Chester, Maine

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Population in 2010: 546.
Population change since 2000: +4.0%
 
Males: 279  (51.1%)
Females: 267  (48.9%)
Median resident age:

44.9 years
Maine median age:

43.0 years

Zip codes: 04457.

Estimated median household income in 2021: $59,493 (it was $36,250 in 2000)
Chester:

$59,493
ME:

$64,767

Estimated per capita income in 2021: $26,601 (it was $14,600 in 2000)

Chester town income, earnings, and wages data

Estimated median house or condo value in 2021: $159,882 (it was $67,000 in 2000)
Chester:

$159,882
ME:

$252,100

Mean prices in 2021: all housing units: $205,053; detached houses: $222,573; townhouses or other attached units: $184,684; in 2-unit structures: $277,358; in 3-to-4-unit structures: $752,709; in 5-or-more-unit structures: $267,139; mobile homes: $57,678; occupied boats, rvs, vans, etc.: $31,383
March 2022 cost of living index in Chester: 88.5 (less than average, U.S. average is 100)

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  • Races in Chester, ME (2010)
    • 53898.5%White alone
    • 40.7%Two or more races
    • 20.4%American Indian alone
    • 10.2%Asian alone
    • 10.2%Hispanic

Races in Chester detailed stats: ancestries, foreign born residents, place of birth



According to our research of Maine and other state lists, there were 2 registered sex offenders living in Chester, Maine as of March 18, 2024.
The ratio of all residents to sex offenders in Chester is 273 to 1.


Recent articles from our blog. Our writers, many of them Ph.D. graduates or candidates, create easy-to-read articles on a wide variety of topics.
Chester, ME forum
Recent posts about Chester, Maine on our local forum with over 2,400,000 registered users. Chester is mentioned 65 times on our forum:
Maine Population Shifts  (44 replies)
Maine Demographics  (36 replies)
Maine weather thread  (3207 replies)
How bad is CMP, really?  (15 replies)
Fried Chicken and Mexican - mid-coast?  (9 replies)
Maine General Stores  (20 replies)

Latest news from Chester, ME collected exclusively by city-data.com from local newspapers, TV, and radio stations

Ancestries: United States (24.2%), English (18.7%), Irish (13.5%), French (7.8%), German (5.3%), Scottish (4.8%).

Current Local Time: EST time zone

Incorporated on 02/26/1834

Elevation: 257 feet

Land area: 44.3 square miles.

Population density: 12 people per square mile   (very low).

Chester, Maine map

6 residents are foreign born

This town:

1.1%
Maine:

2.9%
Median real estate property taxes paid for housing units in 2000:
Chester town:

0.5% ($317)
Maine:

1.5% ($1,417)

Nearest city with pop. 50,000+: Portland, ME (148.9 miles , pop. 64,249).

Nearest city with pop. 200,000+: Boston, MA (249.6 miles , pop. 589,141).

Nearest city with pop. 1,000,000+: Bronx, NY (415.8 miles , pop. 1,332,650).

Nearest cities:

Lincoln, ME (2.0 miles ),
Woodville, ME (2.6 miles ),
Winn, ME (3.1 miles ),
Enfield, ME (3.3 miles ),
Burlington, ME (3.4 miles ),
Mattawamkeag, ME (3.5 miles ),
Lee, ME (3.5 miles ),
Medway, ME (3.6 miles )

Latitude: 45.42 N, Longitude: 68.52 W

Area code commonly used in this area: 207

Distribution of median household income in Chester, ME in 2021
Chester satellite photo by USGS
Unemployment in November 2020:
Here:

2.1%
Maine:

