Economy-Major Industries|url=http://www.city-data.com/us-cities/The-Northeast/Montpelier-Economy.html|work=City.com|accessdate=1 April 2011}}</ref> ===Industry=== Since the city's establishment as capital in 1805, the primary business in Montpelier has been government, and by the mid-19th century government and life and fire insurance. Companies based in Montpelier include the [[National Life Group]]. Located in Montpelier are the [[New England Culinary Institute]], the annual [[Green Mountain Film Festival]] and the headquarters of several insurance companies. The majority of businesses in the downtown area, mostly retail, are locally owned. ===Tourism=== The Vermont History Museum, operated in [[The Pavilion (Vermont)|The Pavilion]] by the [[Vermont Historical Society]], is an attraction. ==Arts and culture== [[File:Montpelier, Vermont- Building on the river crossing State street-2018-07-28.jpg|thumb|Building of the State street built on the North Branch River (tributary of Winooski River).]] * Kellogg-Hubbard Library—with a copy of the [[Parthenon Frieze]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kellogghubbard.org/|title=Home - Kellogg Hubbard Library|publisher=}}</ref> * Lost Nation Theater<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.lostnationtheater.org/|title=Lost Nation Theater - Home|publisher=}}</ref> * Montpelier Theatre Guild<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.montpeliertheatreguild.org/index.html |title=Montpelier Theatre Guild |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080919040656/http://www.montpeliertheatreguild.org/index.html |archivedate=2008-09-19 }}</ref> * Vermont History Museum—in The Pavilion<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vermonthistory.org/|title=Home - Vermont Historical Society|publisher=}}</ref> * [[Vermont State House]] * T. W. Wood Gallery & Arts Center<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.twwoodgallery.org/|title=T.W. Wood Gallery, Vermont - Welcome|publisher=}}</ref> *Capital City Concerts<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.capitalcityconcerts.org |title=Capital City Concerts – Montpelier Vermont's Premiere Classical Concert Series |accessdate=April 14, 2013}}</ref> * An annual local [[vernacular culture]] phenomenon, the [[Valentine Phantom]], a tradition of covering downtown storefronts and public buildings with red hearts each February 14, began in Montpelier in the 1990s. ==Sports== The [[Vermont Mountaineers]] of the [[New England Collegiate Baseball League]] play at the [[Montpelier Recreation Field]]. ==Parks and recreation== [[File:MontpelierVT HubbardParkTower3 20170827.jpg|thumb|right|[[Hubbard Park (Montpelier, Vermont)|Hubbard Park]] Observation Tower, built 1915–1930<ref>{{cite web|title=Park Features – Montpelier, Vermont|url=http://www.montpelier-vt.org/242/Park-Features|publisher=City of Montpelier, Vermont}}</ref>]] The city has three city nature centers. [[Hubbard Park (Montpelier, Vermont)|Hubbard Park]] rises behind the state capitol building and extends along the ridge line towards the north past the pool to the stump dump.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.montpelier-vt.org/238/Hubbard-Park|title=Hubbard Park – Montpelier, VT|publisher=}}</ref> Accessible from Cummings Street off State Route 12, the North Branch River Park is the second-largest park in the city.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.montpelier-vt.org/261/North-Branch-River-Park|title=North Branch River Park – Montpelier, VT|publisher=}}</ref> The Mill Pond Park is located along State Route 12 approximately a {{convert|0.25|mi|km}} from the cemetery and features boat access to the North Branch river, as well as benches and short-term parking.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.montpelier-vt.org/272/Mill-Pond-Park|title=Mill Pond Park – Montpelier, VT|publisher=}}</ref> The North Branch Nature Center is located at the northern end of town and includes {{convert|17|acre| }} of protected land as well as a community nature center. A bridge from the North Branch Nature Center connects the land to the North Branch River Park on the opposite side of the North Branch River.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.northbranchnaturecenter.org/|title=North Branch Nature Center – Homepage|publisher=}}</ref> ==Government== [[File:City Hall, Montpelier VT.jpg|thumb|right|[[Montpelier City Hall]]]] Montpelier's government maintains a city council, city manager, and mayor. The city council consists of a mayor and six members each elected from districts with each district electing two members for two year terms. The mayor is elected in a citywide vote to a two-year term. The council appoints the city manager who is the chief administrative officer of the city. The city provides municipal services for its residents and businesses. These include local law enforcement, firefighting, planning and zoning regulation, and provision for potable drinking water and wastewater. ==Education== * Public schools include: ** [[Montpelier High School]] ** Main Street Middle School<ref>http://www.mpsvt.org/msms/</ref> **Union Elementary School<ref>[http://www.mpsvt.org/ues/ Union Elementary School]</ref> * River Rock School is a private school serving kindergarten through 8th grade students.