Androscoggin County, Maine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Androscoggin County
U.S. county
Holy Cross Church, Lewiston
Holy Cross Church, Lewiston
Map of Maine highlighting Androscoggin 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°08′06″N 70°13′04″W / 44.135071°N 70.217667°W / 44.135071; -70.217667
Country United States
State Maine
FoundedMarch 18, 1854
Named forthe Androscoggin tribe
SeatAuburn
Largest cityLewiston
Area
 • Total497 sq mi (1,290 km2)
 • Land468 sq mi (1,210 km2)
 • Water29 sq mi (80 km2)  5.9%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total107,702
 • Estimate 
(2019)
108,277
 • Density220/sq mi (84/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.androscoggincountymaine.gov

Androscoggin County is a county in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2010 census, the county's population was 107,702.[1] Its county seat is Auburn.[2]

Androscoggin County comprises the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area and is partially included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Metropolitan New England City and Town Area. It is also a part of the Portland-Lewiston-South Portland, Maine Combined Statistical Area.

Bates College is in the Androscoggin County city of Lewiston.

History[]

Demand for a new county emerged when the residents of the rapidly growing town of Lewiston complained of the long distance they had to travel to reach Wiscasset, the county seat of Lincoln County, in which Lewiston was originally located. It was also an impractical circumstance as Lewiston's neighbor, Auburn, was part of Cumberland County. As the growing partnership of the two towns emerged, the case for the towns to be in the same county grew. Different plans were discussed, including Lewiston joining Cumberland County. Eventually, the idea of a new county came to the table. The debate then became over which town would be the center of the new county. Bath, Brunswick, and Lewiston each desired the distinction. Lewiston eventually won the debate. Androscoggin County was created in 1854 from towns originally in Cumberland County, Lincoln County, Kennebec County, and Oxford County.[3]

The next issue centered on where to put the county seat, as both Lewiston and Auburn desired to be named the county seat. It would eventually be put to a vote, with both towns putting different offers on the table, including ideas to cut the costs of the new county buildings for surrounding towns. Auburn would eventually win a convincing victory, with the towns on each side of the river voting for the town on their side. As more people then lived to the west of the Androscoggin River, Auburn won the vote.[4]

Geography[]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 497 square miles (1,290 km2), of which 468 square miles (1,210 km2) is land and 29 square miles (75 km2) (5.9%) is water.[5] It is the second-smallest county in Maine by total area.

Adjacent counties[]

Demographics[]

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
186029,726—
187035,86620.7%
188045,04225.6%
189048,9688.7%
190054,24210.8%
191059,82210.3%
192065,79610.0%
193071,2148.2%
194076,6797.7%
195083,5949.0%
196086,3123.3%
197091,2795.8%
198099,6579.2%
1990105,2595.6%
2000103,793−1.4%
2010107,7023.8%
2020111,1393.2%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2016[1] 2017[10]

2000 census[]

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 103,793 people, 42,028 households, and 27,192 families living in the county. The population density was 221 people per square mile (85/km2). There were 45,960 housing units at an average density of 98 per square mile (38/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.98% White, 0.66% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.5% were of French Canadian, 19.4% French, 14.3% English, 9.7% United States or American and 8.4% Irish ancestry. 9.6% of the population speak French and 1.5% of the population speak Spanish at home.[12]

Of the 42,028 households 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.60% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.30% were non-families. 28.30% of households were one person and 11.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 23.90% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 29.70% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.

The median household income was $35,793 and the median family income was $44,082. Males had a median income of $31,622 versus $22,366 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,734. About 7.50% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.80% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census[]

At the 2010 census, there were 107,702 people, 44,315 households, and 28,045 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 230.2 inhabitants per square mile (88.9/km2). There were 49,090 housing units at an average density of 104.9 per square mile (40.5/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 92.8% white, 3.6% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.5% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 21.2% were English, 20.5% were French Canadian, 20.1% were French, 15.5% were Irish, 8.1% were German, and 5.0% were American.[15]

Of the 44,315 households, 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.7% were non-families, and 28.3% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 39.8 years.[13]

The median household income was $44,470 and the median family income was $55,045. Males had a median income of $41,554 versus $31,852 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,752. About 9.7% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Media[]

Newspapers[]

  • The Sun Journal prints a daily newspaper in four different editions statewide. The Sun Journal was the recipient of the 2008 New England Daily Newspaper of the Year and the 2009 Newspaper of the Year.

Politics[]

Presidential elections[]

In Presidential elections, Androscoggin County is considered a "swing area" by most political standards, with a fairly even split between Democratic and Republican voters. It was the only county in Maine to be won by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and George McGovern in 1972. Jimmy Carter also carried the county twice. In 1984 and 1988, it went for Republican candidates Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, who also won the state of Maine. However, the county narrowly swayed in favor of Republican Donald Trump for both the 2016 and 2020 elections;[17] even as the state as a whole was won by Democrats Hillary Clinton and Joe Biden, respectively.

Presidential elections results

State politics[]

In 2012, the county voted 54% against Maine Question 1, 2012 – a measure to legalize same-sex marriage, but the referendum passed in the state by 53%.[20]

County government[]

Androscoggin County is governed by an elected county commission consisting of seven members representing single-member districts.[21] Currently, the county commissioners are:

  • District 1 Noel Madore (D)
  • District 2 Roland Poirier (D)
  • District 3 Brian Ames (R)
  • District 4 Isaiah Lary (R)
  • District 5 John Michael (I)
  • District 6 Terri Kelly (R)
  • District 7 Sally A. Christner (R)

Voter registration[]

Active voter registration and party enrollment as of July 2020 [needs update][22]
Unenrolled 27,354 34.23%
Democratic 27,515 34.43%
Republican 21,149 26.47%
Green Independent 3,893 4.87%
Total 79,911 100%

Incorporated towns and cities[]

Census-designated places[]

See also[]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. ^ 1840 Map of Maine Counties with Town Boundaries. Accessed July 2021.
  4. ^ Hodgkin, Douglas I., Frontier to Industrial City:Lewiston Town Politics 1768–1863. Just Write Books, Topsham, Maine, 2008
  5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  10. ^ "QuickFacts. Androscoggin County, ME". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  11. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. ^ "Androscoggin County, Maine". Data Center. American Community Survey Aggregate Data, 5-Year Summary File, 2006–2010. Modern Language Association. 2006–2010. Archived from the original on 2013-08-15. Retrieved 23 Aug 2013.
  13. ^ Jump up to: a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  14. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  15. ^ "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 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  16. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  17. ^ David Leip's Presidential Atlas (Maps for Maine by election)
  18. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  19. ^ "Our Campaigns - U.S. President". Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  20. ^ "State of Maine Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions". Maine.gov. November 6, 2012. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  21. ^ "Androscoggin County Maine". www.androscoggincountymaine.gov. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  22. ^ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions (3 August 2020). "Registered & Enrolled Voters - Statewide" (PDF). Department of the Secretary of State, State of Maine. p. 3. Retrieved 20 October 2020.

External links[]

Coordinates: 44°10′N 70°13′W / 44.17°N 70.21°W / 44.17; -70.21

Retrieved from ""