Oxbow, Maine Explained

Official Name:Oxbow North, Maine
Settlement Type:Township
Nickname:Oxbow
Pushpin Label:Oxbow
Pushpin Label Position:top
Mapsize:250px
Subdivision Type:Country
Subdivision Name:United States
Subdivision Type1:State
Subdivision Name1:Maine
Subdivision Type2:County
Subdivision Name2:Aroostook
Unit Pref:Imperial
Area Total Km2:99.1
Area Land Km2:97.9
Area Water Km2:1.2
Population As Of:2010
Population Total:66
Population Density Km2:0.67
Timezone:Eastern (EST)
Utc Offset:-5
Timezone Dst:EDT
Utc Offset Dst:-4
Elevation M:207
Elevation Ft:679
Coordinates:46.4231°N -68.5114°W
Postal Code Type:ZIP code
Postal Code:04764
Area Code:207
Blank Name:FIPS code
Blank Info:23-56205
Blank1 Name:GNIS feature ID
Blank1 Info:0582657

Oxbow, officially Oxbow North and Township 9 Range 6, is an unincorporated township in Aroostook County, Maine, United States and part of the state's Unorganized Territory. The population was 66 at the 2010 census.[1] As of 2016, the population was estimated to be 50.[2]

History

Oxbow was first settled in 1842 by Elias and Samuel Hayden, who had previously resided in Somerset County, Maine. More settlers came to set up farms and mills, which spurred residents to incorporate as Oxbow Plantation in 1870. In 1994, an attempt to deorganize was defeated by a vote of 21–9. In November 2015, Oxbow residents voted unanimously to deorganize, which was largely driven by a need to lower property tax rates.[3] In March 2016, a panel of the Maine Legislature voted to accept the town's attempt to deorganize.[4] In November 2016, town residents voted 37–2 to move forward with the process. The plantation was officially deorganized on July 1, 2017.[2]

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the township has a total area of 99.1km2, of which 97.9km2 is land and 1.2km2, or 1.22%, is water.[1]

Demographics

As of the census[5] of 2000, there were 56 people, 29 households, and 20 families residing in the township. The population density was 1.5sp=usNaNsp=us. There were 83 housing units at an average density of 2.2sp=usNaNsp=us. The racial makeup of the township was 100.00% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.79% of the population.

There were 29 households, out of which 13.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.1% were married couples living together, 6.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.0% were non-families. 24.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 1.93 and the average family size was 2.20.

In the township, the population was spread out, with 8.9% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 17.9% from 25 to 44, 35.7% from 45 to 64, and 32.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 52 years. For every 100 females there were 107.4 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.2 males.

The median income for a household in the township was $33,333, and the median income for a family was $35,000. Males had a median income of $37,917 versus $28,750 for females. The per capita income for the township was $15,247. There were 18.2% of families and 21.6% of the population living below the poverty line, including 50.0% of under eighteens and none of those over 64.

References

46.4186°N -68.49°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Geographic Identifiers: 2010 Demographic Profile Data (G001): Oxbow plantation, Aroostook County, Maine. https://archive.today/20200212144115/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/G001/0600000US2300356205. dead. February 12, 2020. U.S. Census Bureau, American Factfinder. May 21, 2013.
  2. News: Oxbow deorganization goes forward. Brino. Anthony. November 9, 2016. Bangor Daily News. 10 November 2016.
  3. News: Oxbow Plantation residents vote to deorganize. Brino. Anthony. November 27, 2015. Bangor Daily News. 28 November 2015.
  4. News: Officials Fear Domino Effect as Aroostook County Towns Try to Deorganize . Higgins . AJ . . 13 March 2016.
  5. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. 2008-01-31.