Washington County, Maine

For counties with a similar name, see Washington County (disambiguation).
Not to be confused with Washington, Maine.
Washington County, Maine

Washington County Courthouse
Map of Maine highlighting Washington County
Location in the U.S. state of Maine
Map of the United States highlighting Maine
Maine's location in the U.S.
Founded June 25, 1789
Named for George Washington
Seat Machias
Largest city Calais
Area
 • Total 3,258 sq mi (8,438 km2)
 • Land 2,563 sq mi (6,638 km2)
 • Water 695 sq mi (1,800 km2), 21%
Population
 • (2010) 32,856
 • Density 13/sq mi (5/km²)
Congressional district 2nd
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website washingtoncountymaine.com

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2010 census, its population was 32,856,[1] making it the third-least populous county in Maine. Its county seat is Machias.[2] 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 United States, and claims have been made that Washington County is where the sun first rises on the 48 contiguous states.[3] 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.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,258 square miles (8,440 km2), of which 2,563 square miles (6,640 km2) is land and 695 square miles (1,800 km2) (21%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Major highways

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
17902,760—
18004,46161.6%
18107,87076.4%
182012,74461.9%
183021,29467.1%
184028,32733.0%
185038,81137.0%
186042,5349.6%
187043,3431.9%
188044,4842.6%
189044,4820.0%
190045,2321.7%
191042,905−5.1%
192041,709−2.8%
193037,826−9.3%
194037,767−0.2%
195035,187−6.8%
196032,908−6.5%
197029,859−9.3%
198034,96317.1%
199035,3081.0%
200033,941−3.9%
201032,856−3.2%
Est. 201531,625[5]−3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2013[1]

2000 census

As of the census[10] of 2000, there were 33,941 people, 14,118 households, and 9,303 families residing in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5/km²). There were 21,919 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.48% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 4.43% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 0.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The largest ancestry groups in Washington County according to Census 2000 are:

95.0% spoke English, 1.9% Passamaquoddy, 1.0% Spanish and 1.0% French as their first language.

There were 14,118 households out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the county the population was spread out with 22.90% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,869, and the median income for a family was $31,657. Males had a median income of $28,347 versus $20,074 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,119. About 14.20% of families and 19.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.40% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 32,856 people, 14,302 households, and 8,847 families residing in the county.[11] The population density was 12.8 inhabitants per square mile (4.9/km2). There were 23,001 housing units at an average density of 9.0 per square mile (3.5/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 92.1% white, 4.9% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 30.4% were English, 17.0% were Irish, 7.0% were German, 6.1% were Scottish, and 5.6% were American.[13]

Of the 14,302 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.1% were non-families, and 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age was 46.1 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $ and the median income for a family was $. Males had a median income of $ versus $ for females. The per capita income for the county was $. About of families and of the population were below the poverty line, including of those under age 18 and of those age 65 or over.[14]

Government

Washington County vote
by party in presidential elections
Year Republican Democratic
2016 54.6% 9,037 38.4% 6,358
2012 47.7% 7,550 49.3% 7,803
2008 48.5% 8,077 49.5% 8,246
2004 49.8% 8,619 48.5% 8,391
2000 50.7% 7,958 42.7% 6,701
1996 31.6% 4,793 47.4% 7,198
1992 30.9% 5,493 35.4% 6,284
1988 56.9% 7,872 42.2% 5,831
1984 64.4% 9,713 35.2% 5,308
1980 48.6% 7,180 40.9% 6,050
1976 49.4% 7,039 46.7% 6,644
1972 67.6% 7,820 32.3% 3,742
1968 46.1% 5,523 52.2% 6,249
1964 29.0% 3,816 70.9% 9,312
1960 65.9% 9,118 34.1% 4,716

Washington County is considered a swing county in Maine. In 2004 it was one of only two counties (the other being Piscataquis County) in Maine to vote for Republican George W. Bush over Democrat John Kerry. The county has voted for the winning presidential candidate in every election since 1980.

No Democrat has carried a majority of the county since Hubert Humphrey in 1968. The last Republican to do so was Donald Trump in 2016.

In the 2012 Maine Republican Presidential Caucuses, the majority of Washington County voters cast their votes for Republican Ron Paul, but votes from Washington County were not counted because of snow. Mitt Romney ultimately won the state by a narrow margin.

Voter registration

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of October 2014[15]
Unenrolled 8,398 36.94%
Republican 7,007 30.82%
Democratic 6,626 29.15%
Green Independent 698 3.07%
Total 22,729 100%

Communities

Unorganized territories

Indian reservations

See also

Notable people

References

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ Trotter, Bill. "Where in Maine does the sun rise first?". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved 6 February 2013.
  4. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  5. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  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. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  10. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  12. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  13. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  14. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  15. ↑ "Registration and Party Enrollment Statistics as of October 2014" (PDF). Maine Bureau of Corporations.
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Coordinates: 44°58′N 67°37′W / 44.97°N 67.61°W / 44.97; -67.61

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