Androscoggin County, Maine

Androscoggin County is a county in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2010 census, the county's population was 107,702.[1] Its county seat is Auburn.[2]

Androscoggin County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Maine
Maine's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°08′06″N 70°13′04″W
Country United States
State Maine
FoundedMarch 18, 1854
Named forthe Androscoggin tribe
SeatAuburn
Largest cityLewiston
Area
 • Total497 sq mi (1,290 km2)
 • Land468 sq mi (1,210 km2)
 • Water29 sq mi (80 km2)  5.9%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total107,702
 • Estimate 
(2019)
108,277
 • Density220/sq mi (84/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.androscoggincountymaine.gov

Androscoggin County comprises the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area and is partially included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Metropolitan New England City and Town Area. It is also a part of the Portland-Lewiston-South Portland, Maine Combined Statistical Area.

Bates College is in the Androscoggin County city of Lewiston.

History

Demand for a new county emerged when the residents of the rapidly growing town of Lewiston complained of the long distance they had to travel to reach Wiscasset, the county seat of Lincoln County, in which Lewiston was originally located. It was also an impractical circumstance as Lewiston's neighbor, Auburn, was part of Cumberland County. As the growing partnership of the two towns emerged, the case for the towns to be in the same county grew. Different plans were discussed, including Lewiston joining Cumberland County. Eventually, the idea of a new county came to the table. The debate then became over which town would be the center of the new county. Bath, Brunswick, and Lewiston each desired the distinction. Lewiston eventually won the debate. Androscoggin County was created in 1854 from towns originally in Cumberland County, Lincoln County, Kennebec County, and Oxford County.

The next issue centered on where to put the county seat, as both Lewiston and Auburn desired to be named the county seat. It would eventually be put to a vote, with both towns putting different offers on the table, including ideas to cut the costs of the new county buildings for surrounding towns. Auburn would eventually win a convincing victory, with the towns on each side of the river voting for the town on their side. As more people then lived to the west of the Androscoggin River, Auburn won the vote.[3]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 497 square miles (1,290 km2), of which 468 square miles (1,210 km2) is land and 29 square miles (75 km2) (5.9%) is water.[4] It is the second-smallest county in Maine by total area.

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
186029,726—
187035,86620.7%
188045,04225.6%
189048,9688.7%
190054,24210.8%
191059,82210.3%
192065,79610.0%
193071,2148.2%
194076,6797.7%
195083,5949.0%
196086,3123.3%
197091,2795.8%
198099,6579.2%
1990105,2595.6%
2000103,793−1.4%
2010107,7023.8%
2019 (est.)108,277[5]0.5%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2016[1] 2017[10]

2000 census

As of the census[11] of 2000, there were 103,793 people, 42,028 households, and 27,192 families living in the county. The population density was 221 people per square mile (85/km2). There were 45,960 housing units at an average density of 98 per square mile (38/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 96.98% White, 0.66% Black or African American, 0.27% Native American, 0.55% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.28% from other races, and 1.22% from two or more races. 0.95% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.5% were of French Canadian, 19.4% French, 14.3% English, 9.7% United States or American and 8.4% Irish ancestry. 9.6% of the population speak French and 1.5% of the population speak Spanish at home.[12]

Of the 42,028 households 30.90% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.60% were married couples living together, 10.80% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.30% were non-families. 28.30% of households were one person and 11.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.91.

The age distribution was 23.90% under the age of 18, 9.10% from 18 to 24, 29.70% from 25 to 44, 22.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.40% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 94.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.20 males.

The median household income was $35,793 and the median family income was $44,082. Males had a median income of $31,622 versus $22,366 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,734. About 7.50% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.80% of those under age 18 and 11.00% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 107,702 people, 44,315 households, and 28,045 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 230.2 inhabitants per square mile (88.9/km2). There were 49,090 housing units at an average density of 104.9 per square mile (40.5/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 92.8% white, 3.6% black or African American, 0.7% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.4% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.5% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 21.2% were English, 20.5% were French Canadian, 20.1% were French, 15.5% were Irish, 8.1% were German, and 5.0% were American.[15]

Of the 44,315 households, 30.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.8% were married couples living together, 12.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.7% were non-families, and 28.3% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.37 and the average family size was 2.88. The median age was 39.8 years.[13]

The median household income was $44,470 and the median family income was $55,045. Males had a median income of $41,554 versus $31,852 for females. The per capita income for the county was $22,752. About 9.7% of families and 14.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.0% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Media

Newspapers
  • The Sun Journal prints a daily newspaper in four different editions statewide. The Sun Journal was the recipient of the 2008 New England Daily Newspaper of the Year and the 2009 Maine Press Association Newspaper of the Year.

Politics

Presidential elections

In Presidential elections, Androscoggin County has been one of the most consistently, though not always the most strongly, Democratic counties in the state. It was the only county in Maine to be won by Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1932 and George McGovern in 1972. Jimmy Carter also carried the county twice. In 1984 and 1988, it went for Republican candidates Ronald Reagan and George H.W. Bush, who also won the state of Maine. However, in 2016, it went for the Republican Donald Trump;[17] even as the state was won by Democrat Hillary Clinton.

