Piscataquis County, Maine

Piscataquis County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2010 census, its population was 17,535, making it Maine's least-populous county.[1] Its county seat is Dover-Foxcroft.[2] The county was incorporated on 23 March 1838, taken from the western part of Penobscot County and the eastern part of Somerset County, and is named for an Abenaki word meaning "branch of the river" or "at the river branch."

Piscataquis County
U.S. county
Location within the U.S. state of Maine
Maine's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°33′55″N 69°20′01″W
Country United States
State Maine
FoundedMarch 23, 1838
Named forPiscataquis River
SeatDover-Foxcroft
Largest townDover-Foxcroft
Area
 • Total4,378 sq mi (11,340 km2)
 • Land3,961 sq mi (10,260 km2)
 • Water417 sq mi (1,080 km2)  9.5%%
Population
 (2010)
 • Total17,535
 • Estimate 
(2019)
16,785
 • Density4.0/sq mi (1.5/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitewww.piscataquis.us

It is located at the geographic center of Maine. Originally it extended north to the Canada–US border, but in 1844 its northern portion was annexed by Aroostook County. In land area, Piscataquis is one of the largest U.S. counties east of the Mississippi River. It is also one of two counties in the Northeast (and seven counties east of the Mississippi River)[3][lower-alpha 1] that meet Frederick Jackson Turner's requirements for "frontier" country – that is, having fewer than six inhabitants per square mile, the other being Hamilton County, New York.

Baxter State Park, a large wilderness preserve, is located in Piscataquis County.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,378 square miles (11,340 km2), of which 3,961 square miles (10,260 km2) is land and 417 square miles (1,080 km2) (9.5%) is water.[4] It is the second-largest county in Maine by area. The largest lake in the county is Moosehead Lake at 120 square miles (310 km2). The highest natural point in the county and the state of Maine is Mount Katahdin at 5,271 feet (1,606 meters), while the geographic center is Greeley Landing in the Town of Dover-Foxcroft.

Adjacent counties

Demographics
Historical population
CensusPop.%±
184013,138—
185014,73512.2%
186015,0322.0%
187014,403−4.2%
188014,8723.3%
189016,1348.5%
190016,9495.1%
191019,88717.3%
192020,5543.4%
193018,231−11.3%
194018,4671.3%
195018,6170.8%
196017,379−6.6%
197016,285−6.3%
198017,6348.3%
199018,6535.8%
200017,235−7.6%
201017,5351.7%
2019 (est.)16,785[5]−4.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2016[1]

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,[10] there were 17,235 people, 7,278 households, and 4,854 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (2/km2). There were 13,783 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.84% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. 0.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.6% were of English, 16.4% French, 15.3% United States or American and 11.5% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.9% spoke English and 2.0% French as their first language.

There were 7,278 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.10% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 27.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,250, and the median income for a family was $34,852. Males had a median income of $28,149 versus $20,241 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,374. About 11.20% of families and 14.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.80% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 17,535 people, 7,825 households, and 4,948 families residing in the county.[11] The population density was 4.4 inhabitants per square mile (1.7/km2). There were 15,340 housing units at an average density of 3.9 per square mile (1.5/km2).[12] The racial makeup of the county was 96.9% white, 0.7% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population.[11] In terms of ancestry, 21.4% were English, 16.5% were Irish, 13.6% were American, 8.7% were German, 5.5% were Scottish, and 5.3% were French Canadian.[13]

Of the 7,825 households, 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.8% were non-families, and 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.70. The median age was 48.1 years.[11]

The median income for a household in the county was $34,016 and the median income for a family was $43,821. Males had a median income of $34,575 versus $28,014 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,870. About 12.3% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.[14]

Religion

Piscataquis County has one of the lowest rates of religious adherents in the United States. The county ranks at 3,085 of 3,148 counties (lowest 2%), with 20.5% of the population regularly attending congregations or claiming religious membership.[15]

In Maine, Piscataquis County ranks tenth of the 16 counties in percentage of religious adherents. The State of Maine has the lowest percentage of religious adherents in the United States at 27%.[15][16]

Government and politics

County officials

The following individuals hold county offices:[17]

