Somerset County, Maine

Somerset County
Somerset County
County
	Somerset County Courthouse
	Location within the U.S. state of Maine
	Maine's location within the U.S.
	Coordinates: 45°07′58″N 69°51′14″W / 45.132915°N 69.853996°W
Country	United States
State	Maine
Founded	1809
Named for	Somerset County, England
Seat	Skowhegan
Largest town	Skowhegan
Area
• Total	4,094 sq mi (10,600 km2)
• Land	3,924 sq mi (10,160 km2)
• Water	169 sq mi (440 km2) 4.1%
Population (2020)
• Total	50,477
• Density	12/sq mi (4.8/km2)
Time zone	UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district	2nd
Website	somersetcounty-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

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

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

Bodies of water

Major highways

Adjacent counties and municipalities

Aroostook County – north
Penobscot County – east
Piscataquis County – east
Waldo County – southeast
Kennebec County – south
Franklin County – southwest
Le Granit Regional County Municipality, Quebec – west
Beauce-Sartigan Regional County Municipality, Quebec – west
Les Etchemins Regional County Municipality, Quebec – northwest
Montmagny Regional County Municipality, Quebec – northwest

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

Demographics

Historical population
Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1810	12,910		—
1820	21,787		68.8%
1830	35,787		64.3%
1840	33,912		−5.2%
1850	35,581		4.9%
1860	36,753		3.3%
1870	34,611		−5.8%
1880	32,333		−6.6%
1890	32,627		0.9%
1900	33,849		3.7%
1910	36,301		7.2%
1920	37,171		2.4%
1930	39,111		5.2%
1940	38,245		−2.2%
1950	39,785		4.0%
1960	39,749		−0.1%
1970	40,597		2.1%
1980	45,028		10.9%
1990	49,767		10.5%
2000	50,888		2.3%
2010	52,228		2.6%
2020	50,477		−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

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

As of 2010^[update], 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

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

A 'swing' or 'pivot' county, despite voting for Barack Obama in the 2008 and 2012 presidential elections, Somerset County voted for Donald Trump in 2016 and 2020, most recently by a margin of victory of 23.37%.^[18]

Voter registration

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
Year	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
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

Towns

Census-designated places

Plantations

Unorganized territories

Villages

Education

School administrative districts

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

References

^ "Census - Geography Profile: Somerset County, Maine". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
^ Seltzer, Leon Eugene (1952). The Columbia Lippincott gazetteer of the world. Columbia Univ. Pr. p. 1794. ISBN 0-231-01559-3. OCLC 299604592.
^ "History of Somerset County, Maine". history.rays-place.com. Archived from the original on June 30, 2012. Retrieved January 25, 2009.
^ Yates, Edgar A.P. (June 13, 1928). "Some Maine town names". The Lewiston Daily Sun. p. 4. Retrieved October 17, 2015.
^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
^ "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.
^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
^ ^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.
^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 – County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
^ "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.
^ "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.
^ "Election results, 2020: Pivot Counties in the 2020 presidential election". Ballotpedia. Retrieved September 16, 2022.
^ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions. "Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide" (PDF). Maine SOS. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved August 26, 2018.
^ "Regional School Units In Maine" (PDF). Maine.gov. Archived (PDF) from the original on September 5, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
^ "Carrabec High School". Carrabec High School. August 7, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
^ "Explore Faith Baptist Christian School in Skowhegan, ME". GreatSchools.org. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
^ "Forest Hills School". Forest Hills School. July 31, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
^ "Lawrence High School, Fairfield, Maine USA". Facebook. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
^ "Home". Madison Area Memorial High School. June 15, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
^ "Good Will Hinckley/Maine Academy of Natural Sciences/United States". goodwillhinckley.
^ "Maine Central Institute website". Archived from the original on October 30, 2014. Retrieved October 9, 2010.
^ "Home". RSU/MSAD 54.
^ "sad13". sad13.org. Retrieved September 5, 2019.

External links

"Official Website". ME-Somerset County, ME. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
"County Commissioner". ME-Somerset County, ME. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
"Charter" (PDF). ME-Somerset County, ME. November 2010. Archived (PDF) from the original on January 17, 2017. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
"History". ME-Somerset County, Maine. Retrieved September 5, 2019.

County politics

"Somerset County". Maine Democratic Party. July 1, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.
"Somerset County Republican Committee". Maine GOP. February 19, 2019. Retrieved September 5, 2019.