Knox County, Maine

County in Maine, United States

Not to be confused with Knox, Maine.

County in Maine

Knox County

County

Knox County Courthouse

Location within the U.S. state of Maine

Maine's location within the U.S.

Coordinates: 44°07′12″N 69°07′40″W﻿ / ﻿44.119938°N 69.127899°W﻿ / 44.119938; -69.127899
Country|  United States
State|  Maine
Founded| April 1, 1860
Named after| Henry Knox
Seat| Rockland
Largest city| Rockland
Area

• Total

| 1,144 sq mi (2,960 km2)
• Land| 365 sq mi (950 km2)
• Water| 779 sq mi (2,020 km2)  68%
Population

(2020)

• Total

| 40,607
• Density| 35/sq mi (14/km2)
Time zone| UTC−5 (Eastern)
• Summer (DST)| UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district| 1st
Website| knoxcountymaine.gov

Knox County is a county located in the state of Maine, United States. As of the 2020 census, the population was 40,607.[1] Its county seat is Rockland.[2] The county is named for Revolutionary War general and Secretary of War Henry Knox,[3] who lived in the county from 1795 until his death in 1806. The county was established on April 1, 1860, and is the most recent county to be created in Maine. It was carved from parts of Waldo and Lincoln counties. The Union Fair, started in 1868, began as the efforts of the North Knox Agricultural and Horticultural Society.[4]

## Geography

[edit]

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,144 square miles (2,960 km2), of which 365 square miles (950 km2) is land and 779 square miles (2,020 km2) (68%) is water.[5] It is the second-smallest county in Maine by land area. It was originally part of the Waldo Patent.

### Adjacent counties

[edit]

* Lincoln County – west
* Waldo County – north
* Hancock County – northeast

### National protected areas

[edit]

* Franklin Island National Wildlife Refuge
* Seal Island National Wildlife Refuge

## Demographics

[edit]

Historical population Census| Pop.| Note| %±

|
|
|

1860| 32,716| | —
1870| 30,823| | −5.8%
1880| 32,863| | 6.6%
1890| 31,473| | −4.2%
1900| 30,406| | −3.4%
1910| 28,981| | −4.7%
1920| 26,245| | −9.4%
1930| 27,693| | 5.5%
1940| 27,191| | −1.8%
1950| 28,121| | 3.4%
1960| 28,575| | 1.6%
1970| 29,013| | 1.5%
1980| 32,941| | 13.5%
1990| 36,310| | 10.2%
2000| 39,618| | 9.1%
2010| 39,736| | 0.3%
2020| 40,607| | 2.2%
2023 (est.)| 40,977| [6]| 0.9%
U.S. Decennial Census[7]
1790–1960[8] 1900–1990[9]
1990–2000[10] 2010–2016[11]

### 2000 census

[edit]

At the 2000 census there were 39,618 people, 16,608 households, and 10,728 families living in the county. The population density was 108 people per square mile (42 people/km2). There were 21,612 housing units at an average density of 59 per square mile (23/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.28% White, 0.24% Black or African American, 0.22% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.12% from other races, and 0.78% from two or more races. 0.57% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 25.4% were of English, 12.2% Irish, 11.7% United States or American, 7.5% German and 5.7% French ancestry. 97.1% spoke English and 1.5% French as their first language.[12] Of the 16,608 households 28.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.20% were married couples living together, 9.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 35.40% were non-families. 29.00% of households were one person and 12.70% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.83.

The age distribution was 22.40% under the age of 18, 6.30% from 18 to 24, 27.40% from 25 to 44, 26.70% from 45 to 64, and 17.20% 65 or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females there were 95.20 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.00 males.

The median household income was $36,774 and the median family income was $43,819. Males had a median income of $30,704 versus $22,382 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,981. About 6.40% of families and 10.10% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.90% of those under age 18 and 8.00% of those age 65 or over.

