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Oxford County, Maine

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Oxford County is a county in the state of Maine, United States. As of the 2020 Census, the county had a population of 57,777.[1] Its county seat is the town of Paris.[2] The county was formed on March 4, 1805, by the Massachusetts General Court in the Maine District from northerly portions of York and Cumberland counties. It borders the Canadian province of Quebec. Part of Oxford County is included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan New England City and Town Area while a different part of Oxford County is included in the Portland-South Portland-Biddeford, Maine metropolitan New England City and Town Area.

Oxford County
County
Strathglass Building at Rumford, Maine.
Strathglass Building at Rumford, Maine.
Map of Maine highlighting Oxford County
Location within the U.S. state of Maine
Map of the United States highlighting Maine
Maine's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 44°19′28″N 70°42′19″W / 44.324516°N 70.705177°W / 44.324516; -70.705177
Country United States
State Maine
Founded1805
Named forOxford, Massachusetts
SeatParis
Largest townRumford
Area
 • Total
2,176 sq mi (5,640 km2)
 • Land2,077 sq mi (5,380 km2)
 • Water99 sq mi (260 km2)  4.5%
Population
 (2020)
 • Total
57,777
 • Estimate 
(2021)
58,629 Increase
 • Density27/sq mi (10/km2)
Time zoneUTC−5 (Eastern)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−4 (EDT)
Congressional district2nd
Websiteoxfordcounty.org

Geography

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Typical fall landscape in Oxford County, ME.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 2,176 square miles (5,640 km2), of which 2,077 square miles (5,380 km2) is land and 99 square miles (260 km2) (4.5%) is water.[3]

Adjacent counties and municipalities

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National protected areas

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Demographics

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Historical population
CensusPop.Note%±
181017,630—
182027,10453.7%
183035,21929.9%
184038,3518.9%
185039,7633.7%
186036,698−7.7%
187033,488−8.7%
188032,627−2.6%
189030,586−6.3%
190032,2385.4%
191036,25612.5%
192037,7004.0%
193041,48310.0%
194042,6622.8%
195044,2213.7%
196044,3450.3%
197043,457−2.0%
198048,96812.7%
199052,6027.4%
200054,7554.1%
201057,8335.6%
202057,777−0.1%
2023 (est.)59,905[4]3.7%
U.S. Decennial Census[5]
1790–1960[6] 1900–1990[7]
1990–2000[8] 2010–2016[9] 2018[10]

Ancestries

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As of 2015, the largest self-reported ancestry groups in Oxford County, Maine were:[11]

Largest ancestries (2015) Percent
English   22.6%
French  
or French Canadian  		 20.9%
Irish   15.7%
"American"   8.9%
German   6.5%
Scottish   5.6%
Italian   4.9%
Polish   1.9%

2000 census

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At the 2000 census there were 54,755 people, 22,314 households, and 15,173 families living in the county. The population density was 26 people per square mile (10 people/km2). There were 32,295 housing units at an average density of 16 per square mile (6.2/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 98.25% White, 0.17% Black or African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.11% from other races, and 0.80% from two or more races. 0.53% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.6% were of English, 13.9% French, 13.7% United States or American, 10.1% Irish and 8.4% French Canadian ancestry according to Census 2000. 95.9% spoke English and 2.6% French as their first language.[12] Of the 22,314 households 30.40% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.10% were married couples living together, 9.50% had a female householder with no husband present, and 32.00% were non-families. 25.60% of households were one person and 11.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.42 and the average family size was 2.87.

The age distribution was 24.20% under the age of 18, 6.50% from 18 to 24, 27.80% from 25 to 44, 25.50% from 45 to 64, and 16.10% 65 or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 95.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 93.70 males.

The median household income was $33,435 and the median family income was $39,794. Males had a median income of $30,641 versus $21,233 for females. The per capita income for the county was $16,945. About 8.30% of families and 11.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 14.80% of those under age 18 and 10.10% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

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At the 2010 census, there were 57,833 people, 24,300 households, and 15,781 families living in the county.[13] The population density was 27.8 inhabitants per square mile (10.7/km2). There were 36,055 housing units at an average density of 17.4 units per square mile (6.7 units/km2).[14] The racial makeup of the county was 96.8% white, 0.6% Asian, 0.4% American Indian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population.[13] In terms of ancestry, 23.6% were English, 14.8% were Irish, 8.2% were American, 6.4% were German, and 5.6% were French Canadian.[15]

Of the 24,300 households, 28.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 49.0% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 35.1% were non-families, and 27.1% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.35 and the average family size was 2.81. The median age was 44.6 years.[13]

The median household income was $39,748 and the median family income was $48,000. Males had a median income of $37,892 versus $30,187 for females. The per capita income for the county was $21,254. About 9.6% of families and 13.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.6% of those under age 18 and 12.2% of those age 65 or over.[16]

