Kennebec County, Maine

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 951 sqmi, of which 868 sqmi is land and 84 sqmi (8.8%) is water.

The county is nearly bisected by the Kennebec River, which also forms parts of the county line in the north and south of the county. The county is also dotted by many lakes and ponds, as well as the Kennebec Highlands in the northwest part of the county.

Adjacent counties

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

Major highways

Demographics

|align-fn=center 1790–1960 1900–1990 1990–2000 2010–2019

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 123,642. Of the residents, 18.8% were under the age of 18 and 21.1% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 44.9 years. For every 100 females there were 95.7 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 93.9 males. 37.8% of residents lived in urban areas and 62.2% lived in rural areas.

The racial makeup of the county was 91.9% White, 0.7% Black or African American, 0.4% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.0% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.7% from some other race, and 5.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.1% of the population.

There were 53,223 households in the county, of which 24.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.9% of all households were made up of individuals and 13.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 62,607 housing units, of which 15.0% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 70.6% were owner-occupied and 29.4% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.4% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.0%.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 122,151 people, 51,128 households, and 32,368 families living in the county.{{cite web |access-date=January 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213014526/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US23011 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213184506/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US23011 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead |access-date=January 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213030133/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US23011 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead

The median income for a household in the county was $45,973 and the median income for a family was $56,853. Males had a median income of $42,176 versus $32,471 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,656. About 7.8% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web |access-date=January 21, 2016 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213020852/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US23011 |archive-date=February 13, 2020 |url-status=dead

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 117,114 people, 47,683 households, and 31,327 families living in the county. The population density was 135 /mi2. There were 56,364 housing units at an average density of 65 /mi2. 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. 92.5% spoke only English at home, while 5.48% spoke French.

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.

Micropolitan statistical area

Kennebec County has been designated as the Augusta–Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA) by the United States Office of Management and Budget. 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 14th most populous in the United States with a population of 125,540 as of July 2022.

Economy

Kennebec County's economy has traditionally been industrial. A large amount of paper and textiles were produced, and mills sprung up along the Kennebec river. The median household income is $36,498. The unemployment rate is 4.2%.

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, 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.

K-12 school districts include:

• Augusta School District
• Fayette School District
• Vassalboro School District
• Waterville School District
• Winslow School District
• Winthrop School District
• Regional School Unit 02
• Regional School Unit 04
• Regional School Unit 18
• Regional School Unit 12
• Regional School Unit 38
• School Administrative District 09
• School Administrative District 11
• School Administrative District 49

There is also the Kennebec Unorganized Territory. The Maine Department of Education takes responsibility for coordinating school assignments in the unorganized territory. The state assigns the "Unity Township" area in Kennebec County to Unity School, Mount View Middle School, and Mount View High School of Regional School Unit 3 of Unity, Waldo County.

Politics

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 in the 1st Congressional District, while the northern, smaller portion is in the 2nd Congressional District. While the more rural areas support the Republican Party, the urban areas are strongly Democratic.

Historically, the county was more Democratic-leaning than the rest of the state in presidential elections. Kennebec County had consistently voted for Democrats in recent elections, until 2016 when it voted for Republican Donald Trump, the first time it had voted Republican since 1988. The county voted for Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940 even as Republican Wendell Willkie narrowly carried Maine, and it voted for Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1976 as Republican Gerald Ford also narrowly won the state. In more recent elections, the county voted in-line with the state, voting for the statewide winner in every election from 1980 to 2012. In 2020, it was the closest county in the state, with Democrat Joe Biden defeating Trump by just 181 votes. Kennebec swung back into the Republican column in 2024, with Trump carrying the county this time with a full majority.

Voter registration

Communities

Cities

• Augusta (county seat)
• Gardiner
• Hallowell
• Waterville

Towns

• Albion
• Belgrade
• Benton
• Chelsea
• China
• Clinton
• Farmingdale
• Fayette
• Litchfield
• Manchester
• Monmouth
• Mount Vernon
• Oakland
• Pittston
• Randolph
• Readfield
• Rome
• Sidney
• Vassalboro
• Vienna
• Wayne
• West Gardiner
• Windsor
• Winslow
• Winthrop

Unorganized territory

• Unity

Census-designated places

• Clinton
• Farmingdale
• Oakland
• Winthrop

Other unincorporated villages

• China Village
• East Vassalboro
• East Winthrop
• Libby Hill
• North Monmouth
• North Vassalboro
• South China

Footnotes

References

1. "Kennebec County, Maine".
2. "Census - Geography Profile: Kennebec County, Maine". [[United States Census Bureau]].
3. "Find a County". National Association of Counties.
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5. "Centers of Population by State: 2010". United States Census Bureau.
6. (August 22, 2012). "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau.
7. "County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024". United States Census Bureau.
8. "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau.
9. "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library.
10. "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau.
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13. (2023). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)".
14. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)".
15. (2021). "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)".
16. "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Kennebec County, Maine". [[United States Census Bureau]].
17. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Kennebec County, Maine".
18. "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Kennebec County, Maine".
19. "U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
20. "Language Map Data Center".
21. "2010 U.S. Census website". [[United States Census Bureau]].
22. Geography Division. (January 14, 2021). "2020 census - school district reference map: Kennebec County, ME". [[U.S. Census Bureau]].
23. "Education In Unorganized Territory (EUT)". [[Maine Department of Education]].
24. "Education in the Unorganized Territory - Find Your School". [[Maine Department of Education]].
25. "Pivot Counties in Maine". [[ballotpedia.org]].
26. "Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide".
27. Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections".