View source for Augusta, Maine

{{Short description|Capital city of Maine, United States}}
{{Use American English|date=December 2022}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=October 2017}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name               = Augusta
| settlement_type    = [[List of capitals in the United States|State capital city]]
| nickname           = 
| motto              = ''A Capital Opportunity''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.augustamaine.gov/  |title=City of Augusta, Maine |publisher=City of Augusta, Maine |access-date= August 26, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120829034126/http://www.augustamaine.gov/ |archive-date=August 29, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
|border                  = infobox
|total_width             = 290
| caption_align            = center 
|image_style             = border:1;
|| perrow                   = 1/2/2/2
| image1 = Augusta, Maine downtown.jpg
| caption1 = Downtown along the [[Kennebec River]]
| image2 = Maine_State_House_exterior_view_(cropped).jpg
| caption2  = [[Maine State House]]
| image6 = The Blaine House, Augusta, Maine.jpg
| caption6  = [[Blaine House]]
| image5 = AugustaME FortWestern Blockhouse 2.jpg
| caption5 = [[Fort Western]]
| image3 = South Parish Congregational Church, Augusta ME.jpg
| caption3  = [[South Parish Congregational Church and Parish House|South Parish Church]]
| image4 = Old Post Office Augusta Maine 2013.jpg
| caption4 = [[Old Post Office (Augusta, Maine)|Old Post Office]]
| image7 = 185 Water Street, Augusta ME.jpg
| caption7 =  [[Williams Block]]
}}
| image_map          = Kennebec County Maine incorporated and unincorporated areas Augusta highlighted.svg
| imagesize          = 
| map_caption        = Location in [[Kennebec County]] & the state of [[Maine]]
| image_flag         = AugustaMeflag.png
| image_seal         = AugustaMEseal.png
| pushpin_map        = USA
| pushpin_map_caption = Location in the United States
| pushpin_label      = Augusta
| pushpin_relief     = yes
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = United States
| subdivision_type1  = [[List of regions of the United States|Region]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[New England]]
| subdivision_type2  = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name2  = [[Maine]]
| named_for          = Pamela Augusta Dearborn
| parts_type         = Village
| parts              = North&nbsp;Augusta
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = Mark O'Brien<ref>{{Cite web |title=Mark S. O'Brien |url=https://www.augustamaine.gov/businesses/city_government/mark_s_o_brien.php |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190911035309/http://www.augustamaine.gov/businesses/city_government/mark_s_o_brien.php |archive-date=Sep 11, 2019 |website=Augusta, ME}}</ref>
| established_title  = Settled
| established_date   = 1754
| established_title1 = Incorporated (town)
| established_date1  = February 20, 1797
| established_title2 = Incorporated (city)
| established_date2  = August 20, 1849
| unit_pref          = Imperial
| area_magnitude     = 
| area_footnotes     = <ref name="CenPopGazetteer2020">{{cite web|title=2020 U.S. Gazetteer Files|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/docs/maps-data/data/gazetteer/2020_Gazetteer/2020_gaz_place_23.txt| website= census.gov| publisher= [[United States Census Bureau]] |accessdate=April 8, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_km2     = 150.31
| area_total_sq_mi   = 58.04
| area_land_km2      = 142.83
| area_land_sq_mi    = 55.15
| area_water_km2     = 7.48
| area_water_sq_mi   = 2.89
| area_water_percent = 5.00
| area_urban_km2     = 
| area_urban_sq_mi   = 
| area_metro_km2     = 
| area_metro_sq_mi   = 
| population_footnotes = 
| population_as_of   = [[2020 United States census|2020]]
| population_est     = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 18899
| population_metro   = 
| population_urban   = 
| population_density_km2 = 132.32
| population_density_sq_mi = 342.70
| timezone           = [[Eastern Standard Time|EST]]
| utc_offset         = −05:00
| timezone_DST       = [[Eastern Daylight Time|EDT]]
| utc_offset_DST     = −04:00
| coordinates        = {{coord|44|18|38|N|69|46|46|W|region:US-ME|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_m        = 37
| elevation_ft       = 121
| website            = {{URL|http://www.augustamaine.gov}}
| postal_code_type   = [[ZIP Code]]s
| postal_code        = 04330, 04332-04333, 04336, 04338
| area_code          = [[Area code 207|207]]
| blank_name         = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info         = 23-02100
| blank1_name        = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info        = [http://geonames.usgs.gov/pls/gnispublic/f?p=gnispq:3:::NO::P3_FID:581636 581636]
| footnotes          = 
| pop_est_footnotes  = 
| image_blank_emblem = City_of_Augusta_logo.png
| blank_emblem_type  = Logo
| blank_emblem_size  = 150px
| subdivision_type3  = [[List of counties in Maine|County]]
| subdivision_name3  = [[Kennebec County, Maine|Kennebec]]
| elevation_footnotes = <ref>{{Cite web |title=Geographic Names Information System |url=https://edits.nationalmap.gov/apps/gaz-domestic/public/gaz-record/581636 |access-date=2023-05-05 |website=edits.nationalmap.gov}}</ref>
| official_name      = 
}}

