Oxford County, Maine

Last updated

Oxford County
County
RumfordME StrathglassBuilding.jpg
Strathglass Building at Rumford, Maine.
Map of Maine highlighting Oxford County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Maine
Maine in United States.svg
Maine's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°19′28″N70°42′19″W / 44.324516°N 70.705177°W / 44.324516; -70.705177
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Maine.svg  Maine
Founded1805
Named for Oxford, Massachusetts
Seat Paris
Largest town Rumford
Area
 • Total
2,176 sq mi (5,640 km2)
 • Land2,077 sq mi (5,380 km2)
 • Water99 sq mi (260 km2)  4.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
57,777
 • Estimate 
(2021)
58,629 Increase2.svg
 • Density27/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 2nd
Website oxfordcounty.org

Oxford County is a county in the state of Maine, United States. As of the 2020 Census, the county had a population of 57,777. [1] Its county seat is the town of Paris. [2] The county was formed on March 4, 1805, by the Massachusetts General Court in the Maine District from northerly portions of York and Cumberland counties. It borders the Canadian province of Quebec. Part of Oxford County is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England City and Town Area while a different part of Oxford County is included in the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine metropolitan New England City and Town Area.

Contents

Geography

Typical fall landscape in Oxford County, ME. Oxford County Landscape.jpg
Typical fall landscape in Oxford County, ME.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,176 square miles (5,640 km2), of which 2,077 square miles (5,380 km2) is land and 99 square miles (260 km2) (4.5%) is water. [3]

Adjacent counties and municipalities

National protected areas

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1810 17,630—
1820 27,10453.7%
1830 35,21929.9%
1840 38,3518.9%
1850 39,7633.7%
1860 36,698−7.7%
1870 33,488−8.7%
1880 32,627−2.6%
1890 30,586−6.3%
1900 32,2385.4%
1910 36,25612.5%
1920 37,7004.0%
1930 41,48310.0%
1940 42,6622.8%
1950 44,2213.7%
1960 44,3450.3%
1970 43,457−2.0%
1980 48,96812.7%
1990 52,6027.4%
2000 54,7554.1%
2010 57,8335.6%
2020 57,777−0.1%
2023 (est.)59,905 [4] 3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [5]
1790–1960 [6] 1900–1990 [7]
1990–2000 [8] 2010–2016 [9] 2018 [10]

Ancestries

As of 2015, the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Oxford County, Maine were: [11]

Largest ancestries (2015)Percent
English Flag of England.svg 22.6%
French Flag of France.svg
or French Canadian Drapeau Franco-Americain.svg		20.9%
Irish Flag of Ireland.svg 15.7%
"American" Flag of the United States.svg 8.9%
German Flag of Germany.svg 6.5%
Scottish Flag of Scotland.svg 5.6%
Italian Flag of Italy.svg 4.9%
Polish Flag of Poland.svg 1.9%

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 54,755 people, 22,314 households, and 15,173 families living in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile (10 people/km2). There were 32,295 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.25% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 0.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.6% were of English, 13.9% French, 13.7% United States or American, 10.1% Irish and 8.4% French Canadian ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.9% spoke English and 2.6% French as their first language. [12] Of the 22,314 households 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.10% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 25.60% of households were one person and 11.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.87.

The age distribution was 24.20% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median household income was $33,435 and the median family income was $39,794. Males had a median income of $30,641 versus $21,233 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,945. About 8.30% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.80% of those under age 18 and 10.10% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 57,833 people, 24,300 households, and 15,781 families living in the county. [13] The population density was 27.8 inhabitants per square mile (10.7/km2). There were 36,055 housing units at an average density of 17.4 units per square mile (6.7 units/km2). [14] The racial makeup of the county was 96.8% white, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population. [13] In terms of ancestry, 23.6% were English, 14.8% were Irish, 8.2% were American, 6.4% were German, and 5.6% were French Canadian. [15]

Of the 24,300 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.1% were non-families, and 27.1% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 44.6 years. [13]

The median household income was $39,748 and the median family income was $48,000. Males had a median income of $37,892 versus $30,187 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,254. About 9.6% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over. [16]

Politics

From 1880 to 1988, Oxford County was dominated by the Republican Party in presidential elections, only failing to back a Republican candidate in 1912 (the county backed Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, who was a former Republican), 1964 (backing Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson, who won every county in Maine in a 46-state landslide), and 1968 (backing Democrat Hubert Humphrey, who had chosen Oxford County native Edmund Muskie as his running mate). The county flipped in 1992 to become consistently Democratic like the rest of Maine, staying that way through 2012. However, it made a 27.8 point swing [17] (the largest statewide) to back Republican Donald Trump in 2016 as he won Maine's second congressional district containing the county. Trump retained the county in 2020. [18]

