What counties have you lived in Maine? (Dexter, Clinton: credit, how much)

[RMoore007]

I found a map of Maine counties and filled in the population of each. I couldn't believe the disparity between Piscataquis and the rest. I've lived in Piscataquis and York counties. From the second highest in population to the lowest. I loved both equally. After all, Maine is Maine. I think this visual will help those who have questions about where to move in Maine too.

I've posted before about how little change I've seen in Dover Foxcroft after all these years. From looking at the county population at just under 18k, it's no wonder how slow things are to change.

I was wondering how much tourism each county gets compared to another. I would imagine that tiny populated Piscataquis gets a lot percentage wise because of Katadin and Moosehead Lake. Also, if other native Mainers have always lived in one area most of their lives or have moved around the state. If you have, what county was your best fit and why?




Total 1,321,000 Mainers in the 2006 census. If you took out all of the Piscataquis population, you'd hardly notice it. Maine would still have 1.3 mill.

[peachie_in_maine]

I'm in Washington County, have only lived in this county. From what I see around me, our tourist attraction is our main artery into Canada for travelers and on their way through notice the cozy
fishing towns,
peaceful forrests and
simple culture that reminds them to pass this way and stop and smell the roses.

[Bydand]

Only lived in Aroostook County.

[AlisonL]

I lived in Hancock, Penobscot, and Androscoggin.

[dmyankee]

Piscataquis got hammered hard, in the 80s and 90s because many of the towns lost their one to three mills that employed the residents. The rest of the area is farming and logging; that has taken a dive also. The ghost towns are just starting to come back, but are a shell of their former selves.

The Northern environs have always been tourist dependent. That has usually been recession proof, but were are fighting the carbon credit crowd for the right to use our land as we wish.

Up here in Greenville, we have a 150 year tradition of tourism. That takes the edge off some of the manufacturing and logging over the last couple of decades, somewhat.

The problem is the vision of the "eco-tourists," who want to come up with their kayaks and think it's their right not to see another house or camp, other than their own.

They do not mind gating off their "kingdom lots," (read Quimby, Appalachian Mountain Club); but heaven forbid, a private corporation or individual would want to develop anything they own!

[RMoore007]

Originally Posted by dmyankee

Piscataquis got hammered hard, in the 80s and 90s because many of the towns lost their one to three mills that employed the residents.

I remember all the closings as I had relatives who worked in them. Currently I have a brother working in Guilford at Interface. He told me that he would get retraining if he had to leave, for any reason. Even though his company may be sound as a whole, you never know if any company will downsize. Sounds like he's already got a contingency plan. Like most people who live in central Maine, you'd better have a back up plan.

All three of my immediate family that have returned to Maine in the last few years have made the transition well. Even though there were many challenges with climate, funds and employment issues, all three are living much better than they did out here. One is even building a small house.

Hopefully, I can make the transition as easily as them when I get to retire. Or, just take a long holiday first, until retirement.

[msina]

Piscataquis and Penobscot, smack dab in the middle of the State....

[RANGER.101ST]

aroostook&somerset

[island mermaid]

Sagadahoc, Cumberland and still own (and pay taxes in) Knox!

[dmyankee]

Originally Posted by RMoore007

I remember all the closings as I had relatives who worked in them. Currently I have a brother working in Guilford at Interface. He told me that he would get retraining if he had to leave, for any reason. Even though his company may be sound as a whole, you never know if any company will downsize. Sounds like he's already got a contingency plan. Like most people who live in central Maine, you'd better have a back up plan.

All three of my immediate family that have returned to Maine in the last few years have made the transition well. Even though there were many challenges with climate, funds and employment issues, all three are living much better than they did out here. One is even building a small house.

Hopefully, I can make the transition as easily as them when I get to retire. Or, just take a long holiday first, until retirement.

I remember when Guilford Industries got taken over by Interface. The president is quite an environmentally conscious dude. They cleaned up the place and went green wherever they could.

The Piscataquis river doesn't change color every other day, now and fly fishing is good.

One of the spool mills moved to Clinton completely and the other is just a remnant of it's former self. Ditto for Moosehead Manufacturing in Monson. In Greenville, we had a couple of saw mills and a plywood mill. All gone.

In Dexter, you had Fayscot and Dexter shoe. Willimantic used to have a spool mill, back toward the end of the 19th century. It lasted just a few years, until the birch disappeared in the vicinity. Their cabinets are highly prized and run up to a grand. Sort of like deja vu all over again!