Hancock County, Maine

County in Maine, United States

County in Maine

Hancock County

County

Egg Rock Light

Flag

Location within the U.S. state of Maine

Maine's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 44°30′46″N 68°24′57″W﻿ / ﻿44.512741°N 68.41571°W﻿ / 44.512741; -68.41571
Country|  United States
State|  Maine
Founded| June 25, 1789
Named after| John Hancock
Seat| Ellsworth
Largest city| Ellsworth
Area

• Total

| 2,345 sq mi (6,070 km2)
• Land| 1,587 sq mi (4,110 km2)
• Water| 758 sq mi (1,960 km2)  32%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 55,478
• Density| 24/sq mi (9.1/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 2nd
Website| hancockcountymaine.gov
John Hancock of Massachusetts, the namesake of Hancock County High tide near Thunder Hole in Acadia National Park; Hancock County, Maine, is a major tourist destination in the United States. Ocean waves at Sand Beach in Acadia National Park Jordan Pond (July 4, 2014)

Hancock County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2020 census, the population was 55,478.[1] Its county seat is Ellsworth.[2] The county was incorporated on June 25, 1789, and named for John Hancock,[3] the first governor of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,345 square miles (6,070 km2), of which 1,587 square miles (4,110 km2) is land and 758 square miles (1,960 km2) (32%) is water. The county high point is Cadillac Mountain, 1527 feet, the highest summit on the U.S. Atlantic seaboard.[4]

The county is home to Acadia National Park, the only national park in New England, which is centered on Mount Desert Island, Maine's largest island and surrounded by several large bays. The county also lies on the eastern side of both Penobscot Bay and the mouth of the Penobscot River, which can be crossed via the Penobscot Narrows Bridge. The county extends inland from the coast, making it one of Maine's eight coastal counties.

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Penobscot County — north
* Washington County — northeast
* Waldo County — west
* Knox County — southwest

### Major highways

[edit]

* US 1
* US 1A
* SR 3
* SR 9
* SR 15
* SR 102
* SR 172
* SR 175
* SR 176
* SR 179
* SR 180
* SR 181
* SR 184
* SR 200

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1790| 9,542| | —
1800| 16,358| | 71.4%
1810| 30,031| | 83.6%
1820| 31,290| | 4.2%
1830| 24,336| | −22.2%
1840| 28,605| | 17.5%
1850| 34,372| | 20.2%
1860| 37,757| | 9.8%
1870| 36,495| | −3.3%
1880| 38,129| | 4.5%
1890| 37,312| | −2.1%
1900| 37,241| | −0.2%
1910| 35,575| | −4.5%
1920| 30,361| | −14.7%
1930| 30,721| | 1.2%
1940| 32,422| | 5.5%
1950| 32,105| | −1.0%
1960| 32,293| | 0.6%
1970| 34,590| | 7.1%
1980| 41,781| | 20.8%
1990| 46,948| | 12.4%
2000| 51,791| | 10.3%
2010| 54,418| | 5.1%
2020| 55,478| | 1.9%
2023 (est.)| 56,526| [5]| 1.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[6]
1790–1960[7] 1900–1990[8]
1990–2000[9] 2010–2016[10] 2018[11]

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 51,791 people, 21,864 households, and 14,233 families living in the county. The population density was 33 people per square mile (13 people/km2). There were 33,945 housing units at an average density of 21 per square mile (8.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.61% White, 0.25% Black or African American, 0.37% Native American, 0.38% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.20% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. 0.65% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

The largest ancestry groups in Hancock County, Maine according to the 2000 census are:

* 24.6% English
* 16.6% American
* 11.9% Irish
* 6.6% French
* 6.1% German

96.8% spoke English, 1.5% French and 1.0% Spanish as their first language.

There were 21,864 households, out of which 28.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.50% were married couples living together, 8.10% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.90% were non-families. 27.90% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.81.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 22.30% under the age of 18, 7.40% from 18 to 24, 27.50% from 25 to 44, 26.80% from 45 to 64, and 16.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.70 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $35,811, and the median income for a family was $43,216. Males had a median income of $30,461 versus $22,647 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,809. About 7.00% of families and 10.20% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.90% of those under age 18 and 9.50% of those age 65 or over.

The 1990 Census counted 46,948, though the 1998 population estimate is 49,932.1 The gender division was 22,996 males, 23,952 females in 1989. Ninety-nine percent of the population was white (46,446), 121 American Indians, 249 Asians, 79 Blacks and 52 "other"

Sixty-six percent of the population of Hancock County are Mainers by birth. Three percent were born outside the US.

