New Portland, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
New Portland, Maine
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The Wire Bridge in New Portland
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 New Portland, Maine
Location in Maine
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Somerset |
| Area | |
| • Total | 44.23 sq mi (114.56 km2) |
| • Land | 43.88 sq mi (113.65 km2) |
| • Water | 0.35 sq mi (0.91 km2) |
| Elevation | 449 ft (137 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 765 |
| • Density | 17/sq mi (6.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP codes |
04954, 04961
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-49205 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582622 |
New Portland is a small town in Somerset County, Maine, United States. It's famous for its Wire Bridge, a special bridge built in 1866. This bridge is the last one of its kind left in Maine, and maybe even in the whole U.S.!
A big fire in 1919 burned down much of Main Street in North New Portland, including a hotel. Today, the town holds an annual fair in September that brings in many visitors. In 2020, about 765 people lived in New Portland. The town was originally given to the people of Falmouth (now called Portland) by the Massachusetts government. This was to help them after the British fleet burned their town in 1775.
Contents
Geography
New Portland covers about 44.23 square miles (114.56 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with a small part being water. The town is located on Route 27. It is close to Kingfield and a short drive from the popular Sugarloaf ski resort.
The Carrabassett River flows through the villages of West New Portland and East New Portland. This river has many rocks and flows quickly in some places. The Gilman Stream, however, flows through North New Portland. It is a slower river, which makes it good for activities like kayaking and canoeing.
Population and People
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 421 | — | |
| 1820 | 817 | 94.1% | |
| 1830 | 1,214 | 48.6% | |
| 1840 | 1,620 | 33.4% | |
| 1850 | 1,460 | −9.9% | |
| 1860 | 1,554 | 6.4% | |
| 1870 | 1,454 | −6.4% | |
| 1880 | 1,271 | −12.6% | |
| 1890 | 1,034 | −18.6% | |
| 1900 | 913 | −11.7% | |
| 1910 | 882 | −3.4% | |
| 1920 | 840 | −4.8% | |
| 1930 | 818 | −2.6% | |
| 1940 | 765 | −6.5% | |
| 1950 | 733 | −4.2% | |
| 1960 | 620 | −15.4% | |
| 1970 | 559 | −9.8% | |
| 1980 | 651 | 16.5% | |
| 1990 | 789 | 21.2% | |
| 2000 | 785 | −0.5% | |
| 2010 | 718 | −8.5% | |
| 2020 | 765 | 6.5% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
How Many People Live Here?
In 2010, there were 718 people living in New Portland. These people lived in 346 households, and 202 of these were families.
The average age of people in New Portland was about 49 years old.
- About 17% of the residents were under 18 years old.
- About 38% were between 45 and 64 years old.
- About 18% were 65 years or older.
More than half of the people living in New Portland were male (52.2%), and a little less than half were female (47.8%).
Famous People from New Portland
New Portland has been home to several notable individuals:
- Joseph T. Copeland: He was a judge on the Michigan Supreme Court and a general in the Union Army during the Civil War. He also served as the postmaster of New Portland starting in 1837.
- Peter Percival Elder: Born in New Portland in 1823, he was known as a politician, businessman, and newspaperman.
- Geoffrey Shovelton: A talented opera singer (tenor) and illustrator, he moved to New Portland in 2002.
- Abram P. Williams: Born in New Portland in 1832, he became a teacher and businessman. He later served as a U.S. Senator for California.
- Orrin J. Williams (1844–1913): He was a businessman and served as the mayor of New Richmond, Wisconsin. He was also a Wisconsin State Assemblyman.
See also
In Spanish: New Portland para niños
