'Washington County' is a
county located in the
U.S. state of
Maine. In 2000, its population was 33,941. Its
county seat is
Machias6.
Sometimes referred to as "Sunrise Country" because it is the easternmost county of the
United States, and it is often where the rising sun first reaches U.S. soil. Many small seaside communities are said to preserve their old way of life, based on small-scale
fishing economies.
Tourism is also important along the county's shoreline, but though it is not as important as elsewhere in the state. The
blueberry crop plays a major role in the county's economy; 25% of all
blueberries cultivated in
North America are grown locally.
Geography
According to the
U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 8,430
km² (3,255
mi²). 6,652 km² (2,568 mi²) of it is land and 1,778 km² (686 mi²) of it (21.09%) is water.
Adjacent Counties
★
Hancock County, Maine - southwest
★
Aroostook County, Maine - northwest
★
Penobscot County, Maine - northwest
★
York County, New Brunswick,
Canada - northeast
★
Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada - east
Demographics
As of the
census² of 2000, there were 33,941 people, 14,118 households, and 9,303 families residing in the county. The
population density was 5/km² (13/mi²). There were 21,919 housing units at an average density of 3/km² (8/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 93.48%
White, 0.26%
Black or
African American, 4.43%
Native American, 0.30%
Asian, 0.01%
Pacific Islander, 0.44% from
other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 0.81% of the population were
Hispanic or
Latino of any race. 32.5% were of
English, 14.1%
Irish, 10.8%
United States or American, 7.4%
French and 5.0%
Scottish ancestry according to
Census 2000. 95.0% spoke
English, 1.9%
Passamaquoddy, 1.0%
Spanish and 1.0%
French as their first language.
There were 14,118 households out of which 28.00% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.10% were
married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.10% were non-families. 28.30% 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 2.34 and the average family size was 2.84.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.90% under the age of 18, 8.00% from 18 to 24, 26.30% from 25 to 44, 25.60% from 45 to 64, and 17.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $25,869, and the median income for a family was $31,657. Males had a median income of $28,347 versus $20,074 for females. The
per capita income for the county was $14,119. About 14.20% of families and 19.00% of the population were below the
poverty line, including 22.40% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.
Cities and towns
★
Addison
★
Alexander
★
Baileyville
★
Baring Plantation
★
Beals
★
Beddington
★
Calais
★
Centerville
★
Charlotte
★
Cherryfield
★
Codyville Plantation
★
Columbia Falls
★
Columbia
★
Cooper
★
Crawford
★
Cutler
★
Danforth
★
Deblois
★
Dennysville
★
East Machias
★
Eastport
★
Grand Lake Stream
★
Harrington
★
Jonesboro
★
Jonesport
★
Lubec
★
Machias
★
Machiasport
★
Marshfield
★
Meddybemps
★
Milbridge
★
Northfield
★
Pembroke
★
Perry
★
Princeton
★
Robbinston
★
Roque Bluffs
★
Steuben
★
Talmadge
★
Topsfield
★
Vanceboro
★
Waite
★
Wesley
★
Whiting
★
Whitneyville
★
Woodland
Territories
★
North Washington
★
East Central Washington
==
Indian reservations ==
★
Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation
★
Passamaquoddy Indian Township Reservation