| Official Name: | Exeter, Maine |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Pushpin Map: | Maine |
| Pushpin Label Position: | left |
| Pushpin Map Caption: | Location within the state of Maine |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Maine |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Penobscot |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Total Km2: | 99.95 |
| Area Land Km2: | 99.87 |
| Area Water Km2: | 0.08 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 38.59 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 38.56 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.03 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 963 |
| Population Density Km2: | 9.6 |
| Timezone: | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Elevation M: | 91 |
| Elevation Ft: | 299 |
| Coordinates: | 44.9619°N -69.1222°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 04435 |
| Area Code: | 207 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 23-24110 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 0582470 |
| Website: | Town website |
Exeter is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 963 at the 2020 census.[1]
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 38.59sqmi, of which 38.56sqmi is land and 0.03sqmi is water.[2]
In 1793 the Commonwealth of Massachusetts granted the township to Marblehead Academy of Marblehead, Massachusetts. The township was lotted in 1800 by Moses Hodsdon of Kenduskeag. Dr. John Blaisdell acted as agent for early proprietors. Among the proprietors were Benjamin Jay and William Turner of Boston. The first settlement was made in 1801 by Lemuel Tozier. Prior to incorporation the town was known as "Blaisdelltown".
The town incorporated on February 16, 1811. The name "Exeter" was selected in memory of Exeter, New Hampshire, from which some settlers had moved. The first school was taught by Miss Anna M. Stevens in 1804. The first mill was built by Levi Stevens in 1813.[3]
In 1859 the town had a population of 1,853. By 1880 the population had dropped to 1,274.[4] The United States Census reported a population of 1,092 in 2010.
As of the census[5] of 2010, there were 1,092 people, 424 households, and 301 families living in the town. The population density was 28.3PD/sqmi. There were 491 housing units at an average density of 12.7/sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.9% White, 0.5% Native American, 0.3% Asian, and 1.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.1% of the population.
There were 424 households, of which 29.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.8% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.0% were non-families. 20.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 2.97.
The median age in the town was 44 years. 22.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.5% were from 25 to 44; 35.4% were from 45 to 64; and 12.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.
As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 997 people, 389 households, and 296 families living in the town. The population density was 26sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 452 housing units at an average density of 11.8sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the town was 99.00% White, 0.80% Native American, and 0.20% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.10% of the population.
There were 389 households, out of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.5% were married couples living together, 7.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 23.9% were non-families. 18.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.56 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 22.7% under the age of 18, 6.0% from 18 to 24, 31.6% from 25 to 44, 26.9% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females, there were 104.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 105.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,929, and the median income for a family was $35,662. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $21,000 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,772. About 9.5% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.1% of those under age 18 and 14.0% of those age 65 or over.