Hollis, Maine
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Hollis is a town located in York County, Maine. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 4,114.
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Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 85.3 km² (32.9 mi²). 82.9 km² (32.0 mi²) of it is land and 2.4 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.79% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 4,114 people, 1,507 households, and 1,139 families residing in the town. The population density is 49.6/km² (128.5/mi²). There are 1,592 housing units at an average density of 19.2/km² (49.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 98.81% White, 0.15% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.15% Asian, 0.10% Pacific Islander, 0.07% from other races, and 0.61% from two or more races. 0.53% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 1,507 households out of which 38.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.7% are married couples living together, 8.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 24.4% are non-families. 16.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 5.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.73 and the average family size is 3.06.
In the town the population is spread out with 26.8% under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 32.7% from 25 to 44, 25.1% from 45 to 64, and 7.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 37 years. For every 100 females there are 98.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 96.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $48,846, and the median income for a family is $53,621. Males have a median income of $35,064 versus $25,510 for females. The per capita income for the town is $19,065. 6.6% of the population and 4.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 9.3% of those under the age of 18 and 10.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
The town of Hollis was originally called Little Falls Plantation encompassing the towns of Hollis, Dayton, and part of Limington. It was bought by Major William Phillips from the town of Hobinowil and Mogg Hegon of the local Sagamore Indian tribe in 1664. In 1728 a trading post by an order from the General Court of Massachusetts was to be constructed on the site to protect trade with the Indians.It was made crudely of logs and equipped with a cannon. Ten men and a sergeant garrisoned it. John and Andrew Gordon tried to settle the land in 1754, but were driven away by the Indians. On March 27, 1781 the first recorded plantation meeting and Joseph Chadbourne was elected Moderator. By 1790 the population numbered 607 souls, the first vote for state office came in 1791 and Littlefalls gave John Hancock 27 votes. In 1798 Littlefalls was incorporated into Phillipsburg, named in honor of Major Phillips. The first town meeting took place on September 27, 1798 held at the home of Stephen Hopkinson. The moderator was Joseph Chadbourne. In 1810 a committee was put together to rename the town, headed by Colonel Isaac Lane and Captain Eben Cleaves. It was finally decided upon the name Hollis. The reasoning behind the name is not known it is thought to have been inspired by Hollis, New Hampshire or possibly by the surname Holles a friend of one of the renamers.
Hollis in the Present
Today with a population nearing four thousand and its close proximity to Portland, Hollis is growing fast. The town however still retains much of its country culture. It is mainly now just a home for people with jobs in Portland, South Portland, Saco, Westbrook, and Sanford. It has few large businesses except a coat hanger manufacturing plant and bottling plant for Poland Spring Water. The other businesses are mostly family run.