Wheelock is a town in Caledonia County in the northeastern region of the state of Vermont, United States. It is part of the area commonly referred to as the Northeast Kingdom. The town is governed by the traditional New England town meeting form of government.
Geography
- Location: Wheelock lies in the northern part of Caledonia County, bordered by the towns of Burke to the east, St. Johnsbury to the south, and Sutton to the west.
- Area: According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of approximately 38.7 square miles (100 km²), of which virtually all is land; water bodies constitute a negligible fraction of the total area.
- Topography: The terrain is characteristic of the Northeast Kingdom, featuring rolling hills, forested lands, and agricultural fields.
History
- Charter: Wheelock was chartered in 1795 as part of the post‑Revolutionary War expansion of settlement in Vermont.
- Name origin: The town is named in honor of Eleazar Wheelock (1711–1779), the founder of Dartmouth College, reflecting a common practice of naming New England towns after notable educational and religious figures of the era.
- Settlement: Early settlement was driven by agriculture and timber extraction. The town’s development remained largely rural throughout the 19th and 20th centuries.
Demographics
- Population: The 2020 United States Census recorded a population of roughly 800 residents in Wheelock. The population density is therefore low, averaging about 20 people per square mile.
- Racial composition: The town’s residents are predominantly White, with other racial and ethnic groups representing a small minority.
- Household structure: Households are primarily family‑based, with a mix of married couples, single‑parent families, and individuals living alone, especially seniors.
Economy
Wheelock’s economy is largely based on small‑scale agriculture, forestry, and local services. Many residents commute to nearby larger towns, such as St. Johnsbury, for employment in education, healthcare, retail, and manufacturing.
Education
Public schoolchildren in Wheelock attend schools within the St. Johnsbury School District, which serves a broader region of the Northeast Kingdom. There are no higher education institutions located within the town itself.
Transportation
- Roads: Vermont Route 122 runs through the southern portion of Wheelock, providing east‑west connectivity. Additional local roads link the town to neighboring communities.
- Public transit: No fixed‑route public transportation operates within Wheelock; travel is primarily by private automobile.
Culture and Recreation
The town’s extensive forested areas and open fields support outdoor recreation such as hunting, snowmobiling, and hiking. Community events are typically organized around the town meeting house and local churches.
References
- United States Census Bureau, 2020 Decennial Census.
- Vermont State Archives and Records Administration, Town Charters and Naming Records.
- Caledonia County historical publications.