'''Augusta'''{{efn|{{IPAc-en|ə|ˈ|g|ʌ|s|t|ə|audio=LL-Q1860 (eng)-Flame, not lame-Augusta, Maine.wav}} {{respell|ə|GUSS|tə}}}} is the [[List of capitals in the United States|capital city]] of the [[U.S. state]] of [[Maine]]. The city's population was 18,899 at the [[2020 United States census]],<ref>{{cite web |url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2302100 |title=Census - Geography Profile: Augusta city, Maine |publisher= United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 8, 2022}}</ref> making it the [[List of cities in Maine|12th-most populous city in Maine]], and third-least populous state capital in the United States.{{Efn|After [[Montpelier, Vermont]] and [[Pierre, South Dakota]]}} Augusta is the [[county seat|seat]] of and most populous city in [[Kennebec County, Maine|Kennebec County]].

[[British America|English]] settlers from the [[Popham Colony]] at the mouth of the [[Kennebec River]] explored the area in 1607.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Welcome to Augusta , ME |url=https://www.augustamaine.gov/visitors/our_history/index.php |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230711040601/https://www.augustamaine.gov/visitors/our_history/index.php |archive-date=2023-07-11 |access-date=2023-07-11 |website=augustamaine.gov |publisher=City of Augusta, Maine}}</ref> Before European settlement, [[Algonquian languages|Algonquian-speaking]] Indians lived in the area.<ref name=":0" /> In 1625, representatives of [[Plymouth Colony]] chose the east shore of the Kennebec for a trading post, which was likely built in 1628 and became known as "Cushnoc".<ref name=":0" /> The Kennebec Proprietors, successors to the [[Plymouth Company]], built [[Fort Western]] near the site of the abandoned trading post in 1754 and began settlement efforts.<ref name=":0" /><ref name="nrhpinv2">{{Cite web | first= Charles| last= Snell |year=1972 |title=National Register of Historic Places Inventory-Nomination: Fort Western |url={{NHLS url|id=69000009}} |format=PDF |publisher=National Park Service |access-date=2009-06-22}} and {{NHLS url|id=69000009|title=''Accompanying  two photos, exterior, from 1971''|photos=y}}&nbsp;{{small|(484&nbsp;KB)}}</ref> The new village was incorporated as [[Hallowell, Maine|Hallowell]] in 1771, and the upriver part of town separated in 1797 to form the town of Harrington. On June 9, 1797, Harrington changed its name to Augusta and, in 1827, it was designated capital of Maine.<ref name=":0" />

Augusta is the easternmost state capital in the United States.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2015-02-10 |title=Augusta |url=https://statesymbolsusa.org/place/maine/capitals-cities-towns/augusta |access-date=2023-07-11 |website=State Symbols USA |language=en}}</ref> Located on the Kennebec River at the [[head of tide]], it is the principal city in the [[Kennebec County, Maine#Micropolitan statistical area|Augusta-Waterville]] [[micropolitan statistical area]] and home to the [[University of Maine at Augusta]].<ref name=":1" /> Because of the city's position on the Kennebec, downtown Augusta is vulnerable to floods in spring.<ref name=":2">{{Cite encyclopedia |date=2011-03-14 |title=Augusta| encyclopedia= Maine: An Encyclopedia |url= https://maineanencyclopedia.com/augusta/ |access-date=2023-07-11 |language=en-US}}</ref> The [[Maine flood of 1987]], known as the "Great Flood", affected the city.<ref name=":2" /> Bond Brook runs from northwest to southeast through the city center, and has been called the "Home of wild Atlantic Salmon".<ref name=":2" />

