Census figures reveal county’s population loss

The 2010 U.S. Census takers have come and gone, but the information collected is now coming home to roost. While Maine's population increased by 4.2% from 2000 to 2010, Washington County saw a decrease in population of 1,085, down 3.2% from 33,941 residents to 32,856. The figures held some surprises, such as an increase in population for areas near the Hancock County line, including Milbridge, Harrington and Cherryfield. The three communities saw an increase of 271 residents over the 10-year period.
If demographic rosiness is determined by increases in population numbers, then Eastport, Lubec, Calais and Machias have all suffered from declines. Other small county communities saw larger percentage losses, but of the four largest towns and cities Eastport saw the highest percentage in population loss at 18.8%. The city's population is now 1,331, down 309 residents from the 2000 census number of 1,640. This puts the city at a bit less than its 1810 population of 1,511. The city saw a high of 5,331 in 1900, but has been declining ever since.
Lubec was close behind Eastport at a loss of 17.7%. The easternmost town has gone from 1,652 residents to 1,359. In 1820 the town had a population of 1,430. It peaked at 3,371 in 1920, but has been leveling back to 19th century numbers.
Calais now has 3,123 residents, a 9.4% decline. In 1810 Calais had 372 residents, and then, during the 20 years from 1830 to 1850, it grew from 1,686 to 4,749. The city reached a robust population of 7,665 in 1900.
On the other hand, since 1860 Machias has averaged 2,350 residents, but had a high in 1990 of 2,569. In 2010 Machias was at 2,221 residents, a more modest decline of 5.6% since 2000.
For Eastport, Lubec and Calais, the population changes over the past two centuries mirror the rising and falling of trade and industries, such as the sardine industry, although the causes for the population declines are not given in the census information. However, a comment by the town clerk for the towns of Perry and Pembroke, Janice Scanlon, may provide some food for thought concerning the recent population changes. In Pembroke, she says, "I can't see that there's been that many families moving away other than the older children going off to school." She attributes the decline in the Pembroke community to many of the older residents passing away. Pembroke saw its population decrease from 879 to 840.
The U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Archives 2000 table for Washington County shows that, for the four‑month period between April and July 2000, there were 87 births and 108 deaths, for a net loss of 21 people. During that same time period there was an in‑migration of seven people and an out‑migration of 17, for a net loss of 10 residents. In 2005 the county lost 455 residents to death. In the sampling, the loss of people to death is double the loss of people to out‑migration, which gives some support to Scanlon's observation.
Some communities Downeast saw increases. The Town of Perry has seen an increase from 847 to 889. Scanlon says, "Most of the new people are from out of state, but we've had a few who have moved from in‑state." Robbinston also had an increase in population from 525 to 574. Pleasant Point saw a 17% increase from 640 to 749.