Lincoln County, Maine is located on the Mid-Coast region of Maine and is the state’s third-largest county by area. The county has a population of 34,829 people as of 2020, with a median age of 44.7 years. The median household income for Lincoln County is $53,443 and the poverty rate is 8.4%.
The county seat of Lincoln County is Wiscasset, which is also the largest town in the county with a population of 3,732 as of 2020. Other major towns in the county include Boothbay Harbor (population 2,207), Newcastle (population 1,366), and Damariscotta (population 1,084). The total land area of Lincoln County covers 654 square miles and it includes several islands off its coast including Monhegan Island.
The economy in Lincoln County is largely driven by tourism with attractions such as Boothbay Harbor’s waterfront shops and restaurants; Damariscotta’s historic downtown; Wiscasset’s picturesque harbor; and Newcastle’s Fort Edgecomb State Historic Site. The fishing industry is also an important part of Lincoln County’s economy with lobster being one of its most popular catches. Additionally, there are several large employers located in the county such as Bath Iron Works Corporation; Bigelow Laboratory for Ocean Sciences; Maine Maritime Academy; Mid Coast Hospital; and Walmart Distribution Center.
Lincoln County has many educational opportunities available to its residents including public schools such as Boothbay Region High School and Wiscasset Middle High School as well as private schools like Waynflete School in Portland and Cheverus High School in Portland. Additionally, higher educational institutions located nearby include University of New England in Biddeford and Bowdoin College in Brunswick among others.
Lincoln County offers plenty for visitors to explore including its picturesque coastline dotted with lighthouses like Pemaquid Point Lighthouse or Fort Edgecomb State Historic Site which provides stunning views from atop its fortification walls overlooking Muscongus Bay. There are also plenty of outdoor activities to enjoy such as hiking at Camden Hills State Park or whale watching along its coastlines during migration season.
History of Lincoln County, Maine
Lincoln County, Maine is one of the oldest counties in the United States. It was established in 1760 as part of Massachusetts and named after General Benjamin Lincoln. In 1820, it became part of the newly formed state of Maine. The county seat is Wiscasset, which was first settled in 1632 and incorporated in 1760. The county has a total land area of 654 square miles and includes several islands off its coast including Monhegan Island.
The history of Lincoln County is closely intertwined with that of the Native Americans who lived there for thousands of years before Europeans arrived. The Abenaki were the first inhabitants and they lived along the coast and inland waterways. They were well known for their fishing and hunting skills as well as their skill at making canoes from birch bark.
In 1605, French explorer Samuel de Champlain visited what is now Lincoln County, making contact with the local Native Americans whom he called “les Abenaquis” or “the People of the Dawn” because he had arrived there just before dawn one day.
In 1614, English explorer John Smith sailed up Penobscot Bay to what is now Boothbay Harbor and named it Cape Newagen after his friend Sir Ferdinando Gorges who had been granted a royal charter to establish a colony in New England by King James I in 1620. This eventually led to further English settlement in Maine which began during the 1620s around present-day Wiscasset where land was granted to families from England by Gorges’ company known as The Council for New England or The Plymouth Company.
During the American Revolution, Lincoln County played an important role due to its strategic location on Penobscot Bay and its access to Canadian ports like Machias which was used by smugglers carrying supplies for George Washington’s troops during their march on Quebec City in 1775-76. Additionally, many privateers operated out of Lincoln County during this time targeting British ships while supporting American troops with supplies such as food, ammunition and even clothing when needed.
Lincoln County continued to grow throughout the 19th century with more settlers coming from Europe including Irish immigrants who settled around Damariscotta Lake during this time period. As more people moved into Lincoln County so did industry including timber mills, shipbuilding yards, fisheries, brickyards and quarries which provided much-needed jobs for these new residents while helping develop towns such as Boothbay Harbor into thriving waterfront communities that are still enjoyed today by both visitors and locals alike.
