Houlton, Maine
|
|
Houlton_ME_471x406.gif
Houlton is the county seat for Aroostook County, and as such its nickname is the "Shire Town" and the Houlton High School students & sports teams are named "The Shiretowners". The Meduxnekeag River flows through the heart of the town, and the border with the Canadian province of New Brunswick is only three miles east of the town's center.
The town was settled by and named for Joseph Houlton, who immigrated from Massachusetts in 1805. Houlton was officially incorporated as a town in 1831.
This article describes the town as a whole. Additional demographic detail for the central settlement is available, although the values are also included in the aggregate values in this article. See: Houlton (CDP).
| Contents |
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 95.2 km² (36.8 mi²). 95.2 km² (36.8 mi²) of it is land and 0.0 km² (0.0 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 0.03% water.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 6,476 people, 2,677 households, and 1,654 families residing in the town. The population density is 68.0/km² (176.2/mi²). There are 2,994 housing units at an average density of 31.5 persons/km² (81.5 persons/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 94.19% White, 0.29% African American, 4.23% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.08% Pacific Islander, 0.09% from other races, and 0.63% from two or more races. 0.43% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,677 households out of which 29.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.4% are married couples living together, 11.0% have a woman whose husband does not live with her, and 38.2% are non-families. 34.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 18.0% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.29 and the average family size is 2.94.
In the town the population is spread out with 23.7% under the age of 18, 7.1% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 21.3% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 40 years. For every 100 females there are 87.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 82.4 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $26,212, and the median income for a family is $34,812. Males have a median income of $27,623 versus $20,991 for females. The per capita income for the town is $14,007. 17.7% of the population and 13.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total people living in poverty, 21.0% are under the age of 18 and 15.8% are 65 or older.
Culture & The Arts
Houlton has had a strong cultural community over the years. This is manifested in the extremely strong high school music program. In April 2005, the Houlton High School Show Choir won their fifth consecutive first place title at the Maine Music Educators Association State Vocal Jazz Festival. While the student-led Jazz Choir established last year placed second in their division for the second year in a row. At the State Instrumental Jazz Festival Houlton's Jazz Ensemble placed third in the 'B' Bands division, for schools with more than one band, despite being by far the smallest school in the division. Houlton's Jazz Band and Jazz Combo failed to place but performed well.
In addition to the Jazz groups, the high school music program produces a musical each November, has a concert band that performs two formal concerts each year as well as playing for community events, basketball, soccer and hockey games, a chorus, a chamber choir, and a percussion ensemble.
External links
- Houlton Online (http://www.houlton.com/)
- Greater Houlton Chamber of Commerce (http://www.greaterhoulton.com/)
- Houlton High School Home Page (http://www.sad29.k12.me.us/HS/HighSchool.html)
- Houlton Community Profile (http://www.hometownlocator.com/City/Houlton-Maine.cfm)
| |
|---|---|
| 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 |