Oakland, Maine

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For other places with the same name, see Oakland.

Oakland is a town in Kennebec County in the U.S. state of Maine. The population was 5,959 at the 2000 census.

The U.S. Census Bureau provides additional demographic detail for the more densely populated area within the town. Those details are included in the aggregate population and area values reported here. See: Oakland (CDP), Maine.

Oakland is said by residents to be the gateway to the Belgrade Lakes Region. It is at 44°32′25″N, 69°43′19″W, four miles (6 km) west of Waterville and approximately eighteen miles (29 km) north of Augusta, the state capital. The town has four major waterways, McGrath Pond, Salmon Lake, East Pond, and Messalonskee Lake and Stream, which have played a major role in the history of the town.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 External links

[edit] History

Oakland was first settled by colonists of English descent who came from Massachusetts and New Hampshire in the latter half of the 1700s. At that time the area was known as Taconnet, which is derived from one of the four tribes of Native Americans who first occupied this region. The area was incorporated as Winslow in 1771. In 1802, the area west of the Kennebec effected a peaceful secession and incorporated as Waterville. In 1873, the manufacturers in the western section, who had created a separate center of activity and trade and were unhappy about taxation, incorporated as West Waterville. In 1883, the residents voted to rename their town Oakland.

Manufacturers long have been drawn to Oakland because of the water power provided by Messalonskee Stream. Oakland once was known as the axe and scythe producing capital of New England. With changing technology, newer industries such as the Cascade Woolen Mill replaced the agricultural equipment industry. In recent times, Oakland has witnessed another change in its industrial base. Older industries have closed, making way for new companies such as Valley Distributors, Industrial Metal Recycling, and Wrabacon, Inc.

Waterville and Augusta are service centers for Oakland, and many Oakland residents commute to jobs in those areas. The completion of I-95 in the 1960s increased Oakland's relationship with the Augusta area, and to some extent the Greater Portland and Bangor areas.

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 73.1 km² (28.2 mi²). 66.7 km² (25.7 mi²) of it is land and 6.4 km² (2.5 mi²) of it (8.76%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 5,959 people, 2,352 households, and 1,651 families residing in the town. The population density was 89.4/km² (231.5/mi²). There were 2,847 housing units at an average density of 42.7/km² (110.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.27% White, 0.15% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.08% from other races, and 0.70% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.52% of the population.

There were 2,352 households out of which 35.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.9% were married couples living together, 11.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.8% were non-families. 23.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.53 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.9% under the age of 18, 7.5% from 18 to 24, 30.2% from 25 to 44, 24.4% from 45 to 64, and 11.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.6 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $34,934, and the median income for a family was $43,654. Males had a median income of $33,382 versus $24,286 for females. The per capita income for the town was $19,406. About 9.0% of families and 10.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.4% of those under age 18 and 4.9% of those age 65 or over.