Adjacent counties

• Aroostook County – north
• Penobscot County – southeast
• Somerset County – west

2000 census

As of the 2000 census,^[14] there were 17,235 people, 7,278 households, and 4,854 families residing in the county. The population density was 4 people per square mile (1.5 people/km²). There were 13,783 housing units at an average density of 4 per square mile (1.5/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 97.84% White, 0.21% Black or African American, 0.52% Native American, 0.27% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.14% from other races, and 1.00% from two or more races. 0.52% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 23.6% were of English, 16.4% French, 15.3% United States or American and 11.5% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000. 96.9% spoke English and 2.0% French as their first language.

There were 7,278 households, out of which 28.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 54.10% were married couples living together, 8.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.30% were non-families. 27.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.00% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.34 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 23.40% under the age of 18, 5.70% from 18 to 24, 26.00% from 25 to 44, 27.50% from 45 to 64, and 17.40% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 42 years. For every 100 females there were 96.40 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.20 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $28,250, and the median income for a family was $34,852. Males had a median income of $28,149 versus $20,241 for females. The per capita income for the county was $14,374. About 11.20% of families and 14.80% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.80% of those under age 18 and 13.90% of those age 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the 2010 United States census, there were 17,535 people, 7,825 households, and 4,948 families residing in the county.^[15] The population density was 4.4 inhabitants per square mile (1.7 inhabitants/km²). There were 15,340 housing units at an average density of 3.9 units per square mile (1.5 units/km²).^[16] The racial makeup of the county was 96.9% white, 0.7% Asian, 0.5% American Indian, 0.3% black or African American, 0.3% from other races, and 1.2% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.0% of the population.^[15] In terms of ancestry, 21.4% were English, 16.5% were Irish, 13.6% were American, 8.7% were German, 5.5% were Scottish, and 5.3% were French Canadian.^[17]

Of the 7,825 households, 23.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 36.8% were non-families, and 30.5% of all households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.70. The median age was 48.1 years.^[15]

The median income for a household in the county was $34,016 and the median income for a family was $43,821. Males had a median income of $34,575 versus $28,014 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,870. About 12.3% of families and 16.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.9% of those under age 18 and 12.6% of those age 65 or over.^[18]

Religion

Piscataquis County has one of the lowest rates of religious adherence in the United States. The county ranks at 3,085 of 3,148 counties (lowest 2%), with 20.5% of the population regularly attending congregations or claiming religious membership.^[19]

In Maine, Piscataquis County ranks tenth of the 16 counties in percentage of religious adherents. The State of Maine has the lowest percentage of religious adherents in the United States at 27%.^[19][20]

County officials

The following individuals hold county offices:^[21]

• Interim County Manager: Tom Lizotte
• County Treasurer: Johanna Greenfield
• Mayor: Paul Paydos
• Finance Administrator: Kathy Walsh
• Sheriff: Robert Young
• EMA Director: Tom Capraro
• Probate Register: Donna Peterson
• Deeds Register: Linda Smith
• District Attorney: R. Chris Almy
• DA Administrative Assistant: Corinna Rackliff
• Head of Maintenance: Josh York
• Judge of Probate: James R. Austin

County Commissioners and Districts

Piscataquis County is administered by three County Commissioners, each representing one of the three county districts. They are elected for four-year terms. A term of office begins on January 1 following the election in November. County Commissioner meetings are typically held on the 1st and 3rd Tuesdays of the month at the County Courthouse in Dover-Foxcroft. The meetings begin at 8:30 a.m. and continue until the agenda for the meeting has been addressed.

County Commissioners:

District 1:Eric P. Ward

District 2:James D. Annis

District 3:Frederick Trask

County Districts:

District 1 includes the towns of Abbot, Beaver Cove, Greenville, Guilford, Kingsbury Plt, Monson, Parkman, Shirley, Wellington and the Unorganized Territories of Blanchard, Elliotsville and Northwest Piscataquis.

District 2 includes the towns of Dover-Foxcroft, Sangerville and Willimantic.

District 3 includes the towns of Bowerbank, Brownville, Lake View Plt, Medford, Milo, Sebec and the Unorganized Territories of Atkinson, Barnard, Ebeeme, Katahdin Iron Works, Orneville, Williamsburg and Northeast Piscataquis County.^[22]

Voter registration

Elections

Towns

Plantations

• Kingsbury Plantation
• Lake View Plantation

Census-designated places

• Dover-Foxcroft
• Greenville
• Guilford
• Milo

Survey Townships

• T1-R9 WELS

Unorganized territories

• Atkinson
• Blanchard
• Southeast Piscataquis
• Northeast Piscataquis
• Northwest Piscataquis