Washington County, Maine

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For counties with a similar name, see Washington County (disambiguation).

Template:Infobox U.S. county

Washington County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2020 census, its population was 31,095,[1] making it the third-least populous county in Maine. Its county seat is Machias.[2] The county was established on June 25, 1789. It borders the Canadian province of New Brunswick. It is sometimes referred to as "Sunrise County" because it includes the easternmost point in the 48 contiguous United States. Claims have been made that Washington County is where the sun first rises on the 48 contiguous states.[3] Many small seaside communities have small-scale fishing-based economies. Tourism is also important along the county's shoreline, but it is not as important as elsewhere in the state. The blueberry crop plays a major role in the county's economy.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,258 square miles (8,440 km2), of which 2,563 square miles (6,640 km2) is land and 695 square miles (1,800 km2) (21%) is water.[4]

Adjacent counties

National protected areas

Major highways

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Demographics

Template:US Census population

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 31,095. Of the residents, 18.3% were under the age of 18 and 26.1% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 49.4 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.4 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.[5][6][7]

The racial makeup of the county was 89.4% White, 0.5% Black or African American, 4.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.9% from some other race, and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.1% of the population.[7]

There were 13,757 households in the county, of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[6]

There were 21,594 housing units, of which 36.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.8% were owner-occupied and 23.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.3%.[6]

Washington County, Maine – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) Pop 2000[8] Pop 2010[9] Pop 2020[10] % 2000 % 2010 % 2020
White alone (NH) 31,640 29,998 27,587 93.22% 91.30% 88.71%
Black or African American alone (NH) 79 132 156 0.23% 0.40% 0.50%
Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) 1,489 1,586 1,381 4.38% 4.82% 4.44%
Asian alone (NH) 101 148 121 0.29% 0.45% 0.38%
Pacific Islander alone (NH) 3 5 7 0.00% 0.01% 0.02%
Other race alone (NH) 8 22 86 0.02% 0.06% 0.27%
Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) 347 513 1,090 1.02% 1.56% 3.50%
Hispanic or Latino (any race) 274 452 667 0.80% 1.37% 2.14%
Total 33,941 32,856 31,095 100.00% 100.00% 100.00%

2022 population density

According to U.S. Census Bureau 2022 statistics, Washington County's population density equates to twelve people per square mile.[11]

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 32,856 people, 14,302 households, and 8,847 families living in the county.[12] The population density was 12.8 inhabitants per square mile (4.9/km2). There were 23,001 housing units at an average density of 9.0 units per square mile (3.5 units/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 92.1% white, 4.9% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 30.4% were English, 17.0% were Irish, 7.0% were German, 6.1% were Scottish, and 5.6% were American.[14]

Of the 14,302 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.1% were non-families, and 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age was 46.1 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $34,859 and the median income for a family was $43,612. Males had a median income of $35,981 versus $27,336 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,401. About 14.1% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.[15]

2000 census

As of the census[16] of 2000, there were 33,941 people, 14,118 households, and 9,303 families living in the county. The population density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km2). There were 21,919 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.48% White, 0.26% Black or African American, 4.43% Native American, 0.30% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 0.81% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 95.0% spoke English, 1.9% Passamaquoddy, 1.0% Spanish and 1.0% French as their first language.

There were 14,118 households, out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 28.30% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.10% 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 2.84.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.90% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $25,869, and the median income for a family was $31,657. Males had a median income of $28,347 versus $20,074 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,119. About 14.20% of families and 19.00% of the population were below the poverty line, including 22.40% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.

Government

Washington County is considered to be a more conservative county in Maine. No Democrat has carried a majority of the county since Hubert Humphrey in 1968. In 2004, it was one of only two counties (the other being Piscataquis County) in Maine to vote for Republican George W. Bush over Democrat John Kerry. The county voted for the winning presidential candidate in every election from 1980 until 2020, when the county was carried by Donald Trump, who lost nationally to Joe Biden.[17][18] In 2024, the county shifted to the right again, with Trump breaking 60% of the vote for the Republican Party for the first time since 1984.

In the 2012 Maine Republican presidential caucuses, the majority of Washington County voters cast their votes for Republican Ron Paul, but votes from Washington County were not counted because of snow. Mitt Romney ultimately won the state by a narrow margin.