  • Interim County Manager: Tom Lizotte
  • County Treasurer: Johanna Greenfield
  • Mayor: Paul Paydos
  • Finance Administrator: Kathy Walsh
  • Sheriff: Robert Young
  • EMA Director: Tom Capraro
  • Probate Register: Donna Peterson
  • Deeds Register: Linda Smith
  • District Attorney: R. Chris Almy
  • DA Administrative Assistant: Corinna Rackliff
  • Head of Maintenance: Josh York
  • Judge of Probate: James R.Austin

County Commissioners and Districts

Piscataquis County is administered by three County Commissioners, each representing one of the three county districts. They are elected for four-year terms. A term of office begins on January 1 following the election in November. County Commissioner meetings are typically held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at the County Courthouse in Dover-Foxcroft. The meetings begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until the agenda for the meeting has been addressed.

County Commissioners:

District 1:Eric P. Ward

District 2:James D. Annis

District 3:Frederick Trask

County Districts:

District 1 includes the towns of Abbot, Beaver Cove, Greenville, Guilford, Kingsbury Plt, Monson, Parkman, Shirley, Wellington and the Unorganized Territories of Blanchard, Elliotsville and Northwest Piscataquis.

District 2 includes the towns of Dover-Foxcroft, Sangerville and Willimantic.

District 3 includes the towns of Bowerbank, Brownville, Lake View Plt, Medford, Milo, Sebec and the Unorganized Territories of Atkinson, Barnard, Ebeeme, Katahdin Iron Works, Orneville, Williamsburg and Northeast Piscataquis County.[18]

Voter registration
Voter registration and party enrollment as of May 2019 [19]
Republican 4,577 36.08%
Unenrolled 4,449 35.07%
Democratic 3,120 24.59%
Green Independent 539 4.25%
Libertarian 1 0.01%
Total 12,686 100%

County Commissioner

In the 2012 Piscataquis County Commissioner District 2 election, Republican candidate James Annis received 52% of the vote. Democratic candidate Susan Mackey-Andrews received 48%. In the District 3 election, Republican incumbent Frederick Trask received 50.2% (1,282 votes) and Democratic candidate Donald Crossman received 49.8% (1,271 votes) – a difference of 11 votes, confirmed after a recount.[20]

Piscataquis County Vote
County Commissioner Elections
Year REP DEM IND Other Winner District #
2012 52.0% 1,496 48.0% 1,378 - - - - James Annis 2
2012 50.2% 1,282 49.8% 1,271 - - - - Frederick Trask 3

Governor

In the Maine gubernatorial election, 2010, Republican candidate Paul LePage received the most votes in Piscataquis County with 48.4%. Three Independent candidates ran in this election: Eliot Cutler received the second most Piscatquis votes with 36.5% of the total, Shawn Moody received 3.1% and Kevin Scott, 1%. Democratic candidate, Libby Mitchell received the third most votes in the county with 10.9% of the total. Paul LePage was elected governor.

In the Maine gubernatorial election, 2006, Republican candidate Chandler Woodcock received the most votes in Piscataquis County with 37.7%. Democratic candidate, incumbent governor John Baldacci received 34.5%. Independent candidate Barbara Merrill received 19.7%, Green party candidate Pat LaMarche received 7.4%, and Phillip Morris NaPier received .63% of the Piscataquis vote. John Baldacci was reelected governor.

In the Maine gubernatorial election, 2002, Democratic candidate John Baldacci received the most votes in Piscataquis County with 50.4%. Republican candidate Peter Cianchette received 42.9% of the county vote and Green Party candidate, Jonathan Carter received 5.1%. John Baldacci was elected governor.

In the Maine gubernatorial election, 1998, Independent candidate Angus King received the most votes in Piscataquis County with 50.2%. Republican candidate James Longley, Jr. received 26.6%, Democratic candidate Tom Connolly received 10.7%. Other candidates split 12.5% of the vote. Angus King was elected governor.

Piscataquis County Vote
State Governor Elections
Year REP DEM IND Other Winner
2018 55.0% 4,075 38.7% 2,868 6.3% 463 - - Shawn Moody
2014 57.9% 4,736 34.4% 2,810 7.7% 631 .0% 2 Paul LePage
2010 48.4% 3,724 10.9% 837 40.6% 3,124 .1% 1 Paul LePage
2006 37.7% 2,829 34.5% 2,591 19.7% 1,476 8.1% 606 Chandler Woodcock
2002 42.9% 3,045 50.4% 3,583 - - 5.1% 362 John Baldacci
1998 26.6% 1,752 10.7% 708 50.2% 3,313 12.5% 824 Angus King
1994 34.7% 2,649 28.9% 2,206 27.9% 2,131 8.6% 655 Susan Collins
1990 51.1% 4,177 39.3% 3,213 9.6% 783 0% 4 John McKernan

US House

Piscataquis County is entirely within Maine's 2nd congressional district, which comprises 80% of the state and is the largest district by land area east of the Mississippi River.

