Kennebec County, Maine

County in Maine, United States

County in Maine

Kennebec County

County

Kennebec County Courthouse

Seal

Location within the U.S. state of Maine

Maine's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 44°24′00″N 69°47′04″W﻿ / ﻿44.39996°N 69.784554°W﻿ / 44.39996; -69.784554
Country|  United States
State|  Maine
Founded| 1799
Named after| Kennebec River
Seat| Augusta
Largest city| Augusta
Area

• Total

| 951 sq mi (2,460 km2)
• Land| 868 sq mi (2,250 km2)
• Water| 84 sq mi (220 km2)  8.8%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 123,642
• Density| 130/sq mi (50/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional districts| 1st, 2nd
Website| kennebec.gov

Kennebec County is a county located in the South-central portion of the U.S. state of Maine. At the 2020 census, the population was 123,642.[1] Its county seat is Augusta,[2] the state capital. The county was established on February 20, 1799, from portions of Cumberland and Lincoln Counties. The name Kennebec comes from the Eastern Abenaki /kínipekʷ/, meaning "large body of still water, large bay."[3]

Kennebec County comprises the Augusta–Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area.

In 2010, the center of population of Maine was in Kennebec County, in the city of Augusta.[4]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 951 square miles (2,460 km2), of which 868 square miles (2,250 km2) is land and 84 square miles (220 km2) (8.8%) is water.[5]

The county is nearly bisected by the Kennebec River, which also forms parts of the county line in the north and south of the county. The county is also dotted by many lakes and ponds, as well as the Kennebec Highlands in the northwest part of the county.

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Somerset County – north
* Waldo County – east
* Sagadahoc County – south
* Lincoln County – south
* Androscoggin County – southwest
* Franklin County – northwest

### Major highways

[edit]

* I-95
* I-295
* US 201
* US 202
* SR 8
* SR 9
* SR 11
* SR 17
* SR 23
* SR 27
* SR 32
* SR 41
* SR 100
* SR 104
* SR 105
* SR 126
* SR 132
* SR 133
* SR 135
* SR 139
* SR 194
* SR 197
* SR 226

## Demographics

[edit]

This section needs to be updated. Please help update this article to reflect recent events or newly available information. (September 2021)

|

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1800| 24,571| | —
1810| 32,564| | 32.5%
1820| 42,623| | 30.9%
1830| 52,485| | 23.1%
1840| 55,823| | 6.4%
1850| 62,521| | 12.0%
1860| 55,655| | −11.0%
1870| 53,203| | −4.4%
1880| 53,058| | −0.3%
1890| 57,012| | 7.5%
1900| 59,117| | 3.7%
1910| 62,863| | 6.3%
1920| 63,844| | 1.6%
1930| 70,691| | 10.7%
1940| 77,231| | 9.3%
1950| 83,881| | 8.6%
1960| 89,150| | 6.3%
1970| 95,247| | 6.8%
1980| 109,889| | 15.4%
1990| 115,904| | 5.5%
2000| 117,114| | 1.0%
2010| 122,151| | 4.3%
2020| 123,642| | 1.2%
2023 (est.)| 127,259| [6]| 2.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2019[11]

### 2000 census

[edit]

As of the census[12] of 2000, there were 117,114 people, 47,683 households, and 31,327 families living in the county. The population density was 135 people per square mile (52 people/km2). There were 56,364 housing units at an average density of 65 per square mile (25/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 97.45% White, 0.34% Black or African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.59% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. 0.73% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 20.6% were of English, 17.4% French, 13.4% French Canadian, 10.9% United States or American and 9.9% Irish ancestry. 92.5% spoke only English at home, while 5.48% spoke French.[13]

There were 47,683 households, out of which 31.20% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.60% were married couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.30% were non-families. 27.60% of all households were made up of individuals, and 10.60% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.89.[14]

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.80% under the age of 18, 8.50% from 18 to 24, 28.60% from 25 to 44, 24.90% from 45 to 64, and 14.20% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 39 years. For every 100 females there were 94.00 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.80 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $36,498, and the median income for a family was $43,814. Males had a median income of $32,279 versus $24,032 for females. The per capita income for the county was $18,520. About 8.50% of families and 11.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.20% of those under age 18 and 10.20% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

[edit]

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 122,151 people, 51,128 households, and 32,368 families living in the county.[14] The population density was 140.8 inhabitants per square mile (54.4/km2). There were 60,972 housing units at an average density of 70.3 units per square mile (27.1 units/km2).[15] The racial makeup of the county was % from other races, and % from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up % of the population.[14] In terms of ancestry, 24.2% were English, 17.0% were Irish, 8.3% were German, 7.7% were French Canadian, 5.7% were American, and 5.4% were Scottish.[16]

