Washington County is acounty located in theU.S. state ofMaine. As of the2020 census, its population was 31,095,[1] making it the third-least populous county in Maine. Itscounty seat isMachias.[2] The county was established on June 25, 1789. It borders theCanadian province ofNew Brunswick. It is sometimes referred to as "Sunrise County" because it includes theeasternmost point in the 48 contiguous United States. Claims have been made that Washington County is where the sun first rises on the 48 contiguous states.[3] Many small seaside communities havesmall-scale fishing-based economies.Tourism is also important along the county's shoreline, but it is not as important as elsewhere in the state. Theblueberry crop plays a major role in the county's economy.
According to theU.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 3,258 square miles (8,440 km2), of which 2,563 square miles (6,640 km2) is land and 695 square miles (1,800 km2) (21%) is water.[4]
As of the2020 census, the county had a population of 31,095. Of the residents, 18.3% were under the age of 18 and 26.1% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 49.4 years. For every 100 females there were 97.6 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 95.4 males. 0.0% of residents lived in urban areas and 100.0% lived in rural areas.[11][12][13]
There were 13,757 households in the county, of which 23.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 32.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 16.7% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.[12]
There were 21,594 housing units, of which 36.3% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 76.8% were owner-occupied and 23.2% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 3.1% and the rental vacancy rate was 9.3%.[12]
Washington County, Maine – Racial and ethnic composition Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.
As of the2010 United States census, there were 32,856 people, 14,302 households, and 8,847 families living in the county.[18] The population density was 12.8 inhabitants per square mile (4.9/km2). There were 23,001 housing units at an average density of 9.0 units per square mile (3.5 units/km2).[19] The racial makeup of the county was 92.1% white, 4.9% American Indian, 0.5% Asian, 0.4% black or African American, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.4% of the population.[18] In terms of ancestry, 30.4% wereEnglish, 17.0% wereIrish, 7.0% wereGerman, 6.1% wereScottish, and 5.6% wereAmerican.[20]
Of the 14,302 households, 25.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.1% were non-families, and 31.6% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.24 and the average family size was 2.76. The median age was 46.1 years.[18]
The median income for a household in the county was $34,859 and the median income for a family was $43,612. Males had a median income of $35,981 versus $27,336 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,401. About 14.1% of families and 19.8% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 29.3% of those under age 18 and 12.4% of those age 65 or over.[21]
As of thecensus[22] of 2000, there were 33,941 people, 14,118 households, and 9,303 families living in the county. Thepopulation density was 13 people per square mile (5.0 people/km2). There were 21,919 housing units at an average density of 8 per square mile (3.1/km2). The racial makeup of the county was 93.48%White, 0.26%Black orAfrican American, 4.43%Native American, 0.30%Asian, 0.01%Pacific Islander, 0.44% fromother races, and 1.07% from two or more races. 0.81% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 95.0% spokeEnglish, 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% weremarried 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. Theper capita income for the county was $14,119. About 14.20% of families and 19.00% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 22.40% of those under age 18 and 19.20% of those age 65 or over.
Washington County is considered to be a moreconservative county in Maine. No Democrat has carried a majority of the county sinceHubert Humphrey in1968. In2004, it was one of only two counties (the other being Piscataquis County) in Maine to vote for RepublicanGeorge W. Bush over DemocratJohn Kerry. The county voted for the winning presidential candidate in every election from1980 until2020, when the county was carried byDonald Trump, who lost nationally toJoe Biden.[23][24] In 2024, the county shifted to the right again, with Trump breaking 60% of the vote for the Republican Party for the first time since 1984.
In the2012 Maine Republican presidential caucuses, the majority of Washington County voters cast their votes for RepublicanRon Paul, but votes from Washington County were not counted because of snow.Mitt Romney ultimately won the state by a narrow margin.
A portion of the area is in the "Washington Unorganized Territory]".[28]Unorganized territories are not in any municipality.[30] TheMaine Department of Education takes responsibility for coordinating school assignments in the unorganized territory.[31] The department operates one school, Edmunds Consolidated School, in Edmunds Township.[32]
