Columbia Falls, Maine

Last updated

Columbia Falls, Maine
General View of Columbia Falls, ME.jpg
Town Hall and Pleasant River c.1908
USA Maine location map.svg
Red pog.svg
Columbia Falls, Maine
Location within the state of Maine
Coordinates: 44°39′52″N67°43′11″W / 44.66444°N 67.71972°W / 44.66444; -67.71972
Country United States
State Maine
County Washington
Incorporated 1863
Area
[1]
  Total24.67 sq mi (63.90 km2)
  Land24.55 sq mi (63.58 km2)
  Water0.12 sq mi (0.31 km2)
Elevation
154 ft (47 m)
Population
 (2020)
  Total476
  Density19/sq mi (7.5/km2)
Time zone UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
  Summer (DST) UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
04623
Area code 207
FIPS code 23-13820
GNIS feature ID0582415

Columbia Falls is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 476 at the 2020 census. [2]

Contents

It derives its name from the Class I-III Rapids on the Pleasant River (Pleasant Bay) that flow through the town. [3] Columbia Falls and its Washington County neighbor Columbia, Maine were once the same town. However in 1863 Columbia Falls formed its own town. [4]

In 2023 the community gained national attention after a proposal to build the world's tallest flagpole (1,461 feet (445 meters) high -- taller than the Empire State Building) -- in a $1 billion project that includes a 4,000 seat auditorium in dubbed the Flagpole of Freedom Park.

The project has been proposed by local businessman Morrill Worcester whose company Worcester Wreath Co. which expanded to Wreaths Across America and donates more than one million wreaths to military cemeteries and gravesites around the world. [5]

History

The town began as Township 13 SD, BPP, which was joined together with Township 12 by the Massachusetts General Court on February 8, 1796, and incorporated as Columbia. It was settled soon after the Revolutionary War. [6] On March 25, 1863, the town was set off from Columbia and incorporated as Columbia Falls. [7]

Lumbering and shipbuilding brought the town prosperity and endowed it with some fine early architecture. This includes the Ruggles House (1818–1820), an exquisite Federal home that is now a museum, and the Union Church (1849), a Greek Revival meeting house which since 1902 has housed the town hall, library and archives. The Washington County Railroad arrived at Columbia Falls in 1898. Tourism and harvesting blueberries are important industries today, together with producing Christmas trees and wreaths. [7] [8]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 24.67 square miles (63.90 km2), of which 24.55 square miles (63.58 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km2) is water. [1] Columbia Falls is drained by the Pleasant River.

The town is crossed by U.S. Route 1 and Maine State Route 187.

Demographics

Historical population
CensusPop.Note
1870 608
1880 68512.7%
1890 6981.9%
1900 569−18.5%
1910 66316.5%
1920 658−0.8%
1930 583−11.4%
1940 5962.2%
1950 550−7.7%
1960 442−19.6%
1970 367−17.0%
1980 51740.9%
1990 5526.8%
2000 5998.5%
2010 560−6.5%
2020 476−15.0%
U.S. Decennial Census [9]

2010 census

As of the census [10] of 2010, there were 560 people, 257 households, and 157 families living in the town. The population density was 22.8 inhabitants per square mile (8.8/km2). There were 301 housing units at an average density of 12.3 per square mile (4.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.5% White, 0.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.4% of the population.

There were 257 households, of which 23.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.9% were non-families. 33.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 15.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.71.

The median age in the town was 46 years. 18.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.5% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.4% were from 25 to 44; 32.5% were from 45 to 64; and 18.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census [11] of 2000, there were 599 people, 251 households, and 168 families living in the town. The population density was 24.4 inhabitants per square mile (9.4/km2). There were 310 housing units at an average density of 12.6 per square mile (4.9/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.83% White, 0.83% Native American, 0.33% Asian, 0.67% from other races, and 0.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.67% of the population.

There were 251 households, out of which 33.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.6% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.7% were non-families. 28.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.90.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.2% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 29.0% from 25 to 44, 26.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 107.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.7 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $28,864, and the median income for a family was $40,208. Males had a median income of $28,021 versus $19,625 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,723. About 12.9% of families and 19.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 26.1% of those under age 18 and 29.1% of those age 65 or over.