The city has five different residential areas, including the "west side", a historic neighborhood north of the state capitol complex, and the "east side", which is situated on the opposite side of the Kennebec.<ref name=":3">{{Cite web |title=Neighborhood Revitalization |url= https://www.augustamaine.gov/departments/development_services/economic_and_community_development/neighborhood_revitalization.php | publisher= City of Augusta, Maine| access-date= 2023-07-11 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200210042242/https://www.augustamaine.gov/departments/development_services/economic_and_community_development/neighborhood_revitalization.php |archive-date= Feb 10, 2020 }}</ref> The city's northwest quadrant includes both a retail center and neighborhoods.<ref name=":3" />

[[Augusta State Airport]] serves the city, offering both commercial service and general aviation.<ref name=":2" /> Although the airport is owned by the State of Maine, it is managed and operated by the city.<ref name=":2" /> [[Interstate 95 in Maine|Interstate 95]] passes by the western outskirts of Augusta, and both [[U.S. Route 202 in Maine|U.S. 202]] and [[U.S. Route 201|U.S. 201]] run through the city.

==History==

The area was first explored by the English of the short-lived [[Popham Colony]] in September 1607. Twenty-one years later, English settlers from the [[Plymouth Colony]] settled in the area in 1628 as part of a trading post on the [[Kennebec River]]. The settlement was known by its [[Indigenous peoples of the Americas|Native American]] name ''Cushnoc'' (or Coussinoc or Koussinoc), meaning "head of the tide". [[Fur trading]] was at first profitable, but because of Native uprisings and declining revenues, [[Plymouth Colony]] sold the Kennebec Patent{{discuss}}<!--who was the buyer?--> in 1661. [[Cushnoc Archeological Site|Cushnoc]] would remain unoccupied for the next 75 years.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://rootsweb.com/~mehancoc/Augusta/inhabitants.html |date=Jul 17, 1997 |first1=Don |last1=Vickery |website= Augusta, Maine Genealogy Project |publisher=MEGenWeb Project |title=The Forgotten Inhabitants of Cushnoc |access-date=September 25, 2007 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20071116124523/http://rootsweb.com/~mehancoc/Augusta/inhabitants.html |archive-date=November 16, 2007 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The area around Cushnoc was inhabited by the [[Kennebec people|Kennebec]], a band of the larger [[Abenaki]] nation. During the 17th century, they were on friendly terms with the English settlers in the region.<ref name= north-present>{{cite web |url= https://books.google.com/books?id=KXuB72zLFUMC |title=The History of Augusta, from the Earliest Settlement to the Present Time: With Notices of the Plymouth Company, and Settlements on the Kennebec; Together with Biographical Sketches and Genealogical Register |year=1870 |last1=North |first1=James W.| page=4| via= Google Books}}</ref>

A hotbed of [[Abenaki]] hostility toward British settlements was located further up the Kennebec at [[Norridgewock]]. In 1722, the tribe and its allies attacked Fort Richmond (now [[Richmond, Maine|Richmond]]) and destroyed [[Brunswick, Maine|Brunswick]]. In response, English forces sacked Norridgewock in 1724 during [[Dummer's War]], when the English gained tentative control of the Kennebec.

During the height of the [[French and Indian War]], in 1754, the English colonists built a [[blockhouse]] named [[Fort Western]] at Cushnoc on the eastern bank of the Kennebec River. It was intended as a supply depot for [[Fort Halifax (Maine)|Fort Halifax]] upriver, as well as a regional defense from French attack.<ref name="MAGDE">{{cite book |last=Maine League of Historical Societies and Museums |editor=Doris A. Isaacson |title=Maine: A Guide 'Down East' |year=1970 |publisher=Courier-Gazette, Inc. |location=Rockland, Maine |pages=148–152}}</ref> Later, during the [[American Revolutionary War]], [[Benedict Arnold]] and his 1,100 troops would use Fort Western as a staging area before [[Benedict Arnold's expedition to Quebec|continuing their journey]] up the Kennebec to the [[Battle of Quebec (1775)|Battle of Quebec]].

