Peru is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,515 at the 2000 census. In 1970 the town had 1345 residents.

History

It was granted by the Massachusetts General Court to several residents from Falmouth, Maine. The first grantee to settle would be Merrill Knight in 1793. Organized in 1812 as Plantation Number 1 (also Thompsontown), it was incorporated on February 5, 1821 as the 240th town in Maine. Peru was named in the spirit of liberty and solidarity for Peru, the South American country which declared independence from Spain on July 28, 1821.

With dark soil free from stones, farming was an early industry. The chief crop was hay, and raising sheep became a common occupation. In addition, there were 5 sawmills which manufactured long and short lumber, as well as specialty products like wooden bowls. In 1870, the population was 931.

Formerly possessing an independent public school department, Peru joined Maine School Administrative District 21 in 2006.

Notable resident

• Samuel Thurston, first delegate from Oregon Territory

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 47.8 square miles (123.8 km²). 46.9 square miles (121.5 km²) of it is leand and 0.9 square miles (2.3 km²) of it (1.88%) is water. Peru is drained by the Androscoggin River. Worthley Pond, 3 miles long by half a mile wide, is in the southern part of the town.

Demographics

As of the census of 2000, there were 1,515 people, 585 households, and 436 families residing in the town. The population density was 32.3 people per square mile (12.5/km²). There were 849 housing units at an average density of 18.1/sq mi (7.0/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 99.27% White, 0.33% Native American, 0.13% Asian, and 0.26% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.40% of the population.

There were 585 households out of which 35.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 63.8% were married couples living together, 5.6% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.3% were non-families. 19.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.59 and the average family size was 2.98.

In the town the population was spread out with 26.7% under the age of 18, 5.8% from 18 to 24, 28.2% from 25 to 44, 24.2% from 45 to 64, and 15.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 40 years. For every 100 females there were 99.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 99.8 males.

The median income for a household in the town was $38,083, and the median income for a family was $43,047. Males had a median income of $32,171 versus $23,214 for females. The per capita income for the town was $16,383. About 3.4% of families and 6.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.8% of those under age 18 and 7.0% of those age 65 or over.

References

External links

• Town of Peru, Maine
• Oxford County Online -- Town of Peru
• Worthley Pond Association
• History of Peru, Maine (1886)