Franklin County, Maine

Not to be confused with Franklin, Maine.

Franklin County
County
Franklin County Courthouse
Location within the U.S. state of Maine
Maine's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°52′45″N70°23′17″W / 44.879196°N 70.387917°W / 44.879196; -70.387917
Country	United States
State	Maine
Founded	May 9, 1838
Named for	Benjamin Franklin
Seat	Farmington
Largest town	Farmington
Area
• Total	1,743 sq mi (4,510 km2)
• Land	1,697 sq mi (4,400 km2)
• Water	47 sq mi (120 km2)  2.7%
Population  (2020)
• Total	29,456
• Density	17.4/sq mi (6.7/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	franklincountymaine.gov

Franklin County is a county located in the state of Maine, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 29,456, ^[1] making it the second-least populous county in Maine. Its county seat is Farmington. ^[2] The county was established on May 9, 1838, and named for Benjamin Franklin. ^[3]

History

Franklin County was formed on 9 May 1838 from portions of Kennebec, Oxford and Somerset counties. Smaller adjustments were made during the following fourteen years. ^[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,743 square miles (4,510 km²), of which 1,697 square miles (4,400 km²) is land and 47 square miles (120 km²) (2.7%) is water. ^[5] The county high point is Sugarloaf Mountain, the ski mountain in Carrabassett Valley whose elevation is 4237 feet.

Adjacent counties and municipalities

• Somerset County – northeast
• Kennebec County – southeast
• Androscoggin County – south
• Oxford County – southwest
• Le Granit Regional County Municipality, Quebec – northwest

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	20,801		—
1850	20,027		−3.7%
1860	20,403		1.9%
1870	18,807		−7.8%
1880	18,180		−3.3%
1890	17,053		−6.2%
1900	18,444		8.2%
1910	19,119		3.7%
1920	19,825		3.7%
1930	19,941		0.6%
1940	19,896		−0.2%
1950	20,682		4.0%
1960	20,069		−3.0%
1970	22,444		11.8%
1980	27,098		20.7%
1990	29,008		7.0%
2000	29,467		1.6%
2010	30,768		4.4%
2020	29,456		−4.3%
2023 (est.)	30,828	[6]	4.7%
U.S. Decennial Census [7] 1790–1960 [8] 1900–1990 [9] 1990–2000 [10] 2010–2016 [11]

2015

As of 2015 the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Franklin County, Maine are: ^[12]

Largest ancestries (2015)	Percent
English	22.4%
French or French Canadian	19.1%
Irish	14.9%
"American"	8.5%
German	6.1%
Scottish	5.0%
Italian	4.2%
Scots-Irish	1.7%

2000 census

As of the census ^[13] of 2000, there were 29,467 people, 11,806 households, and 7,744 families living in the county. The population density was 17 people per square mile (6.6 people/km²). There were 19,159 housing units at an average density of 11 per square mile (4.2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.96% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.43% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.81% from two or more races. 0.54% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 26.3% were of English, 13.8% United States or American, 12.2% French, 9.2% Irish, 7.9% French Canadian, and 5.3% Scottish ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.7% spoke English and 2.9% French as their first language.

There were 11,806 households, out of which 29.50% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.40% were married couples living together, 9.20% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.40% were non-families. 25.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.50% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.40 and the average family size was 2.88.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.50% under the age of 18, 11.10% from 18 to 24, 26.40% from 25 to 44, 24.80% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 93.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $31,459, and the median income for a family was $37,863. Males had a median income of $30,475 versus $20,442 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,796. About 10.70% of families and 14.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.90% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 30,768 people, 13,000 households, and 8,129 families living in the county. ^[14] The population density was 18.1 inhabitants per square mile (7.0/km²). There were 21,709 housing units at an average density of 12.8 per square mile (4.9/km²). ^[15] The racial makeup of the county was 97.3% white, 0.4% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.2% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population. ^[14] In terms of ancestry, 23.3% were English, 14.2% were Irish, 7.7% were French Canadian, 7.5% were German, 6.4% were Scottish, and 5.0% were American. ^[16]

Of the 13,000 households, 26.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.6% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 37.5% were non-families, and 28.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.28 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age was 43.4 years. ^[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $39,831 and the median income for a family was $48,634. Males had a median income of $38,563 versus $30,024 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,838. About 10.2% of families and 15.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.2% of those under age 18 and 8.8% of those age 65 or over. ^[17]

Politics

Voter registration

Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024 [18]
	Republican	7,439	35.81%
	Unenrolled	6,210	29.89%
	Democratic	5,985	28.81%
	Green Independent	924	4.45%
	No Labels	166	0.8%
	Libertarian	52	0.25%
Total		20,776	100%

