Smyrna, Maine

Smyrna, Maine
Town
Location of Smyrna, Maine
Coordinates: 46°8′10″N68°5′51″W / 46.13611°N 68.09750°W / 46.13611; -68.09750
Country	United States
State	Maine
County	Aroostook
Villages	Smyrna Center Smyrna Mills
Area [1]
• Total	35.20 sq mi (91.17 km2)
• Land	35.11 sq mi (90.93 km2)
• Water	0.09 sq mi (0.23 km2)
Elevation	968 ft (295 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	439
• Density	12/sq mi (4.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
Area code	207
FIPS code	23-69260
GNIS feature ID	0582727
Website	smyrna.aroostook.me.us

Smyrna is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. The population was 439 at the 2020 census. ^[2]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 35.20 square miles (91.17 km²), of which 35.11 square miles (90.93 km²) is land and 0.09 square miles (0.23 km²) is water. ^[1]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	184		—
1850	172		−6.5%
1860	165		−4.1%
1870	159		−3.6%
1880	237		49.1%
1890	303		27.8%
1900	411		35.6%
1910	411		0.0%
1920	460		11.9%
1930	442		−3.9%
1940	409		−7.5%
1950	349		−14.7%
1960	331		−5.2%
1970	318		−3.9%
1980	354		11.3%
1990	378		6.8%
2000	415		9.8%
2010	442		6.5%
2020	439		−0.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [3]

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 442 people, 155 households, and 108 families living in the town. The population density was 12.6 inhabitants per square mile (4.9/km²). There were 188 housing units at an average density of 5.4 per square mile (2.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.2% White, 1.1% Native American, 0.2% Asian, and 0.5% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.2%. ^[4]

Of the 155 households 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.7% were married couples living together, 5.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.3% were non-families. 22.6% of households were one person and 8.4% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.85 and the average family size was 3.40.

The median age in the town was 36.8 years. 29.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.8% were from 25 to 44; 30.6% were from 45 to 64; and 10.4% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.3% male and 50.7% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 415 people, 155 households, and 110 families living in the town. The population density was 11.8 people per square mile (4.6/km²). There were 184 housing units at an average density of 5.2 per square mile (2.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.28% White, 0.24% Native American, 0.24% Asian, and 0.24% from two or more races. ^[5] Of the 155 households 33.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 60.6% were married couples living together, 7.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.0% were non-families. 25.8% of households were one person and 14.2% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.68 and the average family size was 3.25.

The age distribution was 27.0% under the age of 18, 8.9% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 20.5% from 45 to 64, and 14.9% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.4 males.

The median household income was $25,625 and the median family income was $27,917. Males had a median income of $23,625 versus $20,313 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,751. About 16.4% of families and 20.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.1% of those under age 18 and 26.7% of those age 65 or over.

Amish community

There is an Amish community in Smyrna, that began as one of the "Christian Communities" of Elmo Stoll in 1996. From the beginning most members had an Amish background, but some came from other plain communities while others had no plain background. Soon after the early death of Elmo Stoll in 1998, the "Christian Communities" began to disband. The community in Smyrna lost most of his members, who had no plain background, and then decided to seek fellowship with the Michigan Amish Churches of the Old Order Amish. The Amish in Smyrna are said to be more open to outsiders than other Amish communities. They hold most of their church services in English. ^[6] They are in fellowship with the Maine Amish in Unity and Hodgdon. ^[7] Contrary to most other Amish, the Amish men in Smyrna wear moustaches along with long beards, which reflects their "Christian Communities" history. ^[8] In 2005, the Amish community consisted of approximately 100 people. ^[9]

References

1. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on November 3, 2012.
2. "Census - Geography Profile: Smyrna town, Aroostook County, Maine" . Retrieved February 27, 2022.
3. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
4. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 16, 2012.
5. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
6. "Maine Amish". Amish America. October 24, 2009. Archived from the original on June 28, 2010.
7. Kevin Williams (April 21, 2015). "Amish Scenes From Smyrna – Part I". Amish365.com. Archived from the original on May 1, 2015.
8. Kevin Williams (April 23, 2015). "Smyrna, Maine Amish – Part III". Amish365.com. Archived from the original on April 28, 2015.
9. Sarah Schweitzer (February 2, 2005). "Putting down roots: Amish find a home in rugged Maine". The Boston Globe . Archived from the original on February 9, 2005.

External links

• https://web.archive.org/web/20061006000359/http://www.aroostook.me.us/smyrna/index.html
• Town of Smyrna