Penobscot County, ME

County

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Population

151,748

0.352% 1-year decline

US Senator

Susan Collins

Republican Party

US Senator

Angus King

Independent Party

Median Age

42.1

Poverty Rate

15.7%

Median Household Income

$49,374

3.11% 1-year growth

Median Property Value

$140,800

2.1% 1-year growth

Number of Employees

72,687

0.0811% 1-year decline

About

In 2018, Penobscot County, ME had a population of 152k people with a median age of 42.1 and a median household income of $49,374. Between 2017 and 2018 the population of Penobscot County, ME declined from 152,284 to 151,748, a -0.352% decrease and its median household income grew from $47,886 to $49,374, a 3.11% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Penobscot County, ME are White (Non-Hispanic) (93.9%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (1.78%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.03%), American Indian & Alaska Native (Non-Hispanic) (0.997%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (0.873%). NaNk% of the people in Penobscot County, ME speak a non-English language, and 98.6% are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Penobscot County, ME are University of Maine (2,304 degrees awarded in 2017), Husson University (882 degrees), and Eastern Maine Community College (399 degrees).

The median property value in Penobscot County, ME is $140,800, and the homeownership rate is 69.7%. Most people in Penobscot County, ME commute by Drove Alone, and the average commute time is 21.5 minutes. The average car ownership in Penobscot County, ME is 2 cars per household.

Penobscot County, ME borders Aroostook County, ME, Hancock County, ME, Piscataquis County, ME, Somerset County, ME, Washington County, ME, and Waldo County, ME.

About the photo: The older suspension bridge is in front of the new cable-stayed bridge across the Penobscot River. Taken from Fort Knox. Verona Island across the water.

Photo by lastonein

United States Maine Bangor, ME

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Maine. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Maine, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Impact on Employment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maine.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Maine (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maine.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Maine across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Penobscot County, ME went to Donald J. Trump with 51.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (40.8%), followed by Other (7.55%). The most partisan county was Cumberland County, ME with 59.9% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

Susan Collins and Angus King are the senators currently representing the state of Maine. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Maine is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2016 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (51.7%)
Republican Party
Hillary Rodham Clinton (40.8%)
Democratic Party
Other (7.55%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Maine went to Donald J. Trump with 51.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Hillary Rodham Clinton (40.8%), followed by Other (7.55%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Maine for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Maine.

Donald J. Trump

Popular Vote for Penobscot County, ME

51.7% for the Republican Party

Most Partisan Counties in Maine

Cumberland County, ME
59.9% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Piscataquis County, ME
58.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Somerset County, ME
57.6% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Maine was Cumberland County, ME with 59.9% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Maine colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Maine

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Maine.

Susan Collins

Senator from Maine

Assumed office on January 3, 1997

Angus King

Senator from Maine

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Susan Collins and Angus King are the senators currently representing Maine.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Maine over time, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Maine

Maine is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Maine have changed over time starting in 2008.

Diversity

Penobscot County, ME is home to a population of 152k people, from which 98.6% are citizens. As of 2018, 2.73% of Penobscot County, ME residents were born outside of the country (4.15k people).

In 2018, there were 52.7 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (142k people) in Penobscot County, ME than any other race or ethnicity. There were 2.7k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 1.56k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Penobscot County, ME

White (Non-Hispanic)
142k ± 91
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
2.7k ± 297
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
1.56k ± 154

1.32%

Hispanic Population

2.01k people

1.32% of the people in Penobscot County, ME are hispanic (2.01k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Penobscot County, ME as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

2.73%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

4.15k people

2.68%

2017 Foreign-Born Population

4.09k people

As of 2018, 2.73% of Penobscot County, ME residents (4.15k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.7%. In 2017, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Penobscot County, ME was 2.68%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Penobscot County, ME compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.3

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2.5

In 2018, the median age of all people in Penobscot County, ME was 42.1. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 42, were generally younger than than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 43. But people in Penobscot County, ME are getting getting older. In 2017, the average age of all Penobscot County, ME residents was 42.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Maine.

Most Common Origin

Canada
9,674 ± 2,406 people
Philippines
2,503 ± 1,227 people
China
2,372 ± 1,195 people

In 2017, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Maine was Canada, the natal country of 9,674 Maine residents, followed by Philippines with 2,503 and China with 2,372.

Citizenship

98.6%

2018 Citizenship

98.6%

2017 Citizenship

As of 2018, 98.6% of Penobscot County, ME residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.2%. In 2017, the percentage of US citizens in Penobscot County, ME was 98.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Penobscot County, ME compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
3,839 ± 308
Gulf War (2001-)
1,987 ± 323
Gulf War (1990s)
1,594 ± 235

Penobscot County, ME has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.93 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Penobscot County, ME is $49,374. In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Penobscot County, ME was Census Tract 20 with a value of $87,018, followed by Census Tract 62 and Census Tract 7, with respective values of $76,406 and $73,679.