Sites of interest

Notable people

Related Research Articles

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

Lisbon is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 9,711 at the 2020 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan statistical area and the Lewiston–Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England city and town area. The town of Lisbon includes the villages of Lisbon and Lisbon Falls.

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

Island Falls is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. The population was 758 at the 2020 census. The primary village of Island Falls in the town is situated at a falls in the West Branch Mattawamkeag River.

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

Baldwin is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,520 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine, metropolitan statistical area.

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

Standish is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 10,244 at the 2020 census. It includes the villages of Standish Corner, Sebago Lake Village and Steep Falls, and the localities known as Richville, Elmwood, Standish Neck and Two Trails. Standish is part of the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.

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

Rome is a town in Kennebec County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,148 at the 2020 census. It is part of the Belgrade Lakes resort area, and is included in the Augusta, Maine, micropolitan New England City and Town Area.

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

Cushing is a town in Knox County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,502 at the 2020 census. A favorite of artists for its unspoiled natural setting, Cushing includes the villages of North Cushing, Cushing, South Cushing, and Pleasant Point.

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">Porter, Maine</span> Town in the state of Maine, United States

Porter is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. It is included in the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine metropolitan New England City and Town Area. Porter includes Porter village and part of Kezar Falls. The population was 1,600 at the 2020 census.

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

Roxbury is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 361 at the 2020 census. Ellis Pond is popular with recreational fishermen.

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

Carmel is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. It is part of the Bangor Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 2,867 at the 2020 census.

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

Brownville is a town in Piscataquis County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,139 at the 2020 census. The town includes the villages of Brownville, Knight's Landing and Brownville Junction, near which passes the 100-Mile Wilderness of the Appalachian Trail.

Caratunk is a town in Somerset County, Maine, United States. The population was 81 at the 2020 census.

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

Solon is a town in Somerset County, Maine, United States. The population was 978 at the 2020 census.

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

Harrington is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 962 at the 2020 census. Harrington is an old seafaring and shipbuilding village.

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

Pembroke is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States. The population was 788 at the 2020 census. The town is home to a reversing falls on Mahar's Point.

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

Buxton is a town in York County, Maine, United States. It is part of the Portland metropolitan area. The population was 8,376 at the 2020 census. Buxton includes the villages of Salmon Falls/Tory Hill, Chicopee, Groveville, Bar Mills, West Buxton, and Buxton Center. The old town Common is east of Union Falls, which is the location of Skelton Dam, operated by Central Maine Power, and near historic location of the original settlement at Pleasant Point.

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

Dayton is a town in York County, Maine, United States; the town is located near the Saco-Biddeford city area. Dayton borders Biddeford by land, and borders Saco on the Saco River. It is also part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area. The population was 2,129 at the 2020 census. Dayton is one of the smallest towns in York County.

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

Lebanon is a town in York County, Maine, United States. The population was 6,469 at the 2020 census. Lebanon includes the villages of Center Lebanon, West Lebanon, North Lebanon, South Lebanon, and East Lebanon. It is the westernmost town in Maine. Lebanon is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.

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

Mechanic Falls is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,107 at the 2020 census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan statistical area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bridgton, Maine</span> Town in Maine, United States 04009

Bridgton is a town in Cumberland County, Maine, United States. The population was 5,418 at the 2020 census. A resort area in Maine's Lakes Region, Bridgton is home to Bridgton Academy, a private preparatory school, and the Four on the Fourth Road Race.

References

  1. 1 2 "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  2. "Census - Geography Profile: Columbia Falls town, Washington County, Maine" . Retrieved January 30, 2022.
  3. "Maine whitewater Pleasant River".
  4. "Columbia and Columbia Falls | DownEast Acadia Regional Tourism".
  5. "They envision the world's tallest flagpole in this Maine town. Instead of uniting, it is dividing". June 30, 2023.
  6. Coolidge, Austin J.; John B. Mansfield (1859). A History and Description of New England. Boston, Massachusetts: A.J. Coolidge. p.  95. coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859.
  7. 1 2 Maine.gov -- Columbia Falls, Maine Archived February 8, 2010, at the Wayback Machine
  8. Sharp, David (June 30, 2023). "They envision the world's tallest flagpole in this Maine town. Instead of uniting, it is dividing". Boston.com. Associated Press. Retrieved July 2, 2023.
  9. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  10. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. "The Ruggles House". Archived from the original on May 22, 2009. Retrieved December 18, 2009.