Oxford County, Maine
Encyclopedia
Oxford County is a county located in the U.S. state
of Maine
with a population of 57,833 as of the 2010 U.S. census. Its county seat
is Paris
.
Part of Oxford County is included in the Lewiston
-Auburn
, Maine, metropolitan New England City and Town Area
while a different part of Oxford County is included in the Portland
-South Portland
-Biddeford
, Maine, metropolitan New England City and Town Area
.
Oxford County was formed on 4 March 1805 from northerly portions of York and Cumberland counties.
of 2000, there were 54,755 people, 22,314 households, and 15,173 families residing in the county. The population density
was 26 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 32,295 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.25% White
, 0.17% Black
or African American
, 0.28% Native American
, 0.37% Asian
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
, 0.11% from other races
, and 0.80% from two or more races. 0.53% of the population were Hispanic
or Latino
of any race. 23.6% were of English
, 13.9% French
, 13.7% United States
or American, 10.1% Irish
and 8.4% French Canadian
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.9% spoke English
and 2.6% French
as their first language.
There were 22,314 households out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.10% were married couples
living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,435, and the median income for a family was $39,794. Males had a median income of $30,641 versus $21,233 for females. The per capita income
for the county was $16,945. About 8.30% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.80% of those under age 18 and 10.10% of those age 65 or over.
, Camp Wyonegonic
, Forest Acres Camp for Girls and Maine Teen Camp
.
U.S. state
A U.S. state is any one of the 50 federated states of the United States of America that share sovereignty with the federal government. Because of this shared sovereignty, an American is a citizen both of the federal entity and of his or her state of domicile. Four states use the official title of...
of Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
with a population of 57,833 as of the 2010 U.S. census. Its county seat
County seat
A county seat is an administrative center, or seat of government, for a county or civil parish. The term is primarily used in the United States....
is Paris
Paris, Maine
Paris is a town in and the county seat of Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,793 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of South Paris is located within the town. Because the U.S. Post Office refers to the entire town as South Paris, the town as a whole is commonly...
.
Part of Oxford County is included in the Lewiston
Lewiston, Maine
Lewiston is a city in Androscoggin County in Maine, and the second-largest city in the state. The population was 41,592 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included within the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine...
-Auburn
Auburn, Maine
Auburn is a city in and the county seat of Androscoggin County, Maine, United States. The population was 23,055 at the 2010 census. It is one of two principal cities of and included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area and the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan...
, Maine, metropolitan New England City and Town Area
New England City and Town Area
A New England City and Town Area or NECTA is a geographic and statistical entity defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, for use in describing aspects of the New England region of the United States...
while a different part of Oxford County is included in the Portland
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
-South Portland
South Portland, Maine
South Portland is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, and is the fourth-largest city in the state. Founded in 1895, as of the 2010 census, the city population was 25,002. Known for its working waterfront, South Portland is situated on Portland Harbor and overlooks the skyline of...
-Biddeford
Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford is a town in York County, Maine, United States. It is the largest town in the county, and is the sixth-largest in the state. It is the most southerly incorporated town in the state and the principal commercial center of York County. The population was 21,277 at the 2010 census...
, Maine, metropolitan New England City and Town Area
New England City and Town Area
A New England City and Town Area or NECTA is a geographic and statistical entity defined by the U.S. Office of Management and Budget, for use in describing aspects of the New England region of the United States...
.
Oxford County was formed on 4 March 1805 from northerly portions of York and Cumberland counties.
Geography
According to the 2000 census, the county has a total area of 2175.26 square miles (5,633.9 km²), of which 2078 square miles (5,382 km²) (or 95.53%) is land and 97.26 square miles (251.9 km²) (or 4.47%) is water.Adjacent counties
- Franklin County, MaineFranklin County, MaineFranklin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of 2010, the population was 30,768. Its county seat is Farmington.Franklin County was established on 9 May 1838.-Geography:...
- northeast - Androscoggin County, MaineAndroscoggin County, MaineAndroscoggin County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2010 U.S. census, the county's population was 107,702. Its county seat is Auburn...
- east - Cumberland County, MaineCumberland County, MaineCumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of 2010, the population was 281,674. Its county seat is Portland, and is the most populous of the sixteen Maine counties, as well as the most affluent. Cumberland County has the deepest and second largest body of water in the...
- southeast - York County, MaineYork County, MaineYork County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, the population was 197,131. Its county seat is Alfred.Founded in 1636, it is the oldest county in Maine and one of the oldest in the United States....
- south - Carroll County, New HampshireCarroll County, New Hampshire-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 43,666 people, 18,351 households, and 12,313 families residing in the county. The population density was 18/km² . There were 34,750 housing units at an average density of 14/km²...
- southwest - Coos County, New HampshireCoos County, New Hampshire-National protected areas:*Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge *Silvio O. Conte National Fish and Wildlife Refuge *White Mountain National Forest -Demographics:...
- west
Adjacent regional county municipality
- Le Granit Regional County Municipality, QuebecLe Granit Regional County Municipality, Quebec-References:...
