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Washington County, Maine facts for kids

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Washington County
U.S. county
Washington County Courthouse
Washington County Courthouse
Flag of Washington County
Flag
Map of Maine highlighting Washington 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 June 25, 1789
Named for George Washington
Seat Machias
Largest city Calais
Area
 • Total 3,258 sq mi (8,440 km2)
 • Land 2,563 sq mi (6,640 km2)
 • Water 695 sq mi (1,800 km2)  21%%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total 31,095
 • Density 9.5442/sq mi (3.6850/km2)
Time zone UTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST) UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district 2nd

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2020 census, its population was 31,095, making it the third-least populous county in Maine. Its county seat is Machias. The county was established on June 25, 1789. It borders the Canadian province of New Brunswick.

It is sometimes referred to as "Sunrise County" because it includes the easternmost point in the 48 contiguous United States. Claims have been made that Washington County is where the sun first rises on the 48 contiguous states. Many small seaside communities have small-scale fishing-based economies. Tourism is also important along the county's shoreline, but it is not as important as elsewhere in the state. The blueberry crop plays a major role in the county's economy.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,258 square miles (8,440 km2), of which 2,563 square miles (6,640 km2) is land and 695 square miles (1,800 km2) (21%) is water.

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Major highways

  • US 1
  • US 1A
  • SR 6
  • SR 9
  • SR 192
  • SR 193

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
1790 2,760 —
1800 4,461 61.6%
1810 7,870 76.4%
1820 12,744 61.9%
1830 21,294 67.1%
1840 28,327 33.0%
1850 38,811 37.0%
1860 42,534 9.6%
1870 43,343 1.9%
1880 44,484 2.6%
1890 44,482 0.0%
1900 45,232 1.7%
1910 42,905 −5.1%
1920 41,709 −2.8%
1930 37,826 −9.3%
1940 37,767 −0.2%
1950 35,187 −6.8%
1960 32,908 −6.5%
1970 29,859 −9.3%
1980 34,963 17.1%
1990 35,308 1.0%
2000 33,941 −3.9%
2010 32,856 −3.2%
2020 31,095 −5.4%
2023 (est.) 31,555 −4.0%
U.S. Decennial Census
1790–1960 1900–1990
1990–2000 2010–2016

According to U.S. Census Bureau 2022 statistics, Washington County's population density equates to twelve people per square mile.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 32,856 people, 14,302 households, and 8,847 families living in the county. The population density was 12.8 inhabitants per square mile (4.9/km2). There were 23,001 housing units at an average density of 9.0 units per square mile (3.5 units/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 92.1% white, 4.9% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 30.4% were English, 17.0% were Irish, 7.0% were German, 6.1% were Scottish, and 5.6% were American.

Of the 14,302 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.1% were non-families, and 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age was 46.1 years.

The median income for a household in the county was $34,859 and the median income for a family was $43,612. Males had a median income of $35,981 versus $27,336 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,401. About 14.1% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.

Communities

Cities

Towns

Plantations

Unorganized territories

Indian reservations

Census-designated places

Public transportation

See also: Public transportation in Maine

Washington County does not have a comprehensive public transportation system, despite having a year-round population of around 32,000. West Bus Services, based in Milbridge, serves several communities in northern Maine. The daily Coastal Connection route serves: Calais, Perry, Pembroke, Dennysville, Whiting, Lubec, East Machias, Machias, Jonesboro, Jonesport, Beals, Addison, Cherryfield, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Deblois (seasonal), Township 18 (seasonal), Township 19 (seasonal), Centerville, Gouldsboro, Winter Harbor, Sullivan, Steuben, Hancock, Ellsworth, Lucern, Holden and Bangor. The route takes around 3.5 hours. On the first Wednesday of each month, a return service runs between Lubec and Machias.

Notable people

  • Jeremiah O'Brien, (1744-1818) Commander of the sloop Unity during the first naval battle of the Revolutionary War; Machias.
  • Henry Plummer (1832–1864), Sheriff and outlaw leader of The Innocents, in Bannock, Montana, Idaho Territory, born and raised in Addison.
  • Hiram Burnham (1814-1864), Civil War general; Cherryfield.
  • Reuben L. Snowe (1866-1942), Maine state legislator; born in Danforth.
  • Theodore Enslin (1925–2011), American poet; resident of Milbridge.
  • Carl Willey (1931 - 2009), American professional baseball player; Cherryfield.
  • Lyn Mikel Brown (b. 1956), American academic, author, feminist, and community activist; born in Vanceboro.
  • Katie Aselton (b. 1978), American actress, film director and producer; born in Milbridge.

See also

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

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