Sagadahoc County, Maine

Sagadahoc County, Maine

Seal
Map of Maine highlighting Sagadahoc County
Location in the U.S. state of Maine
Map of the United States highlighting Maine
Maine's location in the U.S.
Founded February 14, 1854
Named for Indian word meaning "mouth of the big river"[1]
Seat Bath
Largest city Bath
Area
 • Total 370 sq mi (958 km2)
 • Land 254 sq mi (658 km2)
 • Water 116 sq mi (300 km2), 31%
Population
 • (2010) 35,293
 • Density 139/sq mi (54/km²)
Congressional district 1st
Time zone Eastern: UTC-5/-4
Website www.sagcounty.com

Sagadahoc County (/ˈsæɡədəˌhɒk/ SAG-ə-də-hok) is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2010 census, the population was 35,293.[2] Its county seat is Bath.[3] In geographic area, it is the smallest county in Maine.

Sagadahoc County is part of the Portland–South Portland, ME Metropolitan Statistical Area.

History

Exploration and settlement

Sagadahoc County was initially part of York and, later, Lincoln County before being set off and incorporated in 1854. The name comes from the "Sagadahoc River", an early name for the Kennebec River. Samuel de Champlain led the first known visit of Europeans to the region. In 1607, the English Popham Colony was established in what is now Phippsburgh; it was abandoned a year later, but English fishermen and trappers continued to visit the area. John Smith explored the region in 1614 and reported back to King Charles I, who named the Sagadahoc area "Leethe."[4]

When the Plymouth Council for New England was dissolved in 1635, 10,000 acres (40 km2) on the east side of the Kennebec River were divided up and granted to private owners. Over the years, these proprietors extended their claims through additional land grants, purchases from Native Americans, and exploitation of the often poorly defined boundaries of their lands. By 1660, Englishmen held the titles to the whole of what is now Sagadahoc County.[4]

When King Philip’s War broke out in 1675, the plundering of one house was the only hostile act in Sagadahoc County until August, 1676, at which point three settlements were attacked and 53 people taken captive by Native Americans. The region was almost totally abandoned by settlers, and no permanent settlement was established until 1715, when Arrowsic and Brunswick were founded. Scotch-Irish Presbyterians began immigrating to the region in increasingly large numbers, though occasional violence persisted until 1759, when the French and Indian Wars ended in Maine.[4]

Later conflicts

There were no significant conflicts in Sagadahoc during the American Revolutionary War, despite fear of attack from British cruisers. Two British armed vessels sailed up the Kennebec River toward Bath, but turned back after being attacked. In the War of 1812, the capture of HMS Boxer occurred nearby. During the Civil War the county furnished to the Union forces 2,488 men.[4]

Nineteenth century

Steam power was first used on the Kennebec as early as 1818 for propelling boats. What became the Bath branch of the Maine Central Railroad was completed in 1849; and the Knox and Lincoln Railroad was opened in 1871. The first newspaper was published in the county in 1820.

Sagadahoc County was set off from Lincoln and incorporated in 1854, with Bath as the county seat. Its valuation in 1870 was $11,041,340. In 1880 it was $10,297,215. The polls in 1870 numbered 4,669, and in 1880, 5,182. The population in 1870 was 18,803. In 1880 it was 19,276.[4]

From 1880 to 2000, the county's population nearly doubled to 35,214.[5]

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 370 square miles (960 km2), of which 254 square miles (660 km2) is land and 116 square miles (300 km2) (31%) is water.[6] It is the smallest county in Maine by area.

Adjacent counties

National protected area

Demographics

Historical population
Census Pop. %±
186021,790—
187018,803−13.7%
188019,2722.5%
189019,4520.9%
190020,3304.5%
191018,574−8.6%
192023,02123.9%
193016,927−26.5%
194019,12313.0%
195020,9119.3%
196022,7939.0%
197023,4522.9%
198028,79522.8%
199033,53516.5%
200035,2145.0%
201035,2930.2%
Est. 201535,149[7]−0.4%
U.S. Decennial Census[8]
2012 Estimate[9]

2000 census

As of the census[10] of 2000,[11] there were 35,214 people, 14,117 households, and 9,641 families residing in the county. The population density was 139 people per square mile (54/km²). There were 16,489 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.49% White, 0.92% Black or African American, 0.31% Native American, 0.63% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.38% from other races, and 1.21% from two or more races. 1.11% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

There were 14,117 households out of which 33.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.60% were married couples living together, 9.60% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.70% were non-families. 25.20% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.47 and the average family size was 2.96.

