Sweden, Maine | |
|---|---|
  Sweden  Sweden | |
| Coordinates:44°07′16″N70°48′44″W / 44.12111°N 70.81222°W /44.12111; -70.81222 | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Oxford |
| Incorporated | 1813 |
| Area | |
• Total | 29.74 sq mi (77.03 km2) |
| • Land | 28.82 sq mi (74.64 km2) |
| • Water | 0.92 sq mi (2.38 km2) |
| Elevation | 653 ft (199 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 406 |
| • Density | 14/sq mi (5.4/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP Code | 04040 |
| Area code | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-75595 |
| GNIS feature ID | 582759[2] |
| Website | swedenmaine |
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Sweden is a town inOxford County,Maine, United States. The population was 406 at the2020 census.[3] Set among hills, forests and ponds, Sweden includes the village of East Sweden.
This was once territory of theAbenaki tribe, whose main village was atPequawket (nowFryeburg). Pequawket was attacked duringDummer's War on May 8, 1725, by CaptainJohn Lovewell and his company of soldiers. Lovewell was killed in the battle, after which the tribe fled to Canada for safety. Called New Suncook Plantation, it was granted by theMassachusetts General Court in 1774 to the officers and soldiers (or heirs) for their services to the state. In 1800, the town was incorporated asLovell after Captain Lovewell.[4]
The southeast portion of Lovell (which would become Sweden) was first settled in 1794 by Colonel Samuel Nevers fromBurlington, Massachusetts. He was followed in 1795–1796 by Benjamin Webber fromBedford, Jacob Stevens fromRowley, Andrew Woodbury and Micah Trull fromTewksbury, and Peter Holden fromMalden. On the plan which accompanied the petition for incorporation of the southeast portion, it was labeled Southland. It was set off as "Sweden" on February 26, 1813. The surface of the town is somewhat broken, but had good soil for farming, particularly thecultivation of grains. Other industries included asawmill that produced short and longlumber, in addition to shooks. The town also had acarriage factory.[5]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 29.74 square miles (77.03 km2), of which 28.82 square miles (74.64 km2) is land and 0.92 square miles (2.38 km2) is water.[1] It is drained by Plummer Brook and theKezar River.
The town is crossed by state route93. It borders the towns ofWaterford to the northeast,Lovell to the northwest,Fryeburg to the southwest, andBridgton to the southeast.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1820 | 249 | — | |
| 1830 | 487 | 95.6% | |
| 1840 | 670 | 37.6% | |
| 1850 | 696 | 3.9% | |
| 1860 | 728 | 4.6% | |
| 1870 | 549 | −24.6% | |
| 1880 | 474 | −13.7% | |
| 1890 | 338 | −28.7% | |
| 1900 | 282 | −16.6% | |
| 1910 | 266 | −5.7% | |
| 1920 | 225 | −15.4% | |
| 1930 | 189 | −16.0% | |
| 1940 | 225 | 19.0% | |
| 1950 | 212 | −5.8% | |
| 1960 | 119 | −43.9% | |
| 1970 | 110 | −7.6% | |
| 1980 | 163 | 48.2% | |
| 1990 | 222 | 36.2% | |
| 2000 | 324 | 45.9% | |
| 2010 | 391 | 20.7% | |
| 2020 | 406 | 3.8% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] | |||
As of thecensus[7] of 2010, there were 391 people, 178 households, and 122 families living in the town. Thepopulation density was 13.6 inhabitants per square mile (5.3/km2). There were 331 housing units at an average density of 11.5 per square mile (4.4/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.9%White, 0.3%African American, 0.5%Native American, 0.3%Asian, 0.3% fromother races, and 2.8% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.8% of the population.
There were 178 households, of which 24.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.7% weremarried couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.5% were non-families. 26.4% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.61.
The median age in the town was 50.9 years. 17.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 4.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 17.4% were from 25 to 44; 38.9% were from 45 to 64; and 22% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.1% male and 51.9% female.
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 324 people, 132 households, and 97 families living in the town. The population density was 11.3 people per square mile (4.4/km2). There were 266 housing units at an average density of 9.3 per square mile (3.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.77%White, and 1.23% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.31% of the population.
There were 132 households, out of which 31.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.9% were married couples living together, 7.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.8% were non-families. 19.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.45 and the average family size was 2.79.
In the town, the population was spread out, with 24.4% under the age of 18, 4.3% from 18 to 24, 25.6% from 25 to 44, 28.7% from 45 to 64, and 17.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females, there were 89.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $30,781, and the median income for a family was $40,625. Males had a median income of $30,000 versus $24,375 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,991. About 12.9% of families and 19.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 25.6% of those under age 18 and 35.0% of those age 65 or over.
coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859.
Municipalities and communities ofOxford County, Maine,United States | ||
|---|---|---|
| Towns |  | |
| Plantations | ||
| Unorganized territories | ||
| CDPs | ||
| Other villages | ||
| Footnotes | ‡This populated place also has portions in an adjacent county | |