Blaine, Maine
Encyclopedia
Blaine is a town
in Aroostook County
, Maine
, United States
. The population was 806 as of the 2000 census. It was known as Alva prior to incorporation in 1874, when it was renamed in honor of James G. Blaine
, then Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. According to local history, Blaine offered to donate a large bell for the tower of the town's new meeting hall, if the citizens would rename the town after him. The town's name was changed but Blaine never donated a bell. The building still stands on the north end of town, on Route 1.
,the town has a total area of 18.5 square miles (47.9 km²), of which, 18.5 square miles (47.9 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.27%) is water.
of 2000, there were 806 people, 313 households, and 234 families residing in the town. The population density
was 43.6 people per square mile (16.8/km²). There were 340 housing units at an average density of 18.4 per square mile (7.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.27% White, 0.37% African American, 0.99% Native American, 0.12% from other races
, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.25% of the population.
There were 313 households out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.2% were married couples
living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $28,693, and the median income for a family was $33,056. Males had a median income of $25,333 versus $20,078 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $12,980. About 7.5% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.
in the 2008 election and in 2009, the town's voters backed a referendum against same-sex marriage.
New England town
The New England town is the basic unit of local government in each of the six New England states. Without a direct counterpart in most other U.S. states, New England towns are conceptually similar to civil townships in other states, but are incorporated, possessing powers like cities in other...
in Aroostook County
Aroostook County, Maine
Aroostook County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2010, its population was 71,870. In land area, it is the largest county in the state and the largest U.S. county east of the Mississippi River. Its seat is Houlton...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. The population was 806 as of the 2000 census. It was known as Alva prior to incorporation in 1874, when it was renamed in honor of James G. Blaine
James G. Blaine
James Gillespie Blaine was a U.S. Representative, Speaker of the United States House of Representatives, U.S. Senator from Maine, two-time Secretary of State...
, then Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives. According to local history, Blaine offered to donate a large bell for the tower of the town's new meeting hall, if the citizens would rename the town after him. The town's name was changed but Blaine never donated a bell. The building still stands on the north end of town, on Route 1.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
,the town has a total area of 18.5 square miles (47.9 km²), of which, 18.5 square miles (47.9 km²) of it is land and 0.1 square mile (0.258998811 km²) of it (0.27%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 806 people, 313 households, and 234 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 43.6 people per square mile (16.8/km²). There were 340 housing units at an average density of 18.4 per square mile (7.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.27% White, 0.37% African American, 0.99% Native American, 0.12% from other races
Race (United States Census)
Race and ethnicity in the United States Census, as defined by the Federal Office of Management and Budget and the United States Census Bureau, are self-identification data items in which residents choose the race or races with which they most closely identify, and indicate whether or not they are...
, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.25% of the population.
There were 313 households out of which 34.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 64.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.2% were non-families. 20.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.58 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the town the population was spread out with 27.5% under the age of 18, 4.5% from 18 to 24, 29.4% from 25 to 44, 24.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 94.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $28,693, and the median income for a family was $33,056. Males had a median income of $25,333 versus $20,078 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $12,980. About 7.5% of families and 10.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 7.9% of those under age 18 and 16.8% of those age 65 or over.
Politics
Blaine, Maine went for John McCainJohn McCain
John Sidney McCain III is the senior United States Senator from Arizona. He was the Republican nominee for president in the 2008 United States election....
in the 2008 election and in 2009, the town's voters backed a referendum against same-sex marriage.