In the United States House of Representatives elections in Maine, 2012, incumbent Democratic candidate Michael Michaud received the most Piscataquis County votes with 53% of the total. Republican candidate, Kevin Raye received 47%. Michael Michaud was reelected to the House.

Piscataquis County Vote
US House Elections
Year REP DEM IND Other Winner
2020 54.9% 5,483 44.9% 4,338 - - 175 .2% Dale Crafts
2012 47.0% 4,150 53.0% 4,673 - - - - Michael Michaud

US Senate

In the United States Senate election in Maine, 2012, Independent candidate and former Maine governor, Angus King received the most votes in Piscataquis County with 45.7% of the vote. Republican candidate, Charlie Summers received 40.1% and Democratic candidate Cynthia Dill received 10.4%. Stephen M. Woods received 136 votes, Andrew I. Dodge received 126 votes and Danny F. Dalton, 76 votes. Angus King was elected to the Senate.

Piscataquis County Vote
US Senate Elections
Year REP DEM IND Other Winner
2020 67.0% 6,603 26.9% 2,655 6.1% 504 - - Susan Collins
2018 47.8% 3,579 7.1% 534 45.1% 3,379 .0% 4 Eric Brakey
2014 76.8% 6,174 23.1% 1,862 - - .1% 6 Susan Collins
2012 40.1% 3,522 10.4% 911 45.7% 4,016 3.8% 338 Angus King
2008 69.1% 6,494 30.8% 2,896 -- 0% 4 Susan Collins
2006 75.4% 5,564 16.9% 1,244 7.6% 558 .1% 10 Olympia Snowe
2002 65.3% 4,633 34.7% 2,459 -- - - Susan Collins
2000 71.9% 6,428 28.1% 2,510 -- - - Olympia Snowe
1996 56.3% 5,057 38.2% 3,429 -- 5.5% 494 Susan Collins
1994 69.9% 5,313 26.8% 2,037 3.2% 245 .1% 9 Olympia Snowe
1990 66.0% 5,222 34.0% 2,686 - - - - William Cohen

President

In the 2012 United States presidential election, Republican candidate Mitt Romney received the most votes in Piscataquis County with 50.6%. Democratic incumbent Barack Obama received 46.3%. Libertarian candidate Gary Johnson received 1.5% and Green Independent candidate Jill Stein received 1.24%. There were a total of 30 "write in" votes; 29 of these were for Ron Paul and 1 for Rocky Anderson. Barack Obama was reelected President.[21][22]

Since 2000, Piscataquis County has generally been the most reliably Republican county in Maine, and New England. In 2008, Piscataquis was the only county in New England to vote for John McCain, by a margin of 355 votes or 3.8%[23] over Barack Obama, with Obama winning Maine by a 17.3% margin over McCain.[24] In 2012, Piscataquis was only one of 5 counties in New England to support Republican candidate Mitt Romney.[25] Republican candidate Donald Trump carried the county in 2016 while greatly improving on Romney's performance. He won it again in 2020 with 62% of the vote, marking the first time a Republican presidential candidate won Piscataquis County with over 60% of the vote since Ronald Reagan in 1984.

In 2004, the county was one of only two in Maine to vote for Bush over John Kerry. Bush won by a 9% margin over Kerry, with Kerry winning the state by a virtually even margin over Bush.[26]

In the 2000 U.S. presidential election, George W. Bush carried the county by an 11.9% margin over Al Gore, with Gore carrying the state by a 5.1% margin over Bush.

