Aroostook County, Maine

Aroostook County (/əˈruːstək/ ə-ROO-stək; French: Comté d'Aroostook) is a county in the U.S. state of Maine along the Canada–United States border. As of the 2020 census, the population was 67,105.[3] Its county seat is Houlton,[4] with offices in Caribou and Fort Kent.[5]

Aroostook County
County
Aroostook County Courthouse
Aroostook County Courthouse
Flag of Aroostook County
Flag
Official seal of Aroostook County
Seal
Map of Maine highlighting Aroostook County
Location within the U.S. state of Maine
Map of the United States highlighting Maine
Maine's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 46.65°N 68.59°W / 46.65; -68.59
Country United States
State Maine
FoundedMay 1, 1839
Named forMiꞌkmaq word meaning "beautiful water"[1][2]
SeatHoulton
Largest cityPresque Isle
Area
 • Total6,828 sq mi (17,680 km2)
 • Land6,671 sq mi (17,280 km2)
 • Water156 sq mi (400 km2)  2.3%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total67,105
 • Density9.8/sq mi (3.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.aroostook.me.us

Known locally in Maine as "The County",[6][7] it is the largest county in Maine by total area, the second largest in the United States by total area east of the Mississippi River,[8][9][6] behind St. Louis County, Minnesota, and the 31st largest county in the entire contiguous U.S. With over 6,800 square miles (18,000 km2) of land it is larger than three U.S. states. It is Maine's northernmost county. Its northernmost village, Estcourt Station, is also the northernmost community in New England and in the contiguous United States east of the Great Lakes.

Aroostook County is known for its potato crops. The county is also an emerging hub for wind power. Its Acadian culture is also well-known. In the Saint John Valley in the northern part of the county, which borders Madawaska County, New Brunswick, many of the residents are bilingual in English and Acadian French, whereas elsewhere in Maine, New England French is the predominant form of French spoken.

Aroostook County forms the entirety of the Presque Isle media market, according to Nielsen Media Research.

History

The sparsely populated North Maine Woods, roughly defined as the headwaters of the Saint John, Penobscot and Kennebec Rivers, was populated through the colonial era by refugees fleeing unfriendly governments. Native Americans retreating from hostile European colonists, and smugglers trading with these Native Americans and between English Massachusetts and French Acadia lived in small communities along the Atlantic coast on the disputed border between those colonies. As England dominated the Gulf of Maine following the French and Indian Wars, these occupants of the border region retreated up the large rivers into the interior joined by Acadians escaping the Acadian Expulsion. Although the survivors might have preferred to remain independent, surrounding governments dividing their refuge perceived Aroostook County as the west bank of the Saint John River drainage upstream of Canada. Under United States control, the area was initially dominated by lumber manufacturing interests, although agriculture became important as population increased. Transportation along the Saint John River and early rail connections into New Brunswick caused strong business links with Canada until the county was connected to the United States rail network by the Bangor and Aroostook Railroad in 1894. Aroostook County residents retain an independent cultural identity established during their history of isolation on the border frontier.[10]

Aroostook County was formed in 1839 from parts of Penobscot and Washington counties. In 1843, Aroostook gained land from Penobscot County; in 1844, Aroostook again gained land from Penobscot, plus it exchanged land with Piscataquis County. In 1889, Aroostook gained slightly from Penobscot, but gave back the land in 1903 when Aroostook County gained its final form.[11] Some of the territory in this county was part of the land dispute that led to the "Aroostook War" that would be settled by the Webster–Ashburton Treaty.

Children gathering potatoes on a large farm in Aroostook County, 1940. Schools did not open until the potatoes were harvested. Photo by Jack Delano.

The county was also part of a route on the Underground Railroad, and was one of the last stops before entering Canada. Slaves would meet and hide just outside Aroostook[12] or in deserted areas. Friends Quaker Church near Fort Fairfield was often a final stop.[13]

Much of Aroostook County's economy was dominated by military spending through the Cold War. Limestone Army Air Field was built in Limestone, Maine, in 1947. It was renamed Loring Air Force Base (AFB) in 1953 as the home of the Strategic Air Command (SAC) 42d Bombardment Wing operating Convair B-36 Peacemaker bombers. Aroostook County was chosen due to its strategic location as the closest point in the Continental United States to the Middle East and Europe including the Soviet Union west of the Ural Mountains. Loring AFB could accommodate one hundred of these large bombers; and had both the largest fuel storage capacity, at 9,200,000 US gallons (35,000,000 L), and the largest weapons storage capacity, at 4700 tonnes NEW, of any SAC base. The 42d Bombardment Wing at Loring operated Boeing B-52 Stratofortress bombers[14] until the 1991 Base Realignment and Closure Commission recommended closure and the base closed in 1994.[15]

