Orono, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Orono, Maine
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Town
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Mill Street business in downtown Orono
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 Orono, Maine
Location in Maine
Orono, Maine
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States | |
| State | Maine | |
| County | Penobscot | |
| Settled | 1774 | |
| Incorporated | March 12, 1806 | |
| Chartered | 1969 | |
| Government | ||
| • Type | Council/Manager | |
| Area | ||
| • Total | 19.60 sq mi (50.76 km2) | |
| • Land | 18.19 sq mi (47.11 km2) | |
| • Water | 1.41 sq mi (3.65 km2) 7.19% | |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 11,183 | |
| • Density | 615/sq mi (237.4/km2) | |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (EST) | |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) | |
| ZIP Codes |
04473-Town, 04469-UMaine
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| Area code(s) | 207 | |
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Orono (pronounced ORR-ə-noh) is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, in the United States. It sits by the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers. American colonists first settled here in 1774.
The town was named after Chief Joseph Orono. He was a leader of the Penobscot people, who are the native people of this area.
In the 1800s, Orono became a big center for the lumber industry. Sawmills used the power of the rivers to cut wood. Logs were floated down the Penobscot River to be shipped from ports on the coast.
Since 1865, Orono has been home to the University of Maine. This university is the main public university for the state. In 2018, over 11,400 students attended the university in Orono. The town's population was 11,183 people in 2020, not counting university students living on campus.
Contents
Exploring Orono's Location
Orono covers about 19.60 square miles (50.76 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, with some water. The town is split by the Stillwater River. This river is a branch of the larger Penobscot River.
Orono is partly on Marsh Island. It also includes smaller islands like Ayers Island. The rest of the town is on the mainland. The Orono Dam holds back the Stillwater River near downtown Orono.
Orono's Weather
Orono has a climate with big changes in temperature throughout the year. Summers are warm to hot and can be humid. Winters are cold, sometimes very cold. This type of climate is called a warm-summer humid continental climate.
Protecting Nature in Orono
The Orono Land Trust helps protect natural areas in the town. One of these places is the Piney Knoll Conservation Area. It is located along the Penobscot River. This area is great for walking trails and watching birds.
The University of Maine also owns a lot of protected land in Orono. A well-known area is the Dwight B. Demeritt Forest. These efforts help keep Orono's natural beauty safe.
Orono's Population Over Time
Orono's population has changed a lot over the years.
- In 1810, there were 351 people.
- By 1850, the population grew to 2,785.
- In 1950, it jumped to 7,504 people.
- The population was 10,363 in 2010.
- In the most recent count in 2020, Orono had 11,183 residents.
Who Lives in Orono?
In 2010, there were 10,363 people living in Orono. There were 2,831 households, which are groups of people living together. About 17.8% of these households had children under 18.
Most of the people in Orono, about 93.7%, were White. Other groups included African American, Native American, and Asian residents. About 1.5% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
The average age in Orono was 21.8 years old. This is because many young people attend the University of Maine. About 55.9% of residents were between 18 and 24 years old.
Famous People from Orono
Many interesting people have connections to Orono. Here are a few:
- Charles J. Dunn: He was a Chief Justice of the Maine Supreme Judicial Court.
- Wallace Rider Farrington: He served as the governor of Hawaii when it was a territory.
- Merritt Lyndon Fernald (1873–1950): A famous botanist, who studies plants.
- Constance Hunting: A poet and publisher.
- Jonathan Norcross: An inventor and an early mayor of Atlanta.
- Israel Washburn Jr.: A U.S. congressman and a founder of the Republican Party. He also served as the 29th Governor of Maine.
- Dorothy Clarke Wilson: A writer of novels and plays.
Fun Places to Visit in Orono
Orono has several interesting places to see:
- University of Maine: This is the state's largest university.
- Fay Hyland Botanical Plantation: A beautiful garden with many different plants.
- Lyle E. Littlefield Ornamentals Trial Garden: Another garden where new types of ornamental plants are tested.
- Old Fire Engine House: A historic building that used to house fire engines.
- Pat's Pizza: A popular local restaurant.
- Jeremiah Colburn House: A historic house in Orono.
See also
In Spanish: Orono (Maine) para niños
