Perry, Maine

Perry, Maine
Town
Motto(s):  "Halfway Between the Equator and the North Pole"
Perry, Maine Location within the state of Maine
Coordinates: 44°58′34″N 67°5′37″W
Country	United States
State	Maine
County	Washington
Area
• Total	42.06 sq mi (108.93 km2)
• Land	29.27 sq mi (75.81 km2)
• Water	12.79 sq mi (33.13 km2)
Elevation	0 ft (0 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	802
• Density	27/sq mi (10.6/km2)
Time zone	UTC-5 (Eastern (EST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-4 (EDT)
ZIP code	04667
Area code	207
FIPS code	23-58165
GNIS feature ID	0582672
Website	Town of Perry, Maine

Perry is a town in Washington County, Maine, United States, on the Canada–United States border. At the 2020 census, the town had a population of 802.

History

Perry c. 1910

U.S. Secretary of Education Arne Duncan (far left) and U.S. Secretary of the Interior Sally Jewell (far right) visit Beatrice Rafferty School in Perry in 2014

Once part of Plantation T1 TS, the area was settled in 1758 by John Frost, who built a trading post beside the St. Croix River. Situated on Passamaquoddy Bay, the town was incorporated on February 12, 1818, even as the British held Eastport 6 miles (10 km) away. It was named after Commodore Oliver Hazard Perry, hero of the War of 1812. Part of the community lies within the Pleasant Point Passamaquoddy Indian Reservation.

A church in the town was inspiration for the name of the webcomic known as Perry Bible Fellowship.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 42.06 square miles (108.93 km²), of which 29.27 square miles (75.81 km²) is land and 12.79 square miles (33.13 km²) is water. Located beside Passamaquoddy Bay, Perry is drained by the St. Croix River.

Climate

This climatic region is typified by large seasonal temperature differences, with warm to hot (and often humid) summers and cold (sometimes severely cold) winters. According to the Köppen Climate Classification system, Perry has a humid continental climate, abbreviated "Dfb" on climate maps.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1820	407		—
1830	735		80.6%
1840	1,008		37.1%
1850	1,324		31.3%
1860	1,195		−9.7%
1870	1,149		−3.8%
1880	1,047		−8.9%
1890	945		−9.7%
1900	1,245		31.7%
1910	1,153		−7.4%
1920	1,046		−9.3%
1930	992		−5.2%
1940	713		−28.1%
1950	613		−14.0%
1960	564		−8.0%
1970	878		55.7%
1980	737		−16.1%
1990	758		2.8%
2000	847		11.7%
2010	889		5.0%
2020	802		−9.8%
U.S. Decennial Census

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 889 people, 362 households, and 253 families living in the town. The population density was 30.4 inhabitants per square mile (11.7/km²). There were 551 housing units at an average density of 18.8 per square mile (7.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 85.5% White, 10.5% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.3% Pacific Islander, 0.3% from other races, and 3.3% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 362 households, of which 30.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 57.2% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 6.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 30.1% were non-families. 22.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.46 and the average family size was 2.89.

The median age in the town was 44 years. 23.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 3.6% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 24.5% were from 25 to 44; 34.2% were from 45 to 64; and 13.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 847 people, 331 households, and 238 families living in the town. The population density was 28.8 inhabitants per square mile (11.1/km²). There were 529 housing units at an average density of 18.0 per square mile (6.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 86.19% White, 0.24% African American, 11.92% Native American, 0.12% Pacific Islander, and 1.53% from two or more races.

There were 331 households, out of which 34.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.3% were married couples living together, 10.0% had a female householder with no husband present, and 27.8% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.54 and the average family size was 2.92.

In the town, the population was spread out, with 27.5% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 27.2% from 25 to 44, 26.7% from 45 to 64, and 11.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females, there were 92.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.4 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $27,788, and the median income for a family was $35,104. Males had a median income of $31,442 versus $22,292 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,285. About 15.9% of families and 17.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.2% of those under age 18 and 32.5% of those age 65 or over.

Notable people

• Emma Nutt, world's first female Telephone Operator
• Kevin Raye, president of the Maine State Senate

External links

• Waponahki Museum
• Varney, George J. (1886), Gazetteer of the state of Maine. Perry, Boston: Russell
• Maine Office of Tourism