Lincoln Vermont - Community Demographics
Lincoln was settled on the side of what was known as Potato Hill and is now called Mt. Abraham. We are home to the Lincoln Gap (which is closed for much of the year) and the headwaters of the New Haven River. As a mountain town accessible by only three roads, we are a place people intend to come to rather than accidentally drive through. The character of the community reflects a strong pride in our community and deliberate planning about the size and quality of our growth.
Lincoln has experienced big changes in population peaking in 1880 at 1368 people with the low at 481. Our population of 974 (1990 census), is rich in its diversity. We have a workforce of 486 people, 93 (19.3%)of whom report that they are working in Lincoln. Decades ago people working in town might have worked at any of the mills powered by the New Haven River, on one of the farms that dotted our hillsides, or in logging. Today those who work in town include many artists, entrepreneurs who work from home, clerks in our small store, and employees of our one small manufacturer. Those who work out of town work primarily in manufacturing and construction.The third largest job category is professional including education. Twenty-two percent (21.8%) of Lincoln citizens do not have a high school diploma, 25% do have a diploma, and 30% have a bachelor's degree.
The median household income in 1986 was $29,659. According to the 1990 census the Lincoln poverty rate was 11.4 percent, the child poverty rate was 7.7 percent, and 9.9 percent of residents received public assistance. Children in single parent families comprised 5.2 percent of all children. Thirty-two percent (32.4%) of our students take free and reduced lunches at school. Historically, Lincoln has made a strong commitment to the health and well-being of its youngest and oldest citizens. School budgets, while conservative, consistently survive the scrutiny of an active, well-attended town meeting.
The Lincoln Cooperative Preschool, located right across the street from the K-6 Lincoln Community School, provides important early learning and socialization for our preschoolers. Many people donate time and money to Lincoln Sports Inc. which provides recreational activities for children and adults in town. Our one church led the way in establishing affordable housing in some older houses in the center of town which enable our older citizens to remain as active and valuable members of our community. Happily, many of these people are located very near our active Lincoln Historical Society. We also have other very active volunteer groups including a Neighbor Watch, First Response, and our volunteer Fire Department.
As stated earlier, the Lincoln Community School enjoys strong support from the community and this is evident in our students' achievement. Evidence of this is the large number of volunteers from the community in the school and in the support in providing other resources to supplement our budget. In the 95-96 school budget, the local contribution amounted to 78% (state average is 67.8%) with the remainder coming from state (20% with state average at 27.3%) and federal (2% with state average at 4.9%). In terms of property value per student, Lincoln ranks 139 in the State at $2,781 (State average-$3,196).
Lincoln is a tight-knit community that includes an economically, socially, and by age diverse population. There is a strong pride in the community that supports and enhances the opportunities for all who live there.
To learn more about Lincoln, Vermont, please visit our Historic Web Central, a multimedia project developed by Lincoln fifth and sixth graders.
Last Revised: 10/21/97