Penobscot County, Maine

Last updated

Penobscot County
County
PenobscotCourthouse.jpg
Penobscot County Courthouse
Map of Maine highlighting Penobscot County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Maine
Maine in United States.svg
Maine's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°24′N68°38′W / 45.40°N 68.63°W / 45.40; -68.63
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Maine.svg  Maine
Founded1816
Named for Penobscot tribe
Seat Bangor
Largest cityBangor
Area
 • Total3,557 sq mi (9,210 km2)
 • Land3,397 sq mi (8,800 km2)
 • Water160 sq mi (400 km2)  4.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total152,199
 • Density45/sq mi (17/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 2nd
Website www.penobscot-county.net

Penobscot County is a county in the U.S. state of Maine, named for the Penobscot people in Wabanakik. [1] As of the 2020 census, the population was 152,199, [2] making it the third-most-populous county in Maine. Its county seat is Bangor. [3] The county was established on February 15, 1816, from part of Hancock County when the area was still part of Massachusetts. Penobscot County is home to the University of Maine.

Contents

Penobscot County comprises the Bangor, ME Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of 3,557 square miles (9,210 km2), of which 3,397 square miles (8,800 km2) is land and 160 square miles (410 km2) (4.5%) is water. [4] The county highpoint is East Turner Mountain at 2,456 feet (749 m) next to Baxter State Park.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1820 13,870—
1830 31,530127.3%
1840 45,70545.0%
1850 63,08938.0%
1860 72,73115.3%
1870 75,1503.3%
1880 70,476−6.2%
1890 72,8653.4%
1900 76,2464.6%
1910 85,28511.9%
1920 87,6842.8%
1930 92,3795.4%
1940 97,1045.1%
1950 108,19811.4%
1960 126,34616.8%
1970 125,393−0.8%
1980 137,0159.3%
1990 146,6017.0%
2000 144,919−1.1%
2010 153,9236.2%
2020 152,199−1.1%
2023 (est.)155,312 [5] 2.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [6]
1790–1960 [7] 1900–1990 [8]
1990–2000 [9] 2010–2019 [10]

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 144,919 people, 58,096 households, and 37,820 families living in the county. The population density was 43 people per square mile (17 people/km2). There were 66,847 housing units at an average density of 20 per square mile (7.7/km2). The county's racial makeup was 96.60% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.8% were of English, 17.3% United States or American, 14.0% French, 13.0% Irish and 6.7% French Canadian ancestry. 95.8% spoke English and 2.3% French as their first language. [11] There were 58,096 households, of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.90% were non-families. 26.70% of households were one person and 10.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.

The age distribution was 22.80% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median household income was $34,274 and the median family income was $42,206. Males had a median income of $32,824 versus $23,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,801. About 9.70% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 153,923 people, 62,966 households, and 38,917 families living in the county. [12] The population density was 45.3 inhabitants per square mile (17.5/km2). There were 73,860 housing units at an average density of 21.7 units per square mile (8.4 units/km2). [13] The county's racial makeup was 95.4% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. [12] In terms of ancestry, 20.9% were English, 17.2% were Irish, 9.4% were American, 7.1% were German, 6.0% were French Canadian, and 5.9% were Scottish. [14]

Of the 62,966 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.2% were non-families, and 28.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 39.9 years. [12]

The county's median household income was $42,658 and the median family income was $54,271. Males had a median income of $41,094 versus $31,910 for females. The county's per capita income was $22,977. About 10.1% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over. [15]

Politics

As the most populous county in Maine's 2nd congressional district, Penobscot County's support for Donald Trump in 2016 helped deliver him a split electoral vote from Maine. [16] It was the first time since 1828 that Maine split its electoral votes.

Voter registration

Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024 [17]
Republican 35,748
Democratic 29,890
Unenrolled27,843
Green Independent 3,908
No Labels 1,051
Libertarian 829
Total99,269
United States presidential election results for Penobscot County, Maine [18] [19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2020 44,82552.57%37,71344.23%2,7313.20%
2016 41,62251.68%32,83840.77%6,0807.55%
2012 36,54747.28%38,81150.20%1,9482.52%
2008 37,49546.60%41,61451.72%1,3581.69%
2004 40,31849.10%40,41749.22%1,3771.68%
2000 35,62048.66%32,86844.90%4,7186.44%
1996 22,88532.45%35,96151.00%11,67116.55%
1992 24,21830.11%29,48536.65%26,74133.24%
1988 34,91254.76%28,42944.59%4130.65%
1984 40,40362.11%24,44537.58%2060.32%
1980 28,86945.97%26,51942.23%7,40511.79%
1976 29,01652.17%24,67244.36%1,9253.46%
1972 30,18661.92%18,55238.06%110.02%
1968 20,01144.47%24,32754.06%6611.47%
1964 14,44933.42%28,76666.54%170.04%
1960 28,45959.75%19,17540.25%00.00%
1956 27,80676.44%8,56823.56%00.00%
1952 24,61468.59%11,22231.27%490.14%
1948 16,36759.92%10,70539.19%2430.89%
1944 16,93455.95%13,29243.92%380.13%
1940 18,67455.79%14,75744.09%400.12%
1936 19,07760.82%9,73231.03%2,5598.16%
1932 18,98758.75%13,05840.41%2720.84%
1928 21,75070.25%9,11429.44%960.31%
1924 15,08174.93%3,61817.97%1,4297.10%
1920 14,14569.35%6,11029.95%1430.70%
1916 7,32449.41%7,29449.21%2051.38%
1912 3,36723.91%5,09336.17%5,62239.92%
1908 7,33666.02%3,52531.73%2502.25%
1904 7,01373.64%2,22523.36%2852.99%
1900 6,87363.87%3,61533.59%2732.54%
1896 8,41466.42%4,03131.82%2231.76%
1892 6,57155.78%4,51638.33%6945.89%
1888 7,87357.97%5,29238.97%4153.06%
1884 8,00656.14%5,30337.18%9536.68%
1880 8,18652.21%6,30740.23%1,1867.56%

