Brunswick (town), Maine
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Brunswick is a town located in Cumberland County, Maine. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 21,172.
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Name and history
The town of Brunswick was originally settled in 1628 along the falls of the Androscoggin River. It was incorporated in 1738 and named to honor the British House of Brunswick. As the home of Bowdoin College (chartered in 1794) and the Brunswick Naval Air Station[1] (http://www.nasb.navy.mil)(external link), Brunswick has a diversity of population. Several National Historic Districts with grand sea captains' mansions serve as testaments to the Greek Revival and Federal styles of architecture. The grassy tree-lined mall links Bowdoin College with the downtown district. Industries include L.L. Bean, MBNA credit card company, fiberglass contruction material, electrical switches, Mid-Coast health services, and several facilities of Bath Iron Works. Brunswick was the home of Civil War General Joshua Chamberlain who later served as Governor of Maine and as President of Bowdoin College. His home, located on the corner of Maine and Potter Streets, is now a museum open to the public May-October.
Climate
Brunswick serves as a commercial center for surrounding communities and home to many who work in Augusta and Portland. With a population of approximately 37,000 (Brunswick, Bath, and Topsham), Brunswick provides a combination of the best of rural and urban Maine. The climate in the Brunswick area of Maine has pleasant warm summers and cold snowy winters. The average snowfall is 75" a year but it is not unusual to have as much as 140" of snow in a single year. Likewise, the average temperature in the summer may be 70 degrees but it is not totally unusual for a summer to be very hot with an average of 90+ degrees. There is approximately 45" of rain a year but that can vary from year to year.
The average temperature in the winter is 28 degrees. Temperatures, however, can be a chilling -10 degrees for several days. The nicest thing about Maine weather is that there are 4 distinct seasons. All four have their good points but the fall is positively spectacular. The trees are the colors of the rainbow for several weeks during this part of the year and attract many visitors who come to see the beauty.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 140.4 km² (54.2 mi²). 121.2 km² (46.8 mi²) of it is land and 19.3 km² (7.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 13.72% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 21,172 people, 8,150 households, and 5,150 families residing in the town. The population density is 174.7/km² (452.6/mi²). There are 8,720 housing units at an average density of 72.0/km² (186.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 94.35% White, 1.71% Black or African American, 0.23% Native American, 1.67% Asian, 0.06% Pacific Islander, 0.63% from other races, and 1.36% from two or more races. 1.62% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,150 households out of which 31.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.6% are married couples living together, 8.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 36.8% are non-families. 30.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.34 and the average family size is 2.95.
In the town the population is spread out with 23.0% under the age of 18, 14.1% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 20.5% 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 93.1 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 89.0 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $40,402, and the median income for a family is $49,088. Males have a median income of $32,141 versus $24,927 for females. The per capita income for the town is $20,322. 8.0% of the population and 5.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 8.6% of those under the age of 18 and 8.1% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
See also: Brunswick (CDP), Maine fr:Brunswick (Maine)