Males in Maine have an average income that is 1.3 times higher than the average income of females, which is $44,792. The income inequality in Maine (measured using the Gini index) is 0.447, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Penobscot County, ME employs 72.7k people. The largest industries in Penobscot County, ME are Health Care & Social Assistance (14,929 people), Retail Trade (11,259 people), and Educational Services (10,116 people), and the highest paying industries are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($155,893), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($107,734), and Utilities ($62,125).

Wages

Median Household Income

$49,374

2018 value

± $1,640

3.11%

1 Year Growth

± 4.02%

Households in Penobscot County, ME have a median annual income of $49,374, which is less than the median annual income of $61,937 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $47,886 in 2017, which represents a 3.11% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Penobscot County, ME compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Maine.

$58,075

Average Male Salary in Maine

± $2,642

$44,792

Average Female Salary in Maine

± $1,926

In 2017, full-time male employees in Maine made 1.3 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Maine by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Maine.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Maine

Asian
$48,746 ± $19,436
White
$43,832 ± $1,466
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander
$41,588 ± $101,474

In 2017 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Maine workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.11 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Maine.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Maine by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Penobscot County, ME is from Maine.

0.447

2017 Wage GINI in Maine

0.45

2016 Wage GINI in Maine

In 2017, the income inequality in Maine was 0.447 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.62% decline from 2016 to 2017, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Maine was lower than than the national average of 0.479. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Maine in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Maine across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 20
Census Tract 62
Census Tract 7

In 2018, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Penobscot County, ME was Census Tract 20 with a value of $87,018, followed by Census Tract 62 and Census Tract 7, with respective values of $76,406 and $73,679.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Penobscot County, ME colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 18 - 24

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

15.7% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Penobscot County, ME (22.7k out of 145k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 13.1%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 18 - 24, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 18 - 24.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
20,714 ± 931
Two Or More
830 ± 189
Native American
687 ± 137

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Penobscot County, ME is White, followed by Two Or More and Native American.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

72.7k

2018 Value

± 1,689

-0.0811%

1 Year decline

± 3.32%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Penobscot County, ME declined at a rate of -0.0811%, from 72.7k employees to 72.7k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Penobscot County, ME, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (8,897 people), Sales & Related Occupations (7,997 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (6,111 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Penobscot County, ME.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Penobscot County, ME, by number of employees, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (8,897 people), Sales & Related Occupations (7,997 people), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (6,111 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Penobscot County, ME has an unusually high number of residents working as Community & Social Service Occupations (1.49 times higher than expected), Healthcare Support Occupations (1.45 times), and Education Instruction, & Library Occupations (1.39 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Penobscot County, ME, by median earnings, are Health Diagnosing & Treating Practitioners & Other Technical Occupations ($65,145), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($59,970), and Healthcare Practitioners & Technical Occupations ($59,260).

Industries

Employment by Industries

72.7k

2018 Value

± 1,689

-0.0811%

1 Year decline

± 3.32%

From 2017 to 2018, employment in Penobscot County, ME declined at a rate of -0.0811%, from 72.7k employees to 72.7k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Penobscot County, ME, are Health Care & Social Assistance (14,929 people), Retail Trade (11,259 people), and Educational Services (10,116 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Penobscot County, ME, though some of these residents may live in Penobscot County, ME and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Penobscot County, ME, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (14,929 people), Retail Trade (11,259 people), and Educational Services (10,116 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other counties, Penobscot County, ME has an unusually high number of Educational Services (1.5 times higher than expected), Health Care & Social Assistance (1.48 times), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting (1.38 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Penobscot County, ME, by median earnings, are Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($155,893), Management of Companies & Enterprises ($107,734), and Utilities ($62,125).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Maine to other states, or from other states to Maine.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

Mixed freight
$7.7B
Fuel oils
$3.41B
Gasoline
$3.1B

In 2015, the top outbound Maine product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $7.7B, followed by Fuel oils ($3.41B) and Gasoline ($3.1B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Maine products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Maine.

$41.8B

2015 Value in Maine

$56.8B

Projected 2045 Value in Maine

36.1% growth

In 2015, total outbound Maine trade was $41.8B. This is expected to increase 36.1% to $56.8B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Maine trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Maine to other states, or from other states to Maine.

Most Common Trade Partners

Massachusetts
$3.48B
New Hampshire
$3.07B
New York
$2.42B

In 2015, the top outbound Maine domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Massachusetts with $3.48B, followed by New Hampshire with $3.07B and New York and $2.42B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Maine shares with each state (excluding itself).