Communities

Cities

Towns

Plantations

Census-designated places

Unorganized territories

Indian reservation

Education

School districts include: [20]

University of Maine is in Orono.

See also

Related Research Articles

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

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2020 census, its population was 31,095, making it the third-least populous county in Maine. Its county seat is Machias. The county was established on June 25, 1789. It borders the Canadian province of New Brunswick. It is sometimes referred to as "Sunrise County" because it includes the easternmost point in the 48 contiguous United States. Claims have been made that Washington County is where the sun first rises on the 48 contiguous states. Many small seaside communities have small-scale fishing-based economies. Tourism is also important along the county's shoreline, but it is not as important as elsewhere in the state. The blueberry crop plays a major role in the county's economy.

Burlington is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. It is part of the Bangor Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 373 at the 2020 census.

Carroll Plantation is a plantation in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The plantation was named for Daniel Carroll, a signatory of the United States Constitution. It is located along Maine State Route 6 near its intersection with State Route 170. The population was 138 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Bangor Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Drew is a township in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 26 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Bangor Metropolitan Statistical Area. The Surety of Sinners Orthodox Mission, a Russian Orthodox church, is located in Drew. A former plantation, Drew completed the de-organization process in 2023 to become part of Maine's unorganized territory.

Edinburg is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 134 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Bangor Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located between the towns of Argyle and Howland along Maine State Route 116 on the west bank of the Penobscot River.

Medway is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,187 at the 2020 census.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Old Town, Maine</span> City in Maine, United States

Old Town is a city in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 7,431 at the 2020 census. The city's developed area is chiefly located on the relatively large Marsh Island, but its boundaries extend beyond it. The island is surrounded and defined by the Penobscot River to the east and the Stillwater River to the west.

Orrington is a town on the Penobscot River estuary in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,812 at the 2020 census.

Passadumkeag is a town on the east bank of the Penobscot River at the confluence with the Passadumkeag River in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 356 at the 2020 census. Passadumkeag is a word of the Penobscot people meaning "quick water".

Seboeis Plantation is a plantation in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 40 at the 2020 census.

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

Veazie is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,814 at the 2020 census. The town is named after General Samuel Veazie, an early lumber baron and railroad operator. Veazie was originally part of Bangor, using Penobscot River water power to operate sawmills. It became a separate town in 1853 because General Veazie, its wealthiest citizen, felt that Bangor's property taxes were excessive.

Webster Plantation is a plantation in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 68 at the 2020 census.

Woodville is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 201 at the 2020 census.

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

Frankfort is a town on the Penobscot River estuary in Waldo County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,231 at the 2020 census.

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

Millinocket is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,114 at the 2020 census.

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

Orono is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot nation who long occupied this territory.

East Millinocket is a census-designated place (CDP) consisting of the main settlement in the town of East Millinocket in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,567 at the 2010 census.

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

East Millinocket is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,572 at the 2020 census.

Milford is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. It is located across the Penobscot River from the city of Old Town. The population of Milford was 3,069 at the 2020 census. The town's slogan is the "Best little town by a dam site," referring to the Milford Dam abutting Milford on the Penobscot River, south of the Penobscot Indian Island Reservation.

Millinocket is a census-designated place (CDP) comprising most of the developed land within the town of Millinocket in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population of the CDP was 4,466 at the 2010 census.

References

  1. ↑ Girouard, Maria (December 3, 2020). "Acknowledging the Land". Wabanaki REACH.
  2. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Penobscot County, Maine". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  5. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  6. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  11. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. 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.
  13. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  14. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "Pivot Counties in Maine", ballotpedia.org , retrieved September 20, 2024
  17. ↑ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions. "Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide" (PDF). Maine SOS. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  18. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org.
  19. ↑ "Electoral geography". Archived from the original on November 18, 2005. Retrieved January 13, 2021.
  20. ↑ "2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Penobscot County, ME" (PDF). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 22, 2022. Retrieved July 22, 2022. - Text

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