The median income for a household in the county was $45,973 and the median income for a family was $56,853. Males had a median income of $42,176 versus $32,471 for females. The per capita income for the county was $24,656. About 7.8% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.9% of those under age 18 and 9.6% of those age 65 or over.[17]

## Micropolitan statistical area

[edit]

See also: List of micropolitan statistical areas

Kennebec County has been designated as the Augusta–Waterville, ME Micropolitan Statistical Area (μSA) by the United States Office of Management and Budget. As of the 2010 U.S. Census[18] the micropolitan area ranked the most populous in the State of Maine and also the only micropolitan area within the state. The area also ranks 14th most populous in the United States with a population of 125,540 as of July 2022.

## Economy

[edit]

Kennebec County's economy has traditionally been industrial. A large amount of paper and textiles were produced, and mills sprung up along the Kennebec river. The median household income is $36,498. The unemployment rate is 4.2%.

## Education

[edit]

There are three colleges: Colby College and Thomas College (both in Waterville), and the University of Maine at Augusta. There are 19 school districts (however, 4 are consolidated ones). In China Maine, there is no public high school, but a private school (Erskine Academy) exists, and the town pays for students tuition if they choose to attend. Students from Vassalboro can pick from one of four school districts (Cony in Augusta, Erskine, Winslow, or Waterville). However, many towns have local public high schools.

K-12 school districts include:[19]

* Augusta School District
* Fayette School District
* Vassalboro School District
* Waterville School District
* Winslow School District
* Winthrop School District
* Regional School Unit 02
* Regional School Unit 04
* Regional School Unit 18
* Regional School Unit 12
* Regional School Unit 38
* School Administrative District 09
* School Administrative District 11
* School Administrative District 49

There is also the Kennebec Unorganized Territory.[19] Unorganized territory is not in any municipality.[20] The Maine Department of Education takes responsibility for coordinating school assignments in the unorganized territory. The state assigns the "Unity Township" area in Kennebec County to Unity School, Mount View Middle School, and Mount View High School of Regional School Unit 3 of Unity, Waldo County.[21]

## Politics

[edit]

Kennebec County has consistently voted for Democrats in recent elections, until 2016 when it voted for Republican Donald Trump,[22] the first time it had voted Republican since 1988. While the more rural areas support the Republican Party, the urban areas are strongly Democratic. Kennebec County is the only county in Maine that is split between Maine's two congressional districts. The larger, southern portion of the county is in the 1st Congressional District, while the northern, smaller portion is in the 2nd Congressional District.

Historically, the county was more Democratic-leaning than the rest of the state in presidential elections. The county voted for Democrat Franklin D. Roosevelt in 1940 even as Republican Wendell Willkie narrowly carried Maine, and it voted for Democrat Jimmy Carter in 1976 as Republican Gerald Ford also narrowly won the state. In more recent elections, the county voted in-line with the state, voting for the statewide winner in every election from 1980 to 2012. In 2020, it was the closest county in the state, with Democrat Joe Biden defeating Trump by just 181 votes. Kennebec swung back into the Republican column in 2024, with Trump carrying the county this time with a full majority.

### Voter registration

[edit]

Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024[23]

| Republican | 27,635  | 32.92%
| Democratic | 27,487  | 32.74%
| Unenrolled  | 24,455  | 29.13%
| Green Independent | 3,698  | 4.41%
| Libertarian | 403  | 0.48%
| No Labels | 271  | 0.32%
Total  | 83,949  | 100%

United States presidential election results for Kennebec County, Maine[24] Year  | Republican / Whig | Democratic | Third party(ies)