Of the 31,475 persons over 25 years old, 83% (26,214) had a high school degree or higher. Twenty-one percent had a bachelor's degree or higher.

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 54,418 people, 24,221 households, and 14,834 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 34.3 inhabitants per square mile (13.2/km2). There were 40,184 housing units at an average density of 25.3 per square mile (9.8/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 96.9% white, 0.8% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 24.0% were English, 19.8% were American, 15.2% were Irish, 9.0% were German, and 7.2% were Scottish.[15]

Of the 24,221 households, 24.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.9% were married couples living together, 8.2% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.8% were non-families, and 30.3% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.71. The median age was 46.3 years.[13]

The median income for a household in the county was $47,533 and the median income for a family was $60,092. Males had a median income of $41,046 versus $32,444 for females. The per capita income for the county was $26,876. About 6.8% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 7.3% of those age 65 or over.[16]

## Economy

[edit]

Of employed persons 16 years and over in 1990, 1,108 indicated involvement in the "agriculture, forestry and fisheries" industry, though 1,206 indicated "farming, forestry and fishing occupations." The U.S. Census data are not dependable for determining the numbers of individuals involved in the fishing industry. Only firms with 10 or more employees must report their numbers, as well as firms paying workmen's compensation insurance. Because the majority of fishermen in Maine are considered self-employed, the statistics underreport fishing employment.

Cranberry Isles, Deer Isle, Frenchboro, Gouldsboro, Southwest Harbor, Stonington, Swans Island and Tremont (Bass Harbor) were identified by a key respondent as fisheries dependent. Bar Harbor, Brooklin, Brooksville, Hancock, Lamoine, Mount Desert, Penobscot, Sedgwick, Sorrento and Sullivan were also noted as having either significant fishing activity or a significant number of people who fish. Winter Harbor's fishing activities were once dwarfed by the economic activity associated with a naval base, but now that the naval base has closed, fishing activity will most likely be the dominant economic activity in the community. Salmon farming is also popular in the area and Maine Salmon is an important export.

Hancock County has the longest coastline of any Maine county. Commercial fishing and tourism are the county's most important industries. Hancock County is home to Acadia National Park (the only national park in Maine or the New England region, excluding the national sea shore on Cape Cod) and Cadillac Mountain (the highest point in Maine's coastal region). Jackson Laboratory, noted for cancer research, is located in Bar Harbor. Two institutions of higher education are located in Hancock County: Maine Maritime Academy at Castine and the College of the Atlantic at Bar Harbor.

## Air pollution

[edit]

The American Lung Association issues annual State of the Air reports. Their current score card gives Hancock county an "F" for ozone pollution, the only Maine county to receive an F score.[17]

## Government and politics

[edit]

The county's Commissioners are William F. Clark, John Wombacher and Paul Paradis.

From 1856 to 1988, Hancock County was a Republican stronghold, with Democrats only carrying the county in three of the 34 presidential elections. Since then, Democrats carried the county every time, although George W. Bush came within one percent of taking the county in 2000.

### Voter registration

[edit]

Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024[18]

| Democratic | 15,384  | 36.83%
| Republican | 12,806  | 30.66%
| Unenrolled  | 11,405  | 27.3%
| Green Independent | 1,611  | 3.86%
| No Labels | 454  | 1.09%
| Libertarian | 109  | 0.26%
Total  | 41,769  | 100%

