West Bath, Maine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
West Bath, Maine
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New Meadows Inn, New Meadows River, 1915
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 West Bath, Maine
Location in Maine
West Bath, Maine
Location in the United States
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| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Sagadahoc |
| Incorporated | 1844 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 15.00 sq mi (38.85 km2) |
| • Land | 11.80 sq mi (30.82 km2) |
| • Water | 3.20 sq mi (8.03 km2) |
| Elevation | 0 ft (0 m) |
| Population
(2020)
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| • Total | 1,910 |
| • Density | 161/sq mi (62.0/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code |
04530
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| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-81930 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582801 |
West Bath is a small town in Sagadahoc County, Maine, United States. In 2020, about 1,910 people lived there. A smaller area within West Bath is called Winnegance. West Bath is also part of the larger Portland-South Portland-Biddeford city area.
Contents
History of West Bath
The area now known as West Bath has a long history. It was once a busy place for the Abenaki Indians. They used a special path called the Winnegance Carrying Place. This path connected Winnegance Creek on the Kennebec River to Winnegance Bay on the New Meadows River. It was important for carrying canoes and goods between the two waterways.
West Bath was first part of a town called Georgetown, which started in 1716. Later, it became part of Bath in 1781. On February 14, 1844, West Bath officially became its own town.
In 1858, about 603 people lived in West Bath. The town had several important businesses. These included a gristmill (for grinding grain) and a sawmill (for cutting wood). They also made building materials like clapboards, shingles, and laths. Today, West Bath is a quiet town close to the larger towns of Bath and Brunswick.
Geography of West Bath
West Bath covers about 15 square miles (38.85 square kilometers). Most of this area is land, about 11.8 square miles (30.82 square kilometers). The rest, about 3.2 square miles (8.03 square kilometers), is water.
The town is located on a peninsula, which is a piece of land almost surrounded by water. It has two main water features: Winnegance Creek and the New Meadows River estuary. An estuary is where a river meets the sea, and fresh water mixes with salt water.
U.S. Route 1, a major highway, runs through West Bath. The town shares its borders with several other places. To the northeast is the city of Bath. To the southeast is the town of Phippsburg. Across the New Meadows River, West Bath is close to Harpswell to the southwest and Brunswick to the northwest.
Population and People
The population of West Bath has changed over the years. Here's how it has grown since 1850:
| Historical population | |||
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| Census | Pop. | %± | |
| 1850 | 603 | — | |
| 1860 | 400 | −33.7% | |
| 1870 | 373 | −6.7% | |
| 1880 | 315 | −15.5% | |
| 1890 | 307 | −2.5% | |
| 1900 | 291 | −5.2% | |
| 1910 | 230 | −21.0% | |
| 1920 | 313 | 36.1% | |
| 1930 | 277 | −11.5% | |
| 1940 | 353 | 27.4% | |
| 1950 | 578 | 63.7% | |
| 1960 | 766 | 32.5% | |
| 1970 | 836 | 9.1% | |
| 1980 | 1,309 | 56.6% | |
| 1990 | 1,716 | 31.1% | |
| 2000 | 1,798 | 4.8% | |
| 2010 | 1,877 | 4.4% | |
| 2020 | 1,910 | 1.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census | |||
2010 Census Information
In 2010, there were 1,877 people living in West Bath. These people lived in 817 households, with 570 of them being families. The town had about 157 people per square mile of land.
Most of the people living in West Bath were White (97.2%). A small number of people were from other racial backgrounds. About 0.8% of the population identified as Hispanic or Latino.
In terms of households, about 25.3% had children under 18 living there. More than half (55.2%) were married couples living together. About 30.2% of households were not families. The average household had 2.29 people, and the average family had 2.69 people.
The average age of people in West Bath in 2010 was 47.7 years old. About 19.1% of residents were under 18. About 17.9% were 65 years old or older.
Education in West Bath
West Bath has one elementary school for its younger students. It is called West Bath Elementary School.
Places to Visit
- Hamilton Sanctuary – Maine Audubon Society: This is a great place to explore nature and learn about local wildlife.
Notable People from West Bath
- Jorunn Jacobsen Buckley: A professor.
- Thomas Buckley: An anthropologist, someone who studies human societies and cultures.
See also
In Spanish: West Bath para niños
