Somerset County, Maine

Last updated

Somerset County
County
Courthouse, Skowhegan, ME.jpg
Somerset County Courthouse
Map of Maine highlighting Somerset County.svg
Location within the U.S. state of Maine
Maine in United States.svg
Maine's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°07′58″N69°51′14″W / 45.132915°N 69.853996°W / 45.132915; -69.853996
CountryFlag of the United States.svg United States
StateFlag of Maine.svg Maine
Founded1809
Named after Somerset County, England
Seat Skowhegan
Largest townSkowhegan
Area
 • Total
4,094 sq mi (10,600 km2)
 • Land3,924 sq mi (10,160 km2)
 • Water169 sq mi (440 km2)  4.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
50,477
 • Density12/sq mi (4.8/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 2nd
Website somersetcounty-me.org

Somerset County is a county in the U.S. state of Maine, United States. As of the 2020 census, its population was 50,477. [1] Its county seat is Skowhegan. [2]

Contents

History

Somerset County was established on March 1, 1809 [3] from portions of Kennebec County and was named after Somerset County in England. [4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,094 square miles (10,600 km2), of which 169 square miles (440 km2) (4.1%) are covered by water. [5] It is the third-largest county in Maine by area.

Mountains

Bodies of water

Major highways

Adjacent counties and municipalities

Somerset County is one of few counties in the United States to border 10 counties and county equivalents.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1810 12,910—
1820 21,78768.8%
1830 35,78764.3%
1840 33,912−5.2%
1850 35,5814.9%
1860 36,7533.3%
1870 34,611−5.8%
1880 32,333−6.6%
1890 32,6270.9%
1900 33,8493.7%
1910 36,3017.2%
1920 37,1712.4%
1930 39,1115.2%
1940 38,245−2.2%
1950 39,7854.0%
1960 39,749−0.1%
1970 40,5972.1%
1980 45,02810.9%
1990 49,76710.5%
2000 50,8882.3%
2010 52,2282.6%
2020 50,477−3.4%
2023 (est.)51,302 [6] 1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census [7]
1790–1960 [8] 1900–1990 [9]
1990–2000 [10] 2010–2016 [11]

2000 census

As of the census [12] of 2000, 50,888 people, 20,496 households, and 14,121 families were living in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km2). The 28,222 housing units had an average density of 7 per square mile (2.7/km2). The Race (United States Census)racial makeup of the county was 98.00% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. About 0.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race; 20.9% were of English, 17.7% French, 15.1% United States or American, 11.5% Irish, and 8.8% French Canadian ancestry. About 96.2% spoke English and 2.9% French as their first language.

Of the 20,496 households, 31.6% had children under 18 living with them, 54.2% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.1% were not families. About 24.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.2% had someone living alone who was 65 or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the age distribution was 24.7% under 18, 7.0% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,731, and for a family was $36,464. Males had a median income of $29,032 versus $20,745 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,474. About 11.1% of families and 14.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.4% of those under 18 and 12.50% of those 65 or over.

2010 census

As of  2010, 52,228 people, 21,927 households, and 14,353 families lived in the county. [13] The population density was 13.3 inhabitants per square mile (5.1 inhabitants/km2). The 30,569 housing units had an average density of 7.8 units per square mile (3.0 units/km2). [14] The racial makeup of the county was 97.1% White, 0.6% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.4% Black or African American, 0.1% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population. [13] In terms of ancestry, 25.1% were French, 24.2% were English, 15.8% were Irish, 8.0% were German, 7.9% were American, and 6.1% were French Canadian. [15]

Of the 21,927 households, 28.2% had children under 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.5% were not families, and 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 43.6 years. [13]

The median income for a household in the county was $36,647 and for a family was $47,177. Males had a median income of $41,235 versus $30,029 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,709. About 14.0% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over. [16]

Government and politics

Somerset County is part of Maine's 2nd congressional district and represented by Democrat Jared Golden since 2019.

A "swing" or "pivot" county in the 21st century, despite voting for Democrat Barack Obama in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, Somerset County voted for Republican Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020, by a margin of victory of 23.37%. [17] In 2020, Trump became the first presidential candidate to carry the county with more than 60% of the vote since Ronald Reagan in 1984. In 2024, the county shifted to the right again, with Trump's win (a margin of over 27 points) being the best performance by a Republican since Nixon's 1972 landslide. In 1992, the county was one of three in Maine to vote for independent Ross Perot, along with neighboring Piscataquis and Waldo.

