<P> Government, higher education, insurance and tourism are principal businesses . </P> <P> The median income for a household in the city was $37,513, and the median income for a family was $51,818 . Males had a median income of $35,957 versus $29,442 for females . The per capita income for the city was $22,599 . About 7.2% of families and 9.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.9% of those under age 18 and 5.7% of those age 65 or over . </P> <P> Since the city's establishment as capital in 1805, the primary business in Montpelier has been government, and by the mid-19th century government and life and fire insurance . Companies based in Montpelier include the National Life Group . </P> <P> Located in Montpelier are the New England Culinary Institute, the annual Green Mountain Film Festival and the headquarters of several insurance companies . The majority of businesses in the downtown area, mostly retail, are locally owned . </P>

When did montpelier become the capital of vermont