The 2014 Acadian World Congress was held along the Canada–United States border, co-hosted by Aroostook County and a number of neighboring counties in Canada (Témiscouata in Quebec, and Victoria, Madawaska and Restigouche in New Brunswick). Organizers planned a Tintamarre that was held in the town of Madawaska, Maine, as well as a giant tug of war across the Saint John River.[16]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,828 square miles (17,680 km2), of which 6,671 square miles (17,280 km2) is land and 156 square miles (400 km2) (2.3%) is water.[17] Aroostook County is Maine's largest county by area, about the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined. The county high point is Peaked Mountain, elevation 2,230 feet (680 m), whose western slopes are in the north east corner of Piscataquis County.

Adjacent counties and municipalities

National protected area

Major highways

Government and politics

Although the county is more socially conservative than Maine's southern and coastal counties, it was won by the Democratic presidential candidate in the six elections from 1992 – 2012[18] before going for the Republican candidate in 2016 and 2020.[19] In the Maine Legislature, the county's delegation in 2013 included three Democrats and seven Republicans.[20] In 2009 it voted 73% in favor of a referendum rejecting same-sex marriage and 54% against the Maine Medical Marijuana Act.[21] In 2012, it voted 67% against a measure to legalize same-sex marriage in Maine,[22] the highest opposition percentage of any county in the state. From 2016 to 2020, the margin increased from 55 to 38% to 59-39%, respectively. This makes Aroostook County the only county in New England to have a more major Republican shift.

Voter registration
Voter registration and party enrollment as of May 2019 [23]
Unenrolled 16,738 33.31%
Democratic 15,817 31.48%
Republican 15,746 31.34%
Green Independent 1,942 3.87%
Total 50,243 100%

Politics
United States presidential election results for Aroostook County, Maine[24]
Year Republican / Whig Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 21,113 59.06% 13,956 39.04% 677 1.89%
2016 19,419 55.33% 13,386 38.14% 2,292 6.53%
2012 15,196 44.88% 17,777 52.50% 887 2.62%
2008 15,898 44.17% 19,345 53.75% 751 2.09%
2004 17,564 46.55% 19,569 51.86% 600 1.59%
2000 16,555 47.11% 17,196 48.93% 1,392 3.96%
1996 10,400 29.89% 18,022 51.80% 6,370 18.31%
1992 12,409 32.16% 15,682 40.64% 10,494 27.20%
1988 17,213 53.38% 14,850 46.05% 183 0.57%
1984 21,837 63.59% 12,348 35.96% 153 0.45%
1980 16,343 48.29% 14,492 42.82% 3,011 8.90%
1976 15,550 48.52% 15,484 48.31% 1,017 3.17%
1972 19,051 62.37% 11,474 37.56% 22 0.07%
1968 13,919 47.61% 15,044 51.46% 273 0.93%
1964 9,994 36.28% 17,552 63.71% 3 0.01%
1960 18,698 55.82% 14,799 44.18% 0 0.00%
1956 16,001 72.44% 6,089 27.56% 0 0.00%
1952 16,851 68.85% 7,561 30.89% 64 0.26%
1948 9,459 56.51% 7,183 42.91% 98 0.59%
1944 11,678 59.23% 8,017 40.66% 22 0.11%
1940 13,888 58.34% 9,877 41.49% 39 0.16%
1936 14,708 64.69% 7,704 33.88% 324 1.43%
1932 14,054 59.47% 9,409 39.82% 168 0.71%
1928 14,545 71.45% 5,771 28.35% 41 0.20%
1924 9,554 81.61% 1,510 12.90% 643 5.49%
1920 11,191 88.48% 1,407 11.12% 50 0.40%
1916 5,770 69.58% 2,425 29.24% 98 1.18%
1912 898 11.49% 1,924 24.63% 4,991 63.88%
1908 4,783 77.56% 1,157 18.76% 227 3.68%
1904 4,681 83.19% 736 13.08% 210 3.73%
1900 4,192 76.07% 1,030 18.69% 289 5.24%
1896 4,816 74.47% 1,383 21.39% 268 4.14%
1892 2,893 54.18% 1,917 35.90% 530 9.93%
1888 3,365 60.73% 1,808 32.63% 368 6.64%
1884 3,028 53.62% 2,192 38.82% 427 7.56%
1880 2,560 47.81% 2,738 51.14% 56 1.05%
1876 1,839 59.30% 1,262 40.70% 0 0.00%
1872 1,757 78.58% 479 21.42% 0 0.00%
1868 1,706 72.66% 642 27.34% 0 0.00%
1864 1,059 60.93% 679 39.07% 0 0.00%
1860 1,142 66.01% 414 23.93% 174 10.06%
1856 837 51.04% 795 48.48% 8 0.49%
1852 724 45.51% 787 49.47% 80 5.03%
1848 431 30.68% 868 61.78% 106 7.54%
1844 398 29.95% 907 68.25% 24 1.81%
1840 289 37.58% 480 62.42% 0 0.00%

