Livermore Falls (town), Maine

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Livermore Falls is a town in Androscoggin County, Maine, United States with a population of 3,227 as of 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 Geography
2 Demographics
3 History
4 External Links

[edit] Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 52.9 km² (20.4 mi²). 51.2 km² (19.8 mi²) of it is land and 1.8 km² (0.7 mi²) of it (3.33%) is water.

[edit] Demographics

As of the census ² of 2000, there were 3,227 people, 1,322 households, and 835 families residing in the town. The population density was 63.1/km² (163.4/mi²). There were 1,502 housing units at an average density of 29.4/km² (76.1/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.27% White, 0.50% Black or African American, 0.62% Native American, 0.22% Asian, 0.03% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.02% of the population.

There were 1,322 households out of which 33.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.8% were married couples living together, 13.2% had a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.95.

In the town the population was spread out with 27.8% under the age of 18, 7.6% from 18 to 24, 27.4% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 96.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $30,102, and the median income for a family was $33,354. Males had a median income of $30,139 versus $22,381 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,935. About 13.2% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.7% of those under age 18 and 13.2% of those age 65 or over.

[edit] History

The area known as Livermore was settled in the 1770s as Port Royal, and derived its name from Deacon Elijah Livermore, one of the first settlers in the area. The town of Livermore was incorporated in 1795, with a county line running through the middle based on the Androscoggin River. West of the river was part of Oxford County and east of the river was part of Kennebec County. The town of East Livermore was incorporated March 1, 1844, was set off from Kennebec county on March 31, 1854, to create Androscoggin County, and eventually came to be known as Livermore Falls Village.

Early in the 19th century the area was still mostly farmland, with orchards and dairy supplying the markets of Boston and Portland. As the century progressed lumber and logging came to the fore as the industrial revolution reached fever pitch. In the late 1800s Livermore Falls was a bustle of mills, large and small.

Though most heavy industry has left Livermore Falls, the town's history is steeped in the lore of railroad, papermaking, lumber, and logging. It is hardly possible to exaggerate the importance of their formative role in this small town on the Great River.

Livermore Falls is the birthplace of American poet Louise Bogan.