In the county the population was spread out with 25.80% under the age of 18, 6.60% from 18 to 24, 30.50% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 12.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females there were 96.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,908, and the median income for a family was $49,714. Males had a median income of $34,039 versus $24,689 for females. The per capita income for the county was $20,378. About 6.90% of families and 8.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.20% of those under age 18 and 6.40% of those age 65 or over.

22.0% were of English, 11.6% Irish, 11.1% French, 10.6% United States or American, 8.0% French Canadian and 7.3% German ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.1% spoke English and 2.2% French as their first language.

According to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention, Sagadahoc County has the lowest rate of immunization of two-year-olds in the state, at 26%, only a third of the statewide average of 75% and more than 30% lower than the next lowest county in the state.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States Census, there were 35,293 people, 15,088 households, and 9,869 families residing in the county.[12] The population density was 139.1 inhabitants per square mile (53.7/km2). There were 18,288 housing units at an average density of 72.1 per square mile (27.8/km2).[13] The racial makeup of the county was 96.2% white, 0.8% Asian, 0.7% black or African American, 0.4% American Indian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.6% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.3% of the population.[12] In terms of ancestry, 26.9% were English, 16.8% were Irish, 11.8% were German, 8.1% were French Canadian, 6.6% were Italian, 6.5% were Scottish, and 6.4% were American.[14]

Of the 15,088 households, 28.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.2% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 34.6% were non-families, and 27.1% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 44.1 years.[12]

The median income for a household in the county was $55,486 and the median income for a family was $66,650. Males had a median income of $46,068 versus $35,107 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,983. About 5.7% of families and 8.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.0% of those under age 18 and 7.4% of those age 65 or over.[15]

Politics

State Senators representing Sagadahoc County

Presidential Election Results

Presidential election results[18]
Year Democrat Republican
2012 56.85% 11,821 40.54% 8,429
2008 57.1% 12,152 40.9% 8,721
2004 52.7% 11,107 45.1% 9,497
2000 48.1% 8,844 43.8% 8,052

Communities

See also

References

  1. ↑ http://www.sagcounty.com
  2. ↑ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  3. ↑ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved 2011-06-07.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 Varney, George Jones (1881). "History of Sagadahoc County, Maine". A Gazetteer of the State of Maine. B. B. Russell. ISBN 978-1556134548. Retrieved 15 August 2011.
  5. ↑ "U.S. Census Bureau – State & County QuickFacts – Sagadahoc County". Retrieved 2007-08-10.
  6. ↑ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  7. ↑ "County Totals Dataset: Population, Population Change and Estimated Components of Population Change: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2015". Retrieved July 2, 2016.
  8. ↑ "U.S. Decennial Census". Census.gov. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  9. ↑ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population: April 1, 2010 to July 1, 2012". Census.gov. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  10. ↑ "American FactFinder". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2008-01-31.
  11. ↑ "State & County "QuickFacts": Sagadahoc County". U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved 2007-05-13.
  12. 1 2 3 "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  13. ↑ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  14. ↑ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  15. ↑ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved 2016-01-21.
  16. 1 2 https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2457&dat=19890314&id=V6ZJAAAAIBAJ&sjid=_g0NAAAAIBAJ&pg=2312,4924710
  17. ↑ Associated Press: Bath senator switches party. December 8, 2004.
  18. ↑ "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". Retrieved 2011-06-11.
 Androscoggin County Kennebec County
Cumberland County Lincoln County
   Sagadahoc County, Maine  
Atlantic Ocean

Coordinates: 43°55′N 69°50′W / 43.91°N 69.84°W / 43.91; -69.84

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