- north
National protected areas
- Umbagog National Wildlife Refuge (part)
- White Mountain National ForestWhite Mountain National ForestThe White Mountain National Forest is a federally-managed forest contained within the White Mountains in the northeastern United States. It was established in 1918 as a result of the Weeks Act of 1911; federal acquisition of land had already begun in 1914. It has a total area of...
(part)
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 54,755 people, 22,314 households, and 15,173 families residing in the county. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 26 people per square mile (10/km²). There were 32,295 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 98.25% White
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.17% Black
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or African American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.28% Native American
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.37% Asian
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.02% Pacific Islander
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, 0.11% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 0.80% from two or more races. 0.53% of the population were Hispanic
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
or Latino
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
of any race. 23.6% were of English
English people
The English are a nation and ethnic group native to England, who speak English. The English identity is of early mediaeval origin, when they were known in Old English as the Anglecynn. England is now a country of the United Kingdom, and the majority of English people in England are British Citizens...
, 13.9% French
French people
The French are a nation that share a common French culture and speak the French language as a mother tongue. Historically, the French population are descended from peoples of Celtic, Latin and Germanic origin, and are today a mixture of several ethnic groups...
, 13.7% United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
or American, 10.1% Irish
Irish people
The Irish people are an ethnic group who originate in Ireland, an island in northwestern Europe. Ireland has been populated for around 9,000 years , with the Irish people's earliest ancestors recorded having legends of being descended from groups such as the Nemedians, Fomorians, Fir Bolg, Tuatha...
and 8.4% French Canadian
French Canadian
French Canadian or Francophone Canadian, , generally refers to the descendents of French colonists who arrived in New France in the 17th and 18th centuries...
ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.9% spoke English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
and 2.6% French
French language
French is a Romance language spoken as a first language in France, the Romandy region in Switzerland, Wallonia and Brussels in Belgium, Monaco, the regions of Quebec and Acadia in Canada, and by various communities elsewhere. Second-language speakers of French are distributed throughout many parts...
as their first language.
There were 22,314 households out of which 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.10% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 25.60% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.87.
In the county the population was spread out with 24.20% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $33,435, and the median income for a family was $39,794. Males had a median income of $30,641 versus $21,233 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the county was $16,945. About 8.30% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.80% of those under age 18 and 10.10% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
| Year | Democrat Democratic Party (United States) The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous... |
Republican Republican Party (United States) The Republican Party is one of the two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Democratic Party. Founded by anti-slavery expansion activists in 1854, it is often called the GOP . The party's platform generally reflects American conservatism in the U.S... |
|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 56.7% 17,940 | 40.6% 12,863 |
| 2004 | 52.7% 16,618 | 45.0% 14,196 |
| 2000 | 49.7% 13,649 | 43.1% 11,835 |
Voter registration
Voter registration| Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of August 2011 | |||||||||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Party | Total Voters | Percentage |
Unaffiliated | 17,250 | 40.68% |
Democratic Maine Democratic Party The Maine Democratic Party is the local branch of the United States Democratic Party in the state of Maine.-Current Democratic officeholders:The Maine Democratic Party is the minority party in both the Maine Senate and Maine House of Representatives. The party, however, holds both of the state's U.S... |
12,107 | 28.55% |
Republican Maine Republican Party The Maine Republican Party is the affiliate of the United States Republican Party in Maine. It was founded in Strong, Maine on August 7, 1854. The state Chairman is Charles M. Webster.... |
11,476 | 27.06% |
Green Party Maine Green Independent Party The Maine Green Independent Party is the oldest state Green party in the United States. It was founded following an informal meeting of 18 environmental advocates, including Bowdoin College professor John Rensenbrink and others in Augusta, Maine... |
1,573 | 3.71% | |
| Total | 42,406 | 100% | |||||||||||||
Municipalities
- AndoverAndover, MaineAndover is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 864 at the 2000 census. Set among mountains and crossed by the Appalachian Trail, Andover is home to the Andover Earth Station and Lovejoy Covered Bridge.-History:...
- BethelBethel, MaineBethel is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 2,411 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of West Bethel and South Bethel...
- BrownfieldBrownfield, MaineBrownfield is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,251 at the 2000 census. Brownfield is home to the Stone Mountain Arts Center.-History:...
- BuckfieldBuckfield, MaineBuckfield is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Buckfield is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England City and Town Area. It is a member of Maine School Administrative District 39 along with nearby Hartford and Sumner...
- ByronByron, MaineByron is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 121 at the 2000 census. Home to Coos Canyon on the Swift River, Byron includes the village of Houghton.-History:...
- CantonCanton, MaineCanton is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,121 at the 2000 census. Located beside Lake Anasagunticook, Canton is a summer recreational area.-History:...
- DenmarkDenmark, MaineDenmark is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,004 at the 2000 census. A number of recreationally-used ponds and lakes are located within the town.-History:...