United States presidential election results for Hancock County, Maine[19] Year  | Republican / Whig | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 15,551  | 42.90%  | 19,817  | 54.66% | 885  | 2.44%
2020 | 14,982  | 42.41%  | 19,369  | 54.83% | 974  | 2.76%
2016 | 13,705  | 42.65%  | 16,117  | 50.16% | 2,308  | 7.18%
2012 | 12,324  | 40.01%  | 17,569  | 57.04% | 906  | 2.94%
2008 | 12,686  | 39.44%  | 18,895  | 58.74% | 584  | 1.82%
2004 | 14,405  | 43.49%  | 18,048  | 54.49% | 669  | 2.02%
2000 | 12,732  | 44.56%  | 12,983  | 45.44% | 2,859  | 10.01%
1996 | 8,345  | 31.55%  | 12,256  | 46.34% | 5,847  | 22.11%
1992 | 8,657  | 30.05%  | 10,126  | 35.15% | 10,022  | 34.79%
1988 | 12,957  | 56.07% | 9,929  | 42.97%  | 221  | 0.96%
1984 | 14,660  | 65.12% | 7,764  | 34.49%  | 87  | 0.39%
1980 | 11,435  | 53.60% | 7,027  | 32.94%  | 2,872  | 13.46%
1976 | 12,064  | 61.40% | 6,725  | 34.23%  | 858  | 4.37%
1972 | 11,889  | 73.90% | 4,191  | 26.05%  | 7  | 0.04%
1968 | 8,929  | 62.95% | 4,979  | 35.10%  | 277  | 1.95%
1964 | 6,304  | 45.89%  | 7,415  | 53.98% | 18  | 0.13%
1960 | 12,119  | 78.27% | 3,363  | 21.72%  | 1  | 0.01%
1956 | 11,316  | 86.91% | 1,704  | 13.09%  | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 10,596  | 83.21% | 2,111  | 16.58%  | 27  | 0.21%
1948 | 6,863  | 77.72% | 1,878  | 21.27%  | 89  | 1.01%
1944 | 7,143  | 68.71% | 3,241  | 31.18%  | 12  | 0.12%
1940 | 8,539  | 66.36% | 4,315  | 33.54%  | 13  | 0.10%
1936 | 9,151  | 72.06% | 3,315  | 26.10%  | 234  | 1.84%
1932 | 7,942  | 64.07% | 4,369  | 35.25%  | 85  | 0.69%
1928 | 8,140  | 81.84% | 1,773  | 17.83%  | 33  | 0.33%
1924 | 5,474  | 77.37% | 1,392  | 19.67%  | 209  | 2.95%
1920 | 5,604  | 71.68% | 2,154  | 27.55%  | 60  | 0.77%
1916 | 3,192  | 48.14%  | 3,303  | 49.81% | 136  | 2.05%
1912 | 1,399  | 22.70%  | 2,655  | 43.09% | 2,108  | 34.21%
1908 | 3,169  | 61.50% | 1,846  | 35.82%  | 138  | 2.68%
1904 | 3,430  | 67.15% | 1,558  | 30.50%  | 120  | 2.35%
1900 | 3,432  | 63.70% | 1,860  | 34.52%  | 96  | 1.78%
1896 | 4,306  | 68.69% | 1,793  | 28.60%  | 170  | 2.71%
1892 | 3,300  | 53.42% | 2,654  | 42.97%  | 223  | 3.61%
1888 | 4,160  | 58.94% | 2,772  | 39.27%  | 126  | 1.79%
1884 | 4,043  | 55.76% | 3,014  | 41.57%  | 194  | 2.68%
1880 | 4,314  | 52.94% | 3,698  | 45.38%  | 137  | 1.68%
1876 | 3,376  | 55.72% | 2,683  | 44.28%  | 0  | 0.00%
1872 | 2,971  | 65.88% | 1,539  | 34.12%  | 0  | 0.00%
1868 | 3,520  | 59.13% | 2,433  | 40.87%  | 0  | 0.00%
1864 | 3,143  | 59.45% | 2,144  | 40.55%  | 0  | 0.00%
1860 | 3,322  | 60.35% | 932  | 16.93%  | 1,251  | 22.72%
1856 | 3,667  | 61.42% | 2,142  | 35.88%  | 161  | 2.70%
1852 | 1,809  | 38.97%  | 2,619  | 56.42% | 214  | 4.61%
1848 | 2,075  | 44.72%  | 2,318  | 49.96% | 247  | 5.32%
1844 | 1,849  | 40.53%  | 2,608  | 57.17% | 105  | 2.30%
1840 | 2,434  | 49.24%  | 2,509  | 50.76% | 0  | 0.00%
1836 | 634  | 36.67%  | 1,095  | 63.33% | 0  | 0.00%

## Communities

[edit]

### City

[edit]

* Ellsworth (county seat)

### Towns

[edit]

* Amherst
* Aurora
* Bar Harbor
* Blue Hill
* Brooklin
* Brooksville
* Bucksport
* Castine
* Cranberry Isles
* Dedham
* Deer Isle
* Eastbrook
* Franklin
* Frenchboro
* Gouldsboro
* Great Pond
* Hancock
* Lamoine
* Mariaville
* Mount Desert
* Orland
* Osborn
* Otis
* Penobscot
* Sedgwick
* Sorrento
* Southwest Harbor
* Stonington
* Sullivan
* Surry
* Swan's Island
* Tremont
* Trenton
* Verona Island
* Waltham
* Winter Harbor

