Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2010 census, its population was 32,856, making it the third-least populous county in Maine. Its county seat is Machias. The county was established on June 25, 1789. It borders the Canadian province of New Brunswick.
It is sometimes referred to as "Sunrise County" because it includes the easternmost point in the United States, and claims have been made that Washington County is where the sun first rises 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.
Video Washington County, Maine
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.
Adjacent counties
- 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
Major highways
- US 1
- US 1A
- SR 6
- SR 9
- SR 192
- SR 193
Maps Washington County, Maine
Demographics
2000 census
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. 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 residing in the county. 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 per square mile (3.5/km2). 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. 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.
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.
The median income for a household in the county was $ and the median income for a family was $. Males had a median income of $ versus $ for females. The per capita income for the county was $. About of families and of the population were below the poverty line, including of those under age 18 and of those age 65 or over.
Government
Washington County is considered a swing county in Maine. 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 has voted for the winning presidential candidate in every election since 1980.
No Democrat has carried a majority of the county since Hubert Humphrey in 1968. The last Republican to do so was Donald Trump in 2016.
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
Communities
Cities
- Calais
- Eastport
Towns
Unorganized territories
- East Central Washington
- North Washington
Indian reservations
- Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation
- Passamaquoddy Indian Township Reservation
Census-designated places
- Lubec
- Machias
- Woodland
Notable people
- Theodore Enslin (1925-2011), American poet; resident of Milbridge.
- Henry Plummer (1832-1864), Sheriff and outlaw leader, of The Innocents, in Bannock, Montana, Idaho Territory, born and raised in Addison.
- Reuben L. Snowe (1866-1942), Maine state legislator; born in Danforth.
See also
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Washington County, Maine
References
External links
- Washington County official website
Source of the article : Wikipedia
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