- Dixfield
- Fryeburg
- GileadGilead, MaineGilead is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Upon incorporation in 1804, it was named for the large quantity of Balm of Gilead trees in the town center. The population was 156 at the 2000 census.- History :...
- GreenwoodGreenwood, MaineGreenwood is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 802 at the 2000 census. The town was named for surveyor Alexander Greenwood...
- HanoverHanover, MaineHanover is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 251 at the 2000 census. The town is a popular vacation and recreation area.-History:...
- HartfordHartford, MaineHartford is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Hartford is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England City and Town Area...
- HebronHebron, MaineHebron is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Hebron is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area. The town's history has always been interconnected with Hebron Academy, a co-ed college preparatory boarding school which is located in the town's...
- HiramHiram, MaineHiram is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,423 at the 2000 census. It includes the villages of Hiram, East Hiram, South Hiram and Durgintown...
- Lincoln PlantationLincoln Plantation, MaineLincoln Plantation is a plantation in Oxford County, Maine, United States. It contains the village of Wilson's Mills. The population was 46 at the 2000 census.-Geography:...
- LovellLovell, MaineLovell is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 974 at the 2000 census. Lovell is the site of Kezar Lake, a resort area.-History:...
- Magalloway Plantation
- Mexico
- NewryNewry, MaineNewry is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 344 at the 2000 census. Newry is the home of Sunday River Ski Resort and has a proportionately large seasonal population.-History:...
- Norway
- OtisfieldOtisfield, MaineOtisfield is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,560 at the 2000 census. Otisfield is a summer recreation area and home to Seeds of Peace Camp and Camp Arcadia.-History:...
- Oxford
- ParisParis, MaineParis is a town in and the county seat of Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 4,793 at the 2000 census. The census-designated place of South Paris is located within the town. Because the U.S. Post Office refers to the entire town as South Paris, the town as a whole is commonly...
- PeruPeru, MainePeru is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,515 at the 2000 census. In 1970 the town had 1345 residents.-History:...
- PorterPorter, MainePorter is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. It is included in the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine metropolitan New England City and Town Area. Porter includes Porter village and part of Kezar Falls. The population was 1,438 at the 2000 census.-History:The land was once...
- RoxburyRoxbury, MaineRoxbury is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 384 at the 2000 census. Ellis Pond is popular with recreational fishermen.-History:...
- Rumford
- StonehamStoneham, MaineStoneham is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 255 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:...
- StowStow, MaineStow is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 288 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:...
- SumnerSumner, MaineSumner is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. Sumner is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England city and town area. The population was 854 at the 2000 census. The town includes the villages of West Sumner and East Sumner....
- SwedenSweden, MaineSweden is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 324 at the 2000 census. Set among hills, forests and ponds, Sweden includes the village of East Sweden.-History:...
- UptonUpton, MaineUpton is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 62 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of , of which, of it is land and of it is water.-Demographics:...
- WaterfordWaterford, MaineWaterford is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,455 at the 2000 census. It is a recreation area noted for historic architecture and scenic beauty.-History:...
- West ParisWest Paris, MaineWest Paris is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,722 at the 2000 census.-History:It began as part of Paris, granted by the Massachusetts General Court in 1771 to Captain Joshua Fuller and his company of 64 soldiers as payment for their service to the colony...
- WoodstockWoodstock, MaineWoodstock is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,307 at the 2000 census. The village of Bryant Pond, on State Route 26 in the northern part of Woodstock, is the town's urban center and largest settlement.-Geography:...
Territories
- South OxfordSouth Oxford, MaineSouth Oxford is an unorganized territory located in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 515 at the 2000 census. The unorganized territory encompasses the areas designated under state law as Albany Township, Mason Township, and Batchelder's Grant. Albany and Mason were formerly...
- North OxfordNorth Oxford, MaineNorth Oxford is an unorganized territory in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 17 at the 2000 census.-Geography:According to the United States Census Bureau, the unorganized territory has a total area of 546.2 square miles , of which, 509.6 square miles of it is land...
- MiltonMilton, MaineMilton is an unorganized territory in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 123 at the 2000 census. The township was formerly a plantation that surrendered its organization in 1944.-Geography:...
Summer Camps
Oxford county is home to many summer camps where parents send their children to make friends and learn valuable life skills. Some of these camps are Camp WekeelaCamp Wekeela
Camp Wekeela is a 60-acre sleep-away summer camp in Maine with close to 300 campers and 135 employees. It is a traditional resident summer camp for boys and girls ages 7–16, in season from June to August....
, Camp Wyonegonic
Camp Wyonegonic
Wyonegonic Camps for Girls, the oldest girls' camp in the United States, is located in Denmark, Maine, noted for its non-competitive atmosphere.- History :...
, Forest Acres Camp for Girls and Maine Teen Camp
Maine Teen Camp
Maine Teen Camp is a music, arts and sports camp for teens near Porter, Maine.-History:Maine Teen Camp was established in 1984 by Kris Kamys and Jay & Karen Stager. MTC is located between Trafton Pond and Stanley Lake at the site of the former Camp Hiawatha for Girls...
.