### Unorganized territories

[edit]

* Central Hancock
* East Hancock
* Marshall Island
* Northwest Hancock

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Bar Harbor
* Blue Hill
* Bucksport
* Castine
* Northeast Harbor
* Southwest Harbor
* Winter Harbor

### Other unincorporated villages

[edit]

* Bass Harbor
* Bernard
* Corea
* East Blue Hill
* East Orland
* Harborside
* Hulls Cove
* Islesford
* Manset
* Minturn
* Prospect Harbor
* Salisbury Cove
* Sargentville
* Seal Cove
* Seal Harbor
* Somesville
* Enoch's Landing
* Sunset
* Town Hill

## Education

[edit]

School districts include:[20]

K-12:

* Airline Community School District
* Blue Hill School District
* Brooklin School District
* Brooksville School District
* Castine School District
* Cranberry Isles School District
* Dedham School District
* Deer Isle-Stonington Community School District
* Ellsworth Public Schools
* Hancock Public Schools
* Frenchboro School District
* Lamoine Public Schools
* Otis School District
* Penobscot School District
* Sedgwick School District
* Surry School District
* Trenton School District
* Regional School Unit 24
* Regional School Unit 25
* School Administrative District 76

Secondary:

* Mount Desert Community School District

Elementary:

* Bar Harbor School District
* Mount Desert School District
* Southwest Harbor School District
* Tremont School District

There is also the Hancock Unorganized Territory,[20] which is not in any municipality.[21] The Maine Department of Education takes responsibility for coordinating school assignments in the unorganized territory.[22]

## See also

[edit]

* Aquaculture in Maine
* Nicatous Lake, the second largest lake in Hancock County
* National Register of Historic Places listings in Hancock County, Maine

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Hancock County, Maine". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Govt. Print. Off. p. 148.
4. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
5. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
6. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
7. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
8. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
9. ^ "Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000" (PDF). United States Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on March 27, 2010. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
10. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
11. ^ "QuickFacts. Hancock County, Maine". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
13. ^ a b c "DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
14. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
15. ^ "DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
16. ^ "DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
17. ^ "Report Card: Maine". American Lung Association. Retrieved June 1, 2019.
18. ^ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions (March 29, 2024). "Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide" (PDF). Maine SOS. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 7, 2019. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
19. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved August 25, 2018.
20. ^ a b Geography Division (January 14, 2021). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Hancock County, ME (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022. \- Text list
21. ^ "Education In Unorganized Territory (EUT)". Maine Department of Education. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
22. ^ "Education in the Unorganized Territory - Find Your School". Maine Department of Education. Retrieved July 13, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Official Website of Hancock County
* Hancock County on Maine.gov

Places adjacent to Hancock County, Maine

|  | Penobscot County | Washington County

|
|

|  |
Waldo County |

Hancock County, Maine

|  |
| Atlantic Ocean |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Hancock County, Maine, United States

County seat: Ellsworth

City|

* Ellsworth

Hancock County map

Towns|

* Amherst
* Aurora
* Bar Harbor
* Blue Hill
* Brooklin
* Brooksville
* Bucksport
* Castine
* Cranberry Isles
* Dedham
* Deer Isle
* Eastbrook
* Franklin
* Frenchboro
* Gouldsboro
* Great Pond
* Hancock
* Lamoine
* Mariaville
* Mount Desert
* Orland
* Osborn
* Otis
* Penobscot
* Sedgwick
* Sorrento
* Southwest Harbor
* Stonington
* Sullivan
* Surry
* Swan's Island
* Tremont
* Trenton
* Verona Island
* Waltham
* Winter Harbor

Unorganized
territories|

* Central Hancock
* East Hancock
* Marshall Island
* Northwest Hancock

CDPs|

* Bar Harbor
* Blue Hill
* Bucksport
* Castine
* Northeast Harbor
* Southwest Harbor
* Winter Harbor

Other
villages|

* Bass Harbor
* Birch Harbor
* East Blue Hill
* East Orland
* Harborside
* Islesford
* Minturn
* Prospect Harbor
* Salsbury Cove
* Sargentville
* Somesville
* Sunset

* Maine portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Maine

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44°34′N 68°22′W﻿ / ﻿44.57°N 68.37°W﻿ / 44.57; -68.37
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