Thomaston (town), Maine
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Thomaston is a town in Knox County, Maine, United States on the banks of the inlet which drains the Saint George River. The population was 3,748 at the 2000 census. The first European presence was a trading post in 1630 that remained continuously open despite Indian raids. Settlement began in 1783. Thomaston prospered in the early 1800s as a port and shipbuilding center. Around 1840, two of seven recorded millionaires in the United States were Thomaston sea captains.[1]
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[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 29.9 km² (11.5 mi²). 28.3 km² (10.9 mi²) of it is land and 1.6 km² (0.6 mi²) of it (5.37%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there were 3,748 people, 1,436 households, and 887 families residing in the town. The population density was 132.5/km² (343.2/mi²). There were 1,535 housing units at an average density of 54.3/km² (140.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.81% White, 0.61% Black or African American, 0.21% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.05% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.43% of the population.
There were 1,436 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 38.2% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 15.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.88.
In the town the population was spread out with 20.5% under the age of 18, 8.1% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 114.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 116.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $33,306, and the median income for a family was $42,319. Males had a median income of $29,894 versus $21,295 for females. The per capita income for the town was $17,199. About 8.1% of families and 12.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.1% of those under age 18 and 15.9% of those age 65 or over.
See also: Thomaston (CDP), Maine
[edit] State Prison
Thomaston was home to the state prison until 2002, when it was moved to Warren, Maine. The prison was locally famous for its gift shop, featuring the handmade wares of the prisoners. The gift shop still exists today. The prison site was sold to the state by former governor William King in 1824.[1]
[edit] Notable Residents
- Jonathan Cilley, member of the U.S. House of Representatives[1]
- Henry Knox - General in the American Revolution, 1st United States Secretary of War[1]
- Daniel Rose temporary 4th Governor of Maine in January 1822, first warden of the State Prison[1]
- John Ruggles, U.S. Senator, father of the U.S. Patent Office, inventor[1]
