Kennebec County, Maine

Kennebec County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2010 census, the population was 122,151. Its county seat is Augusta, the state capital. The county was established on 20 February 1799 from portions of Cumberland and Lincoln Counties. The name Kennebec comes from the Eastern Abenaki /kínipekʷ/, meaning "large body of still water, large bay".

Kennebec County comprises the Augusta–Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area.

In 2010, the center of population of Maine was located in Kennebec County, in the city of Augusta.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 951 square miles (2,460 km²), of which 868 square miles (2,250 km²) is land and 84 square miles (220 km²) (8.8%) is water.

Adjacent counties

• Somerset County, Maine – north
• Waldo County, Maine – east
• Sagadahoc County, Maine – south
• Lincoln County, Maine – south
• Androscoggin County, Maine – southwest
• Franklin County, Maine – northwest

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.		%±
1800	24,571		—
1810	32,564		32.5%
1820	42,623		30.9%
1830	52,485		23.1%
1840	55,823		6.4%
1850	62,521		12.0%
1860	55,655		−11.0%
1870	53,203		−4.4%
1880	53,058		−0.3%
1890	57,012		7.5%
1900	59,117		3.7%
1910	62,863		6.3%
1920	63,844		1.6%
1930	70,691		10.7%
1940	77,231		9.3%
1950	83,881		8.6%
1960	89,150		6.3%
1970	95,247		6.8%
1980	109,889		15.4%
1990	115,904		5.5%
2000	117,114		1.0%
2010	122,151		4.3%
Est. 2014	121,112		−0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2013

As of the census of 2000, there were 117,114 people, 47,683 households, and 31,327 families residing in the county. The population density was 135 people per square mile (52/km²). There were 56,364 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.45% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.6% were of English, 17.4% French, 13.4% French Canadian, 10.9% United States or American and 9.9% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 92.5% spoke only English at home, while 5.48% spoke French [1].

There were 47,683 households out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89.

In the county, the population was spread out with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,498, and the median income for a family was $43,814. Males had a median income of $32,279 versus $24,032 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,520. About 8.50% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.

Religion

There are many churches in Kennebec county, the largest being: Baptist, Methodist, Episcopalian, Congregationalist, Unitarian, Church of the Nazarene, Church of Christ, Adventist and The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons). However, the largest single denomination is Roman Catholicism.

Micropolitan Statistical Area

See also: List of Micropolitan Statistical Areas

The United States Office of Management and Budget has designated Kennebec County as the Augusta-Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area (µSA). As of the 2010 U.S. Census the micropolitan area ranked the most populous in the State of Maine and also the only micropolitan area within the state. The area also ranks 13th most populous in the United States with a population of 122,151.

Economy

Kennebec County's economy has traditionally been industrial. A large amount of paper and textiles were produced, and mills sprung up all along the Kennebec river. The median household income is currently $36,498. The unemployment rate is currently at 4.2% (lower than it has been in a year).

Education

There are three colleges: Colby College and Thomas College (both in Waterville), and the University of Maine at Augusta. There are 19 school districts (however, 4 are consolidated ones). In China Maine, there is no public high school, but a private school (Erskine Academy) exists, and the town pays for students tuition if they choose to attend. Students from Vassalboro can pick from one of four school districts (Cony in Augusta, Erskine, Winslow, or Waterville). However, many towns have local public high schools.

Politics

Presidential election results

Year	Democrat	Republican
2012	55.2% 35,068	41.8% 26,519
2008	56.4% 37,238	41.7% 27,482
2004	53.3% 35,616	44.6% 29,761
2000	53.0% 31,198	40.7% 23,967

Kennebec County has consistently voted Democrat in recent elections. While the more rural areas support the Republican Party, the urban areas are strongly Democratic. Democrats have carried the county in recent Presidential elections. Kennebec County is the only county in Maine that is split between Maine's two congressional districts. The larger, southern portion of the county is located in the 1st Congressional District of Maine, while the northern, smaller portion is located in the 2nd Congressional District of Maine.

Voter registration

Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of June 2014
Party		Total Voters	Percentage
	Unenrolled	31,653	36.18%
	Democratic	27,987	31.99%
	Republican	24,406	27.89%
	Green Independent	3,435	3.92%
Total		87,481	100%

Communities

• Albion
• Augusta (county seat)
• Belgrade
• Benton
• Chelsea
• China
• Clinton
• Farmingdale
• Fayette
• Gardiner
• Hallowell
• Litchfield
• Manchester
• Monmouth
• Mount Vernon
• Oakland
• Pittston
• Randolph
• Readfield
• Rome
• Sidney
• Unity
• Vassalboro
• Vienna
• Waterville
• Wayne
• West Gardiner
• Windsor
• Winslow
• Winthrop

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Kennebec County, Maine

Further reading

• Samuel Lane Boardman, History of the Agriculture of Kennebec County, Maine. New York: Blake, 1892.
• Raymond Stevens Finley, The History of Secondary Education in Kennebec County in Maine. Orono, ME: University of Maine at Orono Press, 1941.
• Rufus Matthew Jones, The Society of Friends in Kennebec County, Maine. New York: H.W. Blake and Co., 1892.
• Henry D. Kingsbury and Simeon L. Deyo (eds.), Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine: 1625-1799-1892. New York: H.W. Blake and Co., 1892.
• Cynthia MacAlman McCausland, Index to Kingsbury and Deyo's illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine. Camden, ME: Picton Press, 1996.
• George W. Walton, History of the Town of Wayne, Kennebec County, Maine, From Its Settlement to 1898. Augusta, ME: Maine Farmer Publishing Co., 1898.
• Edwin Carey Whittemore, The Centennial History of Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine, Including the Oration, the Historical Address and the Poem Presented at the Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town, June 23d, 1902. Waterville, ME: Executive Committee of the Centennial Celebration, 1902.

External links

• Official Site of Kennebec County, Maine