Waldo County Demographics
Waldo County, ME, has a total population of approximately 39,630 people. The median age is 45 years, with 20.7% below 18 and 22.5% above 65. The gender distribution is balanced, with 49.3% male and 50.7% female. In terms of race and ethnicity, 96.6% of the population is White (non-Hispanic), 0.8% are Hispanic, 0.4% are Black, and 0.7% are Asian.
Waldo County Crime & Safety
Waldo County, ME reports a relatively low crime rate with approximately 1,198 crimes per 100,000 residents annually. These include around 71 violent crimes and 1,127 property-related offenses. The local sheriff’s department provides transparency in crime reporting within the county. Ongoing community programs and initiatives have been successful in maintaining a steady decline in overall crime rates in recent years.
Waldo County Housing & Property
Waldo County, ME features a homeownership rate of 76.6%, showcasing a predominantly residential market. The median home value currently stands at approximately $179,900. The housing market is majorly constituted by single-family homes, accounting for nearly 70%. Median rent in Waldo County is $831, highlighting an affordable rental market. Furthermore, the property values in this region observed a substantial increase of 8.2% last year. Property taxes are relatively low, averaging around 1%, annually.
Employment in Waldo County
Waldo County in Maine has an employment rate of 94.1%. The primary sectors for employment include healthcare (14%), retail (15%), and manufacturing (13%). Approximately, 30% of workers commute outside the county. The overall job growth in the county has been 3.5%. Most workers (55%) have a commute of less than 30 minutes, while approximately 22% have a commute longer than 45 minutes.
Education in Waldo County
Waldo County, Maine has a variety of educational opportunities with around 20 public schools, including primary, middle, and high schools. Their graduation rate is approximately 87%, slightly above the national average. There are also adult education programs serving thousands each year. Available in the district are multiple enrichment programs emphasizing STEM and arts, enhancing students’ educational experience. About 29% of the residents in Waldo County hold a bachelor's degree demonstrating a strong commitment to higher education.
Waldo County Elections
Waldo County, located in Maine, has a smaller voter base with over 21,000 registered voters. A high percentage - around 75% turned out for the 2020 elections. Voter participation takes place across several polling locations for local, state, and federal elections. The County Clerk manages the elections, handling a mixed population of Democratic, Republican, and independent voters.
Average Income Rate in Waldo County
Waldo County, ME has a median household income of approximately $49,750 which is lower than the national average of $68,700. The county's poverty rate sits at around 14.2%, with women earning roughly 82% of men's income. White households in Waldo County earn approximately $51,000. While the county doesn't have a large Black population to compare earnings, it is clear that the overall income is lower than both the state of Maine and national averages. Those working in the healthcare sector in Waldo County tend to have the highest earnings.
Waldo County Healthcare
Waldo County, Maine is served by the Waldo County General Hospital offering diverse services from home health to oncology. It also has several healthcare clinics. Health insurance coverage is around 90%, mostly through employers and Medicare. It ranks at 9th in health factors in the state. Average life expectancy is over 79 years but with a slightly higher than average occurrence rate of diabetes at 12%. A majority, around 77%, get regular health screenings. There are several hundreds of healthcare professionals within the county. Annual healthcare costs per person are approximately $8,868.
Waldo County Transportation
Waldo County, ME features a traditional transportation structure with major highways including US-1 and ME-3. Car ownership is the norm with viable ride-share options being relatively scarce. MARC, the Mid-Coast Public Transportation provider, offers public bus service. An average commute time of roughly 30 minutes is common. With limited bike lanes infrastructure, biking is not a primary mode of transport. The county's infrastructure does require a significant chunk of Maine's transportation budget.
Waldo County Environmental Data & Climate Data
Located in Maine, Waldo County is characterized by its temperate environment. The average temperature lies around the mid-60s°F, with a manageable annual rainfall of approximately 46 inches. Its air quality index is quite healthy, scoring around the mid-30s. There is almost 100% access to clean, potable water, and the county strongly encourages recycling with an impressive rate of 55%. Waldo County is increasingly harnessing solar energy, with over 50 installations throughout the area. There is virtually zero risk of hurricanes. The county is actively promoting eco-friendly construction and renewable energy solutions.