Penobscot County, Maine#Metropolitan Statistical Area

{{Infobox U.S. county

| county = Penobscot County

| state = Maine

| seal =

| founded = 1816

| seat wl = Bangor

| largest city wl = Bangor

| area_total_sq_mi = 3557

| area_land_sq_mi = 3397

| area_water_sq_mi = 160

| area percentage = 4.5%

| population_as_of = 2020

| population_total = 152199

| pop_est_as_of =

| population_est =

| density_sq_mi = 45

| time zone = Eastern

| named for = Penobscot tribe

| ex image = PenobscotCourthouse.jpg

| ex image cap = Penobscot County Courthouse

| district = 2nd

| website = [https://www.penobscot-county.net penobscot-county.net]

| coordinates = {{coord|45.40|-68.63|display=title,inline|type:adm2nd_region:US-ME_source:UScensus1990}}

}}

Penobscot County is a county in the U.S. state of Maine, named for the Penobscot people in Wabanakik.{{Cite web|last=Girouard|first=Maria|date=December 3, 2020|title=Acknowledging the Land|url=https://www.mainewabanakireach.org/acknowledging_the_land|website=Wabanaki REACH}} As of the 2020 census, the population was 152,199,{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Penobscot County, Maine|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US23019 |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 21, 2021}} making it the third-most-populous county in Maine. Its county seat is Bangor.{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties}} The county was established on February 15, 1816, from part of Hancock County when the area was still part of Massachusetts. Penobscot County is home to the University of Maine.

Penobscot County comprises the Bangor, ME Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of {{convert|3557|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|3397|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|160|sqmi}} (4.5%) is water.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_23.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 7, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909034104/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_23.txt|archive-date=September 9, 2014}} The county highpoint is East Turner Mountain at {{convert|2456|ft|m}} next to Baxter State Park.

=Adjacent counties=

Aroostook County – north
Washington County – southeast
Hancock County – south
Waldo County – southwest
Somerset County – west
Piscataquis County – northwest

=National protected area=

Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

{{US Census population

|1820= 13870

|1830= 31530

|1840= 45705

|1850= 63089

|1860= 72731

|1870= 75150

|1880= 70476

|1890= 72865

|1900= 76246

|1910= 85285

|1920= 87684

|1930= 92379

|1940= 97104

|1950= 108198

|1960= 126346

|1970= 125393

|1980= 137015

|1990= 146601

|2000= 144919

|2010= 153923

|2020= 152199

|estyear=2023

|estimate=155312

|estref={{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/popest/data/tables.html|title=Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=April 3, 2024}}

|align-fn=center

|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 7, 2014}}
1790–1960{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=September 7, 2014}} 1900–1990{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/me190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 7, 2014}}
1990–2000{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 7, 2014}} 2010–2019{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/23/23019.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606152345/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/23/23019.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011}}

}}

=2000 census=

At the 2000 census there were 144,919 people, 58,096 households, and 37,820 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|43|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people |people|}}. There were 66,847 housing units at an average density of {{convert|20|/mi2|/km2|}}. The county's racial makeup was 96.60% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.8% were of English, 17.3% United States or American, 14.0% French, 13.0% Irish and 6.7% French Canadian ancestry. 95.8% spoke English and 2.3% French as their first language.{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}

There were 58,096 households, of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.90% were non-families. 26.70% of households were one person and 10.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.

The age distribution was 22.80% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median household income was $34,274 and the median family income was $42,206. Males had a median income of $32,824 versus $23,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,801. About 9.70% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.

=2010 census=

At the 2010 census, there were 153,923 people, 62,966 households, and 38,917 families living in the county.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US23019

|title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data

|access-date=January 21, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213031646/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US23019

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The population density was {{convert|45.3|PD/sqmi}}. There were 73,860 housing units at an average density of {{convert|21.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units |units|}}.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US23019

|access-date=January 21, 2016

|title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213192051/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US23019

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}} The county's racial makeup was 95.4% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 20.9% were English, 17.2% were Irish, 9.4% were American, 7.1% were German, 6.0% were French Canadian, and 5.9% were Scottish.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US23019

|title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=January 21, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021726/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US23019

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

Of the 62,966 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.2% were non-families, and 28.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 39.9 years.

The county's median household income was $42,658 and the median family income was $54,271. Males had a median income of $41,094 versus $31,910 for females. The county's per capita income was $22,977. About 10.1% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.{{cite web

|url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US23019

|title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates

|access-date=January 21, 2016

|publisher=United States Census Bureau

|archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021218/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US23019

|archive-date=February 13, 2020

|url-status=dead

}}

Politics

As the most populous county in Maine's 2nd congressional district, Penobscot County's support for Donald Trump in 2016 helped deliver him a split electoral vote from Maine.{{citation |url= https://ballotpedia.org/Pivot_Counties_in_Maine |title= Pivot Counties in Maine |work= ballotpedia.org |access-date= 2024-09-20 }} It was the first time since 1828 that Maine split its electoral votes. Republican strength in the county has increased in each subsequent election (2020 and 2024).

