Essex, Vermont, New England USA
About Essex, Vermont
Chittenden County
Including: Essex Junction
Chartered: June 7, 1763 (New Hampshire Grant)
Area: 25,214 Acres = 39.4 Square Miles [ Size Rank: 134* ]
Coordinates (Geographic Center): N 44° 31′ W 73°04′
Altitude: 492 feet ASL
Population (US Census, 2010): 19,587 [ Population Rank: 2* ]
Population Density (persons per square mile): 497.1 [ Density Rank: 10* ]
Full Census Info: Town County State
*Area, Population and Density rankings refer to Essex’s relative position among Vermont’s 255 civic entities (9 cities, 242 towns, 4 gores and grants). Complete rankings are here.
Essex can be a bit confusing in the same way as the towns of Chittenden and Washington: none are in the county of the same name.
The name could derive from any of a number of sources, back to Essex, England; Benning Wentworth‘s specific intent is not known. The Earl of Essex at the time was William Anne Holles Capel, Lord of the Bedchamber and Master of the Royal Staghounds, not exactly highly placed in the peerage. Nor was he a friend of the Colonies: he voted against repeal of the Stamp Act in 1766.
Well watered by several streams and not too hilly, the land attracted settlers early.
See also Essex Junction.
A considerable number of IBM’s microprocessor chips are developed in Essex (de-obfuscation: most people assume the plant is in Essex Junction, though the campus is not physically within village limits; the company refers to the facility as “IBM Burlington”). Did Thomas Watson’s love of skiing influence the plant being located here back in 1957? You bet. Both the rail junction and proximity to Stowe contributed heavily in that decision and to the growth of Chittenden County. The town benefitted greatly in its school system and infrastructure, while the county and beyond (well into upstate New York similar distances within Vermont) benefit from the jobs (over 5,000, down from a peak of over 9,000 in the Eighties). The plant is celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2007.
Activities & Points of Interest
Goings-on in and near Essex
Calendar of Events provided by the Vermont Department of Tourism & Marketing.
Chittenden County Historical Society
Essex Community Historical Society
Contact Info
Emergency Services (Statewide): 911
Police (non-emergency): 802-878-8331
Hospital: University of Vermont Medical Center (Burlington) 802-847-0000Town Clerk: Cheryl Moomey 81 Main Street Essex Junction, VT 05452
802-879-0413
M-F 7:30-4:30
Churches, Ministries, Charitables
Roman Catholic : St. Pius X
United Church of Christ : United Church of Christ (Essex Junction)
United Methodist : Essex Center UMC (Essex Center) 802-878-8304
United Methodist : Grace UMC (Essex Junction) 802-878-8071
United Methodist : Vermont Korean-Amrcn (Essex Junction)
Schools
Essex Town School District 802-878-8168
Albert D. Lawton Intermediate School 802-878-1388
Essex Center for Technology 802-879-5558
Essex Community Education Center 802-879-7121
Essex Elementary School 802-878-2584
Essex Middle School 802-879-7173
Founders Memorial School 802-879-6326
Hiawatha School 802-878-1384
Neighboring Towns
This is a basic geographic reference, intended to show relative location of adjacent towns. Directional accuracy is limited to 16 compass points. There isn’t even the slightest suggestion that one can necessarily travel directly from one town to the next (as in “You can’t get there from here”).
Essex
Businesses & Services
Rocheleau Appraisal
Fast Friendly Service for Northwestern Vermont
Places To Eat
The Essex, VermontŐs Culinary Resort & Spa
The area’s only full service resort hotel, featuring 120 newly renovated guestrooms and suites by Vermont’s own Susan Sargent. Her country-eclectic design offers a truly relaxing environment, from standard accommodations to fireplace, whirlpool and kitchen suites. New England Culinary Institute operates the Inn’s two cutting-edge restaurants. On-site golf, tennis, outdoor pool, culinary-theme gardens, in-room spa services with convenient access to Burlington, area attractions and skiing.
Utilities
Notes about utilities:
- One electric or phone company indicates that company serves the entire town. More than one of either indicates each serves different areas of town.
- A listed cable company MIGHT mean the entire town is covered, but not necessarily. More than one listed indicates each serves different areas of town.
- Unless your area is one served by Vermont’s only gas utility, your only option is bottled gas (any dealer).
Cable Comcast 800-266-2278
Electric Green Mountain Power 888-835-4672
Electric Vermont Electric Co-op 800-832-2667
Natural Gas Vermont Gas Systems 802-863-4511
Telephone Fairpoint 866-984-2001