In 1996, Bill Clinton carried the county with 48.7% of the vote, the first Democrat to do so since 1968.[27]

In the 1992 presidential election, independent Ross Perot won a plurality 36.8% in the county, one of three counties he won in the state.[28]

Presidential elections results
Presidential elections results[29]
Year Republican Democratic Third parties
2020 62.0% 6,143 35.5% 3,517 2.5% 248
2016 58.9% 5,406 33.7% 3,098 7.4% 678
2012 50.6% 4,530 46.3% 4,149 3.1% 276
2008 50.7% 4,785 47.0% 4,430 2.3% 219
2004 53.3% 5,299 44.4% 4,409 2.3% 232
2000 52.3% 4,845 40.5% 3,745 7.2% 666
1996 31.6% 2,815 48.7% 4,343 19.8% 1,762
1992 29.6% 2,970 33.1% 3,323 37.3% 3,738
1988 58.3% 4,788 40.4% 3,323 1.3% 106
1984 64.0% 5,427 35.6% 3,016 0.5% 39
1980 46.9% 4,015 41.5% 3,550 11.6% 990
1976 50.5% 4,084 46.1% 3,727 3.5% 279
1972 64.7% 4,617 35.3% 2,518 0.0% 1
1968 46.2% 3,199 51.5% 3,561 2.3% 158
1964 34.1% 2,473 65.8% 4,781 0.1% 7
1960 63.4% 4,959 36.6% 2,859 0.0% 0
1956 77.6% 5,336 22.4% 1,541 0.0% 0
1952 67.2% 4,652 32.7% 2,261 0.1% 10
1948 59.3% 3,227 40.1% 2,181 0.6% 30
1944 54.5% 3,536 45.5% 2,957 0.0% 1
1940 52.1% 3,806 47.9% 3,499 0.1% 7
1936 55.6% 4,057 41.8% 3,051 2.6% 187
1932 59.1% 4,198 40.1% 2,849 0.7% 52
1928 77.8% 4,792 22.0% 1,353 0.3% 16
1924 75.9% 4,031 18.4% 974 5.7% 303
1920 68.8% 4,049 30.4% 1,788 0.8% 49
1916 54.2% 2,142 44.6% 1,763 1.3% 50
1912 21.4% 807 32.1% 1,210 46.5% 1,753
1908 70.5% 2,157 27.1% 828 2.5% 75
1904 74.5% 2,043 22.5% 616 2.9% 83
1900 67.5% 2,023 27.5% 824 5.0% 150
1896 70.4% 2,342 27.2% 904 1.5% 82
1892 58.0% 1,909 38.0% 1,249 4.0% 132
1888 60.4 2,091 37.4% 1,297 2.2% 77
1884 58.0% 1,976 34.3% 1,169 7.66% 261
1880 56.8% 1,943 38.9 1,330 4.3% 146

Communities

Towns

Plantations

Census-designated places

Survey Townships

Unorganized territories

Notable residents

See also

Notes
  1. The others are Lake County and Cook County in Minnesota, Ontonagon County and Keweenaw County in Michigan, and Highland County in Virginia

References
  1. "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  2. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  3. source: US Census Bureau. "Frontier Counties of the United States 2010 (archived)". Rural Health Information Hub. Retrieved February 15, 2018.
  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. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. "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.
  12. "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on 2020-02-13. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  13. "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.
  14. "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.
  15. http://rcms2010.org/compare.php
  16. "PHOTOS: Most And Least Christian States In America". Huffington Post. May 29, 2012.
  17. http://www.piscataquis.us/Pages/cc.html
  18. http://www.piscataquis.us/Pages/ccInfo.html
  19. Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions (5 May 2019). "Registered & Enrolled Voters - Statewide" (PDF). Department of the Secretary of State, State of Maine. p. 23. Retrieved 13 November 2019.
  20. http://bangordailynews.com/2012/11/26/politics/trask-prevails-by-11-votes-in-piscataquis-county-commissioner-recount/
  21. http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS/index.html
  22. http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/prior12-13.htm#nov
  23. November 4, 2008 General Election Tabulations (US President by County)
  24. 2008 Presidential General Election Results. U.S. Election Atlas. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
  25. http://bangordailynews.com/2012/11/07/politics/piscataquis-keeps-red-reputation-as-only-maine-county-to-back-romney/
  26. 2004 Presidential General Election Data Graphs – Maine. U.S. Election Atlas. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
  27. 1996 Presidential General Election Data Graphs – Maine. U.S. Election Atlas. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
  28. 1992 Presidential General Election Data Graphs – Maine. U.S. Election Atlas. Retrieved 2010-08-02.
  29. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved 2018-08-26.

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