Penobscot County, Maine


Penobscot County is a county in the U.S. state of Maine, named for the Penobscot people in Wabanakik. As of the 2020 census, the population was 152,199, making it the third-most-populous county in Maine. Its county seat is Bangor. The county was established on February 15, 1816, from part of Hancock County when the area was still part of Massachusetts. Penobscot County is home to the University of Maine.
Penobscot County comprises the Bangor, ME Metropolitan Statistical Area.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has an area of, of which is land and is water. The county highpoint is East Turner Mountain at next to Baxter State Park.

Adjacent counties

  • Aroostook County – north
  • Washington County – southeast
  • Hancock County – south
  • Waldo County – southwest
  • Somerset County – west
  • Piscataquis County – northwest

    National protected area

  • Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge

    Demographics

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 152,199. Of the residents, 18.2% were under the age of 18 and 19.7% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 42.0 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.3 males. 42.9% of residents lived in urban areas and 57.1% lived in rural areas.
The racial makeup of the county was 91.5% White, 1.0% Black or African American, 0.9% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.2% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.6% from some other race, and 4.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 1.8% of the population.
There were 64,250 households in the county, of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.
There were 74,878 housing units, of which 14.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 66.4% were owner-occupied and 33.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.6%.
Race / Ethnicity Pop 2000Pop 2010% 2000% 2010
White alone 139,461145,700138,30696.23%94.65%90.87%
Black or African American alone 6841,1171,4430.47%0.72%0.94%
Native American or Alaska Native alone 1,4231,7741,3490.98%1.15%0.88%
Asian alone 1,0031,4051,8530.69%0.91%1.21%
Pacific Islander alone 4441370.03%0.02%0.02%
Other race alone 122884200.08%0.05%0.27%
Mixed race or Multiracial 1,3002,1786,0760.89%1.41%3.99%
Hispanic or Latino 8821,6202,7150.60%1.05%1.78%
Total144,919153,923152,199100.00%100.00%100.00%

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 153,923 people, 62,966 households, and 38,917 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 73,860 housing units at an average density of. The county's racial makeup was 95.4% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population. In terms of ancestry, 20.9% were English, 17.2% were Irish, 9.4% were American, 7.1% were German, 6.0% were French Canadian, and 5.9% were Scottish.
Of the 62,966 households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.2% were non-families, and 28.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 39.9 years.
The county's median household income was $42,658 and the median family income was $54,271. Males had a median income of $41,094 versus $31,910 for females. The county's per capita income was $22,977. About 10.1% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 144,919 people, 58,096 households, and 37,820 families living in the county. The population density was. There were 66,847 housing units at an average density of. The county's racial makeup was 96.60% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.8% were of English, 17.3% United States or American, 14.0% French, 13.0% Irish and 6.7% French Canadian ancestry. 95.8% spoke English and 2.3% French as their first language.
There were 58,096 households, of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.90% were non-families. 26.70% of households were one person and 10.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.
The age distribution was 22.80% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.
The median household income was $34,274 and the median family income was $42,206. Males had a median income of $32,824 versus $23,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,801. About 9.70% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.

Politics

As the most populous county in Maine's 2nd congressional district, Penobscot County's support for Donald Trump in 2016 helped deliver him a split electoral vote from Maine. It was the first time since 1828 that Maine split its electoral votes. Republican strength in the county has increased in each subsequent election.

Voter registration

Communities

Cities

K-12 education

School districts include:
Some portions are in the Penobscot Unorganized Territory, which is not in any municipality. The Maine Department of Education takes responsibility for coordinating school assignments in the unorganized territory. The department operates one school, Kingman Elementary School, in Kingman.

Colleges and universities

is in Orono.