Washington County, Maine

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

Washington County, Maine
Location in the state of Maine
Maine's location in the U.S.
Founded	June 25, 1789
Seat	Machias
Area  - Total  - Land  - Water	3,254.91 sq mi (8,430 km²) 2,568.48 sq mi (6,652 km²) 686.44 sq mi (1,778 km²), 21.09%
Population  - (2010)  - Density	32,856 13/sq mi (4.94/km²)

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, its population was 32,856. Its county seat is Machias.

Sometimes referred to as "Sunrise County" because it is the easternmost county in the United States, and it is often where the rising sun first shines on the 48 contiguous states. 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; nearly 85% of the world's supply of wild blueberries comes from Washington County.

Washington County was established on June 25, 1789.

Geography

According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 3,254.91 square miles (8,430.2 km²), of which 2,568.48 square miles (6,652.3 km²) (or 78.91%) is land and 686.44 square miles (1,777.9 km²) (or 21.09%) is water.

Adjacent Counties/Provinces

• Hancock County, Maine - southwest
• Aroostook County, Maine - northwest
• Penobscot County, Maine - northwest
• York County, New Brunswick, Canada - northeast
• Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada - east

National protected areas

• Cross Island National Wildlife Refuge
• Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge
• Petit Manan National Wildlife Refuge
• Saint Croix Island International Historic Site (also, Canadian interpretation site in Bayside, New Brunswick)

Demographics

Historical populations
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%
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%

As of the census 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:

• 32.5% English
• 14.1% Irish
• 10.8% "American"
• 7.4% French
• 5% Scottish

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

Washington County is considered a swing county in Maine. In 2004 it was one of only two counties 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%.

Cities and towns

Addison Alexander Baileyville (Woodland) Baring Plantation Beals Beddington Calais Centerville (disincorporated) Charlotte Cherryfield Codyville Plantation Columbia Columbia Falls Cooper Crawford Cutler

Danforth Deblois Dennysville East Machias Eastport Grand Lake Stream Harrington Indian Township Jonesboro Jonesport Lubec Machias Machiasport Marshfield Meddybemps Milbridge

Northfield Pembroke Perry Pleasant Point Princeton Robbinston Roque Bluffs Steuben Talmadge Topsfield Vanceboro Waite Wesley Whiting Whitneyville

Territories

• North Washington
• East Central Washington

Indian reservations

• Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation
• Passamaquoddy Indian Township Reservation

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Maine

External links

• Official Website of Washington County