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
18409,413—
185012,52933.1%
186022,47979.4%
187029,60931.7%
188041,70040.8%
189049,58918.9%
190060,74422.5%
191074,66422.9%
192081,7289.5%
193087,8437.5%
194094,4367.5%
195096,0391.7%
1960106,06410.4%
197092,463−12.8%
198091,331−1.2%
199086,936−4.8%
200073,938−15.0%
201071,870−2.8%
202067,105−6.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[25]
1790–1960[26] 1900–1990[27]
1990–2000[28] 2010–2016[29]


2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 71,870 people, 30,961 households, and 19,578 families residing in the county.[30] The population density was 10.8 inhabitants per square mile (4.2/km2). There were 39,529 housing units at an average density of 5.9 per square mile (2.3/km2).[31] The racial makeup of the county was 95.7% white, 1.7% Native American, 0.6% black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.9% of the population.[30] In terms of ancestry, 27.2% were of French origin, 18.1% English, 17.4% Irish, 8.2% French Canadian (counted separately from French), 8.1% American, and 5.2% of German heritage.[32]

In 2010, 18.0% of the population reported speaking French at home; other than speakers of English, there were no other significant linguistic groups.[33]

Of the 30,961 households, 25.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.6% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.8% were non-families, and 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.79. The median age was 45.3 years.[30]

The median income for a household in the county was $36,574 and the median income for a family was $47,114. Males had a median income of $37,222 versus $28,244 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,251. About 10.6% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 11.7% of those age 65 or over.[34]

2000 census

As of the census[35] of 2000, there were 73,938 people, 30,356 households, and 20,429 families residing in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4.2 people/km2). There were 38,719 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2.3/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.80% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 1.36% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.6% were of French, 15.4% United States or American, 14.6% English, 14.3% French Canadian and 10.2% Irish ancestry.

There were 30,356 households, out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.70% were non-families. 27.60% 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 2.36 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county, 22.60% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.90% was from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,837, and the median income for a family was $36,044. Males had a median income of $29,747 versus $20,300 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,033. About 9.80% of families and 14.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 16.00% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Incorporated towns

Plantations

Census-designated places

Unincorporated communities within towns

Unorganized territories

Indian reservations

See also

References
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  3. "Census - Geography Profile: Aroostook County, Maine". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  5. "Home". aroostook.me.us. Retrieved August 23, 2019.
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  8. Papantonis, Nicholas (April 20, 2020). "No, Horry County is not the largest county east of the Mississippi". WPDE. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
  9. "Sussex County is large, but not the largest in the east". Cape Gazette. Retrieved January 17, 2022.
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  11. Adrian B. Ettlinger. AniMap Plus: County Boundary Historical Atlas. Gold Bug Software, Alamo, CA, 1997.
  12. "Fort Fairfield | Maine: An Encyclopedia". Maineanencyclopedia.com. Archived from the original on September 18, 2012. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  13. "Crown of Maine Productions". Crown of Maine Productions. Archived from the original on February 13, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  14. "SAC Bases: Loring Air Force Base". Strategic-Air-Command.com. Retrieved August 3, 2018.
  15. Earth Tech, Inc. (1994). "Loring Air Force Base" (PDF). Historic American Buildings Survey. Limestone, Maine: Historic American Engineering Record. Archived (PDF) from the original on June 9, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
  16. Olmstead, Kathryn (April 10, 2014). "Van Buren, Canadian towns reach across border to get ready for World Acadian Congress in August". Bangor Daily News. Archived from the original on April 13, 2014. Retrieved April 11, 2014.
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  18. "New York Times Election Map". Elections.nytimes.com. December 9, 2008. Archived from the original on April 8, 2013. Retrieved May 11, 2013.
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  26. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Archived from the original on August 11, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
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  28. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on December 18, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  29. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 17, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  30. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  31. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  32. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  33. "American Community Survey Aggregate Data, 5-Year Summary File, 2006–2010". Data Center. Aroostook County, Maine: Modern Language Association. 2006–2010. Archived from the original on August 15, 2013. Retrieved August 23, 2013.
  34. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  35. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
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