kids encyclopedia robot

Somerset County, Maine facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
Somerset County
Somerset County Courthouse
Somerset County Courthouse
Map of Maine highlighting Somerset County
Location within the U.S. state of Maine
Map of the United States highlighting Maine
Maine's location within the U.S.
Country  United States
State  Maine
Founded 1809
Named for Somerset County, England
Seat Skowhegan
Largest town Skowhegan
Area
 • Total 4,094 sq mi (10,600 km2)
 • Land 3,924 sq mi (10,160 km2)
 • Water 169 sq mi (440 km2)  4.1%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 50,477
 • Density 12.3295/sq mi (4.7604/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 2nd

Somerset County is a county in the state of Maine, in the United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 50,477. Its county seat is Skowhegan.

History

Somerset County was established on March 1, 1809 from portions of Kennebec County and was named after Somerset County in England.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,094 square miles (10,600 km2), of which 3,924 square miles (10,160 km2) is land and 169 square miles (440 km2) (4.1%) is water. It is the third-largest county in Maine by area.

Mountains

Bodies of water

Major highways

  • Maine State Route 6
  • Maine State Route 8
  • Maine State Route 11
  • Maine State Route 16
  • Maine State Route 27
  • Maine State Route 100
  • Maine State Route 137
  • U.S. Route 201
    • Armstrong-Jackman Border Crossing
  • U.S. Route 201A

Adjacent counties and municipalities

Somerset County is one of few counties in the United States to border ten counties and county equivalents.

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop.
1810 12,910
1820 21,787 68.8%
1830 35,787 64.3%
1840 33,912 −5.2%
1850 35,581 4.9%
1860 36,753 3.3%
1870 34,611 −5.8%
1880 32,333 −6.6%
1890 32,627 0.9%
1900 33,849 3.7%
1910 36,301 7.2%
1920 37,171 2.4%
1930 39,111 5.2%
1940 38,245 −2.2%
1950 39,785 4.0%
1960 39,749 −0.1%
1970 40,597 2.1%
1980 45,028 10.9%
1990 49,767 10.5%
2000 50,888 2.3%
2010 52,228 2.6%
2020 50,477 −3.4%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2016

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 52,228 people, 21,927 households, and 14,353 families living in the county. The population density was 13.3 inhabitants per square mile (5.1/km2). There were 30,569 housing units at an average density of 7.8 per square mile (3.0/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.1% white, 0.6% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 25.1% were French, 24.2% were English, 15.8% were Irish, 8.0% were German, 7.9% were American, and 6.1% were French Canadian.

Of the 21,927 households, 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.5% were non-families, and 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 43.6 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,647 and the median income for a family was $47,177. Males had a median income of $41,235 versus $30,029 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,709. About 14.0% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Towns

Census-designated places

Plantations

Unorganized territories

Villages

Education

School administrative districts

The following school districts are located at least partly in Somerset County:

  • MSAD 4
  • MSAD 12
  • MSAD 13
  • MSAD 49
  • MSAD 53
  • MSAD 54
  • MSAD 59
  • MSAD 74

Secondary schools

  • Carrabec High School – North Anson
  • Faith Baptist Christian School – Skowhegan (serves multiple grades)
  • Forest Hills Consolidated School (K-12) – Jackman
  • Lawrence High School – Fairfield
  • Madison Area Memorial High School – Madison
  • Maine Academy of Natural Sciences – Hinckley
  • Maine Central Institute – Pittsfield
  • Skowhegan Area High School – Skowhegan
  • Upper Kennebec Valley Memorial High School – Bingham

Higher education

  • Kennebec Valley Community College

Miscellaneous

  • Skowhegan School of Painting and Sculpture
  • L.C. Bates Museum

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: Condado de Somerset (Maine) para niños

kids search engine
Somerset County, Maine Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.