3.0%
Unemployment by year
Most common industries in Chester, ME (%)
Both Males Females
Most common industries in 2000
  • Paper (15.1%)
  • Health care (13.0%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (11.7%)
  • Educational services (6.3%)
  • Food & beverage stores (6.3%)
  • Construction (5.9%)
  • Accommodation & food services (5.4%)
Most common industries for males in 2000
  • Paper (27.9%)
  • Agriculture, forestry, fishing & hunting (19.4%)
  • Construction (10.9%)
  • Wood products (9.3%)
  • Motor vehicle & parts dealers (5.4%)
  • Food & beverage stores (3.1%)
  • Public administration (3.1%)
Most common industries for females in 2000
  • Health care (24.5%)
  • Educational services (11.8%)
  • Food & beverage stores (10.0%)
  • Accommodation & food services (10.0%)
  • Department & other general merchandise stores (5.5%)
  • Motor vehicle & parts dealers (4.5%)
  • Other direct selling establishments (4.5%)
Most common occupations in Chester, ME (%)
Both Males Females
Most common occupations in 2000
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (7.1%)
  • Cashiers (6.3%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (5.9%)
  • Fishing, hunting, and forestry occupations (5.0%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (4.2%)
  • Retail sales workers, except cashiers (3.8%)
  • Other management occupations, except farmers and farm managers (3.8%)
Most common occupations for males in 2000
  • Electrical equipment mechanics and other installation, maintenance, and repair workers, including supervisors (13.2%)
  • Other production occupations, including supervisors (10.9%)
  • Fishing, hunting, and forestry occupations (9.3%)
  • Woodworkers (7.0%)
  • Construction traders workers except carpenters, electricians, painters, plumbers, and construction laborers (5.4%)
  • Driver/sales workers and truck drivers (4.7%)
  • Retail sales workers, except cashiers (3.9%)
Most common occupations for females in 2000
  • Cashiers (11.8%)
  • Nursing, psychiatric, and home health aides (8.2%)
  • Secretaries and administrative assistants (7.3%)
  • Health technologists and technicians (5.5%)
  • Information and record clerks, except customer service representatives (5.5%)
  • Other sales and related occupations, including supervisors (5.5%)
  • Preschool, kindergarten, elementary, and middle school teachers (4.5%)

Average climate in Chester, Maine

Based on data reported by over 4,000 weather stations

Chester, Maine average temperatures Chester, Maine average precipitation Chester, Maine humidity Chester, Maine wind speed Chester, Maine snowfall Chester, Maine sunshine Chester, Maine clear and cloudy days

Earthquake activity:

Chester-area historical earthquake activity is significantly above Maine state average. It is 83% smaller than the overall U.S. average.

On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.3 (5.3 ML, Depth: 3.0 mi, Class: Moderate, Intensity: VI - VII) earthquake occurred 260.9 miles away from Chester center
On 10/16/2012 at 23:12:25, a magnitude 4.7 (4.7 ML, Depth: 10.0 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: IV - V) earthquake occurred 164.3 miles away from Chester center
On 4/20/2002 at 10:50:47, a magnitude 5.2 (5.2 MB, 4.2 MS, 5.2 MW, 5.0 MW) earthquake occurred 262.4 miles away from the city center
On 10/7/1983 at 10:18:46, a magnitude 5.3 (5.1 MB, 5.3 LG, 5.1 ML) earthquake occurred 303.6 miles away from the city center
On 1/19/1982 at 00:14:42, a magnitude 4.7 (4.5 MB, 4.7 MD, 4.5 LG) earthquake occurred 201.8 miles away from Chester center
On 9/16/1994 at 04:22:42, a magnitude 3.6 (3.6 LG, Depth: 3.1 mi, Class: Light, Intensity: II - III) earthquake occurred 16.5 miles away from the city center
Magnitude types: regional Lg-wave magnitude (LG), body-wave magnitude (MB), duration magnitude (MD), local magnitude (ML), surface-wave magnitude (MS), moment magnitude (MW)

Natural disasters:

The number of natural disasters in Penobscot County (19) is greater than the US average (15).
Major Disasters (Presidential) Declared: 11
Emergencies Declared: 7

Causes of natural disasters: Floods: 9, Storms: 8, Snows: 5, Heavy Rains: 2, Blizzard: 1, Hurricane: 1, Ice Storm: 1, Snowfall: 1, Wind: 1, Winter Storm: 1, Other: 2 (Note: some incidents may be assigned to more than one category).
Chester topographic map

Hospitals and medical centers near Chester:

  • CUMMINGS HEALTH CARE FACILITY (Nursing Home, about 14 miles away; HOWLAND, ME)

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Chester:

  • University of Maine (about 38 miles; Orono, ME; Full-time enrollment: 8,931)
  • Husson University (about 43 miles; Bangor, ME; FT enrollment: 2,421)
  • University of Maine at Farmington (about 95 miles; Farmington, ME; FT enrollment: 2,036)
  • University of Maine at Augusta (about 98 miles; Augusta, ME; FT enrollment: 3,204)
  • Saint Joseph's College of Maine (about 147 miles; Standish, ME; FT enrollment: 2,010)
  • Southern Maine Community College (about 149 miles; South Portland, ME; FT enrollment: 4,666)
  • University of Southern Maine (about 150 miles; Portland, ME; FT enrollment: 6,647)

Points of interest:

Click to draw/clear town borders

Cemeteries: North Chester Cemetery (1), Middle Chester Cemetery (2). Display/hide their locations on the map

Swamps: Eighteen Bog (A), Keene Bog (B). Display/hide their locations on the map

Streams, rivers, and creeks: Trout Brook (A), Savage Brook (B), Sargent Brook (C), Raketail Brook (D), Eleven Brook (E), Ebhorse Stream (F), Nine Meadow Brook (G), Bog Brook (H), Blood Brook (I). Display/hide their locations on the map

Penobscot County has a predicted average indoor radon screening level greater than 4 pCi/L (pico curies per liter) - Highest Potential

Drinking water stations with addresses in Chester and their reported violations in the past:

V A CLINIC (Population served: 50, Groundwater):
Past health violations:
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In OCT-2010, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (NOV-05-2010), St Formal NOV issued (NOV-05-2010), St Compliance achieved (DEC-01-2010), St Public Notif received (DEC-01-2010)
  • MCL, Monthly (TCR) - In APR-2007, Contaminant: Coliform. Follow-up actions: St Public Notif requested (APR-26-2007), St Violation/Reminder Notice (APR-26-2007), St Public Notif received (2 times from MAY-18-2007 to MAY-18-2007), St Compliance achieved (OCT-19-2007)
Past monitoring violations:
  • 2 routine major monitoring violations
Average household size:
This town:

2.5 people
Maine:

2.3 people

Percentage of family households:
This town:

75.2%
Whole state:

62.9%

Percentage of households with unmarried partners:
This town:

11.5%
Whole state:

9.4%


Likely homosexual households (counted as self-reported same-sex unmarried-partner households)
  • Lesbian couples: 0.9% of all households
  • Gay men: 0.0% of all households
Residents with income below the poverty level in 2009:
This town:

16.7%
Whole state:

10.9%
Residents with income below 50% of the poverty level in 2009:
This town:

5.6%
Whole state:

4.1%

For population 15 years and over in Chester:

Marital status in Chester, ME
  • Never married: 25.5%
  • Now married: 56.0%
  • Separated: 1.6%
  • Widowed: 8.6%
  • Divorced: 8.3%

For population 25 years and over in Chester:

  • High school or higher: 78.5%
  • Bachelor's degree or higher: 8.5%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 1.7%
  • Unemployed: 5.5%
  • Mean travel time to work (commute): 26.3 minutes
Educational Attainment in 2000
School Enrollment by Level of School in 2000
Education Gini index (Inequality in education)
Here:

10.7
Maine average:

11.2

Presidential Elections Results

Graphs represent county-level data. Detailed 2008 Election Results

Religion statistics for Chester, ME (based on Penobscot County data)

Religions Adherents in 2010
Religions Adherents - Change between 2000 and 2010
ReligionAdherentsCongregations
Catholic16,58115
Mainline Protestant9,71559
Evangelical Protestant7,52380
Other2,93622
Orthodox3001
None116,868-
Source: Clifford Grammich, Kirk Hadaway, Richard Houseal, Dale E.Jones, Alexei Krindatch, Richie Stanley and Richard H.Taylor. 2012. 2010 U.S.Religion Census: Religious Congregations & Membership Study. Association of Statisticians of American Religious Bodies. Jones, Dale E., et al. 2002. Congregations and Membership in the United States 2000. Nashville, TN: Glenmary Research Center. Graphs represent county-level data

Food Environment Statistics:

Number of grocery stores: 34
Here:

2.29 / 10,000 pop.
Maine:

2.80 / 10,000 pop.
Number of supercenters and club stores: 2
Here:

0.13 / 10,000 pop.
State:

0.14 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (no gas): 38
Penobscot County:

2.56 / 10,000 pop.
Maine:

2.20 / 10,000 pop.
Number of convenience stores (with gas): 85
Penobscot County:

5.72 / 10,000 pop.
Maine:

5.75 / 10,000 pop.
Number of full-service restaurants: 110
This county:

7.41 / 10,000 pop.
State:

11.02 / 10,000 pop.
Adult diabetes rate:
Penobscot County:

9.0%
Maine:

8.2%
Adult obesity rate:
This county:

28.0%
State:

25.0%

Strongest AM radio stations in Chester:

  • WZON (620 AM; 5 kW; BANGOR, ME; Owner: THE ZONE CORPORATION)
  • WABI (910 AM; 5 kW; BANGOR, ME; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WSYY (1240 AM; 1 kW; MILLINOCKET, ME; Owner: KATAHDIN BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WSKW (1160 AM; 10 kW; SKOWHEGAN, ME; Owner: MOUNTAIN WIRELESS, INCORPORATED)
  • WREM (710 AM; daytime; 5 kW; MONTICELLO, ME; Owner: ALLAN H WEINER)
  • WRKO (680 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)
  • WTME (780 AM; 10 kW; RUMFORD, ME; Owner: MOUNTAIN VALLEY BROADCASTING, INC.)
  • WEEI (850 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: ENTERCOM BOSTON LICENSE, LLC)
  • WDEA (1370 AM; 5 kW; ELLSWORTH, ME; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)
  • WBZ (1030 AM; 50 kW; BOSTON, MA; Owner: INFINITY BROADCASTING OPERATIONS, INC.)
  • WNNZ (640 AM; 50 kW; WESTFIELD, MA; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WCHP (760 AM; 35 kW; CHAMPLAIN, NY; Owner: CHAMPLAIN RADIO, INC.)
  • WCRN (830 AM; 50 kW; WORCESTER, MA; Owner: CARTER BROADCASTING CORPORATION)

Strongest FM radio stations in Chester:

  • WHMX (105.7 FM; LINCOLN, ME; Owner: BANGOR BAPTIST CHURCH)
  • WVOM (103.9 FM; HOWLAND, ME; Owner: CLEAR CHANNEL BROADCASTING LICENSES, INC.)
  • WHCF (88.5 FM; BANGOR, ME; Owner: BANGOR BAPTIST CHURCH)
  • WSYY-FM (94.9 FM; MILLINOCKET, ME; Owner: KATAHDIN COMMUNICATIONS, INC.)
  • WQCB (106.5 FM; BREWER, ME; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)
  • WBZN (107.3 FM; OLD TOWN, ME; Owner: CUMULUS LICENSING CORP.)

TV broadcast stations around Chester:

  • W34CN (Channel 34; MEDWAY, ME; Owner: TRINITY BROADCASTING NETWORK)
  • National Bridge Inventory (NBI) Statistics
  • 4Number of bridges
  • 75ft / 22.7mTotal length
  • 4,380Total average daily traffic
  • 289Total average daily truck traffic
  • 7,038Total future (year 2036) average daily traffic

FCC Registered Microwave Towers:

4
  • STATION, Old Keene Rd 1/4 Mi From Jct Of State Rt 116 (Lat: 45.397278 Lon: -68.523333), Overall height: 24.4 m, Call Sign: WNTB681,
    Assigned Frequencies: 6645.00 MHz, Grant Date: 01/12/2011, Expiration Date: 03/29/2021, Cancellation Date: 04/14/2015, Registrant: Central Maine Power, 57 Old Winthrop Road, Augusta, ME 04330, Phone: (207) 626-9427, Fax: (207) 626-9484
  • CHESTER SUB, Chester Road (Lat: 45.396944 Lon: -68.528056), Type: Mast, Structure height: 21.9 m, Call Sign: WQKN855,
    Assigned Frequencies: 6545.00 MHz, 6615.00 MHz, Grant Date: 08/03/2019, Expiration Date: 07/28/2029, Certifier: John Doyon, Registrant: Versant Power, 970 Illinois Avenue, Bangor, ME 04402-0932, Phone: (207) 973-2546, Email:
  • CHESTER SUB, Chester Road (Lat: 45.396944 Lon: -68.528056), Type: Gtower, Structure height: 21.9 m, Call Sign: WQUC220,
    Assigned Frequencies: 6595.00 MHz, Grant Date: 06/02/2014, Expiration Date: 06/02/2024, Cancellation Date: 06/12/2014, Certifier: Daniel J Cassidy, Registrant: Shulman Rogers Gandal Pordy & Ecker, P.A., 12505 Park Potomac Ave., 6th Flr, Potomac, MD 20854, Phone: (301) 255-0553, Fax: (301) 230-2891, Email:
  • CHESTER SUB, Chester Road (Lat: 45.396944 Lon: -68.528056), Type: Gtower, Structure height: 21.9 m, Call Sign: WQUF983,
    Assigned Frequencies: 6595.00 MHz, Grant Date: 06/26/2014, Expiration Date: 06/26/2024, Certifier: Alan Stevens, Registrant: Shulman Rogers Gandal Pordy & Ecker, 12505 Park Potomac Ave., 6th Flr, Potomac, MD 20854, Phone: (301) 255-0553, Fax: (301) 230-2891

FCC Registered Amateur Radio Licenses:

2
  • Call Sign: N1ZFL, Licensee ID: L01254547, Grant Date: 04/04/2017, Expiration Date: 05/16/2027, Certifier: Andrew G Edwards, Registrant: Andrew G Edwards, 650 N Chester Rd, Chester, ME 04457
  • Call Sign: KC1PFY, Licensee ID: L02444881, Grant Date: 04/30/2021, Expiration Date: 04/30/2031, Certifier: Ryan T White, Registrant: Ryan T White, 28 N Chester Rd, Chester, ME 04457

FAA Registered Aircraft:

3
  • Aircraft: CESSNA 172P (Category: Land, Seats: 4, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds), Engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 HP) (Reciprocating)
    N-Number: 24LT, N24LT, N-24LT, Serial Number: 17275466, Year manufactured: 1981, Airworthiness Date: 11/25/1981, Certificate Issue Date: 12/17/2003
    Registrant (Co-Owned): Gregory A Richard, 168 Pea Ridge Rd, Chester, ME 04457, Other Owners: Arlette E Richard
  • Aircraft: JACKSON JOSEPH R WAG AERO 2+2 (Category: Land, Seats: 4, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds), Engine: LYCOMING 0-320 SERIES (180 HP) (Reciprocating)
    N-Number: 4376G, N4376G, N-4376G, Serial Number: 42733, Year manufactured: 2000, Airworthiness Date: 10/03/2000, Certificate Issue Date: 10/19/2015
    Registrant (Individual): Matthew G Legassey, 93 Loop Rd, Chester, ME 04457
  • Aircraft: PIPER PA-22 (Category: Land, Seats: 4, Weight: Up to 12,499 Pounds, Speed: 94 mph), Engine: LYCOMING 0-290 SERIES (140 HP) (Reciprocating)
    N-Number: 1672A, N1672A, N-1672A, Serial Number: 22-434, Year manufactured: 1952, Airworthiness Date: 10/18/1956, Certificate Issue Date: 10/13/2015
    Registrant (Individual): Matthew G Legassey, 93 Loop Rd, Chester, ME 04457
    Deregistered: Cancel Date: 02/09/2019

Houses and condos Apartments
Most commonly used house heating fuel in houses and condos in Chester, ME
  • 72.9%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 21.0%Wood
  • 5.0%Bottled, tank, or LP gas
  • 1.1%Electricity
Most commonly used house heating fuel in apartments in Chester, ME
  • 95.8%Fuel oil, kerosene, etc.
  • 4.2%Bottled, tank, or LP gas


Chester compared to Maine state average:

  • Median house value below state average.
  • Unemployed percentage below state average.
  • Black race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Hispanic race population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Foreign-born population percentage significantly below state average.
  • Renting percentage below state average.
  • Length of stay since moving in significantly above state average.
  • Number of rooms per house significantly below state average.
  • House age significantly below state average.
  • Percentage of population with a bachelor's degree or higher significantly below state average.
There are 2 pilots and no other airmen in this city.
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