Biddeford is a city located in York County, Maine, United States. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 20,942. A census for 2005 would reveal a population of around 22,000.
Settled in the 1620's, Biddeford serves as the commercial and industrial center of York County. During the mid-1800s, the Saco River waterfalls were harnessed and major textile manufacturing facilities were constructed along the riverbanks. These mills attracted waves of immigrants, most notably French-Canadian workers from the Province of Quebec. At one time the textile mills employed as many as 12,000 people.
Biddeford is named after a town of similar geography in the County of Devon, England, known as Bideford.
Biddeford's second-term mayor is Wallace Nutting, a retired, respected four-star General.
Biddeford is located at 43°28'27" North, 70°26'46" West (43.474111, -70.446157). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 89.5 km2 (34.5 mi2). 77.7 km2 (30.0 mi2) of it is land and 11.7 km2 (4.5 mi2) of it is water. The total area is 13.12% water.
Biddeford is bordered by the Saco River and the City of Saco to the North, the Atlantic Ocean to the East, the Towns of Dayton and Lyman to the West, and the Towns of Kennebunkport and Arundel (formerly known as North Kennebunkport until 1957) to the South.
Distances from Biddeford to regional cities:
Portland, Maine: 15 miles
Portsmouth, New Hampshire: 30 miles
Boston, Massachusetts: 85 miles
Worcester, Massachusetts: 120 miles
Bangor, Maine: 150 miles
Hartford, Connecticut: 187 miles
New York City, New York: 285 miles
Fort Kent, Maine: 330 miles
As of the census of 2000, there are 20,942 people, 8,636 households, and 5,259 families residing in the city. The population density is 269.4/km2 (697.8/mi2). There are 9,631 housing units at an average density of 123.9/km2 (320.9/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 96.65% White, 0.64% African American, 0.40% Native American, 0.99% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 1.12% from two or more races. 0.65% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 8,636 households out of which 28.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% are married couples living together, 12.2% have a female householder with no husband present, and 39.1% are non-families. 29.7% of all households are made up of individuals and 11.1% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.32 and the average family size is 2.88.
In the city the population is spread out with 22.1% under the age of 18, 11.1% from 18 to 24, 29.5% from 25 to 44, 21.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.5% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 36 years. For every 100 females there are 88.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 84.4 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $37,164 and the median income for a family is $44,109. Males have a median income of $32,008 versus $24,715 for females. The per capita income for the city is $18,214. 13.8% of the population and 8.6% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 19.8% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. As of 2004 the Median home price was $190,000.
Source:
BiddefordME.com
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