Voter registration

Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024 [18]
Republican 12,893
Unenrolled9,415
Democratic 7,936
Green Independent 1,319
No Labels 338
Libertarian 114
Total32,015
United States presidential election results for Somerset County, Maine [19]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No. %No. %No. %
2024 17,82662.68%10,13435.63%4811.69%
2020 16,64460.35%10,19936.98%7352.67%
2016 15,00157.55%9,09234.88%1,9717.56%
2012 11,80047.61%12,21649.28%7713.11%
2008 11,86746.07%13,33551.77%5562.16%
2004 12,95347.78%13,55550.00%6002.21%
2000 10,68444.61%11,53848.17%1,7297.22%
1996 6,24727.03%11,77350.94%5,09122.03%
1992 6,78025.66%9,27435.10%10,37039.24%
1988 11,43056.58%8,60342.59%1680.83%
1984 13,01062.64%7,65736.86%1040.50%
1980 9,28647.59%8,11541.59%2,11210.82%
1976 8,86846.76%9,46549.91%6333.34%
1972 10,07962.97%5,92136.99%50.03%
1968 6,72043.76%8,31254.13%3242.11%
1964 4,54129.77%10,69470.11%180.12%
1960 10,14259.32%6,95640.68%00.00%
1956 10,47171.77%4,11928.23%00.00%
1952 9,80566.93%4,81532.87%290.20%
1948 6,30160.48%4,03438.72%830.80%
1944 7,16757.23%5,33142.57%250.20%
1940 7,52653.42%6,53446.38%280.20%
1936 7,55856.91%5,28239.77%4413.32%
1932 7,14453.07%6,04044.87%2772.06%
1928 8,05570.62%3,25128.50%1000.88%
1924 6,85573.83%1,82219.62%6086.55%
1920 6,53368.11%2,77028.88%2893.01%
1916 3,56751.24%3,13445.02%2603.74%
1912 1,23519.43%2,31736.45%2,80444.12%
1908 3,68865.30%1,67629.67%2845.03%

Communities

Towns

Census-designated places

Plantations

Unorganized territories

Villages

Education

School districts

The following school administrative districts are located at least partly in Somerset County: [20]

Other types of districts in the county include: [21]

There is also the Somerset Unorganized Territory. [21] Unorganized territory is not in any municipality. [22] The Maine Department of Education takes responsibility for coordinating school assignments in the unorganized territory. [23] The Maine Department of Education formerly operated Rockwood Elementary School in Rockwood Township. [24]

Secondary schools

Higher education

Miscellaneous

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Somerset County, Maine". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Seltzer, Leon Eugene (1952). The Columbia Lippincott gazetteer of the world . Columbia Univ. Pr. p.  1794. ISBN   0-231-01559-3. OCLC   299604592.{{cite book}}: ISBN / Date incompatibility (help)
  4. ↑ Yates, Edgar A.P. (June 13, 1928). "Some Maine town names". The Lewiston Daily Sun. p. 4. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  6. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  10. ↑ "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.
  11. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  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. ↑ "Election results, 2020: Pivot Counties in the 2020 presidential election". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  18. ↑ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions. "Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide" (PDF). Maine SOS. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  19. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  20. ↑ "Regional School Units In Maine" (PDF). Maine.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  21. 1 2 3 Geography Division (December 21, 2020). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Somerset County, ME (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau . Retrieved July 13, 2025. - Text list
  22. ↑ "Education In Unorganized Territory (EUT)". Maine Department of Education . Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  23. ↑ "Education in the Unorganized Territory - Find Your School". Maine Department of Education . Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  24. ↑ "EDUCATION IN UNORGANIZED TERRITORY". Maine Department of Education. Archived from the original on June 19, 2001. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  25. ↑ "Carrabec High School". Carrabec High School. August 7, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  26. ↑ "Explore Faith Baptist Christian School in Skowhegan, ME". GreatSchools.org. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  27. ↑ "Forest Hills School". Forest Hills School. July 31, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  28. ↑ "Lawrence High School, Fairfield, Maine USA". Facebook. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  29. ↑ "Home". Madison Area Memorial High School. June 15, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  30. ↑ "Good Will Hinckley/Maine Academy of Natural Sciences/United States". goodwillhinckley.
  31. ↑ "Maine Central Institute website". Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  32. ↑ "Home". RSU/MSAD 54.
  33. ↑ "sad13". sad13.org. Retrieved September 5, 2019.

Further reading

County politics

45°31′N69°57′W / 45.51°N 69.95°W / 45.51; -69.95

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