Alfred, Maine
From Freepedia
Alfred is a town located in York County, Maine. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 2,497. It is the county seat of York County 6.
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History
Alfred was set off land next to Sanford on February 23, 1828 and annexed land from Waterborough (now Waterboro) on July 22, 1847.
Originally, the area was known to Pennacook Abenaki Native Americans as Massabesic, meaning "large pond" or "the place of much water," and was acquired from Chief Fluellin in 1661 by Major William Phipps. According to historian Jim Brunelle, editor of the Maine Almanac, the price was "two large blankets, two gallons of rum, two pounds of powder, four pounds of musket balls, 20 strings of beads and several other articles."
Alfred Shaker Village:
"Hands to work, hearts to God."
A Shaker religious village, established in 1793, once thrived in Alfred. The Shakers practiced celebate communal living, with equality among the sexes and races, and are renowned for their plain architecture and furniture. They made a chair, it was said, perfect enough to seat an angel. At the movement's height in the 1840s, the Shakers operated 19 utopian communities scattered from Maine to Kentucky, and as far west as Indiana. But among all the Shaker "societies," Alfred Shaker Village in particular was noted for "spiritualistic healing of the sick."
Today, only Sabbathday Lake Shaker Village in New Gloucester survives under the control of the last Shakers. Some former communities operate as museums, like Canterbury Shaker Village in Canterbury, New Hampshire. As with many others, Alfred Shaker Village closed when the congregation dwindled. In 1931, the property was sold to the Brothers of Christian Instruction, who allow the Friends of Alfred Shaker Village to operate a museum in one of the site's original Shaker buildings.
Museums:
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 72.3 km² (27.9 mi²). 70.6 km² (27.2 mi²) of it is land and 1.7 km² (0.7 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 2.40% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 2,497 people, 996 households, and 682 families residing in the town. The population density is 35.4/km² (91.7/mi²). There are 1,103 housing units at an average density of 15.6/km² (40.5/mi²). The racial makeup of the town is 98.52% White, 0.24% African American, 0.20% Native American, 0.48% Asian, 0.00% Pacific Islander, 0.00% from other races, and 0.56% from two or more races. 0.12% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 996 households out of which 27.5% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 59.0% are married couples living together, 7.1% have a female householder with no husband present, and 31.5% are non-families. 26.2% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.2% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.39 and the average family size is 2.88.
In the town the population is spread out with 21.5% under the age of 18, 6.5% from 18 to 24, 26.8% from 25 to 44, 26.1% from 45 to 64, and 19.1% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 42 years. For every 100 females there are 105.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 104.6 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $40,583, and the median income for a family is $47,625. Males have a median income of $36,957 versus $25,026 for females. The per capita income for the town is $19,337. 5.5% of the population and 4.2% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 5.8% of those under the age of 18 and 9.0% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
General Information
- Zip code: 04002
- Area code: 207
- Local phone code 324
Local Government
Alfred has three selectmen who manage town business. Selectmen are elected in an annual town hall meeting to three years terms. The current selectmen are Earland Morrison, John Sylvester, and Perley Yeaton.
Schools
Alfred's children attending public school go to Alfred Elementary School from kindergarten through sixth grade. Seventh and eighth graders attend Massabesic Junior High School in neighboring Waterboro, Maine. Ninth through twelth graders attend Massabesic High School, also in Waterboro. Elementary aged students may also attend the private Unlimited Vision Montessori School.
Neighboring Towns
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| <p align="center">↑ North Waterboro | <p align="center"> |
| <p align="center">← West Springvale | <p align="center">Alfred | <p align="center">East → Biddeford |
| <p align="center"> | <p align="center"> Sanford South ↓ | <p align="center"> |