### 2010 census

[edit]

At the 2010 census, there were 39,736 people, 17,258 households, and 10,662 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 108.8 inhabitants per square mile (42.0/km2). There were 23,744 housing units at an average density of 65.0 units per square mile (25.1 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 97.1% white, 0.5% black or African American, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.2% from other races, and 1.4% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 0.8% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 31.3% were English, 19.0% were Irish, 12.8% were German, 6.9% were Scottish, and 5.9% were American.[15]

Of the 17,258 households, 25.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 48.2% were married couples living together, 9.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.2% were non-families, and 31.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.22 and the average family size was 2.75. The median age was 46.2 years.[13]

The median household income was $45,264 and the median family income was $55,830. Males had a median income of $40,712 versus $29,732 for females. The per capita income for the county was $25,291. About 7.9% of families and 12.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 16.5% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.[16]

## Politics

[edit]

Knox County is a Democratic stronghold in presidential elections. Originally it favored the Republican Party, like most of the rest of Maine, but it began to trend Democratic starting in the 1990s. In 2004, John Kerry won the county with a decisive 11-point majority, and in every election since then Democrats have carried the county by double-digit margins.

In 2012, Knox County voted 55% in favor of a measure to legalize same-sex marriage.[17]

### Voter registration

[edit]

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

| Democratic | 12,139  | 40.22%
| Unenrolled  | 8,436  | 27.95%
| Republican | 8,117  | 26.89%
| Green Independent | 1,065  | 3.53%
| No Labels | 343  | 1.14%
| Libertarian | 83  | 0.27%
Total  | 30,183  | 100%

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

|
|
|

No. | % | No. | % | No. | %
2024 | 10,262  | 39.63%  | 15,076  | 58.22% | 555  | 2.14%
2020 | 9,982  | 38.79%  | 15,110  | 58.72% | 642  | 2.49%
2016 | 9,148  | 39.52%  | 12,443  | 53.76% | 1,556  | 6.72%
2012 | 8,248  | 37.38%  | 13,223  | 59.92% | 596  | 2.70%
2008 | 8,816  | 38.36%  | 13,728  | 59.74% | 436  | 1.90%
2004 | 10,103  | 43.46%  | 12,690  | 54.59% | 454  | 1.95%
2000 | 8,968  | 43.74%  | 9,453  | 46.11% | 2,080  | 10.15%
1996 | 6,192  | 32.79%  | 8,839  | 46.81% | 3,852  | 20.40%
1992 | 6,310  | 31.03%  | 7,631  | 37.52% | 6,397  | 31.45%
1988 | 10,156  | 57.54% | 7,343  | 41.60%  | 151  | 0.86%
1984 | 11,311  | 65.00% | 6,024  | 34.62%  | 66  | 0.38%
1980 | 7,631  | 48.98% | 5,732  | 36.79%  | 2,218  | 14.24%
1976 | 8,315  | 56.24% | 5,922  | 40.05%  | 549  | 3.71%
1972 | 8,478  | 70.19% | 3,601  | 29.81%  | 0  | 0.00%
1968 | 6,585  | 55.25% | 5,119  | 42.95%  | 214  | 1.80%
1964 | 4,404  | 38.53%  | 7,022  | 61.43% | 4  | 0.03%
1960 | 9,083  | 70.41% | 3,816  | 29.58%  | 1  | 0.01%
1956 | 8,866  | 81.32% | 2,037  | 18.68%  | 0  | 0.00%
1952 | 8,793  | 78.32% | 2,414  | 21.50%  | 20  | 0.18%
1948 | 5,374  | 72.67% | 1,924  | 26.02%  | 97  | 1.31%
1944 | 5,590  | 59.70% | 3,758  | 40.14%  | 15  | 0.16%
1940 | 6,530  | 60.76% | 4,197  | 39.05%  | 20  | 0.19%
1936 | 6,567  | 60.36% | 3,991  | 36.69%  | 321  | 2.95%
1932 | 6,169  | 55.28% | 4,765  | 42.70%  | 225  | 2.02%
1928 | 6,660  | 73.35% | 2,332  | 25.68%  | 88  | 0.97%
1924 | 4,919  | 69.99% | 1,770  | 25.18%  | 339  | 4.82%
1920 | 4,979  | 60.85% | 2,971  | 36.31%  | 233  | 2.85%
1916 | 2,211  | 37.82%  | 3,434  | 58.74% | 201  | 3.44%
1912 | 1,097  | 19.95%  | 2,751  | 50.03% | 1,651  | 30.02%
1908 | 2,228  | 50.04% | 1,932  | 43.40%  | 292  | 6.56%
1904 | 2,538  | 54.78% | 1,866  | 40.28%  | 229  | 4.94%
1900 | 2,762  | 48.76%  | 2,765  | 48.81% | 138  | 2.44%
1896 | 3,286  | 61.72% | 1,900  | 35.69%  | 138  | 2.59%
1892 | 2,321  | 46.23% | 2,136  | 42.54%  | 564  | 11.23%
1888 | 2,965  | 52.28% | 2,290  | 40.38%  | 416  | 7.34%
1884 | 2,819  | 46.50% | 2,364  | 39.00%  | 879  | 14.50%
1880 | 2,880  | 41.28%  | 3,659  | 52.45% | 437  | 6.26%