=Voter registration=

class=wikitable ! colspan = 6 \| Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024{{cite web \|author1=Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions \|title=Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide \|url=https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/data/data-pdf/r-e-active.pdf \|website=Maine SOS \|access-date=April 9, 2024}}
{{party color cell\|Republican Party (United States)}} \| Republican \| align = center \| {{formatnum: 35748}} \| align = center \| {{Percentage \|35748 \|99269 \|2}}
{{party color cell\|Democratic Party (United States)}} \| Democratic \| align = center \| {{formatnum: 29890}} \| align = center \| {{Percentage \|29890 \|99269 \|2}}
{{party color cell\|Independent Party (United States)}} \| Unenrolled \| align = center \| {{formatnum: 27843}} \| align = center \| {{Percentage \|27843 \|99269 \|2}}
{{party color cell\|Green Party (United States)}} \| Green Independent \| align = center \| {{formatnum: 3908}} \| align = center \| {{Percentage \|3908 \|99269 \|2}}
{{party color cell\|No Labels}} \| No Labels \| align = center \| {{formatnum: 1051}} \| align = center \| {{Percentage \|1051 \|99269 \|2}}
{{party color cell\|Libertarian Party (United States)}} \| Libertarian \| align = center \| {{formatnum: 829}} \| align = center \| {{Percentage \|829 \|99269 \|2}}
colspan = 2 \| Total ! align = center \| {{formatnum: 99269}} ! align = center \| {{Percentage \|100}}

class=wikitable

! colspan = 6 | Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024{{cite web |author1=Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions |title=Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide |url=https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/data/data-pdf/r-e-active.pdf |website=Maine SOS |access-date=April 9, 2024}}

| Republican

| align = center | {{formatnum: 35748}}

| align = center | {{Percentage |35748 |99269 |2}}

| Democratic

| align = center | {{formatnum: 29890}}

| align = center | {{Percentage |29890 |99269 |2}}

| Unenrolled

| align = center | {{formatnum: 27843}}

| align = center | {{Percentage |27843 |99269 |2}}

| Green Independent

| align = center | {{formatnum: 3908}}

| align = center | {{Percentage |3908 |99269 |2}}

| No Labels

| align = center | {{formatnum: 1051}}

| align = center | {{Percentage |1051 |99269 |2}}

| Libertarian

| align = center | {{formatnum: 829}}

| align = center | {{Percentage |829 |99269 |2}}

colspan = 2 | Total

! align = center | {{formatnum: 99269}}

! align = center | {{Percentage |100}}

{{PresHead|place=Penobscot County, Maine|source={{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org}}}}

|}

Communities

=Cities=

Bangor (county seat)
Brewer
Old Town

=Towns=

=Plantations=

=Census-designated places=

=Unorganized territories=

=Indian reservation=

Penobscot Indian Island Reservation

Education

School districts include:{{cite web|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st23_me/schooldistrict_maps/c23019_penobscot/DC20SD_C23019.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722144336/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st23_me/schooldistrict_maps/c23019_penobscot/DC20SD_C23019.pdf |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Penobscot County, ME|publisher=U.S. Census Bureau|accessdate=July 22, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st23_me/schooldistrict_maps/c23019_penobscot/DC20SD_C23019_SD2MS.txt Text]

University of Maine is in Orono.

References

External links

[http://www.penobscot-county.net Penobscot County Official Website]
[http://www.maine.gov/local/penobscot/ Penobscot County] on Maine.gov
[http://CPRR.org/Museum/BMLRR/Penobscot.html "The Ancient Penobscot, or Panawanskek"]. Historical Magazine, February 1872.
Digital Maine Repository. Items related to [https://digitalmaine.com/do/search/?q=%22Penobscot%20County%22 Penobscot County]
Core.ac.uk. Assorted items related to [https://core.ac.uk/search/?q=%22Penobscot+County%22+Maine Penobscot County]
Digital Public Library of America. Assorted materials related to [https://dp.la/search?q=%22Penobscot+County%22+Maine Penobscot County]

{{Geographic Location

|Centre = Penobscot County, Maine

|North = Aroostook County

|Northeast =

|East =

|Southeast = Washington County

|South = Hancock County

|Southwest = Waldo County

|West = Somerset County

|Northwest = Piscataquis County

}}

Category:Maine counties