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[18][19]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 49.9% 29,268 47.0% 27,617 3.1% 1,822
2016 50.8% 28,227 41.4% 23,009 7.9% 4,365
2012 42.1% 22,232 54.8% 28,989 3.1% 1,641
2008 41.3% 22,671 56.6% 31,017 2.1% 1,162
2004 43.7% 24,519 54.4% 30,503 1.9% 1,045
2000 40.5% 19,948 53.3% 26,251 6.2% 3,046
1996 25.8% 12,053 56.6% 26,428 17.7% 8,250
1992 25.7% 14,174 40.3% 22,247 34.0% 18,723
1988 51.7% 23,061 47.5% 21,165 0.8% 359
1984 57.2% 26,904 42.3% 19,885 0.5% 211
1980 39.9% 18,399 49.3% 22,715 10.8% 4,966
1976 37.4% 16,330 60.7% 26,484 2.0% 851
1972 49.9% 19,406 50.1% 19,509 0.0% 9
1968 27.5% 10,390 71.0% 26,820 1.4% 542
1964 19.8% 7,441 80.1% 30,080 0.0% 14
1960 36.0% 14,654 64.0% 26,097 0.0% 0
1956 56.3% 20,385 43.7% 15,842 0.0% 0
1952 50.6% 18,049 49.2% 17,560 0.2% 67
1948 39.2% 11,443 59.7% 17,405 1.1% 317
1944 36.4% 10,927 63.5% 19,078 0.1% 34
1940 35.0% 10,394 64.9% 19,273 0.1% 40
1936 38.1% 10,480 60.6% 16,657 1.2% 340
1932 40.1% 9,838 58.8% 14,441 1.2% 283
1928 51.6% 11,790 47.9% 10,940 0.5% 124
1924 59.8% 9,680 29.2% 4,733 11.0% 1,774
1920 60.8% 9,565 36.6% 5,757 2.6% 402
1916 43.7% 4,496 53.1% 5,464 3.2% 326
1912 8.4% 859 44.4% 4,516 47.2% 4,801
1908 56.1% 4,381 39.6% 3,095 4.3% 339
1904 62.3% 4,393 31.3% 2,206 6.4% 451
1900 57.4% 4,648 39.3% 3,182 3.3% 262
1896 66.6% 5,548 30.2% 2,513 3.2% 268
1892 52.5% 4,326 41.9% 3,452 5.6% 466
1888 55.0% 4,893 40.3% 3,585 4.7% 420
1884 52.1% 4,745 38.1% 3,469 9.8% 889
1880 52.8% 4,974 44.7% 4,215 2.5% 239

State politics

In 2012, the county voted 54% against Maine Question 1, 2012 – a measure to legalize same-sex marriage, but the referendum passed in the state by 53%.[20]

County government

Androscoggin County is governed by an elected county commission consisting of seven members representing single-member districts.[21] Currently, the county commissioners are:

  • District 1 Noel Madore (D)
  • District 2 Marc Roy (D)
  • District 3 Brian Ames (R)
  • District 4 Isaiah Lary (R)
  • District 5 John Michael (I)
  • District 6 Terri Kelly (R)
  • District 7 Sally A. Christner (R)

Voter registration
Active voter registration and party enrollment as of July 2020 [22]
Unenrolled 27,354 34.23%
Democratic 27,515 34.43%
Republican 21,149 26.47%
Green Independent 3,893 4.87%
Total 79,911 100%

Incorporated Towns and Cities

Census-designated places

See also

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on July 6, 2011. Retrieved March 10, 2014.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on 2011-05-31. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. Hodgkin, Douglas I., Frontier to Industrial City:Lewiston Town Politics 1768–1863. Just Write Books, Topsham, Maine, 2008
  4. "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  5. "Population and Housing Unit Estimates". Retrieved July 31, 2019.
  6. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  7. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  8. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  9. "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  10. "QuickFacts. Androscoggin County, ME". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved March 4, 2019.
  11. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  12. "Androscoggin County, Maine". Data Center. American Community Survey Aggregate Data, 5-Year Summary File, 2006–2010. Modern Language Association. 2006–2010. Archived from the original on 2013-08-15. Retrieved 23 Aug 2013.
  13. "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  14. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  15. "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  16. "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  17. David Leip's Presidential Atlas (Maps for Maine by election)
  18. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  19. "Our Campaigns - U.S. President". Retrieved January 22, 2021.
  20. "State of Maine Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions". Maine.gov. November 6, 2012. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  21. "Androscoggin County Maine". www.androscoggincountymaine.gov. Retrieved 2018-08-25.
  22. Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions (3 August 2020). "Registered & Enrolled Voters - Statewide" (PDF). Department of the Secretary of State, State of Maine. p. 3. Retrieved 20 October 2020.

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