Kennebec County, Maine

Kennebec County is a county located in the South-central portion of the U.S. state of Maine. At the 2020 census, the population was 123,642.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Its county seat is Augusta,<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> the state capital. The county was established on February 20, 1799, from portions of Cumberland and Lincoln Counties. The name Kennebec comes from the Eastern Abenaki /kínipekʷ/, meaning "large body of still water, large bay."<ref name="Bright2004">Template:Cite book</ref>

Kennebec County comprises the Augusta–Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area.

In 2010, the center of population of Maine was in Kennebec County, in the city of Augusta.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (8.8%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref>

The county is nearly bisected by the Kennebec River, which also forms parts of the county line in the north and south of the county. The county is also dotted by many lakes and ponds, as well as the Kennebec Highlands in the northwest part of the county.

Adjacent counties

• Somerset County – north
• Waldo County – east
• Sagadahoc County – south
• Lincoln County – south
• Androscoggin County – southwest
• Franklin County – northwest

Major highways

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Demographics

2000 census

As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 117,114 people, 47,683 households, and 31,327 families living in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 56,364 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. 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. 92.5% spoke only English at home, while 5.48% spoke French.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

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.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

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.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 122,151 people, 51,128 households, and 32,368 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 60,972 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert.<ref name="census-density">Template:Cite web</ref> The racial makeup of the county was % from other races, and % from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up % of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 24.2% were English, 17.0% were Irish, 8.3% were German, 7.7% were French Canadian, 5.7% were American, and 5.4% were Scottish.<ref name="census-dp2">Template:Cite web</ref>

The median income for a household in the county was $45,973 and the median income for a family was $56,853. Males had a median income of $42,176 versus $32,471 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,656. About 7.8% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">Template:Cite web</ref>

Micropolitan statistical area

Kennebec County has been designated as the Augusta–Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA) by the United States Office of Management and Budget. As of the 2010 U.S. Census<ref name="census.gov">Template:Cite web</ref> the micropolitan area ranked the most populous in the State of Maine and also the only micropolitan area within the state. The area also ranks 14th most populous in the United States with a population of 125,540 as of July 2022.

Economy

Kennebec County's economy has traditionally been industrial. A large amount of paper and textiles were produced, and mills sprung up along the Kennebec river. The median household income is $36,498. The unemployment rate is 4.2%.

Education

There are three colleges: Colby College and Thomas College (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 high school, 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 high schools.

K-12 school districts include:<ref>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref> Template:Div col

• Augusta School District
• Fayette School District
• Vassalboro School District
• Waterville School District
• Winslow School District
• Winthrop School District
• Regional School Unit 02
• Regional School Unit 04
• Regional School Unit 18
• Regional School Unit 12
• Regional School Unit 38
• School Administrative District 09
• School Administrative District 11
• School Administrative District 49
• Kennebec Unorganized Territory

Politics

Kennebec County has consistently voted for Democrats in recent elections, until 2016 when it voted for Republican Donald Trump,<ref>Template:Citation</ref> the first time it had voted Republican 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, while the northern, smaller portion is in the 2nd Congressional District.

Historically, the county was more Democratic-leaning than the rest of the state in presidential elections. The county voted for Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940 even as Republican Wendell Willkie carried Maine, and it voted for Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1976 as Republican Gerald Ford won the state. In more recent elections, the county voted in-line with the state, voting for the statewide winner in every election from 1980 to 2012. In 2020, it was the closest county in the state, with Democrat Joe Biden defeating Trump by just 181 votes. Kennebec swung back into the Republican column in 2024, with Trump carrying the county this time with a full majority.

Voter registration

Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024<ref name="Maine SOS">Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Party color cell	Republican	27,635	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Democratic	27,487	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Unenrolled	24,455	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Green Independent	3,698	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Libertarian	403	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	No Labels	271	Template:Percentage
Total		83,949	Template:Percentage

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Communities

Cities

• Augusta (county seat)
• Gardiner
• Hallowell
• Waterville

Towns

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

Unorganized territory

• Unity

Census-designated places

• Clinton
• Farmingdale
• Oakland
• Winthrop

Other unincorporated villages

• China Village
• East Vassalboro
• East Winthrop
• Libby Hill
• North Monmouth
• North Vassalboro
• South China

See also

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

Further reading

• Samuel Lane Boardman, History of the Agriculture of Kennebec County, Maine. New York: Blake, 1892.
• Raymond Stevens Finley, The History of Secondary Education in Kennebec County in Maine. Orono, ME: University of Maine at Orono Press, 1941.
• Rufus Matthew Jones, The Society of Friends in Kennebec County, Maine. New York: H.W. Blake and Co., 1892.
• Henry D. Kingsbury and Simeon L. Deyo (eds.), Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine: 1625-1799-1892. New York: H.W. Blake and Co., 1892.
• Cynthia MacAlman McCausland, Index to Kingsbury and Deyo's illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine. Camden, ME: Picton Press, 1996.
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• George W. Walton, History of the Town of Wayne, Kennebec County, Maine, From Its Settlement to 1898. Augusta, ME: Maine Farmer Publishing Co., 1898.
• Edwin Carey Whittemore, The Centennial History of Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine, Including the Oration, the Historical Address and the Poem Presented at the Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town, June 23d, 1902. Waterville, ME: Executive Committee of the Centennial Celebration, 1902.

External links

• Official Site of Kennebec County, Maine
• Digital Maine Repository. Items related to Kennebec County
• Core.ac.uk. Assorted items related to Kennebec County
• Digital Public Library of America. Assorted materials related to Kennebec County