Kennebec County, Maine

Kennebec County, Maine

Kennebec County Courthouse

Seal
Map of Maine highlighting Kennebec County
Location in the U.S. state of Maine
Map of the United States highlighting Maine
Maine's location in the U.S.
Founded 1799
Named for Kennebec River
Seat Augusta
Largest city Augusta
Area
 • Total 951 sq mi (2,463 km2)
 • Land 868 sq mi (2,248 km2)
 • Water 84 sq mi (218 km2), 8.8%
Population
 • (2010) 122,151
 • Density 141/sq mi (54/km²)
Congressional districts 1st, 2nd
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.kennebeccounty.org

Kennebec County is a county located in the state of Maine, in the United States. As of the 2010 census, the population was 122,151.[1] Its county seat is Augusta,[2] the state capital. The county was established on 20 February 1799 from portions of Cumberland and Lincoln Counties. The name Kennebec comes from the Eastern Abenaki /kínipekʷ/, meaning "large body of still water, large bay."[3]

Kennebec County comprises the Augusta–Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area.

In 2010, the center of population of Maine was located in Kennebec County, in the city of Augusta.[4]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 951 square miles (2,460 km2), of which 868 square miles (2,250 km2) is land and 84 square miles (220 km2) (8.8%) is water.[5]

Adjacent counties

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
180024,571—
181032,56432.5%
182042,62330.9%
183052,48523.1%
184055,8236.4%
185062,52112.0%
186055,655−11.0%
187053,203−4.4%
188053,058−0.3%
189057,0127.5%
190059,1173.7%
191062,8636.3%
192063,8441.6%
193070,69110.7%
194077,2319.3%
195083,8818.6%
196089,1506.3%
197095,2476.8%
1980109,88915.4%
1990115,9045.5%
2000117,1141.0%
2010122,1514.3%
Est. 2015119,980[6]−1.8%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2013[1]

2000 census

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 117,114 people, 47,683 households, and 31,327 families residing in the county. The population density was 135 people per square mile (52/km²). There were 56,364 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.45% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.6% were of English, 17.4% French, 13.4% French Canadian, 10.9% United States or American and 9.9% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 92.5% spoke only English at home, while 5.48% spoke French.[12]

There were 47,683 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,498, and the median income for a family was $43,814. Males had a median income of $32,279 versus $24,032 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,520. About 8.50% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were  people,  households, and  families residing in the county.[13] The population density was 140.8 inhabitants per square mile (54.4/km2). There were 60,972 housing units at an average density of 70.3 per square mile (27.1/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was % from other races, and % from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up % of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 24.2% were English, 17.0% were Irish, 8.3% were German, 7.7% were French Canadian, 5.7% were American, and 5.4% were Scottish.[15]

Of the  households, % had children under the age of 18 living with them, % were married couples living together, % had a female householder with no husband present, % were non-families, and % of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was and the average family size was . The median age was years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $45,973 and the median income for a family was $56,853. Males had a median income of $42,176 versus $32,471 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,656. About 7.8% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Religion

There are many churches in Kennebec county, the largest being: Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Congregationalist, Unitarian, Church of the Nazarene, Church of Christ, Adventist and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). However, the largest single denomination is Roman Catholicism.

Micropolitan Statistical Area

The United States Office of Management and Budget[17] has designated Kennebec County as the Augusta-Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census[18] the micropolitan area ranked the most populous in the State of Maine and also the only micropolitan area within the state. The area also ranks 13th most populous in the United States with a population of 122,151.

Economy

Kennebec County's economy has traditionally been industrial. A large amount of paper and textiles were produced, and mills sprung up all along the Kennebec river. The median household income is currently $36,498. The unemployment rate is currently at 4.2% (lower than it has been in a year).

Education

There are three colleges: Colby College and Thomas College (both in Waterville), and the University of Maine at Augusta. There are 19 school districts (however, 4 are consolidated ones). In China Maine, there is no public high school, but a private school (Erskine Academy) exists, and the town pays for students tuition if they choose to attend. Students from Vassalboro can pick from one of four school districts (Cony in Augusta, Erskine, Winslow, or Waterville). However, many towns have local public high schools.

Politics

Kennebec County vote[19][20]
by party in presidential elections
Year Republican Democratic
2016 48.1% 31,753 44.4% 29,296
2012 41.8% 26,519 55.2% 35,068
2008 41.6% 27,482 56.4% 37,238
2004 44.6% 29,761 53.3% 35,616
2000 40.7% 23,967 53.0% 31,198
1996 27.7% 15,403 54.4% 30,257
1992 26.8% 17,135 39.3% 25,125
1988 53.6% 27,734 45.6% 23,578
1984 59.7% 31,753 39.8% 21,183
1980 43.8% 21,517 42.7% 20,943
1976 47.5% 22,534 49.5% 23,473
1972 60.0% 24,617 39.9% 16,379
1968 41.8% 16,009 56.8% 21,752
1964 31.3% 11,307 68.7% 24,813
1960 54.3% 21,699 45.7% 18,252

Kennebec County has consistently voted Democrat in recent elections, until 2016 when it voted for Donald Trump. While the more rural areas support the Republican Party, the urban areas are strongly Democratic. Kennebec County is the only county in Maine that is split between Maine's two congressional districts. The larger, southern portion of the county is located in the 1st Congressional District of Maine, while the northern, smaller portion is located in the 2nd Congressional District of Maine.

Voter registration

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 2014[21]
Party Total Voters Percentage
Unenrolled 31,653 36.18%
Democratic 27,987 31.99%
Republican 24,406 27.89%
Green Independent 3,435 3.92%
Total 87,481 100%

Communities

See also

Footnotes

  1. 1 2 "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ↑ Bright, William (2004). Native American placenames of the United States. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 212. ISBN 978-0-8061-3598-4. Retrieved 14 April 2011.
  4. ↑ "Centers of Population by State: 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  5. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  6. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  7. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  9. ↑ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  11. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. ↑ http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=23&county_id=11&mode=geographic&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&a=&ea=&order=&ll=all
  13. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  14. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  15. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  16. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  17. ↑ http://www.whitehouse.gov/omb
  18. ↑ http://www.census.gov/2010census/
  19. ↑ http://www.nytimes.com/elections/results/maine
  20. ↑ http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/
  21. ↑ "REGISTERED & ENROLLED VOTERS – STATEWIDE" (PDF). June 10, 2014. Retrieved 10 August 2014.

Further reading

 Franklin County Somerset County
Waldo County
   Kennebec County, Maine  
Androscoggin County Sagadahoc County and Lincoln County

Coordinates: 44°25′N 69°46′W / 44.41°N 69.77°W / 44.41; -69.77

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