Washington County

county

Washington County, Maine

Overview

Geography

Region: Eastern Maine
Total Area: 3,258 sq mi
Land Area: 2,563 sq mi
Water Area: 695 sq mi
Latitude: 44.940006
Longitude: -67.550331
Climate: Washington County experiences a variable climate typical of Maine, with cold, snowy winters and mild summers.
Notable Features: Rugged coastline · West Quoddy Head (easternmost point in the US) · Chiputneticook Lakes · St. Croix River · Passamaquoddy Bay
Neighboring Areas: Hancock County (southwest) · Penobscot County (northwest) · Aroostook County (northwest) · York County, New Brunswick, Canada (northeast) · Charlotte County, New Brunswick, Canada (east)

Demographics

Population (2020): 31,095
Est. Population (2024): 31,383
Median Age: 48.6
Median Income: $52,237
Poverty Rate: 17.09%
Family Households: 60.6%
Owner-Occupied: 76.8%
Racial & Ethnic Composition: The racial makeup of the county was 88.0% White, 4.5% American Indian and Alaska Native, 0.5% Black or African American, 0.4% Asian, 0.0% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 0.9% from some other race, and 4.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 2.1% of the population.

Economy

Unemployment Rate: 5.4%
Economic Profile: Natural resources comprise a large portion of economic activity
Employment Sectors: Health Care & Social Assistance · Educational Services · Retail Trade · Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing and Hunting

Infrastructure

Recreation

Outdoor Access: Yes
Major Recreation Areas: Moosehorn National Wildlife Refuge · Cobscook Bay State Park · Quoddy Head State Park · Roque Bluffs State Park

History

Founded: 1789
Named After: George Washington
Historical Significance: Washington County's history is tied to early American settlement, maritime activities, and resource extraction.
Key Events: First naval battle of the American Revolution occurred in Machias Bay (1775) · St. Croix Island was the site of a temporary French settlement in 1604