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Some Statistics . . .
The population is 51,791 for Hancock County and 33,941 for Washington
County,
yielding a total population of 85,732. Hancock County comprises
1,588
square miles, with a density of 32.6 persons per square mile. However,
90% of the region's population lives within five miles of the
coastline.
The population density of the nation is 79.6 people per square mile,
with
Maine at 41.3 people per square mile. The sparse population of
the
down east area hampers efforts to improve the economy.
The employment rate fluctuates greatly between summer
and winter months
because of the influx of summer tourists and the seasonal nature of
many
local industries. Self-employment accounts for 16.5% of the employment
in Hancock County and 17.6% of the employment in Washington County. Per
capita income in Hancock is $12,437, with a median family income of
$33,140.
Per capita income in Washington County is $9,607, with a median family
income of $25,673. Although rich in natural beauty, Washington
County
has the highest poverty and unemployment rate in the state.
Hancock
County also has abundant scenic beauty but is weak in areas important
to
social and economic growth, has a high cost-of-living, a lack of
year-round
employment, and a lack of technical post-secondary educational
facilities.
The Down East RC&D Area is over 89% forest, which
supports large
wood, paper, and lumber industries. It's coastline supports the
fishing
industry, including clams, urchins, lobsters, shrimp, scallops,
mussels,
quahogs, salmon, and other finfish such as haddock, cod, and flounder,
as well as limited harvesting of seaweed, also known as kelp.
Seven
major Atlantic salmon rivers, with associated watersheds, run through
the
two-county area and include the Dennys, Narraguagus, Machias, East
Machias,
Pleasant, Union, and Penobscot. There are over 247 lakes and
ponds,
as well as many miles of streams in the two-county area. These
water
resources are almost equally divided betwen the two counties and
provide
many recreational opportunities.
Agricultural family farms have declined in number over
the last century,
until about 1972 when farm numbers began to increase in the two-county
area. Farm acreage, however, has continued to decline.
Initially,
the increase in farm numbers was due to the "back to nature" movement
of
the late 60's and 70's. However, as consumer demand for
locally-grown
organic produce has increased, many small, diversified farms were
established.
Today, Hancock County has more organic farmers than any other county in
the state.
Area industries include pulp and paper, tourism,
blueberry and cranberry
production and processing, aquaculture, commercial fishing and
processing,
boat building, Christmas trees and wreaths, and farming. The recent
loss
of most of the sardine industry in Washington County was a blow to many
coastal communities, fishermen, and canneries that were located in
Lubec,
Machiasport, and Milbridge. One cannery remains in operation in
Prospect
Harbor. Significant employers include the Jackson Laboratory,
University
of Maine at Machias, Hinckley Boat Company, Maine Maritime Academy,
Wal-Mart,
Home Depot, International Paper, Domtar, and area hospitals and
schools.
Down East Products and Services
Tourism is a large source of income for residents. Tourist attractions
are vast, and range from the natural splendor down east (e.g., Acadia
National
Park, Cobscook Bay State Park) and cultural/historical points of
interest
(e.g., lighthouses) to the indigenous wildlife (e.g., whales and
puffins)
and superb fishing, hunting and sporting activities. The extensive
wooded
acreage and variety of forest cover support a diversified forest
industry,
including paper, wood, secondary wood products, Christmas trees and
wreaths.
The area also produces a variety of agricultural products. It is most
famous
for its many acres of wild blueberries and its burgeoning cranberry
industry.
And, of course, the region is a significant harvester and producer of
seafood:
lobsters, clams, mussels, scallops, salmon, haddock, cod, flounder,
hake,
and halibut. |