United States presidential election results for Franklin County, Maine ^[19]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	8,754	50.34%	8,069	46.40%	567	3.26%
2016	7,918	48.02%	7,016	42.55%	1,554	9.43%
2012	6,369	39.12%	9,367	57.53%	546	3.35%
2008	6,627	38.58%	10,113	58.87%	438	2.55%
2004	7,378	42.74%	9,465	54.83%	418	2.42%
2000	6,459	41.81%	7,593	49.15%	1,396	9.04%
1996	3,757	25.74%	7,759	53.16%	3,080	21.10%
1992	4,608	27.89%	6,739	40.79%	5,176	31.33%
1988	7,180	54.16%	5,960	44.96%	116	0.88%
1984	8,330	62.40%	4,954	37.11%	65	0.49%
1980	5,680	46.83%	4,979	41.05%	1,469	12.11%
1976	5,799	50.94%	5,140	45.15%	445	3.91%
1972	5,958	66.50%	2,988	33.35%	14	0.16%
1968	4,127	48.01%	4,307	50.10%	162	1.88%
1964	2,887	33.29%	5,784	66.69%	2	0.02%
1960	6,136	65.00%	3,304	35.00%	0	0.00%
1956	6,307	78.97%	1,680	21.03%	0	0.00%
1952	5,885	73.23%	2,137	26.59%	14	0.17%
1948	3,741	63.19%	2,135	36.06%	44	0.74%
1944	4,127	60.90%	2,646	39.04%	4	0.06%
1940	4,548	58.47%	3,224	41.44%	7	0.09%
1936	4,957	62.53%	2,859	36.06%	112	1.41%
1932	4,521	58.46%	3,171	41.01%	41	0.53%
1928	4,923	76.54%	1,487	23.12%	22	0.34%
1924	3,389	72.40%	1,123	23.99%	169	3.61%
1920	3,820	69.13%	1,668	30.18%	38	0.69%
1916	1,988	49.89%	1,908	47.88%	89	2.23%
1912	668	17.57%	1,421	37.37%	1,714	45.07%
1908	2,173	68.40%	930	29.27%	74	2.33%
1904	2,135	72.25%	755	25.55%	65	2.20%
1900	2,235	65.99%	1,085	32.03%	67	1.98%
1896	2,578	72.60%	886	24.95%	87	2.45%
1892	1,964	55.50%	1,456	41.14%	119	3.36%
1888	2,485	60.95%	1,518	37.23%	74	1.82%
1884	2,387	57.80%	1,375	33.29%	368	8.91%
1880	2,390	51.49%	2,178	46.92%	74	1.59%
1876	2,116	57.58%	1,559	42.42%	0	0.00%
1872	2,187	70.30%	924	29.70%	0	0.00%
1868	2,429	63.32%	1,407	36.68%	0	0.00%
1864	2,248	55.67%	1,790	44.33%	0	0.00%
1856	2,529	64.71%	1,358	34.75%	21	0.54%
1852	997	34.34%	1,310	45.13%	596	20.53%
1848	886	28.33%	1,431	45.76%	810	25.90%
1844	1,132	36.13%	1,609	51.36%	392	12.51%
1840	1,848	47.05%	2,058	52.39%	22	0.56%

Government

Franklin County is governed by a three-member county commission. Commissioners meet at 10am on the first and third Monday of each month and are elected in the November general election, serving four year terms. Currently, the three commissioners are: ^[20]

District One: Gary McGrane (Jay, Wilton, Temple, Carthage)

District Two: Charles Webster (Farmington, Chesterville, New Sharon)

District Three: Clyde Barker (Avon, Carrabassett Valley, Coplin Plantation, Dallas Plantation, Eustis, Industry, Kingfield, New Vineyard, Phillips, Rangeley Plantation, Rangeley, Sandy River Plantation, Strong, Weld, and unorganized territories of East Central Franklin, North Franklin, South Franklin, West Central Franklin and Wyman)

Commissioner Charles Webster was appointed by Governor Paul LePage in 2015 to serve out the rest of Fred Hardy's term, who died on July 4. ^[21] Webster and Barker are members of the Republican Party, while McGrane belongs to the Democratic Party.

