Penobscot County, Maine

Template:Short description Template:Distinguish Template:Use mdy dates Template:Infobox U.S. county

Penobscot County is a county in the U.S. state of Maine, named for the Penobscot people in Wabanakik.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> As of the 2020 census, the population was 152,199,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> making it the third-most-populous county in Maine. Its county seat is Bangor.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The county was established on February 15, 1816, from part of Hancock County when the area was still part of Massachusetts. Penobscot County is home to the University of Maine.

Penobscot County comprises the Bangor, ME Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of Template:Convert, of which Template:Convert is land and Template:Convert (4.5%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref> The county highpoint is East Turner Mountain at Template:Convert next to Baxter State Park.

Adjacent counties

Aroostook County – north
Washington County – southeast
Hancock County – south
Waldo County – southwest
Somerset County – west
Piscataquis County – northwest

National protected area

Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

Template:US Census population

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 144,919 people, 58,096 households, and 37,820 families living in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 66,847 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The county's racial makeup was 96.60% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.8% were of English, 17.3% United States or American, 14.0% French, 13.0% Irish and 6.7% French Canadian ancestry. 95.8% spoke English and 2.3% French as their first language.<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> There were 58,096 households, of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.90% were non-families. 26.70% of households were one person and 10.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.

The age distribution was 22.80% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median household income was $34,274 and the median family income was $42,206. Males had a median income of $32,824 versus $23,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,801. About 9.70% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 153,923 people, 62,966 households, and 38,917 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 73,860 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert.<ref name="census-density">Template:Cite web</ref> The county's racial makeup was 95.4% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 20.9% were English, 17.2% were Irish, 9.4% were American, 7.1% were German, 6.0% were French Canadian, and 5.9% were Scottish.<ref name="census-dp2">Template:Cite web</ref>

Of the 62,966 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.2% were non-families, and 28.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 39.9 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The county's median household income was $42,658 and the median family income was $54,271. Males had a median income of $41,094 versus $31,910 for females. The county's per capita income was $22,977. About 10.1% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">Template:Cite web</ref>

Politics

As the most populous county in Maine's 2nd congressional district, Penobscot County's support for Donald Trump in 2016 helped deliver him a split electoral vote from Maine.<ref>Template:Citation</ref> It was the first time since 1828 that Maine split its electoral votes. Republican strength in the county has increased in each subsequent election (2020 and 2024).

Voter registration

Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024<ref name="Maine SOS">Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Party color cell	Republican	35,748	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Democratic	29,890	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Unenrolled	27,843	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Green Independent	3,908	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	No Labels	1,051	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Libertarian	829	Template:Percentage
Total		99,269	Template:Percentage