## Communities

[edit]

### City

[edit]

* Rockland (county seat)

### Towns

[edit]

* Appleton
* Camden
* Cushing
* Friendship
* Hope
* Isle au Haut
* North Haven
* Owls Head
* Rockport
* Saint George
* South Thomaston
* Thomaston
* Union
* Vinalhaven
* Warren
* Washington

### Plantation

[edit]

* Matinicus Isle

### Unorganized territories

[edit]

* Criehaven
* Muscle Ridge Islands

### Census-designated places

[edit]

* Camden
* Thomaston

### Other unincorporated villages

[edit]

* Glen Cove
* Hibberts Corner
* Port Clyde
* West Rockport

## Public buildings

[edit]

An addition to the Knox County Courthouse designed by Scott Simons Architects was completed in 2005. It is connected to an annex built in 1977 that is adjacent to the historic, original building that was finished in 1874.[20]

## Education

[edit]

K-12 school districts include:[21]

* St. George Public Schools
* Regional School Unit 13
* School Administrative District 07
* School Administrative District 08
* School Administrative District 40
* School Administrative District 65

There is also one secondary school district, Five Town Community School District, and the following elementary school districts:[21]

* Appleton School District
* Hope School District
* School Administrative District 28

There is also the Knox Unorganized Territory.[21] Unorganized territory is not in any municipality.[22] The Maine Department of Education takes responsibility for coordinating school assignments in the unorganized territory.[23]

## See also

[edit]

* National Register of Historic Places listings in Knox County, Maine
* Historical United States Census totals for Knox County, Maine

## References

[edit]

1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Knox 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. ^ Gannett, Henry (1905). The Origin of Certain Place Names in the United States. Government Printing Office. pp. 177.
4. ^ "The Birth of the Union Fair: Its History, Its Promise". Archived from the original on October 2, 2011. Retrieved October 16, 2011.
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. ^ 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. ^ "2016 Election Results: President Live Map by State, Real-Time Voting Updates". Politico. November 8, 2016.
18. ^ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions. "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 February 22, 2021.
20. ^ "Knox County Courthouse". Maine Commercial Construction Company | Wright-Ryan Construction. Retrieved May 20, 2016.
21. ^ a b c Geography Division (January 14, 2021). 2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Knox County, ME (PDF) (Map). U.S. Census Bureau. Retrieved July 13, 2025. \- Text list
22. ^ "Education In Unorganized Territory (EUT)". Maine Department of Education. Retrieved August 12, 2024.
23. ^ "Education in the Unorganized Territory - Find Your School". Maine Department of Education. Retrieved July 13, 2025.

## External links

[edit]

* Official site of Knox County
* Knox County Charter
* Maine Genealogy: Knox County, Maine

Places adjacent to Knox County, Maine

|  | Waldo County |

|
|

|  |
Lincoln County |

Knox County, Maine

| Atlantic Ocean
|  |
| Atlantic Ocean |

* v
* t
* e

Municipalities and communities of Knox County, Maine, United States

County seat: Rockland

City|

* Rockland

Knox County map

Towns|

* Appleton
* Camden
* Cushing
* Friendship
* Hope
* Isle au Haut
* North Haven
* Owls Head
* Rockport
* St. George
* South Thomaston
* Thomaston
* Union
* Vinalhaven
* Warren
* Washington

Plantation|

* Matinicus Isle

Unorganized
territories|

* Criehaven
* Muscle Ridge Islands

CDPs|

* Camden
* Thomaston

Other
villages|

* Glen Cove
* Hibberts Corner
* Port Clyde
* West Rockport

* Maine portal
* United States portal

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* t
* e

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44°02′N 69°02′W﻿ / ﻿44.03°N 69.03°W﻿ / 44.03; -69.03
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