Somerset County, ME

County

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2021 Population

50,424

0.295% 1-year decline

US Senator

Susan Collins

Republican Party

US Senator

Angus King

Independent Party

2021 Median Age

46.9

0% 1-year change

2021 Poverty Rate

17.9%

8.47% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$47,488

4.64% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$124,200

1.47% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

21,895

1.9% 1-year decline

About

In 2021, Somerset County, ME had a population of 50.4k people with a median age of 46.9 and a median household income of $47,488. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Somerset County, ME declined from 50,573 to 50,424, a −0.295% decrease and its median household income grew from $45,382 to $47,488, a 4.64% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Somerset County, ME are White (Non-Hispanic) (95.2%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.41%), White (Hispanic) (0.793%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (0.446%), and Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (0.399%).

None of the households in Somerset County, ME reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

99.3% of the residents in Somerset County, ME are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Somerset County, ME are Kennebec Valley Community College (449 degrees awarded in 2021).

In 2021, the median property value in Somerset County, ME was $124,200, and the homeownership rate was 77.4%.

Most people in Somerset County, ME drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 28 minutes. The average car ownership in Somerset County, ME was 2 cars per household.

Somerset County, ME borders Aroostook County, ME, Franklin County, ME, Kennebec County, ME, Penobscot County, ME, Piscataquis County, ME, and Waldo County, ME.

About the photo: Skowhegan, the county seat of Somerset County, Maine,

Photo by David Wilson

United States Maine

Population & Diversity

Somerset County, ME is home to a population of 50.4k people, from which 99.3% are citizens. As of 2021, 1.61% of Somerset County, ME residents were born outside of the country (813 people).

In 2021, there were 39.6 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (48k people) in Somerset County, ME than any other race or ethnicity. There were 1.21k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) and 400 White (Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

99.3%

2021 Citizenship

99.2%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 99.3% of Somerset County, ME residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Somerset County, ME was 99.2%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

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

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Somerset County, ME

White (Non-Hispanic)
48k ± 96
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
1.21k ± 153
White (Hispanic)
400 ± 87

1.2%

Hispanic Population

607 people

1.2% of the people in Somerset County, ME are hispanic (607 people).

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

Global Diversity

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

Most Common Origin

Canada
9,400 ± 2,372 people
Germany
2,803 ± 1,298 people
China
2,753 ± 1,287 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Maine was Canada, the natal country of 9,400 Maine residents, followed by Germany with 2,803 and China with 2,753.

Foreign-Born Population

1.61%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

813 people

1.74%

2020 Foreign-Born Population

878 people

As of 2021, 1.61% of Somerset County, ME residents (813 people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Somerset County, ME was 1.74%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

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

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,617 ± 226
Gulf War (1990s)
949 ± 271
Gulf War (2001-)
654 ± 183

Somerset County, ME has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.7 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Somerset County, ME employs 21.9k people. The largest industries in Somerset County, ME are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,460 people), Retail Trade (3,138 people), and Manufacturing (2,645 people), and the highest paying industries are Information ($51,779), Transportation & Warehousing ($49,707), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($49,043).

Males in Maine have an average income that is 1.23 times higher than the average income of females, which is $53,590. The income inequality in Maine (measured using the Gini index) is 0.436, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

21.9k

2021 Value

± 1,035

−1.9%

1 Year decline

± 6.8%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Somerset County, ME declined at a rate of −1.9%, from 22.3k employees to 21.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Somerset County, ME, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (2,863 people), Sales & Related Occupations (2,134 people), and Production Occupations (2,113 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Somerset County, ME.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

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

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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Industries

Employment by Industries

21.9k

2021 Value

± 1,035

−1.9%

1 Year decline

± 6.8%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Somerset County, ME declined at a rate of −1.9%, from 22.3k employees to 21.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Somerset County, ME, are Health Care & Social Assistance (3,460 people), Retail Trade (3,138 people), and Manufacturing (2,645 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Somerset County, ME, though some of these residents may live in Somerset County, ME and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$40,919

Median earning men ± $2,391

$28,402

Median earning women ± $1,614

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Information ($57,873), Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($53,500), and Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($51,026).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Public Administration ($41,594), Construction ($35,000), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($34,613).

Employment by Industry Sector

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

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Maine. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Maine.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

375
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
257
Retail Trade
252
Manufacturing

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$509k
Manufacturing
$186k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$63.4k
Retail Trade

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

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
$5.2B
Meat/seafood
$3.92B
Gasoline
$3.45B

In 2020, the top outbound Maine product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $5.2B, followed by Meat/seafood ($3.92B) and Gasoline ($3.45B).

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

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Maine.

$50.5B

2020 Value in Maine

$93.4B

Projected 2050 Value in Maine

84.7% growth

In 2020, total outbound Maine trade was $50.5B. This is expected to increase 84.7% to $93.4B by 2050.

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

In 2020, the top outbound Maine domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Massachusetts with $6.04B, followed by New Hampshire with $3.06B and Pennsylvania and $2.13B.

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

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Somerset County, ME went to Donald J. Trump with 59.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.6%), followed by Other (2.02%).

