Freedom, Maine

Infobox Settlement
official_name = Freedom, Maine
settlement_type = Town
nickname =
motto =

imagesize =
image_caption =


image_

mapsize = 250px
map_caption = Location of Freedom (in yellow) in Waldo County and the state of Maine


mapsize1 =
map_caption1 =

subdivision_type = Country
subdivision_name = United States
subdivision_type1 = State
subdivision_name1 = Maine
subdivision_type2 = County
subdivision_name2 = Waldo
government_footnotes =
government_type =
leader_title =
leader_name =
leader_title1 =
leader_name1 =
established_title = Incorporated
established_date = 1813

unit_pref = Imperial
area_footnotes =

area_magnitude =
area_total_km2 = 57.6
area_land_km2 = 55.7
area_water_km2 = 1.8
area_total_sq_mi = 22.2
area_land_sq_mi = 21.5
area_water_sq_mi = 0.7

population_as_of = 2000
population_footnotes =
population_total = 645
population_density_km2 = 11.6
population_density_sq_mi = 30.0

timezone = Eastern (EST)
utc_offset = -5
timezone_DST = EDT
utc_offset_DST = -4
elevation_footnotes =
elevation_m = 169
elevation_ft = 554
latd = 44 |latm = 30 |lats = 4 |latNS = N
longd = 69 |longm = 19 |longs = 10 |longEW = W

postal_code_type = ZIP code
postal_code = 04941
area_code = 207
blank_name = FIPS code
blank_info = 23-26420
blank1_name = GNIS feature ID
blank1_info = 0582480
website =
footnotes =

Freedom is a town in Waldo County, Maine, United States. The population was 645 at the 2000 census. Freedom is a residential and recreational area.

History

The area was part of the Plymouth Patent. It was settled in 1794 by Stephen Smith, who was a soldier in the Revolutionary War. First called Smithstown Plantation, it was later called Beaver Hill Plantation. During the War of 1812, the town was incorporated on June 11, 1813 as Freedom, a name which had political significance. Freedom Academy was founded in 1836. The town's population was 716 inhabitants in 1870, and 652 in 1880.

Principal products of farms were hay and potatoes. Sandy Stream, which is supplied by Sandy and Duck ponds, provided water power for early mills. Industries included a flour mill, corn mill, sawmill for long lumber, shingle mill, a shovel handle factory, a carding, clothing and woolen mill, and a tannery.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 22.2 square miles (57.6 km²), of which, 21.5 square miles (55.7 km²) of it is land and 0.7 square miles (1.8 km²) of it (3.19%) is water. Freedom is drained by Sandy Stream.

Demographics

As of the censusGR|2 of 2000, there were 645 people, 259 households, and 182 families residing in the town. The population density was 30.0 people per square mile (11.6/km²). There were 321 housing units at an average density of 14.9/sq mi (5.8/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.59% White, 0.31% African American, 0.16% Native American, and 2.95% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.17% of the population.

There were 259 households out of which 30.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.1% were married couples living together, 7.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 29.7% were non-families. 22.0% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.49 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the town the population was spread out with 24.8% under the age of 18, 5.9% from 18 to 24, 26.7% from 25 to 44, 30.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 112.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $33,125, and the median income for a family was $35,750. Males had a median income of $33,750 versus $24,688 for females. The per capita income for the town was $15,492. About 11.6% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.5% of those under age 18 and 10.4% of those age 65 or over.

References

External links

* [http://history.rays-place.com/me/freedom-me.htm History of Freedom, Maine]