Education

In 2017, universities in Penobscot County, ME awarded 3,693 degrees. The student population of Penobscot County, ME is skewed towards women, with 8,448 male students and 9,255 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Penobscot County, ME are White (3,041 and 85.6%), followed by Unknown (192 and 5.41%), Hispanic or Latino (81 and 2.28%), and Two or More Races (74 and 2.08%).

The largest universities in Penobscot County, ME by number of degrees awarded are University of Maine (2,304 and 62.4%), Husson University (882 and 23.9%), and Eastern Maine Community College (399 and 10.8%).

The most popular majors in Penobscot County, ME are General Business Administration & Management (362 and 9.8%), Registered Nursing (161 and 4.36%), and General Psychology (141 and 3.82%).

The median tuition costs in Penobscot County, ME are $16,530 for private four year colleges, and $8,580 and $27,960 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

General Psychology
129 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
128 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
185 degree-majorss awarded

In 2015, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Penobscot County, ME was General Psychology with 129 degree-majorss awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Penobscot County, ME according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Maine
2,304 degrees awarded
Husson University
882 degrees awarded
Eastern Maine Community College
399 degrees awarded

$8,580

Median In-State Public

$16,530

Median Private

In 2017, the Penobscot County, ME institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Maine with 2,304 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

1,690

Degrees Awarded to Men

2,003

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2017, 1,690 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Penobscot County, ME, which is 0.844 times less than the 2,003 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Penobscot County, ME by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
3,041 degrees awarded
Unknown
192 degrees awarded
Hispanic or Latino
81 degrees awarded

In 2017 the majority of degrees awarded at institutions in Penobscot County, ME were to White students. These 3,041 degrees mean that there were 15.8 times more White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 192 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Penobscot County, ME was $140,800 in 2018, which is 0.613 times smaller than the national average of $229,700. Between 2017 and 2018 the median property value increased from $137,900 to $140,800, a 2.1% increase. The homeownership rate in Penobscot County, ME is 69.7%, which is higher than the national average of 63.9%. People in Penobscot County, ME have an average commute time of 21.5 minutes, and they commute by Drove Alone. Car ownership in Penobscot County, ME is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$140,800

2018 Median

± $2,512

$137,900

2017 Median

± $2,832

In 2018, the median property value in Penobscot County, ME grew to to $140,800 from the previous year's value of $137,900.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Penobscot County, ME compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Penobscot County, ME the largest share of households have a property value in the N/A range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$49,374

Median Household Income

± $1,640

61.6k

Number of Households

± 1,574

In 2018, the median household income of the 61.6k households in Penobscot County, ME grew to $49,374 from the previous year's value of $47,886.

The following chart displays the households in Penobscot County, ME distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$2k - $3k

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Penobscot County, ME distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Penobscot County, ME the largest share of households pay taxes in the $2k - $3k range.

Rent vs Own

69.7%

2018 Homeownership

69.7%

2017 Homeownership

In 2018, 69.7% of the housing units in Penobscot County, ME were occupied by their owner. This percentage declined from the previous year's rate of 69.7%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is higher than the national average of 63.9%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Penobscot County, ME compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

21.5 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Penobscot County, ME have a shorter commute time (21.5 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.3 minutes). Additionally, 2.4% of the workforce in Penobscot County, ME have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Penobscot County, ME compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Method of Travel

Drove Alone
79.4%
Carpooled
10.6%
Worked At Home
4.17%

In 2018, the most common method of travel for workers in Penobscot County, ME was Drove Alone (79.4%), followed by those who Carpooled (10.6%) and those who Worked At Home (4.17%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Penobscot County, ME distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Penobscot County, ME have 2 cars, followed by 3 cars.

Health

90.5% of the population of Penobscot County, ME has health coverage, with 44.8% on employee plans, 17.4% on Medicaid, 11.4% on Medicare, 14.4% on non-group plans, and 2.44% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Maine was $9,531 in 2014. This is a 4.36% increase from the previous year ($9,133).

Primary care physicians in Penobscot County, ME see 791 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.67% increase from the previous year (763 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1320 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 205 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Washington County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (12.6%). Additionally, Aroostook County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (34.7%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

791 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Penobscot County, ME

Primary care physicians in Penobscot County, ME see an average of 791 patients per year. This represents a 3.67% increase from the previous year (763 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Penobscot County, ME in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maine.

$9,531

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Maine

$5,015

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,504

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,325

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Maine (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.36%, from $9,133 to $9,531.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

9.53%

Uninsured

44.8%

Employer Coverage

17.4%

Medicaid

11.4%

Medicare

14.4%

Non-Group

2.44%

Military or VA

Between 2017 and 2018, the percent of uninsured citizens in Penobscot County, ME declined by 7.72% from 10.3% to 9.53%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Penobscot County, ME changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.