Barre (city), Vermont

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Barre, Vermont
settlement_type = Town
nickname = Granite Center of the World
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Barre, Vermont


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Vermont
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Washington

government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title =
established_date =

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 10.4
area_land_km2 = 10.4
area_water_km2 = 0.0
area_total_sq_mi = 4.0
area_land_sq_mi = 4.0
area_water_sq_mi = 0.0

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 9291
population_density_km2 = 893.4
population_density_sq_mi = 2,322.6
population_metro = 59,564

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 186
elevation_ft = 609

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 05641
area_code = 802
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 50-03250GR|2
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 1462036GR|3
website = http://www.ci.barre.vt.us/
footnotes =

Barre is a city in Washington County, Vermont, in the United States. As of the 2000 census, the city population was 9,291. Barre City is almost completely surrounded by Barre (town), Vermont, which is incorporated separately from the City of Barre.

Barre is often twinned with nearby Montpelier in local media and businesses. The two cities are connected by Route 302 and Interstate 89. Barre is the main city in the Barre Micropolitan area which, at 59,564 residents, is the 3rd largest in Vermont (after Burlington and Rutland). Barre itself is the largest city in Washington County, and is the 4th largest city and the 10th largest municipality in Vermont.

History

Granite industry

Barre is the self-proclaimed "Granite Center of the World." Initially established with the discovery of vast granite deposits at Millstone Hill soon after the War of 1812, the granite industry and the City itself saw a boom with the arrival of the railroad. The fame of this vast deposit of granite, which some geologist say is 4 miles long, 2 miles wide and 10 miles deep, soon spread to Europe and Canada. Large numbers of people migrated to Barre from Italy, Scotland, Spain, Scandinavia, Greece, Lebanon, Canada and a number of other countries. The population increased from 2,060 in 1880, to 6,790 in 1890, to 10,000 in 1894. By the turn of the century Barre was noted as the State's most diverse municipality.

The Italian immigrants in particular brought a radical, largely anarchist labor movement to Barre. They were originally affiliated with the Socialist Labor Party before affiliating with the Industrial Workers of the World, and in 1916 elected a Socialist Party candidate as mayor of Barre. The old Labor Hall of the radicals is still standing, and was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2000.

"Barre Gray" granite is sought after worldwide for its fine grain, even texture, and superior weather resistance. Many sculpture artists prefer it for outdoor sculpture. [Rich, Jack C., (1988) "Materials and Methods of Sculpture," Dover Publications]

Hope Cemetery in Barre displays extensive examples of the sculptor's art.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 4.0 square miles (10.4 km²), all of it land.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 9,291 people, 4,220 households, and 2,253 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,309.4 people per square mile (892.4/km²). There were 4,477 housing units at an average density of 1,112.8/sq mi (430.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 97.40% White, 0.48% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 0.52% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.32% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.68% of the population.

There were 4,220 households out of which 26.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 37.0% were couples living together and joined in either marriage or civil union, 12.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.6% were non-families. 39.2% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 10.14 and the average family size was 44.86.

In the city the population was spread out with 22.4% under the age of 18, 7.9% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 27.0% from 45 to 69, and 91.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 86.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.6 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $30,393, and the median income for a family was $42,660. Males had a median income of $33,175 versus $20,319 for females. The per capita income for the city was $18,724. About 9.9% of families and 13.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.2% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.

Government

The mayor of Barre is Thom Lauzon. [ [http://www.barrecity.org/index.asp?Type=B_DIR&SEC={0E85789B-B1EB-4F05-B8F0-15F8BA08E2F7} City officials] , Barre. Accessed 2008-02-05.]

ports

A Premier Basketball League (PBL) team, the Vermont Frost Heaves, plays its games in Barre at the Barre Auditorium and at the Memorial Auditorium in Burlington, Vermont. The team is owned by Sports Illustrated writer Alexander Wolff.

Notable natives and residents

*Lucina C. Broadwell, murder victim (1889-1919)
*Katherine Paterson, author.
*Fred Swan, artist

ee also

* Edward F. Knapp State Airport - Barre's airport (located in Berlin, VT).
* Central Vermont Medical Center - Barre's hospital (located in Berlin, VT).
* Spaulding High School - Barre's public high school.

References

External links

* [http://www.barrecity.org/ City of Barre Website]
* [http://www.aldrich.lib.vt.us/index.htm Aldrich Public Library Website]
*