Somerset County

Somerset County Demographics

Somerset County, ME, has an estimated population of roughly 50,000 residents. The median age in the county is 46.5 years, with 20% of residents under the age of 18 and 22% aged 65 and older. The county has a population distribution of 50.9% male and 49.1% female. In terms of racial background, about 96.8% of residents identify as White(non-Hispanic), 1% as two or more races, 0.7% as African-American, and 0.3% as Asian.

Somerset County Crime & Safety

Somerset County, ME experiences approximately 1,500 crimes per 100,000 residents annually. This figure includes around 200 violent crimes, with property crimes accounting for the remainder. The county's Sheriff's Office maintains stringent law enforcement measures and accessible crime reporting mechanisms. Overall, crime rates have shown slight decrease recently, in part due to active community policing initiatives.

Somerset County Housing & Property

Somerset County, ME has a homeownership rate of 73.6%, with a median home value at approximately $99,400. The median market rent value is roughly $700. Although property values have fluctuated slightly, a small growth of 2% was noticed last year. The housing market majorly includes single-family homes, making up about 85% of all properties, with apartments and townhomes together constituting the remaining 15%. Property taxes in Somerset County average around 1.2% annually.

Employment in Somerset County

Somerset County, ME, has an employment rate of 93.6%. Major sectors contributing to its economy include healthcare (17%), manufacturing (13%), and retail (12%). Roughly 30% of workers commute outside the county for work. The county experienced a 2.6% job growth in the last year. About 55% of residents have a commute under 30 minutes, while around 25% commute for over 45 minutes.

Education in Somerset County

Somerset County, ME hosts a number of public schools offering quality education. Graduation rates show solid performance while college readiness is also commendable. A good percentage of the adult population holds a bachelor’s degree. Adult education is also thriving, serving a large number of residents annually. Safety programs are in place across all schools. There is a strong emphasis is on STEM and arts programs, indicating a balanced approach to education.

Somerset County Elections

Somerset County in Maine consists of about 20,000 registered voters with a 2020 turnout of nearly 71%. Elections take place at around 33 polling locations and include local, state, and federal races. The county's elections are overseen by the Somerset County Board of Elections. The electorate is comprised of Democratic, Republican, and independent voters, highlighting the county's diverse political landscape.

Average Income Rate in Somerset County

Somerset County in Maine has a median household income of $42,568, which is lower than the national average of $68,700. The county’s poverty rate sits at 17.3%, higher than the national average. Income disparity by gender is notable, with women earning just 86% of what men earn. The median income for White households is $43,547, significantly higher than for other races. The most common occupations that contribute to these earnings are in the health care, retail trade and manufacturing sectors.

Somerset County Healthcare

Somerset County, ME has several healthcare services, with Redington-Fairview General Hospital serving as a primary care site. Unfortunately, health insurance coverage is low with about 9.6% of the population uninsured. The county ranks 11th in Maine for overall health outcomes, with a life expectancy of 76.5 years. There is a concerningly high diabetes rate of 12%. Regular healthcare screenings fall below 50%, and the region is home to an estimated 1,000 healthcare professionals. The average annual healthcare cost per person is approximately $1,200.

Somerset County Transportation

Somerset County in Maine benefits from a network of state and local highways, including US Route 201 and State Route 6/15, connecting residents and visitors to various points in the county. Public transportation is served by the Somerset Explorer, providing flexible bus routes within the county. With predominantly rural population, private car ownership is high with an average commute time of around 26 minutes. The county supports green transportation with efforts towards increasing the number of bike lanes. Fatal traffic accidents, while not widespread, occur occasionally, renewing the focus on road safety.

Somerset County Environmental Data & Climate Data

Somerset County, ME has a moderate climate with an annual average temperature of 45°F. It receives approximately 44 inches of rainfall each year. The county has an impressive air quality index of 39, classed as 'good.' A vast majority of residents have clean water access, however, the recycling rate is at a modest 25%. The county is appreciatively eco-conscious, with various establishments utilizing solar power. Somerset County also encourages eco-friendly building practices. It has a relatively low hurricane risk at just 5% annually.