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.riverrockschool.org|title=River Rock School: Handcrafted Education in Central Vermont|first=River Rock School, Rob|last=Ryan|publisher=}}</ref> * A campus of the [[Community College of Vermont]] * [[New England Culinary Institute]], a for-profit career college * [[Union Institute & University]] Vermont campus, offers a Master of Education program through a low-residency (online) program<ref>[http://www.tui.edu/med/v_overview.asp Union Institute and University of Vermont Center M.Ed. Program]</ref><!---there is a relationship here between the two colleges which is not evident by coopting the link to one school only. Doesn't help that the link is bad---> * [[Vermont College of Fine Arts]] is a low-residency graduate school offering Masters of Fine Arts degrees in visual arts, writing, and writing for children and young adults<ref>[http://www.tui.edu/vcfa/ Vermont College of Fine Arts<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ==Infrastructure== ===Transportation=== [[Image:MainStMontpelier.JPG|thumb|right|Main Street in downtown Montpelier]] Montpelier has become one of Vermont's most readily accessible cities and towns, as Vermont's founders deliberately placed the capital near the geographic center of the state.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.netstate.com/states/geography/vt_geography.htm|title=Vermont Geography from NETSTATE|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.waymarking.com/waymarks/WM1DDE|title=Vermont Capitol - Montpelier, VT - Capitol Buildings on Waymarking.com|publisher=}}</ref> ====Roads==== The city is located along [[Interstate 89]]. East–west [[U.S. Route 2 in Vermont|U.S. Route 2]] and north–south [[Vermont Route 12]] are two other principal routes that intersect in Montpelier. Both I-89 and U.S. 2 provide a direct link to Burlington and the populous Lake Champlain Valley in the northwestern corner of the state. [[U.S. Route 302]] has its western terminus in Montpelier, connecting it with the nearby city of Barre and points east. ====Rail==== {{See also|Montpelier station (Vermont)}} [[Amtrak]], the national passenger rail system, provides daily service from its [[Montpelier station (Amtrak)|station]] at Montpelier Junction in the neighboring town of [[Berlin, Vermont|Berlin]], on the route known as the "[[Vermonter (train)|Vermonter]]", operating between [[St. Albans (town), Vermont|St. Albans, Vermont]] and [[Washington, D.C.]] ====Bus==== [[Greyhound Bus Lines|Greyhound]] and [[Megabus (North America)|Megabus]] operate buses that serve Montpelier. The [[Green Mountain Transit Authority]] (GMTA) operates a local bus network throughout the micropolitan area, with stops in Montpelier and [[Barre (city), Vermont|Barre]], including nearby [[Waterbury, Vermont|Waterbury]], the [[Vermont State House]], the [[Ben & Jerry's]] factory, and the local Berlin Mall. GMTA and its sister bus company in Burlington, the [[Chittenden County Transportation Authority]] (CCTA), operate a series of LINK commuter buses with stops in Montpelier, [[Burlington, Vermont|Burlington]], [[Richmond, Vermont|Richmond]], and [[Waterbury, Vermont|Waterbury]]. ====Air==== Air travelers in private planes can use the [[Edward F. Knapp State Airport]] in Berlin to access Montpelier. The [[Burlington International Airport]] in [[Chittenden County, Vermont|Chittenden County]] is the closest commercial air service, located {{convert|35|mi|km|0}} northwest of Montpelier. ====Other==== Two shared-use paths for walking and bicycling connect to Montpelier: the Cross Vermont Trail and the Central Vermont Regional Path. Montpelier's downtown is relatively compact and pedestrian-friendly, with sidewalks and crosswalks throughout the downtown area. ==Notable people== {{Main|List of people from Montpelier, Vermont}} ==See also== * [[Athenwood and the Thomas W. Wood Studio]] - historic buildings in Montpelier * [[Christ Episcopal Church (Montpelier, Vermont)|Christ Episcopal Church]] - historic church in Montpelier * [[Saint Augustine's Church, Montpelier|Saint Augustine's Church]] - historic church in Montpelier ==References== {{Reflist|30em}} ==Further reading== *{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OcoMAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA9&lpg=PA9 |first=A. J. |last=Coolidge |lastauthoramp=yes |first2=J. B. |last2=Mansfield |title=A History and Description of New England |location=Boston, Massachusetts |year=1859 |publisher= }} ==External links== {{Commons category}} {{wikivoyage|Montpelier}} {{EB1911 Poster|Montpelier}} *{{Official website|http://www.montpelier-vt.org/}} {{Washington County, Vermont}} {{Vermont}} {{New England}} {{United States state capitals}} {{Northeast US}} {{Authority control}} [[Category:Montpelier, Vermont| ]] [[Category:Cities in Vermont]] [[Category:Cities in Washington County, Vermont]] [[Category:Populated places established in 1787]] [[Category:County seats in Vermont]] [[Category:1787 establishments in Vermont]]'