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Somerset County, Maine

Coordinates: 45°31′N 69°57′W / 45.51°N 69.95°W / 45.51; -69.95
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Somerset County
County
Somerset County Courthouse
Somerset County Courthouse
Map of Maine highlighting Somerset County
Location within the U.S. state of Maine
Map of the United States highlighting Maine
Maine's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 45°07′58″N 69°51′14″W / 45.132915°N 69.853996°W / 45.132915; -69.853996
Country United States
State Maine
Founded1809
Named forSomerset County, England
SeatSkowhegan
Largest townSkowhegan
Area
 • Total
4,094 sq mi (10,600 km2)
 • Land3,924 sq mi (10,160 km2)
 • Water169 sq mi (440 km2)  4.1%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
50,477
 • Density12/sq mi (4.8/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websitesomersetcounty-me.org

Somerset County is a county in the U.S. state of Maine, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 50,477.[1] Its county seat is Skowhegan.[2]

History

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Somerset County was established on March 1, 1809[3][4] from portions of Kennebec County and was named after Somerset County in England.[5]

Geography

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According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 4,094 square miles (10,600 km2), of which 3,924 square miles (10,160 km2) is land and 169 square miles (440 km2) (4.1%) is water.[6] It is the third-largest county in Maine by area.

Mountains

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Bodies of water

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Major highways

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Adjacent counties and municipalities

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Somerset County is one of few counties in the United States to border ten counties and county equivalents.

Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
181012,910—
182021,78768.8%
183035,78764.3%
184033,912−5.2%
185035,5814.9%
186036,7533.3%
187034,611−5.8%
188032,333−6.6%
189032,6270.9%
190033,8493.7%
191036,3017.2%
192037,1712.4%
193039,1115.2%
194038,245−2.2%
195039,7854.0%
196039,749−0.1%
197040,5972.1%
198045,02810.9%
199049,76710.5%
200050,8882.3%
201052,2282.6%
202050,477−3.4%
2023 (est.)51,302[7]1.6%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
1790–1960[9] 1900–1990[10]
1990–2000[11] 2010–2016[12]

2000 census

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As of the census[13] of 2000, there were 50,888 people, 20,496 households, and 14,121 families living in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km2). There were 28,222 housing units at an average density of 7 per square mile (2.7/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.00% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 0.41% Native American, 0.34% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.89% from two or more races. 0.46% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.9% were of English, 17.7% French, 15.1% United States or American, 11.5% Irish and 8.8% French Canadian ancestry. 96.2% spoke English and 2.9% French as their first language.

There were 20,496 households, out of which 31.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.20% were married couples living together, 10.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.10% were non-families. 24.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.87.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.70% under the age of 18, 7.00% from 18 to 24, 28.70% from 25 to 44, 25.30% from 45 to 64, and 14.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 96.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.30 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $30,731, and the median income for a family was $36,464. Males had a median income of $29,032 versus $20,745 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,474. About 11.10% of families and 14.90% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.40% of those under age 18 and 12.50% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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As of  2010, there were 52,228 people, 21,927 households, and 14,353 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 13.3 inhabitants per square mile (5.1 inhabitants/km2). There were 30,569 housing units at an average density of 7.8 units per square mile (3.0 units/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was 97.1% white, 0.6% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.1% from other races, and 1.3% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 25.1% were French, 24.2% were English, 15.8% were Irish, 8.0% were German, 7.9% were American, and 6.1% were French Canadian.[16]

Of the 21,927 households, 28.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.7% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.5% were non-families, and 26.9% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.80. The median age was 43.6 years.[14]

The median income for a household in the county was $36,647 and the median income for a family was $47,177. Males had a median income of $41,235 versus $30,029 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,709. About 14.0% of families and 18.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.0% of those under age 18 and 12.7% of those age 65 or over.[17]

Government and politics

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Somerset County is part of Maine's 2nd congressional district and represented by Democrat Jared Golden since 2019.

A 'swing' or 'pivot' county in the 21st century, despite voting for Democrat Barack Obama in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, Somerset County voted for Republican Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020, most recently by a margin of victory of 23.37%.[18] In 2020, Trump became the first presidential candidate to carry the county with more than 60% of the vote since Ronald Reagan in 1984. In 1992, the county was one of three in Maine to vote for independent Ross Perot, along with neighboring Piscataquis and Waldo.

