Penobscot County, Maine

Penobscot County, Maine
Penobscot County is a county in the U.S. state of Maine, named for the Penobscot people in Wabanakik. As of the 2020 census, the population was 152,199, making it the third-most-populous county in Maine. Its county seat is Bangor. The county was established on February 15, 1816, from part of Hancock County when the area was still part of Massachusetts. Penobscot County is home to the University of Maine.
Penobscot County comprises the Bangor, ME Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Geography
According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of , of which is land and (4.5%) is water. The county highpoint is East Turner Mountain at 2456 ft next to Baxter State Park.
Adjacent counties
Aroostook County – north
Washington County – southeast
Hancock County – south
Waldo County – southwest
Somerset County – west
Piscataquis County – northwest
National protected area
Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge
Demographics
2000 census
At the 2000 census there were 144,919 people, 58,096 households, and 37,820 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 66,847 housing units at an average density of . The county's racial makeup was 96.60% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.8% were of English, 17.3% United States or American, 14.0% French, 13.0% Irish and 6.7% French Canadian ancestry. 95.8% spoke English and 2.3% French as their first language.
There were 58,096 households, of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.90% were non-families. 26.70% of households were one person and 10.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.
The age distribution was 22.80% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.
The median household income was $34,274 and the median family income was $42,206. Males had a median income of $32,824 versus $23,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,801. About 9.70% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.
2010 census
At the 2010 census, there were 153,923 people, 62,966 households, and 38,917 families living in the county. The population density was . There were 73,860 housing units at an average density of . The county's racial makeup was 95.4% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 20.9% were English, 17.2% were Irish, 9.4% were American, 7.1% were German, 6.0% were French Canadian, and 5.9% were Scottish.
Of the 62,966 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.2% were non-families, and 28.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 39.9 years.
The county's median household income was $42,658 and the median family income was $54,271. Males had a median income of $41,094 versus $31,910 for females. The county's per capita income was $22,977. About 10.1% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
As the most populous county in Maine's 2nd congressional district, Penobscot County's support for Donald Trump in 2016 helped deliver him a split electoral vote from Maine. It was the first time since 1828 that Maine split its electoral votes.
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Communities
Cities
Bangor (county seat)
Brewer
Old Town
Towns
Alton
Bradford
Bradley
Burlington
Carmel
Charleston
Chester
Clifton
Corinna
Corinth
Dexter
Dixmont
East Millinocket
Eddington
Edinburg
Enfield
Etna
Exeter
Garland
Glenburn
Greenbush
Hampden
Hermon
Holden
Howland
Hudson
Kenduskeag
Lagrange
Lakeville
Lee
Levant
Lincoln
Lowell
Mattawamkeag
Maxfield
Medway
Milford
Millinocket
Mount Chase
Newburgh
Newport
Orono
Orrington
Passadumkeag
Patten
Plymouth
Springfield
Stacyville
Stetson
Veazie
Winn
Woodville
Plantations
Carroll Plantation
Drew Plantation
Seboeis Plantation
Webster Plantation
Census-designated places
Bradley
Corinna
Dexter
East Millinocket
Hampden
Howland
Lincoln
Mattawamkeag
Milford
Millinocket
Newport
Orono
Patten
Unorganized territories
Argyle
East Central Penobscot
Kingman
North Penobscot
Prentiss
Twombly Ridge
Whitney
Indian reservation
Penobscot Indian Island Reservation
Education
School districts include:
Bangor School District
Brewer School District
Burlington Public Schools
Carroll Plantation School District
Drew Plantation School District
East Millinocket School District
Glenburn School District
Greenbush School District
Indian Island School District
Hermon School District
Lakeville School District
Lowell School District
Medway School District
Milford School District
Millinocket School Department
Orrington School District
Regional School Unit 19
Regional School Unit 22
Regional School Unit 26
Regional School Unit 34
Regional School Unit 89
School Administrative District 23
School Administrative District 30
School Administrative District 31
School Administrative District 41
School Administrative District 46
School Administrative District 63
School Administrative District 64
School Administrative District 67
School Administrative District 68
Seboeis Plantation School District
Veazie School District
Woodville School District
Penobscot Unorganized Territory
University of Maine is in Orono.
See also
National Register of Historic Places listings in Penobscot County, Maine
References
External links
Penobscot County Official Website
Penobscot County on Maine.gov
"The Ancient Penobscot, or Panawanskek". Historical Magazine, February 1872.
Maine counties
Maine placenames of Native American origin
1816 establishments in Massachusetts
Populated places established in 1816