Chester in 2010: A Snapshot

We are mostly white, middle-aged and female and most of us live in a home that we either own or is owned by a family member. This is Chester 2010, according to the most recent figures from the U.S. Census, which are being released throughout the year.

Among our population of 3,154 (up 110 residents from 2000), our median age is 47.3, which means that half of the population is younger and half is older than 47.3. That, too, is up, from a median age in 2000 of 41.9. The state median age is 41.5.

Our ages, our races

In 2010, Chester had 510 residents 14 years old and younger; 205 15 to 19; 277 20 to 29; 298 ages 30 to 39; and 418 ages 40 to 49. Our 0-49 age group makes up 53.2% of the Chester population. Of the entire population, 17.6% is 50 to 59 years old, 13.1% is 60 to 69; 7.6% is between 70 and 79 and 5.2% is 80 and older.

As in 2000, the majority of town residents are female (1,638 to 1,516 male today compared to 1,574 to 1,470 10 years ago). Today, 1,262 of the women and 1,117 of the men are older than 19.

Like most other Vermont towns, Chester continues to be overwhelmingly white (3,076 of 3,154). Chester is 97.5% white (down slightly from 98.8%) while Vermont as a whole is 95.3% white. Chester’s non-Caucasian population, however, has more than doubled, from 38 residents in 2000 to 78 today.

The Native America/Alaskan population has risen from 3 in 2000 to 16 today, while Chester’s Asian population has risen from 7 to 15 and its Hispanic populace grew from 21 in 2000 to 35 today. In the meantime, the number of African-American residents dropped from 10 in 2000 to 7 in 2010. And the number of residents claiming more than one race more than doubled, from 17 in 2000 to 37 in 2010.

According to the data, Chester has 1,793 housing units, 1,040 ( or 58%) of which are owner-occupied year round and shelter 2,465 Chester residents. Another 362 are renter-occupied and shelter 689 residents. Of the 391 housing units listed by the Census as “vacant,” 317 (almost 18%) are used seasonally or for recreation. The remaining 74 (or 4%) could therefore be considered vacant.

Further figures on state and country of origin, income and education are not yet available.

– Cynthia Prairie