Yarmouth, Maine
|
|
Yarmouth is a town located in Cumberland County, Maine. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 8,360.
Yarmouth is a small town along the coast of Maine about a thirty minute drive north of Portland, Maine. For a small town it is very afluent, especially for Maine. There are many tourist attractions during the summer such as the Clam Festival and the large scale model of the Earth, Eartha, at the headquarters of Delorme.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 59.0 km² (22.8 mi²). 34.6 km² (13.3 mi²) of it is land and 24.4 km² (9.4 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 41.44% water.
Yarmouth is nearly square in form, and is divided through the middle by Royal River. Cousin's River separates it from Freeport on the north-east, and the latter with Pownal bound it on the east, North Yarmouth on the north, Cumberland on the west and Casco Bay on the south. Included in the corporation are also Cousin's Island, Lane's Island, Great and Little Moges, Little John's and Crab islands.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 8,360 people, 3,432 households, and 2,306 families residing in the town. The population density is 242.0/km² (626.7/mi²). There are 3,704 housing units at an average density of 107.2/km² (277.7/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 98.49% White, 0.37% Black or African American, 0.04% Native American, 0.36% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.22% from other races, and 0.50% from two or more races. 0.59% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 3,432 households out of which 33.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% are married couples living together, 7.7% have a female householder with no husband present, and 32.8% are non-families. 27.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.41 and the average family size is 2.96.
In the town the population is spread out with 24.6% under the age of 18, 5.4% from 18 to 24, 26.3% from 25 to 44, 29.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.6% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 92.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 86.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $58,030, and the median income for a family is $73,234. Males have a median income of $48,456 versus $34,075 for females. The per capita income for the town is $34,317. 4.4% of the population and 4.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.2% of those under the age of 18 and 4.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
History
When settlers arrived at Yarmouth's site in 1640, they found a fort already built, which had for some time been occupied by George Felt, who indeed had purchased it of John Phillips, a Welshman. In 1646, William Royall purchased a farm on the river which has ever since borne his name. This stream and its vicinity was called by the Indians, Wescustego. John Cousins had arrived a year or more earlier than Royall, occupying the neck of land between the branches of the stream which has since been called Cousin's River, and owning the island now bearing his name.
In 1688, while the inhabitants on the eastern side of the river were building a garrison, they were attacked by Indians, and attempted a defence. They continued the contest until night, when the Indians retired. It was not long before they appeared again, in such force that the thirty-six families of the settlement were forced to flee, abandoning their homes.
It was not until about 1713 that settlers revisted their homes, when they found their fields and the sites of their habitations covered by a young growth of trees. Among the new proprietors at the time were descendants of the Plymouth pilgrims. Until after the year 1756 the Indians were again very troublesome. In 1725 William and Matthew Scales and Joseph Felt were killed, and the wife and children of the latter carried into captivity. A grandson of Felt, Joseph Weare, became a noted scout, pursuing the savages with unrelenting hate at every opportumty. In August, 1746, a party of thirty-two Indians secreted themselves near the lower falls for the purpose of surprising Weare's garrison, killing Philip Greely, who came in their way. This was the last attack of savages which occurred within the limits of the town.
Yarmouth constituted the eastern part of North Yarmouth until 1849, when it was set off and incorporated as an independent town.
See also: Yarmouth (CDP), Maine