Kennebec County, Maine

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Kennebec County, Maine
Seal
Location in the state of Maine
Maine's location in the U.S.
Founded	1799
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%
Population  - (2020)  - Density	123,642 140.7/sq mi (54.33/km²)
Website	www.kennebeccounty.org

Kennebec County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2020, its population was 123,642. Its county seat is Augusta. The center of population of Maine is located in Kennebec County, in the city of Augusta.

Kennebec County was established on 20 February 1799 from portions of Cumberland and Lincoln Counties.

Geography

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.

Adjacent counties

• Somerset County, Maine - north
• Waldo County, Maine - east
• Sagadahoc County, Maine - south
• Lincoln County, Maine - south
• Androscoggin County, Maine - southwest
• Franklin County, Maine - northwest

Demographics

Historical populations
Census	Pop.		%±
1800	24,571		—
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%

As of the census 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.

Cities and towns

• Albion
• Augusta
• Belgrade
• Benton
• Chelsea
• China
• Clinton
• Farmingdale
• Fayette
• Gardiner
• Hallowell
• Litchfield
• Manchester
• Monmouth
• Mount Vernon
• Oakland
• Pittston
• Randolph
• Readfield
• Rome
• Sidney
• Vassalboro
• Vienna
• Waterville
• Wayne
• West Gardiner
• Windsor
• Winslow
• Winthrop

The county also includes the unincorporated township of Unity.

Economy

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).

Education

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.

Religion

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.

Politics

Kennebec County has consistently voted for Democrats in recent elections, until 2016 when it voted for Donald Trump, the first time since 1988. While the more rural areas support the Republican Party, the urban areas are strongly Democratic. 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 in the 1st Congressional District of Maine, while the northern, smaller portion is in the 2nd Congressional District of Maine.

Voter registration

Voter registration and party enrollment as of May 2019
	Unenrolled	32,904	34.8%
	Democratic	30,205	31.94%
	Republican	27,378	28.95%
	Green Independent	4,070	4.3%
	Libertarian	6	0.01%
Total		94,564	100%

United States presidential election results for Kennebec County, Maine

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2020	34,721	48.32%	34,902	48.57%	2,235	3.11%
2016	31,675	47.84%	29,302	44.26%	5,231	7.90%
2012	26,519	41.76%	35,068	55.23%	1,910	3.01%
2008	27,482	41.65%	37,238	56.43%	1,266	1.92%
2004	29,761	44.57%	35,616	53.34%	1,395	2.09%
2000	23,967	40.69%	31,198	52.96%	3,742	6.35%
1996	15,403	27.68%	30,257	54.37%	9,994	17.96%
1992	17,135	26.81%	25,125	39.31%	21,661	33.89%
1988	27,734	53.60%	23,578	45.57%	433	0.84%
1984	31,753	59.70%	21,183	39.82%	255	0.48%
1980	21,517	43.84%	20,943	42.67%	6,617	13.48%
1976	22,534	47.53%	23,473	49.51%	1,400	2.95%
1972	24,617	59.99%	16,379	39.91%	39	0.10%
1968	16,009	41.81%	21,752	56.81%	531	1.39%
1964	11,307	31.28%	24,813	68.65%	23	0.06%
1960	21,699	54.31%	18,252	45.69%	0	0.00%
1956	23,028	66.73%	11,483	33.27%	0	0.00%
1952	21,207	63.59%	12,113	36.32%	31	0.09%
1948	13,923	55.12%	11,163	44.19%	174	0.69%
1944	14,335	50.42%	14,070	49.49%	25	0.09%
1940	14,877	48.36%	15,861	51.56%	27	0.09%
1936	14,987	55.34%	11,268	41.61%	826	3.05%
1932	14,451	53.93%	12,110	45.19%	236	0.88%
1928	15,541	65.14%	8,226	34.48%	92	0.39%
1924	13,122	72.26%	4,184	23.04%	853	4.70%
1920	12,333	68.62%	5,466	30.41%	174	0.97%
1916	6,731	53.71%	5,527	44.11%	273	2.18%
1912	1,782	15.20%	4,397	37.50%	5,547	47.31%
1908	6,133	65.99%	2,871	30.89%	290	3.12%
1904	5,765	68.68%	2,333	27.79%	296	3.53%
1900	6,228	62.60%	3,410	34.27%	311	3.13%
1896	7,889	71.70%	2,817	25.60%	297	2.70%
1892	6,165	57.27%	4,094	38.03%	506	4.70%
1888	7,453	62.46%	4,139	34.69%	340	2.85%
1884	7,572	61.30%	3,906	31.62%	874	7.08%
1880	7,771	59.00%	5,001	37.97%	400	3.04%

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Kennebec County, Maine

External links

• Official Site of Kennebec County, Maine