Voter registration

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Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024[19]
Republican 12,893 40.27%
Unenrolled 9,415 29.41%
Democratic 7,936 24.79%
Green Independent 1,319 4.12%
No Labels 338 1.06%
Libertarian 114 0.36%
Total 32,015 100%
United States presidential election results for Somerset County, Maine[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2024 17,826 62.68% 10,134 35.63% 481 1.69%
2020 16,644 60.35% 10,199 36.98% 735 2.67%
2016 15,001 57.55% 9,092 34.88% 1,971 7.56%
2012 11,800 47.61% 12,216 49.28% 771 3.11%
2008 11,867 46.07% 13,335 51.77% 556 2.16%
2004 12,953 47.78% 13,555 50.00% 600 2.21%
2000 10,684 44.61% 11,538 48.17% 1,729 7.22%
1996 6,247 27.03% 11,773 50.94% 5,091 22.03%
1992 6,780 25.66% 9,274 35.10% 10,370 39.24%
1988 11,430 56.58% 8,603 42.59% 168 0.83%
1984 13,010 62.64% 7,657 36.86% 104 0.50%
1980 9,286 47.59% 8,115 41.59% 2,112 10.82%
1976 8,868 46.76% 9,465 49.91% 633 3.34%
1972 10,079 62.97% 5,921 36.99% 5 0.03%
1968 6,720 43.76% 8,312 54.13% 324 2.11%
1964 4,541 29.77% 10,694 70.11% 18 0.12%
1960 10,142 59.32% 6,956 40.68% 0 0.00%
1956 10,471 71.77% 4,119 28.23% 0 0.00%
1952 9,805 66.93% 4,815 32.87% 29 0.20%
1948 6,301 60.48% 4,034 38.72% 83 0.80%
1944 7,167 57.23% 5,331 42.57% 25 0.20%
1940 7,526 53.42% 6,534 46.38% 28 0.20%
1936 7,558 56.91% 5,282 39.77% 441 3.32%
1932 7,144 53.07% 6,040 44.87% 277 2.06%
1928 8,055 70.62% 3,251 28.50% 100 0.88%
1924 6,855 73.83% 1,822 19.62% 608 6.55%
1920 6,533 68.11% 2,770 28.88% 289 3.01%
1916 3,567 51.24% 3,134 45.02% 260 3.74%
1912 1,235 19.43% 2,317 36.45% 2,804 44.12%
1908 3,688 65.30% 1,676 29.67% 284 5.03%

Communities

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Towns

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Census-designated places

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Plantations

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Unorganized territories

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Villages

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Education

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School administrative districts

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The following school districts are located at least partly in Somerset County:[21]

Secondary schools

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Higher education

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Miscellaneous

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Somerset County, Maine". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ Seltzer, Leon Eugene (1952). The Columbia Lippincott gazetteer of the world. Columbia Univ. Pr. p. 1794. ISBN 0-231-01559-3. OCLC 299604592.
  4. ^ "History of Somerset County, Maine". history.rays-place.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
  5. ^ Yates, Edgar A.P. (June 13, 1928). "Some Maine town names". The Lewiston Daily Sun. p. 4. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
  6. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  7. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  8. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  9. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  10. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  11. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  12. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  13. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  14. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  15. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  16. ^ "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 February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  17. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006–2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  18. ^ "Election results, 2020: Pivot Counties in the 2020 presidential election". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
  19. ^ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions. "Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide" (PDF). Maine SOS. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
  21. ^ "Regional School Units In Maine" (PDF). Maine.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  22. ^ "Carrabec High School". Carrabec High School. August 7, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  23. ^ "Explore Faith Baptist Christian School in Skowhegan, ME". GreatSchools.org. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  24. ^ "Forest Hills School". Forest Hills School. July 31, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  25. ^ "Lawrence High School, Fairfield, Maine USA". Facebook. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  26. ^ "Home". Madison Area Memorial High School. June 15, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
  27. ^ "Good Will Hinckley/Maine Academy of Natural Sciences/United States". goodwillhinckley.
  28. ^ "Maine Central Institute website". Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
  29. ^ "Home". RSU/MSAD 54.
  30. ^ "sad13". sad13.org. Retrieved September 5, 2019.

Further reading

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County politics

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45°31′N 69°57′W / 45.51°N 69.95°W / 45.51; -69.95

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