Millinocket, Maine
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Millinocket is a mill town in Penobscot County, Maine, USA. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 5,203.
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History
It began with the selection of a site for the Great Northern Paper Company in 1899. Charles W. Mullen, an engineering graduate from the University of Maine, intended to build a hydroelectric dam on the Penobscot River. He contacted Garret Schenck, a recognized expert in the pulp and paper industry, about building a pulp and paper mill near the proposed new dam. Mr. Schenck agreed, and set about obtaining the necessary financial backing.
After securing land rights, the chosen site was at the junction of the West Branch of the Penobscot River and Millinocket Stream, where it stands today.
Things moved quickly, and by the spring of 1899, a new company was formed, to be called the Great Northern Paper Company. As the location of the mill was not near any existing towns, it became necessary to build a town to house the people who were to be employed at the mill. Thus were the beginnings of the town of Millinocket, Maine.
Throughout the 20th century the town prospered and developed a reputation as a good example of a successful rural small town, mostly due to the paper industry, but also due to its proximity to Mount Kathadin, Maine's tallest mountain, and Moosehead Lake, Maine's largest lake.
In early 2003, however Great Northern Paper announced enormous layoffs in its Millinocket plant. Since then the town has struggled to reshape its economy, receiving significant help from the state government. Millinocket has been growing a service economy and has grown into a major whitewater rafting center. It has a well deserved reputation as a attractive town in one of the state's prettiest regions.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 47.4 km² (18.3 mi²). 41.2 km² (15.9 mi²) of it is land and 6.2 km² (2.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 13.17% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 5,203 people, 2,295 households, and 1,556 families residing in the town. The population density is 126.4/km² (327.5/mi²). There are 2,679 housing units at an average density of 65.1/km² (168.6/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 98.52% White, 0.10% Black or African American, 0.54% Native American, 0.37% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.02% from other races, and 0.46% from two or more races. 0.23% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 2,295 households out of which 25.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.7% are married couples living together, 9.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.2% are non-families. 28.3% of all households are made up of individuals and 14.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.25 and the average family size is 2.69.
In the town the population is spread out with 21.1% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 25.0% from 25 to 44, 29.7% from 45 to 64, and 19.4% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 44 years. For every 100 females there are 93.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 90.5 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $29,318, and the median income for a family is $40,893. Males have a median income of $41,218 versus $23,289 for females. The per capita income for the town is $17,130. 14.8% of the population and 11.8% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.4% of those under the age of 18 and 12.4% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
See also
External links
- Town of Millinocket (http://www.millinocket.org/)
- Katahdin Area Chamber of Commerce (http://www.katahdinmaine.com/)
- Magic City Morning Star (http://magic-city-news.com/)
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| Regions: |
Down East | Maine Atlantic Coast | Maine Highlands | North Woods | Western Maine Mountains |
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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 |
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