Monhegan, Maine
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Monhegan is an island located in Lincoln County, Maine about 12 NM off the coast. As of the 2000 census, the island had a total year-round population of 75. The island got its start as a British fishing camp prior to the settlement of the Plymouth Colony. The British would harvest cod from the rich fishing grounds of the Gulf of Maine then dry the fish on the island before shipping them to Europe.
Today fishing still dominates Monhegan’s economy. From December through May the fisherman harvest lobsters from the only lobster conservation area in the state of Maine. The summer months bring artists and tourists to view the migrating island birds and the amazing ocean views. Traveling to the island brings you back to what coastal Maine was like 100 years ago.
The art colony on Monhegan dates to the mid-19th century, and has included prominent figures such as Rockwell Kent, Edward Hopper, N. C. Wyeth, Andrew Wyeth, and Jamie Wyeth.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the plantation has a total area of 11.7 km² (4.5 mi²). 2.2 km² (0.9 mi²) of it is land and 9.5 km² (3.7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 80.97% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 75 people, 46 households, and 21 families residing in the plantation. The population density is 33.7/km² (87.5/mi²). There are 177 housing units at an average density of 79.5/km² (206.4/mi²). The racial makeup of the plantation is 97.33% White, 0.00% African American, 0.00% Native American, 2.67% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.00% from two or more races. 0.00% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 46 households out of which 13.0% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.6% are married couples living together, 4.3% have a female householder with no husband present, and 54.3% are non-families. 47.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 4.3% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 1.63 and the average family size is 2.24.
In the plantation the population is spread out with 10.7% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 29.3% from 25 to 44, 37.3% from 45 to 64, and 14.7% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 48 years. For every 100 females there are 127.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 116.1 males.
The median income for a household in the plantation is $26,250, and the median income for a family is $53,125. Males have a median income of $36,563 versus $13,333 for females. The per capita income for the plantation is $20,568. 3.8% of the population and 10.5% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 10.0% of those under the age of 18 and 0.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
Art
For many years, Monhegan has attracted numerous artists. These have included Edward Hopper and Rockwell Kent, who both painted the cliffs at Blackhead, Monhegan.
Jpeg image (http://www.ibiblio.org/wm/paint/auth/hopper/landscapes/hopper.blackhead.jpg) (1068x784 pixels) of Hopper's painting.
Jpeg image (http://clubs.plattsburgh.edu/museum/rk_1784a.jpg) (539x431 pixels) of Kent's painting.
