Washington County, Maine Explained

County:Washington County
State:Maine
Flag:Flag of Washington County, Maine.gif
Founded Date:June 25
Founded Year:1789
Seat Wl:Machias
Largest City Wl:Calais
Area Total Sq Mi:3258
Area Land Sq Mi:2563
Area Water Sq Mi:695
Area Percentage:21%
Population As Of:2020
Population Total:31095
Population Density Sq Mi:auto
Web:http://washingtoncountymaine.com/
Ex Image:MachiasME WashingtonCountyCourthouse.jpg
Ex Image Cap:Washington County Courthouse
District:2nd
Time Zone:Eastern

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2020 census, its population was 31,095,[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 48 contiguous United States. 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, of which is land and (21%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Major highways

Demographics

According to U.S. Census Bureau 2022 statistics, Washington County's population density equates to twelve people per square mile.[5]

2000 census

As of the census[6] of 2000, there were 33,941 people, 14,118 households, and 9,303 families living in the county. The population density was 13/mi2. There were 21,919 housing units at an average density of 8/mi2. 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. 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 living in the county.[7] The population density was . There were 23,001 housing units at an average density of 9/mi2.[8] 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.[7] 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.[9]

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.[7]

The median income for a household in the county was $34,859 and the median income for a family was $43,612. Males had a median income of $35,981 versus $27,336 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,401. About 14.1% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.[10]

Government

Washington County is considered to be a more conservative county in Maine. No Democrat has carried a majority of the county since Hubert Humphrey in 1968. 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 voted for the winning presidential candidate in every election from 1980 until 2020, when the county was carried by Donald Trump, who lost nationally to Joe Biden.[11]

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 March 2024[12]
Republicanalign = center align = center
Unenrolledalign = center align = center
Democraticalign = center align = center
Green Independentalign = center align = center
No Labelsalign = center align = center
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Communities

Cities

Towns

Plantations

Unorganized territories

Indian reservations

Census-designated places

Public transportation

See also: Public transportation in Maine. Washington County does not have a comprehensive public transportation system, despite having a year-round population of around 32,000.[13] West Bus Services, based in Milbridge, serves several communities in northern Maine. The daily Coastal Connection route serves: Calais, Perry, Pembroke, Dennysville, Whiting, Lubec, East Machias, Machias, Jonesboro, Jonesport, Beals, Addison, Cherryfield, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Deblois (seasonal), Township 18 (seasonal), Township 19 (seasonal), Centerville, Gouldsboro, Winter Harbor, Sullivan, Steuben, Hancock, Ellsworth, Lucern, Holden and Bangor. The route takes around 3.5 hours. On the first Wednesday of each month, a return service runs between Lubec and Machias.[14]

Education

School districts include:

K-12 districts:[15]

Secondary school districts:

Elementary school districts:[15]

A portion of the area is in the "Washington Unorganized Territory".[15] Unorganized territory is not in any municipality.[16]

Notable people

See also

External links

See main article: e. 44.97°N -67.61°W

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Census - Geography Profile: Washington County, Maine. United States Census Bureau. November 21, 2021.
  2. Web site: Find a County. June 7, 2011. National Association of Counties.
  3. Web site: Trotter. Bill. Where in Maine does the sun rise first?. Bangor Daily News. October 22, 2011 . February 6, 2013.
  4. Web site: 2010 Census Gazetteer Files. United States Census Bureau. September 7, 2014. August 22, 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20140909034104/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_23.txt. September 9, 2014.
  5. Web site: June 5, 2023 . In Washington County, getting from here to there isn't so simple . October 27, 2023 . newscentermaine.com . en-US.
  6. Web site: U.S. Census website. United States Census Bureau. January 31, 2008.
  7. Web site: DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data . January 21, 2016 . . https://archive.today/20200213011103/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US23029 . February 13, 2020. dead .
  8. Web site: Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County . January 21, 2016 . . https://archive.today/20200213191342/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US23029 . February 13, 2020. dead .
  9. Web site: DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates . January 21, 2016 . . https://archive.today/20200213010654/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US23029 . February 13, 2020. dead .
  10. Web site: DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates . January 21, 2016 . . https://archive.today/20200213015628/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US23029 . February 13, 2020. dead .
  11. https://www.politico.com/2020-election/results/maine/ Politico live election results: 2020 Maine results
  12. Web site: Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions . Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide . Maine SOS . April 9, 2024.
  13. Web site: June 5, 2023 . In Washington County, getting from here to there isn't so simple . October 27, 2023 . newscentermaine.com . en-US.
  14. Web site: WEST BUS SERVICE . September 17, 2023 . www.westbusservice.com.
  15. Web site: 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Washington County, ME. U.S. Census Bureau. 2024-08-12. - Text list
  16. Web site: Education In Unorganized Territory (EUT) . Maine Department of Education. 2024-08-12.