Biddeford, Maine
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Biddeford is a city located in York County, Maine. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 20,942. Settled in the 1620’s, Biddeford serves as the commercial and industrial center of York County. The City has a very diverse economic base and is home to several major institutions such as Southern Maine Medical Center and the University of New England. The City is known for its pristine Saco River and spectacular coastline. Anchoring its historic downtown are McArthur Library and City Theater for the Performing Arts.
The town is mostly a factory town, and most residents are blue-collar workers. In the mid 1800s, the harnessing of the water power of the Saco River waterfalls allowed for the construction of major textile manufacturing facilities along the riverbanks. These mills attracted waves of immigrants, most notably French-Canadian farm workers from the Province of Quebec. At one time the textile mills employed as many as 12,000 people.
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Geography
Biddeford is located at 43°28'27" North, 70°26'46" West (43.474111, -70.446157)Template:GR. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 89.5 km² (34.5 mi²). 77.7 km² (30.0 mi²) of it is land and 11.7 km² (4.5 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 13.12% water.
Demographics
As of the censusTemplate:GR of 2000, there are 20,942 people, 8,636 households, and 5,259 families residing in the city. The population density is 269.4/km² (697.8/mi²). There are 9,631 housing units at an average density of 123.9/km² (320.9/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 96.65% White, 0.64% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 0.65% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,636 households out of which 28.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% are married couples living together, 12.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% are non-families. 29.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.88.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $37,164 and the median income for a family is $44,109. Males have a median income of $32,008 versus $24,715 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,214. 13.8% of the population and 8.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.8% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. As of 2004 the Median home price was $190,000.
Nicknames
Biddeford is commonly refered to as "Biddo" by teenagers.
External links
- City website (http://www.Biddefordmaine.org)
- Biddeford Directory (http://me.allpages.com/)
- Template:Mapit-US-cityscale
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| Capital: | |
| Regions: |
Down East | Maine Atlantic Coast | Maine Highlands | North Woods | Western Maine Mountains |
| Largest cities: |
Auburn | Augusta | Bangor | Bath | Belfast | Biddeford | Brewer | Caribou | Ellsworth | Houlton | Kittery | Lewiston | Millinocket | Old Orchard Beach | Old Town | Orono | Portland | Presque Isle | Rockland | Rumford | Saco | Sanford | South Portland | Topsham | Waterville | Westbrook |
| Counties: |
Androscoggin | Aroostook | Cumberland | Franklin | Hancock | Kennebec | Knox | Lincoln | Oxford | Penobscot | Piscataquis | Sagadahoc | Somerset | Waldo | Washington | York |