Addison County

Addison County, Vermont — key demographics (latest U.S. Census Bureau estimates; ACS 2019–2023 5-year unless noted):

• Population: ~37,300 (2023 estimate); 37,363 (2020 Census)
• Age:
  • Median age: ~44
  • Under 18: ~19%
  • 18–64: ~60%
  • 65 and over: ~21%
• Gender: ~50% female, ~50% male
• Race and Hispanic origin (2020 Census):
  • White alone: ~93%
  • Black or African American alone: ~1%
  • American Indian/Alaska Native alone: ~1%
  • Asian alone: ~1–2%
  • Native Hawaiian/Other Pacific Islander: ~0%
  • Two or more races: ~3–4%
  • Hispanic or Latino (any race): ~2–3%
• Households (ACS 2019–2023):
  • Households: ~15.5–16.0k
  • Average household size: ~2.3
  • Family households: ~60% of households
  • Owner-occupied housing: ~75% of occupied units

Note: Figures are rounded; exact values vary slightly by source/year.

Addison County, VT snapshot (estimates)

• Population/context: 37,000 residents; low rural density (50 people/sq mi). Middlebury is the primary hub; many outlying towns are dispersed, raising last‑mile costs.
• Estimated email users: 29,000–32,000 residents use email at least occasionally (applying Vermont/U.S. adoption rates to local population).
• Age distribution of email users (approximate share of users):
  • Under 18: 5–7%
  • 18–29: 15–18%
  • 30–49: 30–32%
  • 50–64: 24–26%
  • 65+: 18–20%
• Gender split among users: roughly even, ~49% male / 51% female, mirroring the local population.
• Digital access trends:
  • Rapid fiber expansion via Maple Broadband (the county’s communication union district) is replacing DSL/cable in underserved areas; gigabit service is arriving town‑by‑town.
  • Home broadband adoption is high and rising; a modest minority are smartphone‑only or rely on satellite/fixed wireless in remote areas.
  • Public libraries and town buildings provide free Wi‑Fi; cellular coverage is strong along major corridors but can be patchy in valleys and mountain gaps.

Notes: Figures are estimates derived from Census demographics and statewide/national internet/email adoption patterns applied to Addison County’s population.

Addison County, VT: mobile phone usage snapshot

Population baseline

• Residents: roughly 37–38 thousand; about 15–16 thousand households.
• Adult share is high (Vermont is one of the oldest states), but Addison also has a sizable student/young‑adult pocket around Middlebury.

Estimated mobile users

• Unique mobile phone users: about 31–34 thousand (roughly 85–90% of residents), near the Vermont average overall but with sharper differences by place.
• Smartphone share among mobile users: about 90–94%; basic/feature phones concentrated among 65+ and some low‑income/coverage‑limited households.
• Mobile-only internet households (cellular data as primary home internet): likely modestly below the statewide share due to accelerating fiber builds; more common in the eastern hill towns than along the US‑7 corridor.

Demographic patterns that stand out locally

• 18–24: Higher smartphone and mobile‑data intensity than the state average due to Middlebury College; near‑universal ownership and heavy app/social/video use.
• 25–44: Similar to state in ownership; slightly higher multi‑line/family‑plan penetration and BYOD for commuters to Chittenden County.
• 45–64: Comparable ownership to state; noticeable reliance on Wi‑Fi offload where fiber/cable is available, especially in Middlebury/Vergennes/New Haven.
• 65+: Split pattern more pronounced than statewide: very high adoption in and around Middlebury and along US‑7; lower adoption and more basic phones in mountain/rural towns (Ripton, Goshen, Granville, Hancock).
• Income/education: Higher education levels around Middlebury correlate with earlier 5G handset uptake; agricultural and trades households show more price‑sensitive plans and some prepaid use.
• Language/seasonal workers: Small but meaningful seasonal workforce in agriculture sees intermittent service and prepaid churn, more than the state average.

Digital infrastructure and coverage notes

• Terrain/placement: The Champlain Valley setting gives Addison better baseline coverage than many rural VT counties, but east–west routes crossing the Green Mountains introduce pronounced dead zones (VT‑125 through Ripton, VT‑17 toward Appalachian Gap).
• Corridors with strongest service: US‑7 (Vergennes–Middlebury–Brandon line), VT‑116 (Starksboro–Bristol–Middlebury), village centers, and lakefront towns; some west‑shore areas also receive spillover from New York towers across Lake Champlain.
• Carrier mix:
  • Verizon: Generally the most consistent rural coverage and low‑band 5G along US‑7 and village centers; fewer gaps than peers in eastern hill towns, but capacity can pinch during college events.
  • AT&T/FirstNet: Strong along primary corridors and in towns; valued by public safety. Coverage thins in mountainous pockets east of Middlebury.
  • T‑Mobile: 600‑MHz buildout improved reach on main roads and town centers; more indoor gaps off‑corridor than Verizon/AT&T, but fastest mid‑band 5G where deployed (Middlebury/Vergennes).
• 5G reality: Predominantly low‑band 5G for all carriers; mid‑band 5G capacity in Middlebury/Vergennes and along US‑7; millimeter‑wave is effectively absent.
• Capacity hotspots and seasonality: Traffic spikes during Middlebury College events, ski days at Middlebury Snow Bowl, and summer tourism around Lake Champlain can congest a few sectors more than the statewide norm.
• Backhaul and resilience: Backhaul largely via fiber along US‑7; sites in the Green Mountains may still depend on microwave, making them more vulnerable during storms compared with valley sites.
• Fixed broadband interplay:
  • Maple Broadband (the Addison County communications union district) is actively building fiber to underserved towns, while Waitsfield & Champlain Valley Telecom and cable providers cover much of the US‑7 corridor and larger villages.
  • As fiber passes increase, reliance on mobile hotspots as a primary connection is trending down faster here than in more remote VT regions (e.g., the Northeast Kingdom).

