Swan's Island, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Swans Island, Maine
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 Swan's Island, Maine
Location in Maine
Swan's Island, Maine
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Hancock |
| Villages | Swans Island Atlantic Minturn |
| Area | |
| • Total | 80.81 sq mi (209.30 km2) |
| • Land | 12.41 sq mi (32.14 km2) |
| • Water | 68.40 sq mi (177.16 km2) |
| Elevation | 13 ft (4 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 355 |
| • Density | 28/sq mi (11.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
04685
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-75455 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582757 |
| Website | www.swansisland.org |
Swan's Island is a small island town located in Hancock County, Maine, in the United States. It was named after Colonel James Swan from Fife, Scotland. He bought the island and nearby areas in the 1700s and helped people settle there.
In 2020, about 355 people lived on Swan's Island. You can get to the island by taking a state ferry from Bass Harbor. During the summer, the island's population grows to around 1,000 people.
Swan's Island has a general store that opened in 2007, and at least one inn for visitors. There are also several small shops run by local families. The main job on the island is lobster fishing. About 40 people work full-time as lobster fishers, and many others work part-time. The island also hosts the Sweet Chariot Music Festival every summer, which features folk music and sea songs.
Contents
A Look Back: Swan's Island History
Swan's Island was first mapped in 1606 by an explorer named Samuel de Champlain. At that time, local Native American tribes used the island for hunting during certain seasons.
Early Settlers and Growth
In 1786, James Swan bought the island. He was a member of the Sons of Liberty and even took part in the Boston Tea Party. The first European settler on the island was David Smith in 1791. He was a veteran of the American Revolutionary War.
The number of people living on the island slowly grew to more than 1,000 by the year 1900. For a long time, the main business was processing fish. However, by the 1930s, this business was no longer making money on the island.
Modern Connections: The Ferry Service
In 1960, a state-run ferry service started going to Swan's Island. This ferry helped make the island a popular place for summer tourists. The ferry is also used to deliver mail to the islanders.
Island Geography: Where is Swan's Island?
Swan's Island covers a total area of about 80.81 square miles (209.30 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 68.40 square miles (177.16 square kilometers), is water. The land area is about 12.41 square miles (32.14 square kilometers).
The town of Swan's Island includes three small villages:
- The Harbor
- Atlantic
- Minturn
Who Lives on Swan's Island?
The population of Swan's Island has changed over the years. Here's how many people have lived there during different census counts:
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 51 | — | |
| 1840 | 283 | — | |
| 1850 | 423 | 49.5% | |
| 1860 | 492 | 16.3% | |
| 1870 | 451 | −8.3% | |
| 1880 | 765 | 69.6% | |
| 1890 | 632 | −17.4% | |
| 1900 | 758 | 19.9% | |
| 1910 | 749 | −1.2% | |
| 1920 | 566 | −24.4% | |
| 1930 | 576 | 1.8% | |
| 1940 | 452 | −21.5% | |
| 1950 | 468 | 3.5% | |
| 1960 | 402 | −14.1% | |
| 1970 | 323 | −19.7% | |
| 1980 | 337 | 4.3% | |
| 1990 | 348 | 3.3% | |
| 2000 | 327 | −6.0% | |
| 2010 | 332 | 1.5% | |
| 2020 | 355 | 6.9% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 Census Snapshot
In 2010, there were 332 people living in Swan's Island. These people lived in 146 households, and 99 of these were families. The island had about 26.8 people per square mile (10.3 people per square kilometer).
There were 483 housing units, like houses or apartments. On average, there were about 38.9 housing units per square mile (15.0 per square kilometer).
Most of the people living on the island were White (96.1%). A small number were African American (0.9%) or Native American (0.9%). About 2.1% of the population identified as two or more races. Only 0.3% of the people were Hispanic or Latino.
Households and Families
Out of the 146 households:
- 26.0% had children under 18 living with them.
- 56.8% were married couples living together.
- 6.2% had a female head of household with no husband present.
- 4.8% had a male head of household with no wife present.
- 32.2% were not families.
About 28.8% of all households had only one person living in them. And 14.4% of households had someone aged 65 or older living alone. The average household had 2.27 people, and the average family had 2.73 people.
The average age of people in the town was 46.3 years old.
- 19.3% of residents were under 18.
- 5% were between 18 and 24.
- 24.3% were between 25 and 44.
- 33.6% were between 45 and 64.
- 17.5% were 65 years old or older.
The population was made up of 52.1% males and 47.9% females.
Fun Things to Do on Swan's Island
Swan's Island offers many attractions for visitors and residents. You can explore six historic homes that date back to the 1700s. The island is also listed on the National Register of Historic Places.
Nature and Outdoor Adventures
Nature lovers will enjoy the island's features, which include:
- A beautiful lighthouse.
- Nesting bald eagles.
- Various waterfowl (birds that live near water).
- Deer.
There are also trails for hiking and places for camping.
See also
In Spanish: Swan's Island para niños