Voter registration

Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024[19]
Template:Party color cell Republican 8,027 38.53%
Template:Party color cell Unenrolled 6,072 29.15%
Template:Party color cell Democratic 5,591 26.84%
Template:Party color cell Green Independent 752 3.61%
Template:Party color cell No Labels 314 1.51%
Template:Party color cell Libertarian 76 0.36%
Total 20,832 100%
United States presidential election results for Washington County, Maine[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party
No.  % No.  % No.  %
1908 3,507 59.49% 2,256 38.27% 132 2.24%
1912 1,862 26.40% 3,178 45.07% 2,012 28.53%
1916 3,891 52.24% 3,459 46.44% 99 1.33%
1920 6,768 68.57% 2,997 30.36% 105 1.06%
1924 6,010 69.71% 2,106 24.43% 505 5.86%
1928 8,531 73.30% 3,073 26.40% 35 0.30%
1932 7,507 51.95% 6,829 47.26% 115 0.80%
1936 6,387 44.06% 7,925 54.67% 183 1.26%
1940 6,253 43.65% 8,048 56.18% 25 0.17%
1944 5,380 48.44% 5,709 51.40% 18 0.16%
1948 5,130 58.64% 3,538 40.44% 80 0.91%
1952 7,396 65.89% 3,806 33.91% 23 0.20%
1956 8,181 76.20% 2,555 23.80% 0 0.00%
1960 9,118 65.91% 4,716 34.09% 0 0.00%
1964 3,816 29.05% 9,312 70.88% 9 0.07%
1968 5,523 46.10% 6,249 52.16% 208 1.74%
1972 7,820 67.57% 3,742 32.33% 12 0.10%
1976 7,039 49.45% 6,644 46.67% 552 3.88%
1980 7,180 48.55% 6,050 40.91% 1,558 10.54%
1984 9,713 64.41% 5,308 35.20% 60 0.40%
1988 7,872 56.93% 5,831 42.17% 125 0.90%
1992 5,493 30.92% 6,284 35.37% 5,988 33.71%
1996 4,793 31.56% 7,198 47.39% 3,198 21.05%
2000 7,958 50.66% 6,701 42.66% 1,049 6.68%
2004 8,619 49.79% 8,391 48.47% 300 1.73%
2008 8,077 48.50% 8,246 49.51% 331 1.99%
2012 7,550 47.68% 7,803 49.27% 483 3.05%
2016 9,093 55.56% 6,075 37.12% 1,197 7.31%
2020 10,194 58.73% 6,761 38.95% 402 2.32%
2024 11,001 60.96% 6,763 37.48% 282 1.56%
2016 1 33.33% 1 33.33% 1 33.33%


Communities

Cities

Towns

Plantations

Unorganized territories

Indian reservations

Census-designated places

Public transportation

See also: Public transportation in Maine

Washington County does not have a comprehensive public transportation system, despite having a year-round population of around 32,000.[11] West Bus Services, based in Milbridge, serves several communities in northern Maine. The daily Coastal Connection route serves: Calais, Perry, Pembroke, Dennysville, Whiting, Lubec, East Machias, Machias, Jonesboro, Jonesport, Beals, Addison, Cherryfield, Columbia, Columbia Falls, Deblois (seasonal), Township 18 (seasonal), Township 19 (seasonal), Centerville, Gouldsboro, Winter Harbor, Sullivan, Steuben, Hancock, Ellsworth, Lucern, Holden and Bangor. The route takes around 3.5 hours. On the first Wednesday of each month, a return service runs between Lubec and Machias.[21]

Education

School districts include:

K-12 districts:[22]

Secondary school districts:

Elementary school districts:[22]

A portion of the area is in the "Washington Unorganized Territory]".[22] Unorganized territories are not in any municipality.[24] The Maine Department of Education takes responsibility for coordinating school assignments in the unorganized territory.[25] The department operates one school, Edmunds Consolidated School, in Edmunds Township.[26]

Private schools:

Notable people

See also

References

  1. ↑ "Census - Geography Profile: Washington County, Maine". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  2. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ↑ Trotter, Bill (October 22, 2011). "Where in Maine does the sun rise first?". Bangor Daily News. Retrieved February 6, 2013.
  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. ↑ "2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)". United States Census Bureau. 2023. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 6.2 "2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 "2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)". United States Census Bureau. 2021. Retrieved 10 December 2025.
  8. ↑ "P004: Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2000: DEC Summary File 1 – Washington County, Maine". United States Census Bureau.
  9. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2010: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Washington County, Maine". United States Census Bureau.
  10. ↑ "P2 Hispanic or Latino, and Not Hispanic or Latino by Race – 2020: DEC Redistricting Data (PL 94-171) - Washington County, Maine". United States Census Bureau.
  11. ↑ 11.0 11.1 "In Washington County, getting from here to there isn't so simple". newscentermaine.com. June 5, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
  12. ↑ 12.0 12.1 12.2 "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.
  13. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
  14. ↑ "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.
  15. ↑ "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.
  16. ↑ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
  17. ↑ Politico live election results: 2020 Maine results
  18. ↑ "Pivot Counties in Maine", ballotpedia.org, retrieved September 20, 2024
  19. ↑ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions. "Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide" (PDF). Maine SOS. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 7, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  20. ↑ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved April 8, 2018.
  21. ↑ "WEST BUS SERVICE". www.westbusservice.com. Retrieved September 17, 2023.
  22. ↑ 22.0 22.1 22.2 22.3 Geography Division (January 14, 2021). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Washington County, ME (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved August 12, 2024. - Text list
  23. ↑ "East Range II Csd". National Center for Educational Statistics. Retrieved August 7, 2025.
  24. ↑ "Education In Unorganized Territory (EUT)". Maine Department of Education. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
  25. ↑ "Education in the Unorganized Territory - Find Your School". Maine Department of Education. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
  26. ↑ "Education in the Unorganized Territory Schools". Maine Department of Education. Retrieved July 13, 2025.

Further reading

Template:Geographic Location Template:Washington County, Maine Template:Maine Coordinates: 44°58′N 67°37′W / 44.97°N 67.61°W / 44.97; -67.61

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