China, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
China, Maine
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Location in Kennebec County and the state of Maine.
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Kennebec |
| Villages | China Village Dirigo Corner Palermo (part) South China Weeks Mills |
| Area | |
| • Total | 56.86 sq mi (147.27 km2) |
| • Land | 49.88 sq mi (129.19 km2) |
| • Water | 6.98 sq mi (18.08 km2) |
| Elevation | 285 ft (87 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 4,408 |
| • Density | 88/sq mi (34.1/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Codes | |
| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-12735 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582410 |
China is a small town located in Kennebec County, Maine, in the United States. In 2020, about 4,408 people lived here. It's part of the larger Augusta area, which is a group of towns and cities connected together.
Contents
Geography of China, Maine
The town of China covers a total area of about 56.86 square miles (147.27 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 49.88 square miles (129.19 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 6.98 square miles (18.08 square kilometers), is water.
Some of the main bodies of water in China include:
- China Lake (about 3,939 acres)
- Three Mile Pond (about 1,174 acres)
- Branch Pond (about 310 acres)
China shares its borders with several other towns. To the northwest is Winslow, and to the northeast is Albion. On the east, you'll find Palermo, while Windsor is to the south. To the west is Vassalboro. The town is served by important roads like U.S. Route 202 and State Routes 32, 9, and 3.
China Lake
China Lake is a large lake located within the town of China. It has two main parts that are connected by a narrow section. The eastern part of the lake is shallower, usually less than 30 feet (9.1 meters) deep. This part of the lake is entirely within the town of China and has many homes and seasonal cottages along its edge.
Climate in China, Maine
China, Maine, experiences a climate with big changes between seasons. Summers are usually warm to hot, and can sometimes be humid. Winters are cold, and can even be very cold. This type of weather is known as a humid continental climate.
History of China, Maine
The first known family to settle in this area was the Clark family in 1774. They started a settlement called Jones' Plantation. Later, in 1796, Jones' Plantation officially became a town called Harlem.
On June 25, 1818, the town of China was officially formed. It was created by combining parts of Harlem, Fairfax (which is now Albion), and Winslow.
How China Got Its Name
The name "China" was chosen by a man named Japheth Washburn. He first wanted to name the town Bloomville. However, people from the town of Bloomfield thought the names were too similar and might cause confusion. So, Mr. Washburn decided on "China" instead. He chose this name because it was the title of one of his favorite hymns. This hymn was very popular and was written by Timothy Swan in 1790.
Early African-American Settlement
China also had a special area located between Palermo and Albion, part of which is now known as Thurston Park. Many families of African-American descent settled in this area between about 1790 and 1860. You can find records of their history in the Maine state archives. Some old burial sites are still there, including a large stone monument for a person named "Tolbot." This area was also home to an early shingle mill.
It's believed that these families moved to China because it was a safe place. China and several other nearby towns were known as "Quaker" towns. The Quakers were a religious group who believed in equality and would not support the capture of people seeking freedom, even when laws demanded it. This made China a welcoming place for these families.
Villages in China, Maine
The town of China includes five smaller communities, often called villages:
- China Village
- South China
- China (this refers to the central part of the town)
- Weeks Mills
- Branch Mills
Education in China, Maine
China is part of Regional School Unit 18. This school district also includes students from Rome, Belgrade, Sidney, and Oakland. Students living in China have a choice of which public high school they want to attend. They can go to schools in nearby towns like Winslow, Waterville, Augusta, or Oakland. There is also a private high school called Erskine Academy, located in South China.
Population Data for China, Maine
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1800 | 587 | — | |
| 1810 | 939 | 60.0% | |
| 1820 | 894 | −4.8% | |
| 1830 | 2,233 | 149.8% | |
| 1840 | 2,675 | 19.8% | |
| 1850 | 2,769 | 3.5% | |
| 1860 | 2,719 | −1.8% | |
| 1870 | 2,118 | −22.1% | |
| 1880 | 1,769 | −16.5% | |
| 1890 | 1,423 | −19.6% | |
| 1900 | 1,380 | −3.0% | |
| 1910 | 1,297 | −6.0% | |
| 1920 | 1,257 | −3.1% | |
| 1930 | 1,163 | −7.5% | |
| 1940 | 1,252 | 7.7% | |
| 1950 | 1,375 | 9.8% | |
| 1960 | 1,561 | 13.5% | |
| 1970 | 1,850 | 18.5% | |
| 1980 | 2,918 | 57.7% | |
| 1990 | 3,713 | 27.2% | |
| 2000 | 4,106 | 10.6% | |
| 2010 | 4,328 | 5.4% | |
| 2020 | 4,408 | 1.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
China's Population in 2010
According to the census from 2010, there were 4,328 people living in China. These people lived in 1,718 households, and 1,234 of these were families.
Most of the people in China were White (97.1%). A small number were African American (0.3%), Native American (0.5%), or Asian (0.4%). About 0.9% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
Out of all the households, about 32.4% had children under 18 living with them. Most households (57.2%) were married couples living together. About 22.0% of households had only one person living there.
The average age of people in China was 42.1 years old. About 23.6% of residents were under 18. About 11.5% were 65 years old or older. The population was almost evenly split between males (49.8%) and females (50.2%).
Notable People from China, Maine
- Gerry Boyle, a mystery author
- Rufus Jones, a Quaker religious writer
- Brendan Kehoe, an author
- Mary Mayhew, a lobbyist and politician
- Laroy S. Starrett, an inventor
See also
In Spanish: China (Maine) para niños
