Bowdoin, Maine

Bowdoin is a town in Sagadahoc County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,136 at the 2020 census.[2] Bowdoin is 31 land miles north of Portland, and 21 land miles south of Augusta (Maine’s state capital).

Bowdoin, Maine
Town
The Old Bowdoin Center School
The Old Bowdoin Center School
Bowdoin, Maine is located in Maine
Bowdoin, Maine
Bowdoin, Maine
Location within the state of Maine
Coordinates: 44°2′53″N 69°58′6″W
CountryUnited States
StateMaine
CountySagadahoc
Incorporated1788
Area
[1]
 • Total43.58 sq mi (112.87 km2)
 • Land43.46 sq mi (112.56 km2)
 • Water0.12 sq mi (0.31 km2)
Elevation
295 ft (90 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • Total3,136
 • Density27.9/sq mi (10.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
 • Summer (DST)UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code
04287
Area code207
FIPS code23-06260
GNIS feature ID0582360

History

Bowdoin was part of a tract of land extending from Merrymeeting Bay to the Androscoggin River that was conveyed in 1752 by the Kennebec Company to William Bowdoin of Boston, older brother of James Bowdoin. Originally called West Bowdoinham Plantation, it was settled some years before the Revolutionary War. In 1773, William Bowdoin died, and by 1779 James Bowdoin had legal claim to the area and was granting deeds. It contained about 121 families when the town was incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court on March 21, 1788, named after the Bowdoin family. In 1799, it ceded land to form Thompsonborough, whose name changed in 1802 to Lisbon. In 1834, it ceded more territory to Lisbon.[3]

Bowdoin developed as an agricultural town, raising sheep and producing apples, wheat, hay and potatoes. Other industries included an ice company, sawmill, gristmill, carding mill and brickyard. Since 1993, alpacas have been raised in the town.[4]

In 2023, four people were killed in a shooting and three more were injured.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 43.58 square miles (112.87 km2), of which 43.46 square miles (112.56 km2) is land and 0.12 square miles (0.31 km2) is water.[1] Bowdoin is drained by the Little River, Dead River, as well as the east and west streams of the Cathance River.

The town is served by U.S. Route 201 and State Routes 138 and 125. It borders the towns of Lisbon and Sabattus to the west, Litchfield to the north, Richmond and Bowdoinham to the east, and Topsham to the south.

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
1790984—
18001,26028.0%
18101,64930.9%
18201,7777.8%
18302,09417.8%
18402,073−1.0%
18501,857−10.4%
18601,744−6.1%
18701,345−22.9%
18801,136−15.5%
1890940−17.3%
1900937−0.3%
1910814−13.1%
1920749−8.0%
1930568−24.2%
1940467−17.8%
195063836.6%
19606684.7%
197085828.4%
19801,62989.9%
19902,20735.5%
20002,72723.6%
20103,06112.2%
20203,1362.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]

2010 census

As of the census[6] of 2010, there were 3,061 people, 1,143 households, and 867 families living in the town. The population density was 70.4 inhabitants per square mile (27.2/km2). There were 1,202 housing units at an average density of 27.7 per square mile (10.7/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 96.9% White, 0.5% African American, 0.4% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.5% of the population.

There were 1,143 households, of which 36.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.7% were married couples living together, 8.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 24.1% were non-families. 18.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.67 and the average family size was 3.02.

The median age in the town was 40.4 years. 24% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 25% were from 25 to 44; 33.6% were from 45 to 64; and 9.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 50.9% male and 49.1% female.

2000 census

As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 2,727 people, 987 households, and 765 families living in the town. The population density was 62.7 inhabitants per square mile (24.2/km2). There were 1,035 housing units at an average density of 23.8 per square mile (9.2/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.80% White, 0.26% African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.26% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.33% from other races, and 1.17% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.77% of the population.

There were 987 households, out of which 40.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 65.5% were married couples living together, 8.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 22.4% were non-families. 16.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 5.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.76 and the average family size was 3.11.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 28.7% under the age of 18, 6.2% from 18 to 24, 35.1% from 25 to 44, 22.8% from 45 to 64, and 7.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 101.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 97.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $42,688, and the median income for a family was $46,094. Males had a median income of $32,975 versus $22,025 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,260. About 7.9% of families and 8.6% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under age 18 and 3.1% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public schools in the area are operated by Maine School Administrative District 75.

Notable person
  • Mike McHugh, hockey left wing whose professional career was spent chiefly in the minor leagues, though he played twenty games in the NHL

References
  1. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  2. "Census - Geography Profile: Bowdoin town, Sagadahoc County, Maine". Retrieved January 15, 2022.
  3. Coolidge, Austin J.; John B. Mansfield (1859). A History and Description of New England. Boston, Massachusetts: A.J. Coolidge. p. 60. coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859.
  4. History of Bowdoin, Maine Archived October 7, 2008, at the Wayback Machine
  5. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
  6. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved December 16, 2012.
  7. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
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