Washington County, Maine

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Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2020 census, its population was 31,095,<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> making it the third-least populous county in Maine. Its county seat is Machias.<ref name="GR6">Template:Cite web</ref> The county was established on June 25, 1789. It borders the Canadian province of New Brunswick. It is sometimes referred to as "Sunrise County" because it includes the easternmost point in the 48 contiguous United States. Claims have been made that Washington County is where the sun first rises on the 48 contiguous states.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Many small seaside communities have small-scale fishing-based economies. Tourism is also important along the county's shoreline, but it is not as important as elsewhere in the state. The blueberry crop plays a major role in the county's economy.

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 (21%) is water.<ref name="GR1">Template:Cite web</ref>

Adjacent counties

Hancock County – southwest
Penobscot County – northwest
Aroostook County – northwest
York County, New Brunswick, Canada – northeast
Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada – east

National protected areas

Major highways

Demographics

Template:US Census populationAccording to U.S. Census Bureau 2022 statistics, Washington County's population density equates to twelve people per square mile.<ref name="newscentermaine.com">Template:Cite web</ref>

2000 census

As of the census<ref name="GR2">Template:Cite web</ref> of 2000, there were 33,941 people, 14,118 households, and 9,303 families living in the county. The population density was Template:Convert. There were 21,919 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert. The racial makeup of the county was 93.48% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 4.43% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 0.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 95.0% spoke English, 1.9% Passamaquoddy, 1.0% Spanish and 1.0% French as their first language.

There were 14,118 households, out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.90% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,869, and the median income for a family was $31,657. Males had a median income of $28,347 versus $20,074 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,119. About 14.20% of families and 19.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.40% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 32,856 people, 14,302 households, and 8,847 families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">Template:Cite web</ref> The population density was Template:Convert. There were 23,001 housing units at an average density of Template:Convert.<ref name="census-density">Template:Cite web</ref> The racial makeup of the county was 92.1% white, 4.9% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 30.4% were English, 17.0% were Irish, 7.0% were German, 6.1% were Scottish, and 5.6% were American.<ref name="census-dp2">Template:Cite web</ref>

Of the 14,302 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.1% were non-families, and 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age was 46.1 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The median income for a household in the county was $34,859 and the median income for a family was $43,612. Males had a median income of $35,981 versus $27,336 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,401. About 14.1% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">Template:Cite web</ref>

Government

Washington County is considered to be a more conservative county in Maine. No Democrat has carried a majority of the county since Hubert Humphrey in 1968. In 2004, it was one of only two counties (the other being Piscataquis County) in Maine to vote for Republican George W. Bush over Democrat John Kerry. The county voted for the winning presidential candidate in every election from 1980 until 2020, when the county was carried by Donald Trump, who lost nationally to Joe Biden.<ref>Politico live election results: 2020 Maine results</ref><ref>Template:Citation</ref> In 2024, the county shifted to the right again, with Trump breaking 60% of the vote for the Republican Party for the first time since 1984.

In the 2012 Maine Republican presidential caucuses, the majority of Washington County voters cast their votes for Republican Ron Paul, but votes from Washington County were not counted because of snow. Mitt Romney ultimately won the state by a narrow margin.

Voter registration

Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024<ref name="Maine SOS">Template:Cite web</ref>
Template:Party color cell	Republican	8,027	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Unenrolled	6,072	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Democratic	5,591	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Green Independent	752	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	No Labels	314	Template:Percentage
Template:Party color cell	Libertarian	76	Template:Percentage
Total		20,832	Template:Percentage

Communities

Cities

Towns

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Plantations

Unorganized territories

Indian reservations

Census-designated places

Public transportation

Template:See also Washington County does not have a comprehensive public transportation system, despite having a year-round population of around 32,000.<ref name="newscentermaine.com"/> West Bus Services, based in Milbridge, serves several communities in northern Maine. The daily Coastal Connection route serves: Calais, Perry, Pembroke, Dennysville, Whiting, Lubec, East Machias, Machias, Jonesboro, Jonesport, Beals, Addison, Cherryfield, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Deblois (seasonal), Township 18 (seasonal), Township 19 (seasonal), Centerville, Gouldsboro, Winter Harbor, Sullivan, Steuben, Hancock, Ellsworth, Lucern, Holden and Bangor. The route takes around 3.5 hours. On the first Wednesday of each month, a return service runs between Lubec and Machias.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Education

School districts include:

K-12 districts:<ref name=SDMap2020>Template:Cite web - Text list</ref> Template:Div col

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Secondary school districts:

Moosabec Community School District<ref name=SDMap2020/>

Elementary school districts:<ref name=SDMap2020/>

A portion of the area is in the "Washington Unorganized Territory".<ref name=SDMap2020/> Unorganized territory is not in any municipality.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Notable people

Jeremiah O'Brien, (1744-1818) Commander of the sloop Unity during the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War; Machias.
Henry Plummer (1832–1864), Sheriff and outlaw leader of The Innocents, in Bannock, Montana, Idaho Territory, born and raised in Addison.
Hiram Burnham (1814-1864), Civil War general; Cherryfield.
Reuben L. Snowe (1866-1942), Maine state legislator; born in Danforth.
Theodore Enslin (1925–2011), American poet; resident of Milbridge.
Carl Willey (1931 - 2009), American professional baseball player; Cherryfield.
Lyn Mikel Brown (b. 1956), American academic, author, feminist, and community activist; born in Vanceboro.
Katie Aselton (b. 1978), American actress, film director and producer; born in Milbridge.

References

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External links

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Washington County official website
Digital Maine Repository. Items related to Washington County
Core.ac.uk. Assorted items related to Washington County
Digital Public Library of America. Assorted materials related to Washington County

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