Washington County, Maine

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.

Washington County
County
Washington County Courthouse
Washington County Courthouse
Flag of Washington County
Flag
Map of Maine highlighting Washington County
Location within the U.S. state of Maine
Map of the United States highlighting Maine
Maine's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°56′24″N 67°33′01″W
Country United States
State Maine
FoundedJune 25, 1789
Named forGeorge Washington
SeatMachias
Largest cityCalais
Area
 • Total3,258 sq mi (8,440 km2)
 • Land2,563 sq mi (6,640 km2)
 • Water695 sq mi (1,800 km2)  21%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total31,095
 • Density9.5/sq mi (3.7/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewashingtoncountymaine.com

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 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
CensusPop.Note%±
17902,760—
18004,46161.6%
18107,87076.4%
182012,74461.9%
183021,29467.1%
184028,32733.0%
185038,81137.0%
186042,5349.6%
187043,3431.9%
188044,4842.6%
189044,4820.0%
190045,2321.7%
191042,905−5.1%
192041,709−2.8%
193037,826−9.3%
194037,767−0.2%
195035,187−6.8%
196032,908−6.5%
197029,859−9.3%
198034,96317.1%
199035,3081.0%
200033,941−3.9%
201032,856−3.2%
202031,095−5.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2016[9]

According to U.S. Census Bureau 2022 statistics, Washington County's population density equates to twelve people per square mile.[10]

2000 census

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 33,941 people, 14,118 households, and 9,303 families living in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km2). There were 21,919 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/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. 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.[12] The population density was 12.8 inhabitants per square mile (4.9/km2). There were 23,001 housing units at an average density of 9.0 units per square mile (3.5 units/km2).[13] 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.[12] 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.[14]

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.[12]

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.[15]

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 since 1980 until 2020, when the county was carried by Donald Trump, who lost nationally to Joe Biden.[16]

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 May 2019 [17]
Unenrolled 8,566 36.21%
Democratic 6,703 28.33%
Republican 7,540 31.87%
Green Independent 846 3.58%
Libertarian 3 0.01%
Total 23,658 100%
United States presidential election results for Washington County, Maine[18]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No. %No. %No. %
2020 10,194 58.73% 6,761 38.95% 402 2.32%
2016 9,093 55.56% 6,075 37.12% 1,197 7.31%
2012 7,550 47.68% 7,803 49.27% 483 3.05%
2008 8,077 48.50% 8,246 49.51% 331 1.99%
2004 8,619 49.79% 8,391 48.47% 300 1.73%
2000 7,958 50.66% 6,701 42.66% 1,049 6.68%
1996 4,793 31.56% 7,198 47.39% 3,198 21.05%
1992 5,493 30.92% 6,284 35.37% 5,988 33.71%
1988 7,872 56.93% 5,831 42.17% 125 0.90%
1984 9,713 64.41% 5,308 35.20% 60 0.40%
1980 7,180 48.55% 6,050 40.91% 1,558 10.54%
1976 7,039 49.45% 6,644 46.67% 552 3.88%
1972 7,820 67.57% 3,742 32.33% 12 0.10%
1968 5,523 46.10% 6,249 52.16% 208 1.74%
1964 3,816 29.05% 9,312 70.88% 9 0.07%
1960 9,118 65.91% 4,716 34.09% 0 0.00%
1956 8,181 76.20% 2,555 23.80% 0 0.00%
1952 7,396 65.89% 3,806 33.91% 23 0.20%
1948 5,130 58.64% 3,538 40.44% 80 0.91%
1944 5,380 48.44% 5,709 51.40% 18 0.16%
1940 6,253 43.65% 8,048 56.18% 25 0.17%
1936 6,387 44.06% 7,925 54.67% 183 1.26%
1932 7,507 51.95% 6,829 47.26% 115 0.80%
1928 8,531 73.30% 3,073 26.40% 35 0.30%
1924 6,010 69.71% 2,106 24.43% 505 5.86%
1920 6,768 68.57% 2,997 30.36% 105 1.06%
1916 3,891 52.24% 3,459 46.44% 99 1.33%
1912 1,862 26.40% 3,178 45.07% 2,012 28.53%
1908 3,507 59.49% 2,256 38.27% 132 2.24%

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.[19] 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.[20]

Notable people

See also

References
  1. "Census - Geography Profile: Washington County, Maine". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. Trotter, Bill. "Where in Maine does the sun rise first?". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  5. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  6. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  7. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  8. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  9. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  10. "In Washington County, getting from here to there isn't so simple". newscentermaine.com. June 5, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  12. "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.
  13. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  14. "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.
  15. "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.
  16. Politico live election results: 2020 Maine results
  17. Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions (May 5, 2019). "Registered & Enrolled Voters - Statewide" (PDF). Department of the Secretary of State, State of Maine. p. 29. Archived (PDF) from the original on August 7, 2019. Retrieved November 13, 2019.
  18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  19. "In Washington County, getting from here to there isn't so simple". newscentermaine.com. June 5, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  20. "WEST BUS SERVICE". www.westbusservice.com. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
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