Orono is a town in Penobscot County, Maine, United States. Located on the Penobscot and Stillwater rivers, it was first settled by British-American colonists in 1774. They named it in honor of Chief Joseph Orono, a sachem of the indigenous Penobscot nation who long occupied this territory. In the nineteenth century, the town became a center of the lumber industry. Sawmills on the rivers were powered by the water, and logs were floated downriver on the Penobscot for shipping and export from coastal ports. Since 1865 it has been the location of the University of Maine, established as a land-grant institution and the state's flagship educational institution. In the fall of 2018, the university enrolled 11,404 students at Orono. Not including university residents, the town's population was 10,362 at the 2010 census. Commonly referred to as Orono Rock City by local wrestlers, The Dirty Drifters.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of, of which, of it is land and is water. The town is divided by the Stillwater River, a branch of the Penobscot River. It occupies part of Marsh Island, which is surrounded by the Penobscot and the Stillwater rivers, and the remainder of the town is on the mainland. The Orono Dam impounds the Stillwater River at its confluence with the Penobscot River near downtown Orono.
The Orono Land Trust operates a number of protected areas in Orono. Piney Knoll Conservation Area, situated alongside the Penobscot River, is known for its walking trails and bird-watching. The University of Maine also owns a considerable amount of protected land in the town. Prominent parcels include Dwight B. Demeritt Forest.
As of the census of 2010, there were 10,363 people, 2,831 households, and 1,229 families living in the town. The population density was. There were 3,089 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the town was 93.7% White, 1.2% African American, 1.1% Native American, 1.9% Asian, 0.4% from other races, and 1.7% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.5% of the population. There were 2,831 households of which 17.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 32.9% were married couples living together, 7.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 56.6% were non-families. 30.6% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.77. The median age in the town was 21.8 years. 8.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 55.9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 12.2% were from 25 to 44; 13.1% were from 45 to 64; and 10.4% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 51.8% male and 48.2% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, the town had a population of 9,112 people, 2,691 households, and 1,291 families living in the town. The population density was 500.3 people per square mile. There were 2,899 housing units at an average density of 159.2 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 93.54% White, 1.38% Black or African American, 0.95% Native American, 2.39% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.52% from other races, and 1.15% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.21% of the population. There were 2,691 households out of which 21.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.6% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, and 52.0% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.23 and the average family size was 2.81. In the town, the population was spread out with 11.9% under the age of 18, 47.9% from 18 to 24, 17.1% from 25 to 44, 13.8% from 45 to 64, and 9.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 22 years. For every 100 females, there were 102.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 102.1 males. The median income for a household in the town was $30,619, and the median income for a family was $52,714. Males had a median income of $35,923 versus $24,943 for females. The per capita income for the town was $14,813. About 10.3% of families and 25.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 21.8% of those under the age of 18 and 6.2% of those 65 and older were living below the poverty line.
