Lisbon Falls, Maine

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Lisbon Falls is a census-designated place (CDP) within the town of Lisbon, located in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population of Lisbon Falls was 4,420 at the 2000 U.S. census. It is included in both the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan New England City and Town Area.

1 History
2 Geography
3 Demographics
4 External links

[edit] History

Main Street in c. 1905

The area was once part of "Little River Plantation," a portion of which was incorporated in 1799 as "Thompsonborough," then renamed in 1802 after Lisbon, Portugal. In 1806, Lisbon annexed the remainder of "Little River Plantation." With water power from the Androscoggin River, Lisbon Falls became a mill town. Before it burned down in 1987, the Worumbo Mill was the main mill in Lisbon Falls, and was world famous for its wools. Especially well known were its vicuna wool products, which became famous when President Eisenhower's Chief of Staff, Sherman Adams, received a vicuna sport coat as a gift from a wealthy industrialist and had to resign. The town's primary employment is at a gypsum mill and the nearby Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics Company.

The horror writer Stephen King attended high school in Lisbon Falls. The fictional town of Castle Rock, which he used in several stories, is thought to be based on Lisbon Falls. The town is also famous for its "Moxie Days," a celebration of the Moxie soft drink, which is sold at Frank Anicetti's corner store. The store's official name is The Kennebec Fruit Company, but it is commonly referred to as "The Moxie Store" and is recognizable by its bright yellow paint job. Moxie Days in Lisbon Falls is attended by thousands from around the world each summer.

[edit] Geography

Lisbon Falls is located at 44°0′8″N, 70°3′36″W (44.002177, -70.060102)^GR1.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the CDP has a total area of 10.1 km² (3.9 mi²). 9.8 km² (3.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.3 km² (0.1 mi²) of it (2.56%) is water. Lisbon Falls is drained by the Little River and Androscoggin River.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census^GR2 of 2000, there were 4,420 people, 1,707 households, and 1,206 families residing in the CDP. The population density was 449.1/km² (1,162.4/mi²). There were 1,798 housing units at an average density of 182.7/km² (472.8/mi²). The racial makeup of the CDP was 96.99% White, 0.63% African American, 0.23% Native American, 0.41% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.06% of the population.

There were 1,707 households out of which 36.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 12.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.3% were non-families. 22.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 3.02.

In the CDP the population was spread out with 27.4% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 32.6% from 25 to 44, 20.9% from 45 to 64, and 10.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 35 years. For every 100 females there were 96.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.3 males.

The median income for a household in the CDP was $39,224, and the median income for a family was $42,476. Males had a median income of $31,735 versus $20,688 for females. The per capita income for the CDP was $16,838. About 8.5% of families and 10.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.6% of those under age 18 and 4.6% of those age 65 or over.