Augusta, Maine Population, Schools and Places of Interest
Augusta, Maine is located in the beautiful Kennebec Valley, situated between the cities of Portland and Bangor. It is bordered by the towns of Manchester, Chelsea, Vassalboro, Winthrop, and Hallowell. Augusta is the state capital of Maine and is home to a population of approximately 18,000 people.
Augusta’s downtown district offers a variety of shops and restaurants for visitors to explore. There are also several historic sites that can be visited in the area such as Fort Western and Old Fort Western Museum. Additionally, Augusta plays host to numerous annual festivals throughout the year including Fourth of July fireworks shows and a holiday light parade in December.
Manchester is a small town located just north of Augusta along the banks of the Kennebec River. This quaint community boasts a population of around 3100 people and features a variety of amenities including an 18-hole golf course, public library, post office, general store, several churches, and even its own ski mountain.
Chelsea lies just south of Augusta along Route 17. This town has seen rapid growth in recent years with new businesses opening up all over town as well as new housing developments popping up on former farmland. Chelsea also has its own public library which hosts events like movie nights and book clubs throughout the year for locals to enjoy.
Vassalboro lies westward along Route 32 from Augusta towards Waterville. This rural community features several farms that produce various crops such as corn and hay as well as an apple orchard that offers pick-your-own apples during harvest season each fall. Vassalboro also has its own elementary school for students from K-8th grade who live within district boundaries.
Winthrop is located on Route 202 between Augusta and Lewiston/Auburn area off Interstate 95 Northbound Exit 112B/112C. Winthrop’s small downtown district offers numerous shops for visitors to browse through including antique stores where you can find unique items from days gone by! The town also boasts two four-season parks – Cascade Park & Lakeview Park – which feature outdoor activities such as hiking trails, fishing spots & swimming areas during warmer months; while offering snowshoeing & ice skating when temperatures drop!
Finally, Hallowell lies eastward from Augusta along Route 201 towards Waterville/Augusta Airport area off Interstate 95 Southbound Exit 109B/109C. This small city was once known for its thriving granite quarries but now serves mainly as a residential community with its charming downtown district offering several restaurants & shops plus wonderful views overlooking nearby Kennebec River!
Population of Augusta, Maine
Augusta, Maine is the capital of the state and is located in Kennebec County. It is the third largest city in Maine with a population of 19,316 according to the 2020 United States Census. This makes it the largest city in central Maine and one of the fastest growing cities in the state. The city has a diverse population with individuals from all walks of life.
The majority of Augusta’s population is white at 92.2%, while 4.2% are African American, 1% are Hispanic or Latino, 1.6% are Asian, and 0.7% are Native American or Alaska Native alone. The median age for Augusta residents is 40 years old which is slightly higher than both the state and national averages of 38 and 37 years respectively. The average household size for Augusta residents is 2 people which reflects a trend towards smaller households as compared to other cities in Maine where 3 people per household is more common.
The median income for households in Augusta was estimated to be $44,890 for 2019 which was slightly lower than both the state and national averages at $50,583 and $61,937 respectively according to data from US Census Bureau’s American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates (2017-2021). However, this income level still places many individuals above poverty levels as defined by federal guidelines with 12% of individuals living below poverty thresholds compared to 14% statewide and 11% nationally (U.S Census Bureau’s 2019 Small Area Income & Poverty Estimates).
Augusta has also seen an influx of new residents over recent years due to its proximity to larger cities such as Portland and Boston as well as its growing job market which includes employers such as MaineGeneral Medical Center & Health System, Togus VA Medical Center & Clinics, Walmart Distribution Center & Store #3866 among others that have helped spur economic growth within the area (U.S Census Bureau’s 2018 County Business Patterns). With this growth comes an ever increasing diversity that continues to make Augusta a thriving community with something for everyone!
Schools and Education in Augusta, Maine
According to EDUCATIONVV.COM, Augusta, Maine is home to many quality educational institutions. The city is served by the Augusta School Department and is home to three public elementary schools: Farrington Elementary, Lincoln Elementary, and Gilbert Elementary. Each of these schools offer a comprehensive educational experience for students in kindergarten through fifth grade. Students in grades six through eight attend Cony Middle School, while high school students attend Cony High School which offers a variety of courses and activities for its students.
The city also has several private schools including Capital Area Christian Academy, Augusta Christian Academy, St. Mary’s Regional Medical Center School for Exceptional Children and Blessed Sacrament School. Each of these institutions provide quality education tailored to meet the needs of their respective student bodies.
In addition to traditional public and private schools, Augusta also has several post-secondary options available such as University College of Bangor at the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA) campus located on Weston Road and Kaplan University located in downtown Augusta. UMA offers a wide range of undergraduate degree programs as well as graduate level courses such as business administration and nursing degrees. Kaplan University provides online courses in business, technology and health sciences fields as well as certificate programs in areas such as accounting and legal studies.
For those adults looking to continue their education or upgrade their skills there are several adult education centers located throughout the city including Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC), which offers certificate programs in areas such as entrepreneurship, computer science and medical coding; Central Maine Community College (CMCC), which provides classes for adults interested in continuing their education; Mid-Maine Technical Center (MMTC), which offers career training programs; and Mabel I Wilson Adult Education Center (MIWAE), which provides GED prep classes for adults who have not yet completed their high school diploma or GED certification program.
Augusta is a great place to live if you are looking for quality education options from pre-school all the way through post-graduate studies. With its many public, private, post-secondary institutions along with adult education centers there are plenty of ways to further your education while living in this vibrant city!
Places of Interest in Augusta, Maine
Augusta, Maine is a vibrant city filled with historical sites and natural attractions. Located along the banks of the Kennebec River, Augusta is the capital city of Maine and home to over 19,000 residents. Tourists and locals alike can enjoy all that this small city has to offer.
One of Augusta’s most popular attractions is the State House. This historic building was built in 1832 and is home to the Maine Legislature as well as many other government offices. Guests are welcome to explore its grounds and take guided tours of the building. The State House also has an observation deck for visitors to enjoy scenic views of downtown Augusta.
Another great place to visit in Augusta is Viles Arboretum, a 400-acre nature reserve located just outside of town. Here you can take a leisurely stroll through its trails or observe wildlife in their natural habitat. The arboretum also features educational programs for visitors interested in learning more about local flora and fauna.
For those looking for some entertainment, Fort Western offers a unique experience with its living history exhibits and 18th century museum artifacts. Visitors can explore old buildings such as an original fort from 1754 as well as reenactments depicting life during colonial times.
If shopping is more your style then head downtown where you will find numerous specialty shops offering everything from antiques to handcrafted items such as jewelry, pottery, and artwork made by local artisans. There are also several restaurants located downtown serving up delicious meals made with locally sourced ingredients like seafood caught right off the coast of Maine!
No matter what your interests are there is something for everyone in Augusta! From historical sites to outdoor activities and shopping opportunities, this charming city has something for everyone who visits!