How Addison County differs from Vermont overall

• More polarized adoption: Overall smartphone penetration is similar to the state, but Addison shows sharper contrasts—near‑universal adoption in Middlebury/villages and lower uptake in mountain towns.
• Better average coverage than many rural VT counties because of the Champlain Valley geography and focus along US‑7; however, east‑west routes see outsized dead zones relative to statewide averages.
• Higher share of heavy data users aged 18–24 and 25–44 tied to the college and commuting patterns; this drives earlier 5G handset upgrades and greater app/media usage than the state average.
• Mobile-only internet is declining a bit faster than statewide as Maple Broadband and incumbents light up more fiber, especially south and east of Middlebury.
• Carrier balance is more competitive: Verizon still leads for rural reliability, but AT&T/FirstNet has strong institutional presence and T‑Mobile’s 600‑MHz footprint makes it more viable in towns than in many other rural VT areas.

Notes on methodology and sources to validate/refresh

• Baselines drawn from 2020 Census/ACS population for Addison County; mobile ownership/adoption ranges inferred from ACS S2801 (Computer and Internet Use), Pew Research smartphone adoption, and Vermont Public Service Department/FCC mobile coverage maps as of 2023–2024.
• Local infrastructure details reflect carrier public coverage maps, Vermont DPS mapping, Maple Broadband and WCVT build announcements, and known terrain/corridor effects.
• For planning purposes, verify current fiber passings (Maple Broadband, WCVT), carrier 5G layers, and any new tower permits filed with the Vermont Public Utility Commission, as conditions change quarter‑by‑quarter.

Addison County, VT social media snapshot (2025, best-available estimates)

User stats

• Population: ~37K residents.
• Active social media users (13+): ~23–25K (about 70–75% of residents 13+).
• Household internet access is high; smartphone adoption among adults is roughly in line with U.S. averages.

Age mix of social users (share of users)

• 13–17: 8–10% (very high daily use; Snapchat/TikTok dominant)
• 18–29: 20–22% (strong on Instagram/TikTok/YouTube)
• 30–49: 32–34% (heaviest overall engagement; Facebook, Instagram, YouTube)
• 50–64: 22–24% (Facebook/YouTube core; some Pinterest)
• 65+: 16–18% (Facebook/YouTube; growing but lower on TikTok/Instagram)

Gender breakdown

• Overall users: ~51% women, 49% men.
• Skews: women over-index on Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest; men on YouTube, Reddit, X (Twitter).

Most-used platforms among county social users (share who use each)

• YouTube: ~80–85%
• Facebook: ~70–75% (Groups and Events are central)
• Instagram: ~45–50%
• Facebook Messenger: ~55–60%
• TikTok: ~33–38% (higher around Middlebury College)
• Snapchat: ~30–35% (dominant among teens)
• Pinterest: ~30–35% (female skew; DIY/recipes/home)
• LinkedIn: ~25–30% (professionals, nonprofits, education)
• WhatsApp: ~18–22% (international students/newcomers)
• X/Twitter: ~18–22% (news/sports/politics niche)
• Reddit: ~18–22% (younger/tech/hobbyist)
• Front Porch Forum: widely used for hyperlocal notices, buy/sell/trade, and town updates; participation is substantial across Addison County communities.

Behavioral trends

• Community-first: Local news, school/town updates, storms, and road conditions drive heavy engagement in Facebook Groups and Front Porch Forum.
• Event discovery: Facebook Events is the de facto calendar; shares/RSVPs materially affect attendance at markets, arts, and festivals.
• Local commerce: Farms, makers, breweries, and nonprofits rely on Instagram/Facebook; behind-the-scenes reels, animals, and “what’s in season” posts perform best.
• Seasonal rhythm: Peaks around sugaring, foliage, ski season, and lake/outdoor recreation; content tied to seasonality outperforms generic posts.
• Youth patterns: Teens/college students favor TikTok/Snapchat for creation and messaging; cross-post to Instagram Reels for broader reach.
• Tone and trust: Authentic, neighborly voice outperforms polished ads; civic threads can be high-engagement but need moderation.
• Timing: Engagement tends to peak evenings (7–9 pm) and lunch hour; weekend mornings work for farmers-market audiences.
• Access habits: Mobile-first overall; older users more likely to view via desktop; always caption video and include clear calls to action.

Notes on method: County-level platform counts aren’t formally published. Figures above are estimates derived from Vermont demographics, rural-U.S. usage patterns (e.g., Pew Research), and the presence of a college population in Middlebury.