Aroostook County, Maine

Infobox U.S. County
county = Aroostook County
state = Maine


map size = 175
census

founded = 1839
seat = Houlton
largest city = Presque Isle
area_total_sq_mi =6829
area_land_sq_mi =6672
area_water_sq_mi =157
area percentage = 2.30%
census yr = 2000
pop = 73938
density_km2 = 4.3
density_sq_mi = 11
web = www.aroostook.me.us

Aroostook County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2000, its population was 73,938. It is the largest county in the state. Its seat is HoultonGR|6. In land area, Aroostook County is the largest U.S. county east of the Mississippi River. Among residents of Maine, it is often referred to simply as "the County."

As Maine's northernmost county, its northernmost town, Estcourt Station, is therefore also the northernmost town of New England and of the continental U.S. east of the Great Lakes.

Aroostook County is known for its potato crops, as well as its French culture. In the northernmost region of the county, which borders Madawaska County, New Brunswick, a majority of residents are bilingual. In some communities, it is difficult to find employment for those who do not speak both English and French. Employers such as pharmacies, hospitals, banks, and post offices encounter this most frequently.Fact|date=February 2007

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 6,829 square miles (17,686 km²), of which, 6,672 square miles (17,279 km²) of it is land and 157 square miles (407 km²) of it (2.30%) is water. Aroostook County is about the size of Connecticut and Rhode Island combined.

Adjacent U.S. counties

* Washington County, Maine - southeast
* Penobscot County, Maine - south
* Piscataquis County, Maine - south
* Somerset County, Maine - southwest

Adjacent regional county municipalities

* Montmagny Regional County Municipality, Quebec - west
* L'Islet Regional County Municipality, Quebec - west
* Kamouraska Regional County Municipality, Quebec - northwest
* Témiscouata Regional County Municipality, Quebec - north

Adjacent Canadian counties

* Madawaska County, New Brunswick - northeast
* Victoria County, New Brunswick - east
* Carleton County, New Brunswick - east
* York County, New Brunswick - southeast

Cities, towns, and plantations

* Allagash
* Amity
* Ashland
* Bancroft
* Blaine
* Bridgewater
* Caribou
*
*
* Caswell
* Chapman
* Crystal
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*
*
* Easton
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* Frenchville
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*
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* Hamlin
* Hammond
* Haynesville
* Hersey
* Hodgdon
* Houlton
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* Limestone
* Linneus
* Littleton
* Ludlow
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* Madawaska
* Mapleton
* Mars Hill
* Masardis
* Merrill
* Monticello
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*
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*
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* Oakfield
* Orient
* Oxbow (plantation)
* Perham
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*
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*
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* Sherman
* Smyrna
* Stockholm
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* Wade
* Wallagrass
* Washburn
* Westfield
* Westmanland
* Weston
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* Woodland

Territories

* Central Aroostook
* Connor
* Northwest Aroostook
* South Aroostook
* Square Lake

Indian reservations

* Aroostook Band of Mi'kmaq Indians Reservation, located in Presque Isle, Maine
* Houlton Band of Maliseet Indians Reservation, located in Houlton, Maine
* Penobscot Indian Island Reservation, Aroostook County, Maine

National protected area

* Aroostook National Wildlife Refuge

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 73,938 people, 30,356 households, and 20,429 families residing in the county. The population density was 11 people per square mile (4/km²). There were 38,719 housing units at an average density of 6 per square mile (2/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 96.80% White, 0.38% Black or African American, 1.36% Native American, 0.47% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.17% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 0.60% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 22.6% were of French, 15.4% United States or American, 14.6% English, 14.3% French Canadian and 10.2% Irish ancestry. According to the 2000 United States Census, 22.37% of the population speak French at home. [http://www.mla.org/map_data_results&state_id=23&county_id=3&mode=geographic&zip=&place_id=&cty_id=&ll=all&a=&ea=&order=r]

There were 30,356 households out of which 28.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.60% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.70% were non-families. 27.60% 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 2.36 and the average family size was 2.86.

In the county the population was spread out with 22.60% under the age of 18, 7.90% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 26.20% from 45 to 64, and 17.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.70 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,837, and the median income for a family was $36,044. Males had a median income of $29,747 versus $20,300 for females. The per capita income for the county was $15,033. About 9.80% of families and 14.30% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.20% of those under age 18 and 16.00% of those age 65 or over.

History

Some of the territory in this county was part of the land dispute that led to the "Aroostook War."

References

External links

* [http://www.aroostook.me.us/ Aroostook County Government]
* [http://www.maine.gov/local/aroostook/ Aroostook County] on Maine.gov