Gilead, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Gilead, Maine
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A view of Gilead in 1892
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 Gilead, Maine
Location in Maine
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Oxford |
| Area | |
| • Total | 19.67 sq mi (50.95 km2) |
| • Land | 18.88 sq mi (48.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.79 sq mi (2.05 km2) |
| Elevation | 663 ft (202 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 195 |
| • Density | 10/sq mi (4.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
04217
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-27505 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582490 |
Gilead is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Upon incorporation in 1804, it was named for the large quantity of Balm of Gilead trees in the town center. The population was 195 at the 2020 census.
History
In the late 1700s, Massachusetts sold land in what is now Maine to encourage the settlement of the area. In 1772, Oliver and John Peabody, of Andover, MA and John and Samuel Bodwell of Methuen, MA bought 6000 acres above Sudbury Canada. Gilead was first granted as Peabody's Patent. In 1804, there were 20 families and the need for schools, churches, roads and other community necessities had become evident. It was time to raise money to bring this about. The petition was granted on June 23, 1804 and Peabody's Patent became Gilead.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 19.67 square miles (50.95 km2), of which, 18.88 square miles (48.90 km2) of it is land and 0.79 square miles (2.05 km2) is water.
Gilead is the first town encountered when crossing into Maine from New Hampshire on U.S. Route 2, which is the major road in the town.
Demographics
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 215 | — | |
| 1820 | 328 | 52.6% | |
| 1830 | 377 | 14.9% | |
| 1840 | 313 | −17.0% | |
| 1850 | 359 | 14.7% | |
| 1860 | 347 | −3.3% | |
| 1870 | 329 | −5.2% | |
| 1880 | 293 | −10.9% | |
| 1890 | 336 | 14.7% | |
| 1900 | 340 | 1.2% | |
| 1910 | 233 | −31.5% | |
| 1920 | 196 | −15.9% | |
| 1930 | 220 | 12.2% | |
| 1940 | 160 | −27.3% | |
| 1950 | 140 | −12.5% | |
| 1960 | 136 | −2.9% | |
| 1970 | 153 | 12.5% | |
| 1980 | 191 | 24.8% | |
| 1990 | 204 | 6.8% | |
| 2000 | 156 | −23.5% | |
| 2010 | 209 | 34.0% | |
| 2020 | 195 | −6.7% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, there were 209 people, 98 households, and 59 families living in the town. The population density was 11.1 inhabitants per square mile (4.3/km2). There were 151 housing units at an average density of 8.0 per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 100.0% White. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.9% of the population.
There were 98 households, of which 19.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.1% were married couples living together, 2.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 39.8% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals, and 17.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.13 and the average family size was 2.64.
The median age in the town was 46.5 years. 16.7% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.3% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.8% were from 25 to 44; 29.2% were from 45 to 64; and 22% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 55.5% male and 44.5% female.
In popular culture
Gilead is the setting for the movie The Spitfire Grill, though it was actually filmed in Vermont.
Gilead is the town native Mainer Steven King based the homeland of Roland Deschain on, protagonist of The Dark Tower series.
Images for kids
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Gilead's 1851-built former Grand Trunk Railroad station. In 2001, it was returned to Gilead from Auburn, where it had been for 20 years.
See also
In Spanish: Gilead (Maine) para niños