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 36,589  | 50.20% | 34,585  | 47.45%  | 1,712  | 2.35%
2020 | 34,721  | 48.32%  | 34,902  | 48.57% | 2,235  | 3.11%
2016 | 31,675  | 47.84% | 29,302  | 44.26%  | 5,231  | 7.90%
2012 | 26,519  | 41.76%  | 35,068  | 55.23% | 1,910  | 3.01%
2008 | 27,482  | 41.65%  | 37,238  | 56.43% | 1,266  | 1.92%
2004 | 29,761  | 44.57%  | 35,616  | 53.34% | 1,395  | 2.09%
2000 | 23,967  | 40.69%  | 31,198  | 52.96% | 3,742  | 6.35%
1996 | 15,403  | 27.68%  | 30,257  | 54.37% | 9,994  | 17.96%
1992 | 17,135  | 26.81%  | 25,125  | 39.31% | 21,661  | 33.89%
1988 | 27,734  | 53.60% | 23,578  | 45.57%  | 433  | 0.84%
1984 | 31,753  | 59.70% | 21,183  | 39.82%  | 255  | 0.48%
1980 | 21,517  | 43.84% | 20,943  | 42.67%  | 6,617  | 13.48%
1976 | 22,534  | 47.53%  | 23,473  | 49.51% | 1,400  | 2.95%
1972 | 24,617  | 59.99% | 16,379  | 39.91%  | 39  | 0.10%
1968 | 16,009  | 41.81%  | 21,752  | 56.81% | 531  | 1.39%
1964 | 11,307  | 31.28%  | 24,813  | 68.65% | 23  | 0.06%
1960 | 21,699  | 54.31% | 18,252  | 45.69%  | 0  | 0.00%
1956 | 23,028  | 66.73% | 11,483  | 33.27%  | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 21,207  | 63.59% | 12,113  | 36.32%  | 31  | 0.09%
1948 | 13,923  | 55.12% | 11,163  | 44.19%  | 174  | 0.69%
1944 | 14,335  | 50.42% | 14,070  | 49.49%  | 25  | 0.09%
1940 | 14,877  | 48.36%  | 15,861  | 51.56% | 27  | 0.09%
1936 | 14,987  | 55.34% | 11,268  | 41.61%  | 826  | 3.05%
1932 | 14,451  | 53.93% | 12,110  | 45.19%  | 236  | 0.88%
1928 | 15,541  | 65.14% | 8,226  | 34.48%  | 92  | 0.39%
1924 | 13,122  | 72.26% | 4,184  | 23.04%  | 853  | 4.70%
1920 | 12,333  | 68.62% | 5,466  | 30.41%  | 174  | 0.97%
1916 | 6,731  | 53.71% | 5,527  | 44.11%  | 273  | 2.18%
1912 | 1,782  | 15.20%  | 4,397  | 37.50%  | 5,547  | 47.31%
1908 | 6,133  | 65.99% | 2,871  | 30.89%  | 290  | 3.12%
1904 | 5,765  | 68.68% | 2,333  | 27.79%  | 296  | 3.53%
1900 | 6,228  | 62.60% | 3,410  | 34.27%  | 311  | 3.13%
1896 | 7,889  | 71.70% | 2,817  | 25.60%  | 297  | 2.70%
1892 | 6,165  | 57.27% | 4,094  | 38.03%  | 506  | 4.70%
1888 | 7,453  | 62.46% | 4,139  | 34.69%  | 340  | 2.85%
1884 | 7,572  | 61.30% | 3,906  | 31.62%  | 874  | 7.08%
1880 | 7,771  | 59.00% | 5,001  | 37.97%  | 400  | 3.04%
1876 | 6,751  | 62.26% | 4,093  | 37.74%  | 0  | 0.00%
1872 | 6,232  | 73.67% | 2,227  | 26.33%  | 0  | 0.00%
1868 | 7,283  | 70.40% | 3,062  | 29.60%  | 0  | 0.00%
1864 | 6,803  | 67.02% | 3,347  | 32.98%  | 0  | 0.00%
1860 | 6,599  | 70.90% | 2,353  | 25.28%  | 356  | 3.82%
1856 | 7,320  | 72.14% | 2,487  | 24.51%  | 340  | 3.35%
1852 | 4,489  | 55.11% | 2,703  | 33.18%  | 954  | 11.71%
1848 | 5,056  | 54.10% | 2,634  | 28.18%  | 1,656  | 17.72%
1844 | 5,393  | 56.83% | 3,535  | 37.25%  | 561  | 5.91%
1840 | 6,905  | 65.96% | 3,521  | 33.63%  | 43  | 0.41%
1836 | 1,867  | 51.04% | 1,791  | 48.96%  | 0  | 0.00%

## Communities

[edit]

### Cities

[edit]

* Augusta (county seat)
* Gardiner
* Hallowell
* Waterville

### Towns

[edit]

* Albion
* Belgrade
* Benton
* Chelsea
* China
* Clinton
* Farmingdale
* Fayette
* Litchfield
* Manchester
* Monmouth
* Mount Vernon
* Oakland
* Pittston
* Randolph
* Readfield
* Rome
* Sidney
* Vassalboro
* Vienna
* Wayne
* West Gardiner
* Windsor
* Winslow
* Winthrop

