| Kennebec County, Maine | ||
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Location in the state of Maine |
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Maine's location in the U.S. |
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| Founded | 1799 | |
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| Seat | Augusta | |
| Largest city | Augusta | |
| Area - Total - Land - Water |
951.18 sq mi (2,464 km²) 867.58 sq mi (2,247 km²) 83.60 sq mi (217 km²), 8.79% |
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| Population - (2010) - Density |
122,151 140.7/sq mi (54.33/km²) |
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| Website | www.kennebeccounty.org | |
Kennebec County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, its population was 122,151. Its county seat is Augusta.[1] The center of population of Maine is located in Kennebec County, in the city of Augusta.[2]
Kennebec County was established on 20 February 1799 from portions of Cumberland and Lincoln Counties.
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According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 951.18 square miles (2,463.5 km2), of which 867.58 square miles (2,247.0 km2) (or 91.21%) is land and 83.60 square miles (216.5 km2) (or 8.79%) is water.[3]
| Historical populations | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1800 | 24,571 |
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| 1810 | 32,564 | 32.5% | |
| 1820 | 42,623 | 30.9% | |
| 1830 | 52,485 | 23.1% | |
| 1840 | 55,823 | 6.4% | |
| 1850 | 62,521 | 12.0% | |
| 1860 | 55,655 | −11.0% | |
| 1870 | 53,203 | −4.4% | |
| 1880 | 53,058 | −0.3% | |
| 1890 | 57,012 | 7.5% | |
| 1900 | 59,117 | 3.7% | |
| 1910 | 62,863 | 6.3% | |
| 1920 | 63,844 | 1.6% | |
| 1930 | 70,691 | 10.7% | |
| 1940 | 77,231 | 9.3% | |
| 1950 | 83,881 | 8.6% | |
| 1960 | 89,150 | 6.3% | |
| 1970 | 95,247 | 6.8% | |
| 1980 | 109,889 | 15.4% | |
| 1990 | 115,904 | 5.5% | |
| 2000 | 117,114 | 1.0% | |
| 2010 | 122,151 | 4.3% | |
| [4][5][6] | |||
As of the census[7] of 2000, there were 117,114 people, 47,683 households, and 31,327 families residing in the county. The population density was 135 people per square mile (52/km²). There were 56,364 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.45% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.6% were of English, 17.4% French, 13.4% French Canadian, 10.9% United States or American and 9.9% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 92.5% spoke only English at home, while 5.48% spoke French [1].
There were 47,683 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89.
In the county, the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $36,498, and the median income for a family was $43,814. Males had a median income of $32,279 versus $24,032 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,520. About 8.50% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.
The county also includes the unincorporated township of Unity.
Kennebec County's economy has traditionally been industrial. A large amount of paper and textiles were produced, and mills sprung up all along the Kennebec river. The median house hold income is currently $36,498. The unemployment rate is currently at 4.2% (lower than it has been in a year).
There are three colleges: Colby College and Thomas (both in Waterville), and the University of Maine at Augusta. There are 19 school districts (however, 4 are consolidated ones). In China Maine, there is no public Highschool, but a private school (Erskine Academy) exists, and the town pays for students tuition if they choose to attend. Students from Vassalboro can pick from one of four school districts (Cony in Augusta, Erskine, Winslow, or Waterville). However, many towns have local public highschools.
There are many churches in Kennebec county, the largest being: Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Congregationalist, Unitarian, Church of the Nazarene, Church of Christ, Adventist and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). However, the largest single denomination is Roman Catholicism.
| Year | Democrat | Republican |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 56.4% 37,238 | 41.7% 27,482 |
| 2004 | 53.3% 35,616 | 44.6% 29,761 |
| 2000 | 53.0% 31,198 | 40.7% 23,967 |
Kennebec County tends to support candidates to the left of the political center. While the more rural areas support the Republican Party, the bigger cities are strongly Democratic. Democrats have carried the county in recent Presidential elections. Kennebec County is the only county in Maine that is split between Maine's two congressional districts. The larger, southern portion of the county is located in the 1st Congressional District of Maine, while the northern, smaller portion is located in the 2nd Congressional District of Maine.
| Franklin County | Somerset County | |||
| Waldo County | ||||
| Kennebec County, Maine | ||||
| Androscoggin County | Sagadahoc County and Lincoln County |
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