Dexter, Maine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Dexter is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. The population was 3,890 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Bangor, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is located at (45.0242, -69.2899)GR1, beside Lake Wassookeag at the intersection of Routes 7 and 23.
Contents |
[edit] History
Dexter was settled in 1801. It would incorporate in 1816, named for Dexter borup, a politician. The town grew because of its location on the East Branch of the Sebasticook River, which provided water power for mills. In 1818, Jonathan Farrar constructed a grist mill at the falls. The Dexter Historical Society today uses the building which replaced it in 1854 as part of its museum complex. The stream would also power 5 woolen mills, the oldest and largest of which was established by Amos and Jeremiah Abbott in 1836. Amos Abbott & Company , which closed in 1975, was the only mill in the United States to be owned by one family throughout the duration of its operation.
Dexter's downtown includes the Memorial Building, designed by John Morrison. At its top is the community's largest clock, named "Nancy" after the architect's wife. The tallest building in town is the Unitarian Universalist Church. It is also Dexter's oldest house of worship, built in 1826.
[edit] Historic Sites & Museums
[edit] Notable Residents
- Ralph Owen Brewster, 54th Governor of Maine, U.S. Senator [1]
- Holman Day, novelist [1]
[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 96.3 km² (37.2 mi²). 91.1 km² (35.2 mi²) of it is land and 5.2 km² (2.0 mi²) of it (5.38%) is water. Dexter is drained by the East Branch of the Sebasticook River, which flows from Lake Wassookeag.
[edit] Demographics
This article describes the town of Dexter as a whole. Additional demographic detail is available which describes only the central settlement or village within the town, although that detail is included in the aggregate values reported here. See: Dexter (CDP), Maine.
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 3,890 people, 1,615 households, and 1,106 families residing in the town. The population density was 42.7/km² (110.6/mi²). There were 2,054 housing units at an average density of 22.5/km² (58.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.56% White, 0.31% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.10% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.03% from other races, and 0.75% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.64% of the population.
There were 1,615 households out of which 29.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.5% were married couples living together, 11.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% were non-families. 26.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.36 and the average family size was 2.80.
In the town the population was spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 6.7% from 18 to 24, 26.1% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 17.4% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 90.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $26,000, and the median income for a family was $31,204. Males had a median income of $27,130 versus $18,805 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,197. About 15.4% of families and 17.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 28.7% of those under age 18 and 9.7% of those age 65 or over.
[edit] Trivia
Part of the downtown section of the town is referenced on the cover of the Stephen King novel Needful Things. It can also be glimpsed during the "Hitchhiker" story of Creepshow 2, as can nearby Dover-Foxcroft.
