Unity, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Unity, Maine
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 Unity, Maine
Location in Maine
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Waldo |
| Area | |
| • Total | 41.36 sq mi (107.12 km2) |
| • Land | 39.40 sq mi (102.05 km2) |
| • Water | 1.96 sq mi (5.08 km2) |
| Elevation | 220 ft (70 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 2,292 |
| • Density | 58/sq mi (22.5/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
04988
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
| GNIS feature ID | 577560 |
Unity is a small town located in Waldo County, Maine, in the United States. In 2020, about 2,292 people lived there. Unity is an important center for services in the northern part of Waldo County.
Many people know Unity because it is home to the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA). This group hosts a big event called the Common Ground Country Fair every year. Unity was also once the main campus for Unity College.
Unity College started in 1965. It was created to help the local economy when chicken farming became less popular. For a long time, the college was the biggest employer in town. In 2020, the college changed how it teaches, moving to a mix of online and in-person classes. This change meant fewer staff were needed. Today, the original Unity campus is mostly empty, with only a small number of students using it at any time.
Contents
History of Unity
How Unity Got Its Name
When the first settlers, called Quakers, arrived, the area was known as Twenty-Five Mile Pond Plantation. A "plantation" was an early type of settlement. It got its name because it was located on a pond about twenty-five miles from Fort Halifax in Winslow. In 1804, the settlement officially became a town and was renamed Unity.
Early Schools and Community Growth
The Village School opened in Unity in 1898. It was the largest elementary school in town for many years. A new elementary school was built in 1953, taking its place.
Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association
In 1996, the Maine Organic Farmers and Gardeners Association (MOFGA) bought 200 acres of land in Unity. This is where their main office is now located. The MOFGA-run Common Ground Country Fair moved with the organization. This popular fair brings over 50,000 visitors to Unity every year. It celebrates organic farming and sustainable living.
Amish Community in Unity
Between 2008 and 2009, eight Amish families moved to Unity. The Amish are a group of people who live a simple life, often without modern technology. These families belong to a group called the "Michigan Amish Churches." This group is known for being a bit more open to people outside their community than some other Amish groups.
Geography of Unity
Unity covers a total area of about 41.36 square miles (107.12 square kilometers). Most of this area, about 39.40 square miles (102.05 square kilometers), is land. The rest, about 1.96 square miles (5.08 square kilometers), is water. The biggest body of water is Unity Pond.
The main rivers in Unity are Twentyfive Mile Stream, which flows out of Unity Pond, Sandy Stream, and Halfmoon Stream. Several state roads pass through Unity, including Maine State Route 9, 220, and 139, as well as US Route 202. Unity shares its borders with several other towns: Burnham to the north, Troy and Thorndike to the east, Knox to the southeast, Freedom to the south, Albion to the southwest, and Unity Township to the west.
Population of Unity
| Historical population | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1810 | 793 | — | |
| 1820 | 978 | 23.3% | |
| 1830 | 1,299 | 32.8% | |
| 1840 | 1,457 | 12.2% | |
| 1850 | 1,557 | 6.9% | |
| 1860 | 1,320 | −15.2% | |
| 1870 | 1,201 | −9.0% | |
| 1880 | 1,095 | −8.8% | |
| 1890 | 922 | −15.8% | |
| 1900 | 877 | −4.9% | |
| 1910 | 899 | 2.5% | |
| 1920 | 916 | 1.9% | |
| 1930 | 892 | −2.6% | |
| 1940 | 935 | 4.8% | |
| 1950 | 1,014 | 8.4% | |
| 1960 | 983 | −3.1% | |
| 1970 | 1,280 | 30.2% | |
| 1980 | 1,431 | 11.8% | |
| 1990 | 1,817 | 27.0% | |
| 2000 | 1,889 | 4.0% | |
| 2010 | 2,099 | 11.1% | |
| 2020 | 2,292 | 9.2% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
Unity's Population in 2010
According to the census taken in 2010, there were 2,099 people living in Unity. These people lived in 750 households, and 429 of these were families. The town had about 53.3 people per square mile (20.6 people per square kilometer). There were 939 homes in total.
Most of the people in Unity in 2010 were White (96.9%). A small number were African American (0.4%), Native American (0.3%), or Asian (0.2%). About 1.9% of the population identified as being of two or more races. People of Hispanic or Latino background made up 1.3% of the population.
In 2010, about 26.3% of households had children under 18 living with them. About 40.7% were married couples. The average household had 2.34 people, and the average family had 2.88 people. The median age in Unity was 31.2 years. About 17.8% of residents were under 18, and 12.9% were 65 or older. The population was almost evenly split between males (48.8%) and females (51.2%).
Notable People from Unity
- Samuel Stillman Berry: A marine zoologist who studied sea animals. He was born in Unity in 1887.
- Walter M. Brackett: A painter who was born in Unity.
- George Colby Chase: An English scholar who became the second president of Bates College.
See also
In Spanish: Unity (Maine) para niños
