Penobscot County

As of the 2020 Census, Penobscot County, ME has a population of approximately 152,199. The racial makeup includes 93.6% White, 1.6% African American, 1.4% Native American, 1.3% Asian, and 2.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals make up 1.6% of the population. The median household income is around $49,990, and about 14.5% of residents live below the poverty line. The county spans 3,557 square miles, with Bangor being the largest city and county seat. The median age is approximately 41.9 years.

As of recent data, Penobscot County in Maine has a median home value of approximately $181,000. The median rent is around $850 per month. The county has a homeownership rate of about 71%, and the average household size is 2.3 persons. The housing market has seen a modest annual appreciation rate of around 5%. Vacancy rates for homeowner housing are approximately 1.5%, while rental vacancy rates hover around 6%.

In Penobscot County, Maine, voters participate in federal, state, and local elections. The county's election officials manage the voting process, and detailed information is available through the county's official website or local municipal offices.

For the most recent elections:

1. Federal Elections:

   • Presidential: Penobscot County voters' turnout is typically 65-70%. In 2020, Joe Biden received around 48% of the vote, while Donald Trump garnered approximately 49%.

2. State Elections:

   • Governorship: In the 2018 gubernatorial race, Democrat Janet Mills won with a significant margin in Penobscot County.
   • Legislative: Penobscot County is represented in the Maine State Legislature by multiple districts, each with its representatives and state senators.

3. Local Elections:

   • County Officials: Positions like County Commissioner, Sheriff, and District Attorney are elected. Recent candidates for commissioner included Republican Peter Baldacci and Democrat Laura Sanborn, with Baldacci winning narrowly.

For the most precise and updated information, consult Penobscot County’s official resources or local news outlets, especially as candidates and election data can vary per

Penobscot County, ME, has several noteworthy educational statistics. As of recent data, about 90.6% of residents over the age of 25 have completed high school, compared to the national average of approximately 88.5%. In terms of higher education, around 28.5% hold a bachelor's degree or higher, which is slightly below the national average of 33.1%. At the state level, Maine's averages are close, with a high school graduation rate of 92% and 32% holding at least a bachelor's degree. Thus, while Penobscot County generally mirrors national and state trends for high school graduation, it falls a bit short in higher education attainment.

As of the most recent data available in 2022, Penobscot County, ME has an estimated labor force of around 77,000 people. The unemployment rate in the county stands at approximately 4.1%, which mirrors the national average but is slightly above Maine’s state average of 3.5%.

Top industries in Penobscot County include Healthcare and Social Assistance, Retail Trade, and Education Services. Specifically, the healthcare sector employs around 20% of the workforce, retail accounts for 14%, and educational services represent 10%.

Comparatively, nationwide, Healthcare and Social Assistance also dominate but to a slightly lesser extent, employing about 16% of the workforce. Retail Trade matches closely at 13%, while Educational Services is somewhat lower at 8%. Penobscot County's emphasis on education and healthcare reflects higher engagement in these sectors than the national average, likely attributed to regional institutions like the University of Maine and Eastern Maine Medical Center.

As of the most recent data, the average household income in Penobscot County, ME, is approximately $48,500. This figure is below both the state of Maine's average household income, which stands at roughly $56,500, and the national average, which is around $68,700.

Penobscot County, therefore, has an average income approximately 14% less than the state's average and about 29% less than the national average. This economic disparity highlights the relative underperformance in income levels within the county compared to broader regional and national metrics.

As of the latest data available, Penobscot County in Maine has a general crime rate of approximately 2,700 incidents per 100,000 residents. This includes various types of criminal activities ranging from violent crimes to property crimes. Here’s a breakdown by category:

These numbers fluctuate year by year, but they provide a general overview of the crime landscape in Penobscot County. Local law enforcement and community initiatives continue to work toward reducing these rates and enhancing public safety.