Washington County, Maine

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For counties with a similar name, see Washington County (disambiguation).

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Not to be confused with Washington, Maine.
Washington County, Maine
MachiasME WashingtonCountyCourthouse.jpg
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

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. %±
1790 2,760 —
1800 4,461 61.6%
1810 7,870 76.4%
1820 12,744 61.9%
1830 21,294 67.1%
1840 28,327 33.0%
1850 38,811 37.0%
1860 42,534 9.6%
1870 43,343 1.9%
1880 44,484 2.6%
1890 44,482 0.0%
1900 45,232 1.7%
1910 42,905 −5.1%
1920 41,709 −2.8%
1930 37,826 −9.3%
1940 37,767 −0.2%
1950 35,187 −6.8%
1960 32,908 −6.5%
1970 29,859 −9.3%
1980 34,963 17.1%
1990 35,308 1.0%
2000 33,941 −3.9%
2010 32,856 −3.2%
Est. 2014 31,808 [5] −3.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2013[1]

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.

Politics

Presidential election results[11]
Year Democratic Republican
2012 49.3% 7,803 47.7% 7,550
2008 49.5% 8,246 48.5% 8,077
2004 48.5% 8,391 49.8% 8,619
2000 42.7% 6,701 50.7% 7,958

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. Bush won 49.79% to Kerry's 48.47%. In 2008, Democrat Barack Obama narrowly defeated John McCain, 49.51% to 48.50%, and again in 2012 defeated Mitt Romney, 49.27% to 47.68%.

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[12]
  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

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Unorganized territories

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Indian reservations

See also

Notable people

  • Henry Plummer (1832 –1864), sheriff and outlaw leader, of The Innocents, in Bannock, Montana, Idaho Territory, born and raised in Addison.

References

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External links

 Penobscot County and Aroostook County York County, New Brunswick, Canada
Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada
  Washington County, Maine  
Hancock County Atlantic Ocean

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