Franklin County belongs to Maine Prosecutorial District Three, which is composed of Franklin, Oxford and Androscoggin Counties. The current district attorney is Andrew S. Robinson, of Farmington who was elected to his first term in 2014. The deputy district attorney is James A. Andrews, who was appointed to that post by Robinson in 2015. ^[22]

The current county treasurer is Pamela Prodan. She was elected to that position in 2014 and will serve a four term through December 2018. Prodan succeeded Mary Frank, who decided to retire instead of running for a second term. The duties of county treasurer include: overseeing fiscal accounting matters, including paying bills, collecting amounts owed the county, reserve/investment accounts, maintaining the county's financial records and other matters related to the county's finances. ^[23]

Law enforcement

Only five municipalities in Franklin County have their own police department (Carrabassett Valley, Farmington, Jay, Rangeley, and Wilton). The Franklin County Sheriff's Department is responsible for patrol and emergency calls in the remaining communities in the county without their own agency. The current sheriff is Scott Nichols, of New Sharon. Nichols was elected to that post in November 2012, defeating incumbent sheriff, Dennis Pike. Pike had spent 46 years in Franklin County law enforcement prior to being defeated by Nichols. ^[24]

The status of the Franklin County Jail has been contentiously debated issue within the county and state for several years. In 2008, Governor John Baldacci signed into law a bill which consolidated county jails in an effort to reduce costs. As a result, the Franklin County jail was designated a 72-hour holding facility. Any inmates who needed to be held longer than the three-day maximum had to be transported to the Somerset County Jail in East Madison, which county jail officials said was a waste of department time and money. Jail consolidation has also led to jail overcrowding statewide. ^[25] When the Somerset Jail reached its maximum capacity, inmates were forced to be transported to another jail within the state, sometimes hours away which Franklin County officials again said wasted time and money.

In 2012, the Somerset County Commissioners voted not to accept any more inmates from outside the county as the state Board of Corrections withheld its third quarter payment. While the vote allowed current inmates to stay at the jail, it required all future inmates to be sent to Two Bridges Regional Jail in Wiscasset. In 2013, the Maine Legislature's Public Safety and Criminal Justice Committee voted 11–0 to allow the Franklin County jail to return to full service status. ^[26]

In 2014, the Franklin County Commissioners voted to withhold all payments to the state for jail inmates. Public outrage over the jail issue also pressured the state to give the county full service rights. In 2014 an 800-member Facebook group was created and several protests were staged in front of the county courthouse. In 2015, the State Board of Corrections voted to grant the county a fully operational jail, officially ending the seven year conflict between the county and the state. ^[27]

Communities

Smalls Falls Rest Area on Route 4 just south of Rangeley, Maine

Towns

• Avon
• Carrabassett Valley
• Carthage
• Chesterville
• Eustis
• Farmington
• Industry
• Jay
• Kingfield
• New Sharon
• New Vineyard
• Phillips
• Rangeley
• Strong
• Temple
• Weld
• Wilton

Plantations

• Coplin Plantation
• Dallas Plantation
• Rangeley Plantation
• Sandy River Plantation

Census-designated places

• Chisholm
• Farmington
• Kingfield
• Rangeley
• Wilton

Unorganized territories

• East Central Franklin
• North Franklin
• South Franklin
• West Central Franklin
• Wyman

Unincorporated communities

• Dryden
• East Dixfield
• East Wilton
• Farmington Falls
• Freeman
• Macy
• Madrid
• Mooselookmeguntic
• North Jay
• Oquossoc

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Franklin County, Maine

References

1. "Census - Geography Profile: Franklin County, Maine". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 21, 2021.
2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. pp.  131.
4. Maine – An Encyclopedia: Franklin County. Accessed 20 Feb 2023.
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. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
12. Bureau, U.S. Census. "American FactFinder - Results". factfinder.census.gov. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved April 18, 2018.
13. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
14. "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.
15. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
16. "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.
17. "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.
18. Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions (March 29, 2024). "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 April 18, 2018.
20. "franklincountyme-gov". franklincountyme-gov. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
21. Perry, Donna M.; Journal, Sun (August 10, 2015). "LePage appoints Charlie Webster as Franklin County commissioner". The Bangor Daily News. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
22. "franklincountyme-gov". franklincountyme-gov. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
23. "franklincountyme-gov". franklincountyme-gov. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
24. Schroeder, Karen (December 30, 2012). "After 46 years, Franklin County Sheriff Dennis Pike hits the road". Central Maine. Retrieved May 24, 2016.
25. "Overcrowding intensifies problems at Maine's county jails - The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram". The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram. January 19, 2015. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
26. "Bill to return local jail to full service fails; Somerset County refuses Franklin County's detainees | Daily Bulldog". www.dailybulldog.com. April 2, 2013. Retrieved May 26, 2016.
27. Schroeder, Kaitlin (January 13, 2015). "Franklin County jail to return to full-time lockup status". Central Maine. Retrieved May 26, 2016.

External links

• http://www.franklincountymaine.org/ Franklin County Chamber of Commerce
• Franklin County on Maine.gov

44°59′N70°26′W / 44.98°N 70.44°W / 44.98; -70.44