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 Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (59.7%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.6%)
Democratic Party
Other (2.02%)
Green and Other Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Somerset County, ME went to Donald J. Trump with 59.7% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (36.6%), followed by Other (2.02%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Somerset County, ME for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

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
The independent senators, Angus King of Maine and Bernie Sanders of Vermont, Senate Democratic Caucus|caucus with the Democrats.

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, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

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.

Education

In 2021, universities in Somerset County, ME awarded 449 degrees. The student population of Somerset County, ME in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 696 male students and 1,412 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Somerset County, ME are White (407 and 90.6%), followed by Hispanic or Latino (14 and 3.12%), Unknown (10 and 2.23%), and Two or More Races (8 and 1.78%).

The largest universities in Somerset County, ME by number of degrees awarded are Kennebec Valley Community College (449 and 100%).

The most popular majors in Somerset County, ME are General Health Services (57 and 12.7%), General Studies (42 and 9.35%), and Early Childhood Education & Teaching (27 and 6.01%).

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 2,108 students enrolled in Somerset County, ME, 33% men and 67% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in White with 1,859 records, of which 67.5% were women and 32.5% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Studies
42 degree-majors awarded
Early Childhood Education & Teaching
27 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
27 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Associates Degree recipients in Somerset County, ME was General Studies with 42 degrees awarded.

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

Universities

Gender

Race

Kennebec Valley Community College

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

449 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Kennebec Valley Community College with 449 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 154 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Somerset County, ME, which is 0.522 times less than the 295 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 407 degrees mean that there were 29.1 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Hispanic or Latino, with 14 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 2-year ($2,880) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($985) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 2-year ($1,400) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

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

Measure

In 2021, 0.483% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.455% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

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

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (350k), Some college (230k), and Bachelors Degree (219k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Somerset County, ME was $124,200 in 2021, which is 0.507 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $122,400 to $124,200, a 1.47% increase. The homeownership rate in Somerset County, ME is 77.4%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Somerset County, ME have an average commute time of 28 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Somerset County, ME is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Somerset County, ME is $47,488. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Somerset County, ME was Census Tract 9670 with a value of $64,181, followed by Census Tract 9661 and Census Tract 9658, with respective values of $59,432 and $51,213.

In 2022, 16.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Somerset County, ME. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.429%.

Housing

Property

$124,200

Median Property Value 2021

±$6,195

$16,721

Median Property Taxes

±$819

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Somerset County, ME the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Somerset County, ME compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

77.4%

Homeownership

2021

60.7%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 77.4% of the housing units in Somerset County, ME were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 76.5%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Somerset County, ME compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 9670
Census Tract 9661
Census Tract 9658

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Somerset County, ME was Census Tract 9670 with a value of $64,181, followed by Census Tract 9661 and Census Tract 9658, with respective values of $59,432 and $51,213.

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

Household Income

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

$47,488

Median Household Income

± $2,875

21.6k

Number of Households

± 1,003

In 2021, the median household income of the 21.6k households in Somerset County, ME grew to $47,488 from the previous year's value of $45,382.

The following chart displays the households in Somerset 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.

Wage Distribution

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

0.436

2021 Wage GINI in Maine

0.434

2020 Wage GINI in Maine

In 2021, the income inequality in Maine was 0.436 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.498% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Maine was lower than than the national average of 0.478. 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.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (77%)
Carpooled (11.1%)
Worked At Home (8.77%)

In 2021, 77% of workers in Somerset County, ME drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (11.1%) and those who worked at home (8.77%).

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.

Commute Time

28 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Somerset County, ME have a longer commute time (28 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 4.49% of the workforce in Somerset County, ME have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

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

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

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

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 16.2% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Somerset County, ME. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.429%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

17.9% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Somerset County, ME (8.87k out of 49.6k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 55 - 64, followed by Females 25 - 34 and then Males 25 - 34.

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

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.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 18.5% of the children was living in poverty in Somerset County, ME. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 7.3%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

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.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 136 in Somerset County, ME. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 37.6 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

91.4% of the population of Somerset County, ME has health coverage, with 37.9% on employee plans, 24.6% on Medicaid, 13% on Medicare, 12.7% on non-group plans, and 3.19% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Somerset County, ME see 1870 patients per year on average, which represents a 3.49% increase from the previous year (1807 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 4603 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 569 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,870 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Somerset County, ME

Primary care physicians in Somerset County, ME see an average of 1,870 patients per year. This represents a 3.49% increase from the previous year (1,807 patients).

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

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 20.2% under 18 years, 16.4% between 18 and 34 years, 42.4% between 35 and 64 years, and 21% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 49.1% were men and 50.9% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

8.6%

Uninsured

37.9%

Employer Coverage

24.6%

Medicaid

13%

Medicare

12.7%

Non-Group

3.19%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Somerset County, ME declined by 7.16% from 9.27% to 8.6%.

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

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 52.4 in Somerset County, ME.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Somerset County, ME.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 33.5% in Somerset County, ME.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Somerset County, ME.

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