### Unorganized territory

[edit]

* Unity

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Clinton
* Farmingdale
* Oakland
* Winthrop

### Other unincorporated villages

[edit]

* China Village
* East Vassalboro
* East Winthrop
* Libby Hill
* North Monmouth
* North Vassalboro
* South China

## See also

[edit]

* Maine portal

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Kennebec County, Maine

## Footnotes

[edit]

1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Kennebec County, Maine". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Archived from the original on May 31, 2011. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
3. ^ Bright, William (2004). Native American placenames of the United States. University of Oklahoma Press. p. 212\. ISBN 978-0-8061-3598-4. Retrieved April 14, 2011.
4. ^ "Centers of Population by State: 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 3, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
5. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
6. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
7. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
8. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
9. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
10. ^ "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.
11. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
12. ^ "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
13. ^ "Language Map Data Center".
14. ^ 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.
15. ^ "Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2016.
16. ^ "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.
17. ^ "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.
18. ^ "2010 U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 10, 2016.
19. ^ a b Geography Division (January 14, 2021). 2020 census - school district reference map: Kennebec County, ME (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Archived (PDF) from the original on July 26, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022. \- Text list
20. ^ "Education In Unorganized Territory (EUT)". Maine Department of Education. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
21. ^ "Education in the Unorganized Territory - Find Your School". Maine Department of Education. Retrieved July 13, 2025.
22. ^ "Pivot Counties in Maine", ballotpedia.org, retrieved September 20, 2024
23. ^ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions. "Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide" (PDF). Maine SOS. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
24. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved August 25, 2018.

## Further reading

[edit]

* Samuel Lane Boardman, History of the Agriculture of Kennebec County, Maine. New York: Blake, 1892.
* Raymond Stevens Finley, The History of Secondary Education in Kennebec County in Maine. Orono, ME: University of Maine at Orono Press, 1941.
* Rufus Matthew Jones, The Society of Friends in Kennebec County, Maine. New York: H.W. Blake and Co., 1892.
* Henry D. Kingsbury and Simeon L. Deyo (eds.), Illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine: 1625-1799-1892. New York: H.W. Blake and Co., 1892.
* Cynthia MacAlman McCausland, Index to Kingsbury and Deyo's illustrated history of Kennebec County, Maine. Camden, ME: Picton Press, 1996.
* George J. Varney (1881), "Kennebec County", Gazetteer of the State of Maine, Boston: B.B. Russell - via Internet Archive
* George W. Walton, History of the Town of Wayne, Kennebec County, Maine, From Its Settlement to 1898. Augusta, ME: Maine Farmer Publishing Co., 1898.
* Edwin Carey Whittemore, The Centennial History of Waterville, Kennebec County, Maine, Including the Oration, the Historical Address and the Poem Presented at the Celebration of the Centennial Anniversary of the Incorporation of the Town, June 23d, 1902. Waterville, ME: Executive Committee of the Centennial Celebration, 1902.

## External links

[edit]

* Official Site of Kennebec County, Maine
* Digital Maine Repository. Items related to Kennebec County
* Core.ac.uk. Assorted items related to Kennebec County
* Digital Public Library of America. Assorted materials related to Kennebec County

Places adjacent to Kennebec County, Maine

| Franklin County | Somerset County |

|
|

|  |

Kennebec County, Maine

| Waldo County
|  |
Androscoggin County | Sagadahoc County and Lincoln County |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Kennebec County, Maine, United States

County seat: Augusta

Cities|

* Augusta
* Gardiner
* Hallowell
* Waterville

Kennebec County map

Towns|

* Albion
* Belgrade
* Benton
* Chelsea
* China
* Clinton
* Farmingdale
* Fayette
* Litchfield
* Manchester
* Monmouth
* Mount Vernon
* Oakland
* Pittston
* Randolph
* Readfield
* Rome
* Sidney
* Vassalboro
* Vienna
* Wayne
* West Gardiner
* Windsor
* Winslow
* Winthrop

Unorganized
territory|

* Unity

CDPs|

* Clinton
* Farmingdale
* Oakland
* Winthrop
* Winslow

Other
villages|

* China Village
* East Vassalboro
* East Winthrop
* Kents Hill
* Libby Hill
* North Monmouth
* North Vassalboro
* South China

* Maine portal
* United States portal

* v
* t
* e

State of Maine

Augusta (capital)

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Regions|

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Metropolitan areas|

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44°25′N 69°46′W﻿ / ﻿44.41°N 69.77°W﻿ / 44.41; -69.77
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