Voter registration

Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024 [19]
Unenrolled13,102
Republican 12,874
Democratic 10,662
Green Independent 1,957
Libertarian 149
No Labels 147
Total38,891
United States presidential election results for Oxford County, Maine [20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 19,22855.59%14,76542.69%5971.73%
2020 17,69852.84%14,75544.06%1,0393.10%
2016 16,21051.95%12,17239.01%2,8199.03%
2012 11,99640.77%16,33055.51%1,0943.72%
2008 12,86340.64%17,94056.68%8472.68%
2004 14,19645.00%16,61852.68%7322.32%
2000 11,83543.05%13,64949.65%2,0097.31%
1996 7,23827.74%13,58052.05%5,27320.21%
1992 8,19427.91%11,20238.16%9,96033.93%
1988 13,56855.91%10,52343.37%1750.72%
1984 15,40864.34%8,43035.20%1100.46%
1980 11,04147.04%9,91442.23%2,51910.73%
1976 10,55149.04%10,34048.06%6252.90%
1972 12,11464.36%6,66135.39%480.26%
1968 8,03041.66%10,87056.39%3751.95%
1964 5,34028.14%13,61671.76%190.10%
1960 11,71556.69%8,95143.31%00.00%
1956 12,60773.04%4,65326.96%00.00%
1952 11,57566.62%5,75733.13%430.25%
1948 7,44458.24%5,18340.55%1551.21%
1944 8,05355.76%6,37744.16%120.08%
1940 8,65653.49%7,50246.36%250.15%
1936 8,77857.13%5,83637.98%7524.89%
1932 8,26452.73%7,17945.80%2301.47%
1928 9,40969.75%4,01529.76%660.49%
1924 7,06269.90%2,56325.37%4784.73%
1920 7,30164.59%3,90634.55%970.86%
1916 4,02651.73%3,62546.58%1311.68%
1912 1,23416.69%2,94139.79%3,21743.52%
1908 4,17964.53%2,09332.32%2043.15%

Recreation

Oxford County is home to many summer camps. Some of these camps are Camp Wekeela, Kamp Kohut, Camp Wyonegonic, Forest Acres Camp for Girls and Maine Teen Camp.

Communities

Spruce Mountain Wind Farm is one of three wind farms in Oxford County, ME. Spruce Mountain in Fall.jpg
Spruce Mountain Wind Farm is one of three wind farms in Oxford County, ME.

Towns

Plantations

Unorganized territories

Census-designated places

Other unincorporated communities

See also

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sidney, Maine</span> Town in the state of Maine, United States

Sidney is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,645 at the 2020 census. Sidney was incorporated as a town on January 30, 1792. The town was named for Sir Philip Sidney, an English author. Sidney is included in the Augusta, Maine micropolitan New England City and Town Area. Since 1937, the town has been the home of the New England Music Camp.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Andover, Maine</span> Town in the state of Maine, United States

Andover is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 752 at the 2020 census. Set among mountains and crossed by the Appalachian Trail, Andover is home to the Lovejoy Covered Bridge and is the site of the Andover Earth Station.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Canton, Maine</span> Town in the state of Maine, United States

Canton is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Canton is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area. The population was 1,125 at the 2020 census. Located beside Lake Anasagunticook, Canton is a summer recreational area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hanover, Maine</span> Town in the state of Maine, United States

Hanover is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 286 at the 2020 census. The town is a popular vacation and recreation area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hartford, Maine</span> Town in the state of Maine, United States

Hartford is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Hartford is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England City and Town Area. The population was 1,203 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Magalloway, Maine</span> Township in Maine, United States

Magalloway is a township in Oxford County, Maine, United States. It has been part of North Oxford unorganized territory since it de-organized as a plantation in 2021. The population was 45 at the 2020 census. Part of the Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge is located at its southwestern corner.

Otisfield is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Otisfield is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area. The population was 1,853 at the 2020 census. Otisfield is a summer recreation area and home to Seeds of Peace Camp and Camp Arcadia.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peru, Maine</span> Town in Maine, US

Peru is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Peru is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area. The population was 1,488 at the 2020 census.

Stoneham is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 261 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Stow, Maine</span> Town in the state of Maine, United States

Stow is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 393 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Upton, Maine</span> Town in the state of Maine, United States

Upton is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 69 at the 2020 census. Totally.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Waterford, Maine</span> Town in the state of Maine, United States

Waterford is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Waterford is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area. The population was 1,570 at the 2020 census. It is a recreation area noted for historic architecture and scenery.

Woodstock is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Woodstock is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area. The population was 1,352 at the 2020 census. The village of Bryant Pond, on State Route 26 in the northern part of Woodstock, is the town's urban center and largest settlement.

Cambridge is a town in Somerset County, Maine, United States. The population was 443 at the 2020 census.

Beddington is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 60 at the 2020 census. It is the third-smallest organized town in Maine after Frye Island and Frenchboro.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Wentworth Location, New Hampshire</span> Township in Coos County, New Hampshire, United States

Wentworth Location is a township in Coös County, New Hampshire, United States. Its population was 28 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Berlin, NH-VT Micropolitan Statistical Area.

North Oxford is an unorganized territory in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 16 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">South Oxford, Maine</span> Unorganized territory in Maine, United States

South Oxford is an unorganized territory located in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 591 at the 2020 census. The unorganized territory encompasses the areas designated under state law as Albany Township, Mason Township, and Batchelder's Grant. Albany and Mason were formerly incorporated as towns. Albany disincorporated in 1937 while Mason disincorporated in 1935.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Dixfield, Maine</span> Town in the state of Maine, United States

Dixfield is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Dixfield is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area. The population was 2,253 at the 2020 census. The town motto of Dixfield is "The Only One", because it is the only town in the world to claim that name. Dr. Elijeh Dix, a substantial landowner in the area, bought the town which bears his name.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mexico, Maine</span> Town in the state of Maine, United States

Mexico, near Rumford, is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Mexico is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area. The population was 2,756 at the 2020 census. Mexico is a small mill town for the papermaking industry.

References

  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Oxford County, Maine". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  4. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  5. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  9. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  10. ↑ "QuickFacts. Oxford County, Maine". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  11. ↑ "American FactFinder - Results". Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  12. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  13. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  14. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  15. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  16. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  17. ↑ "Here's a map of the US counties that flipped to Trump from Democrats". www.cnbc.com. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  18. ↑ "Pivot Counties in Maine", ballotpedia.org , retrieved September 20, 2024
  19. ↑ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions. "Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide" (PDF). Maine SOS. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  20. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved August 26, 2018.

Further reading

44°29′N70°46′W / 44.49°N 70.76°W / 44.49; -70.76

This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.