Major cities and towns in Lincoln County, Maine
According to AbbreviationFinder, Lincoln County, Maine is home to a variety of cities and towns, each with its own unique characteristics and attractions. One of the most populous cities in the county is Boothbay Harbor, located on the Midcoast region. This picturesque harbor town is home to a variety of businesses, shops, restaurants, and lodging options for visitors. On the east side of the harbor lies East Boothbay Village which is known for its charming boutiques and galleries that line Main Street. In addition to its shopping district, Boothbay Harbor also offers a variety of outdoor recreational activities such as fishing, sailing, kayaking and whale watching.
Damariscotta is another popular city in Lincoln County that boasts a vibrant downtown district full of shops and restaurants as well as beautiful architecture that dates back to the late 1700s. This charming coastal town also offers plenty of activities such as visiting local lighthouses or taking part in events such as Damariscotta’s annual Pumpkinfest which takes place every fall.
Wiscasset is another historic city located on the Sheepscot River in Lincoln County with plenty to offer visitors including an array of antique stores along Water Street as well as an abundance of outdoor recreational activities including biking or walking along the Sheepscot River Trail or boating on nearby lakes like Lake St George. Additionally, Wiscasset hosts several festivals throughout the year such as their popular Fourth of July celebration featuring fireworks over the harbor each year.
Other notable cities and towns in Lincoln County include Newcastle which has one of Maine’s oldest public libraries dating back to 1818; Waldoboro which is known for its German-style architecture; Bristol which was founded by fishermen from England; Edgecomb which boasts numerous trails leading visitors through scenic forests; South Bristol where visitors can find one-of-a-kind antiques; Waldoborough where people can explore historic buildings like Fort Edgecomb State Park; Whitefield which was once an important shipbuilding center during colonial times; Dresden with its unique art galleries and theaters; Jefferson where visitors can take part in outdoor activities like hiking or canoeing on Great Pond; Nobleboro offering views of some stunning waterfalls at Moxie Falls State Park; Alna with its quaint village green offering plenty of outdoor recreation opportunities such as camping or picnicking along Sheepscot River; Somerville boasting gorgeous views from Sandy Point Beach Park; Waltham boasting numerous parks including Damariscotta Lake State Park for fishing or swimming during warmer months; Palermo home to two large lakes – Salmon Lake and Little Salmon Lake – perfect for swimming during summer months; Westport Island located just off shore from Boothbay Harbor offering stunning views over Casco Bay from its rocky coastline; Washington with its two covered bridges crossing over Mill River near Wiscasset Woods Lodge Nature Sanctuary; Monhegan Island famed for being an artist’s haven due to its rugged beauty and inspiring vistas over Penobscot Bay; Round Pond providing plenty of opportunities for fishing; Bremen featuring lovely views over Muscongus Bay; Troy offering outstanding views over Belfast Bay while still remaining close enough to local amenities; Union providing plenty of opportunities for boating on nearby lakes such as Donnell Pond; Southport known for being one of Maine’s oldest summer resorts due to its beautiful beaches along Casco Bay; Liberty featuring stunning scenery around Donnell Pond State Park; Friendship renowned for being home to some fantastic seafood restaurants overlooking Muscongus Bay; Waldo famous for hosting Maine Lobster Festival each August; Somerville boasting magnificent views from Sandy Point Beach Park.
Population in Lincoln County, Maine
According to maternityetchic.com, Lincoln County is located in the state of Maine and has a population of 34,202 people as of the 2020 census. The county seat is Wiscasset. The majority of the population is white, making up 84.7% of the total population. African Americans make up 8.3%, Asian Americans make up 2.3%, Native Americans make up 1%, and other races make up 3.7%. The median age in Lincoln County is 48 years old. The gender ratio is almost equal, with 50.6% female and 49.4% male residents living there.
The median household income in Lincoln County is $52,914 per year with 22% of families living below the poverty line. Education attainment levels are slightly above average for Maine with 88% of adults having a high school diploma or higher and 28% having a bachelor’s degree or higher level of education attained. Unemployment rates are slightly below the national average at 3%. Industry sectors that are most prominent in Lincoln County include healthcare, retail trade, manufacturing, construction, accommodation & food services, and educational services & health care & social assistance combined together account for 33% of all employment within the county.