Bennington County, Vermont

Bennington County is a in the  of. As of 2000, the population was 36,994. Its has the unusual distinction of having two s (sometimes called s). is known as the South Shire & is the North Shire.

Geography
According to the, the county has a total area of 1,755 (678 ). 1,752 km² (676 sq mi) of it is land and 4 km² (1 sq mi) of it (0.21%) is water.

Adjacent counties

 * - north
 * - northeast
 * - east
 * - southeast
 * - southwest
 * - southwest
 * - northwest

Demographics
As of the of 2000, there were 36,994 people, 14,846 households, and 9,917 families residing in the county. The was 21/km² (55/sq mi). There were 19,403 housing units at an average density of 11/km² (29/sq mi). The racial makeup of the county was 97.75%, 0.42% or , 0.20% , 0.62% , 0.01% , 0.21% from , and 0.80% from two or more races. 0.93% of the population were or  of any race. 96.4% spoke, 1.2% and 1.2%  as their first language.

There were 14,846 households out of which 30.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.10% were living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.20% were non-families. 26.80% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.41 and the average family size was 2.91.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.70% under the age of 18, 7.70% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 25.70% from 45 to 64, and 16.70% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 92.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $39,926, and the median income for a family was $46,565. Males had a median income of $31,982 versus $23,632 for females. The for the county was $21,193. About 7.00% of families and 10.00% of the population were below the, including 13.40% of those under age 18 and 7.90% of those age 65 or over.

Cities, towns, and villages*
*  Villages are census divisions, but have no separate corporate existence from the towns they are in.
 * , home to
 * (a village of Bennington)
 * (a village of Bennington)
 * (a village of Manchester)
 * (an unincorporated community of Shaftsbury)
 * (a village of Manchester)
 * (an unincorporated community of Shaftsbury)
 * (a village of Manchester)
 * (an unincorporated community of Shaftsbury)
 * (an unincorporated community of Shaftsbury)
 * (an unincorporated community of Shaftsbury)
 * (an unincorporated community of Shaftsbury)
 * (an unincorporated community of Shaftsbury)
 * (an unincorporated community of Shaftsbury)
 * (an unincorporated community of Shaftsbury)
 * (an unincorporated community of Shaftsbury)
 * (an unincorporated community of Shaftsbury)