| Official Name: | Freedom, Maine |
| Settlement Type: | Town |
| Mapsize: | 250px |
| Subdivision Type: | Country |
| Subdivision Name: | United States |
| Subdivision Type1: | State |
| Subdivision Name1: | Maine |
| Subdivision Type2: | County |
| Subdivision Name2: | Waldo |
| Established Title: | Incorporated |
| Established Date: | 1813 |
| Unit Pref: | Imperial |
| Area Total Km2: | 57.55 |
| Area Land Km2: | 55.74 |
| Area Water Km2: | 1.81 |
| Area Total Sq Mi: | 22.22 |
| Area Land Sq Mi: | 21.52 |
| Area Water Sq Mi: | 0.70 |
| Population As Of: | 2020 |
| Population Total: | 711 |
| Population Density Km2: | 12.8 |
| Timezone: | Eastern (EST) |
| Utc Offset: | -5 |
| Timezone Dst: | EDT |
| Utc Offset Dst: | -4 |
| Elevation M: | 169 |
| Elevation Ft: | 554 |
| Coordinates: | 44.5011°N -69.3194°W |
| Postal Code Type: | ZIP code |
| Postal Code: | 04941 |
| Area Code: | 207 |
| Blank Name: | FIPS code |
| Blank Info: | 23-26420 |
| Blank1 Name: | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 Info: | 0582480 |
| Website: | http://www.freedomme.org/ |
Freedom is a town in Waldo County, Maine, United States. The population was 711 at the 2020 census.[1] Freedom is a residential and recreational area.
The area was part of the Plymouth Patent. It was settled in 1794 by Stephen Smith, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. First called Smithstown Plantation, it was later called Beaver Hill Plantation. During the War of 1812, the town was incorporated on June 11, 1813, as Freedom, a name which had political significance. Freedom Academy was founded in 1836. The town's population was 716 inhabitants in 1870, and 652 in 1880.[2]
Principal products of farms were hay and potatoes. Sandy Stream, which is supplied by Sandy and Duck ponds, provided water power for early mills. Industries included a flour mill, corn mill, sawmill for long lumber, shingle mill, a shovel handle factory, a carding, clothing and woolen mill, and a tannery.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 22.22sqmi, of which 21.52sqmi is land and 0.7sqmi is water, chiefly Sandy (Freedom) Pond (420 acres) .[3] Freedom is drained by Sandy Stream.
As of the census[4] of 2010, there were 719 people, 292 households, and 192 families living in the town. The population density was 33.4PD/sqmi. There were 343 housing units at an average density of 15.9/sqmi. The racial makeup of the town was 97.9% White, 0.3% African American, 0.3% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.3% of the population.
There were 292 households, of which 27.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 8.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.2% were non-families. 25.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.91.
The median age in the town was 44.7 years. 22.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 20.8% were from 25 to 44; 34.9% were from 45 to 64; and 14.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 49.1% male and 50.9% female.
As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 645 people, 259 households, and 182 families living in the town. The population density was 30sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 321 housing units at an average density of 14.9sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the town was 96.59% White, 0.31% African American, 0.16% Native American, and 2.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.17% of the population.
There were 259 households, out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.8% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 112.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,125, and the median income for a family was $35,750. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $24,688 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,492. About 11.6% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.