Politics

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From 1880 to 1988, Oxford County was dominated by the Republican Party in presidential elections, only failing to back a Republican candidate in 1912 (the county backed Progressive Theodore Roosevelt, who was a former Republican), 1964 (backing Democrat Lyndon B. Johnson, who won every county in Maine in a 46-state landslide), and 1968 (backing Democrat Hubert Humphrey, who had chosen Oxford County native Edmund Muskie as his running mate). The county flipped in 1992 to become consistently Democratic like the rest of Maine, staying that way through 2012. However, it made a 27.8 point swing[17] (the largest statewide) to back Republican Donald Trump in 2016 as he won Maine's second congressional district containing the county. Trump retained the county in 2020.[18]

Voter registration

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Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024[19]
Unenrolled 13,102 33.69%
Republican 12,874 33.1%
Democratic 10,662 27.42%
Green Independent 1,957 5.03%
Libertarian 149 0.38%
No Labels 147 0.38%
Total 38,891 100%
United States presidential election results for Oxford County, Maine[20]
Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies)
No.  % No.  % No.  %
2020 17,698 52.84% 14,755 44.06% 1,039 3.10%
2016 16,210 51.95% 12,172 39.01% 2,819 9.03%
2012 11,996 40.77% 16,330 55.51% 1,094 3.72%
2008 12,863 40.64% 17,940 56.68% 847 2.68%
2004 14,196 45.00% 16,618 52.68% 732 2.32%
2000 11,835 43.05% 13,649 49.65% 2,009 7.31%
1996 7,238 27.74% 13,580 52.05% 5,273 20.21%
1992 8,194 27.91% 11,202 38.16% 9,960 33.93%
1988 13,568 55.91% 10,523 43.37% 175 0.72%
1984 15,408 64.34% 8,430 35.20% 110 0.46%
1980 11,041 47.04% 9,914 42.23% 2,519 10.73%
1976 10,551 49.04% 10,340 48.06% 625 2.90%
1972 12,114 64.36% 6,661 35.39% 48 0.26%
1968 8,030 41.66% 10,870 56.39% 375 1.95%
1964 5,340 28.14% 13,616 71.76% 19 0.10%
1960 11,715 56.69% 8,951 43.31% 0 0.00%
1956 12,607 73.04% 4,653 26.96% 0 0.00%
1952 11,575 66.62% 5,757 33.13% 43 0.25%
1948 7,444 58.24% 5,183 40.55% 155 1.21%
1944 8,053 55.76% 6,377 44.16% 12 0.08%
1940 8,656 53.49% 7,502 46.36% 25 0.15%
1936 8,778 57.13% 5,836 37.98% 752 4.89%
1932 8,264 52.73% 7,179 45.80% 230 1.47%
1928 9,409 69.75% 4,015 29.76% 66 0.49%
1924 7,062 69.90% 2,563 25.37% 478 4.73%
1920 7,301 64.59% 3,906 34.55% 97 0.86%
1916 4,026 51.73% 3,625 46.58% 131 1.68%
1912 1,234 16.69% 2,941 39.79% 3,217 43.52%
1908 4,179 64.53% 2,093 32.32% 204 3.15%

Recreation

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Oxford County is home to many summer camps. Some of these camps are Camp Wekeela, Kamp Kohut, Camp Wyonegonic, Forest Acres Camp for Girls and Maine Teen Camp.

Communities

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Spruce Mountain Wind Farm is one of three wind farms in Oxford County, ME.

Towns

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Plantations

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Unorganized territories

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Census-designated places

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Other unincorporated communities

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See also

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References

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  1. ^ "Census - Geography Profile: Oxford County, Maine". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved November 21, 2021.
  2. ^ "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
  3. ^ "2010 Census Gazetteer Files". United States Census Bureau. August 22, 2012. Archived from the original on September 9, 2014. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  4. ^ "Annual Estimates of the Resident Population for Counties: April 1, 2020 to July 1, 2023". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved April 3, 2024.
  5. ^ "U.S. Decennial Census". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  6. ^ "Historical Census Browser". University of Virginia Library. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  7. ^ "Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved September 7, 2014.
  8. ^ "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.
  9. ^ "State & County QuickFacts". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011. Retrieved August 19, 2013.
  10. ^ "QuickFacts. Oxford County, Maine". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved July 26, 2019.
  11. ^ "American FactFinder - Results". Archived from the original on February 13, 2020. Retrieved January 31, 2017.
  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. ^ "Here's a map of the US counties that flipped to Trump from Democrats". www.cnbc.com. Retrieved June 18, 2019.
  18. ^ "Pivot Counties in Maine", ballotpedia.org, retrieved September 20, 2024
  19. ^ Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions. "Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide" (PDF). Maine SOS. Retrieved April 9, 2024.
  20. ^ Leip, David. "Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections". uselectionatlas.org. Retrieved August 26, 2018.

Further reading

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  • George J. Varney (1881), "Oxford County", Gazetteer of the State of Maine, Boston: B.B. Russell – via Internet Archive
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Wikimedia Commons has media related to Oxford County, Maine.

44°29′N 70°46′W / 44.49°N 70.76°W / 44.49; -70.76

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