[[File:MaineStateHouse1.JPG|left|thumb|The [[Maine State House]], built 1829–1832]]
Cushnoc was incorporated as part of [[Hallowell, Maine|Hallowell]] in 1771. Known as "the Fort", it was set off and incorporated by the [[Massachusetts General Court]] in February 1797 as Harrington. In August, however, the name was changed to Augusta after Pamela Augusta Dearborn, daughter of [[Henry Dearborn]]. In 1799, it was designated as the county seat for the newly created Kennebec County.<ref name="MAGDE" />

Maine became a state in 1820 as a result of the [[Missouri Compromise]]. Augusta was designated as its capital in 1827, over [[Portland, Maine|Portland]], and rival communities Brunswick and Hallowell. The [[Maine State Legislature]] continued meeting in [[Portland, Maine|Portland]], however, until the completion of the [[Maine State House]] in 1832, designed by [[Charles Bulfinch]]. Augusta was incorporated as a city in 1849.<ref name="Coolidge">{{Cite book |last1=Coolidge |first1=Austin J. | first2= John B.| last2= Mansfield |title=A History and Description of New England |publisher=A.J. Coolidge |year=1859 |location=Boston |pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_OcoMAAAAYAAJ/page/n67 38]–42 |url= https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_OcoMAAAAYAAJ |quote=coolidge mansfield history description new england 1859. |access-date=November 21, 2015}}</ref> After being named the state capital and the introduction of new industry, the city flourished. In 1840 and 1850, the city ranked among the 100 largest urban populations in the country. During the next decade, however, the city was quickly bypassed by rapidly growing metropolises in the Midwest.<ref name="census">{{Cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027/twps0027.html |title=Population of the 100 Largest Cities and Other Urban Places in the United States: 1790 to 1990 | website= census.gov | publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=December 7, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110102182532/http://www.census.gov/population/www/documentation/twps0027/twps0027.html |archive-date=January 2, 2011 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Excellent soil provided for agriculture, and [[water power]] from streams provided for the industry. In 1837, a dam was built across the Kennebec where the [[waterfall|falls]] drop 15&nbsp; feet at the head of a tide. By 1838, 10 [[sawmill]]s were contracted. With the arrival of the [[Maine Central Railroad main line#Kennebec & Portland RR|Kennebec & Portland Railroad]] in 1851, Augusta became an even more productive [[mill town]]. In 1883, the property of A. & W. Sprague Company was purchased by the Edwards Manufacturing Company, which erected extensive brick mills for manufacturing cotton textiles. They imported cotton from the South for processing and export to Europe. In the late 19th century, a paper and pulp plant was constructed.<ref name= "kennebechistorical">{{Cite web |url=http://www.kennebechistorical.org/histevents.htm |title=New Page 2 | website= kennebechistorical.org| publisher= |access-date=April 23, 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160304025340/http://www.kennebechistorical.org/histevents.htm |archive-date=March 4, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Other Augusta firms produced lumber, [[window sash|sash]], doors, window shutters, broom handles, stone cutters' tools, shoes, headstones, ice and furniture. The city developed as a publishing and shipping center. Today, government and post-secondary education are important businesses.{{citation needed|date=May 2025}}

Since the mid-eighteenth century, there has been a military presence in Augusta. Fort Western has not had troops garrisoned there since the 1790s, but in 1828, the U.S. Government built an arsenal to protect their interests from Britain. During the [[American Civil War|Civil War]], Augusta was a rendezvous point for Union soldiers traveling to the front. Many of the soldiers camped on the green in front of the capitol building. In 1862, Camp E.D. Keyes was established in the northwestern portion of the city.

During [[World War I]], Camp Keyes was used as a mobilization and training camp for soldiers. The camp eventually became a headquarters for the [[Maine National Guard]]. In 1929, the state legislature approved the placement of the [[Augusta State Airport]] next to the camp. As the airport grew, the use of the camp as a training facility was no longer possible. Today, it is still used for administrative and logistical purposes by the National Guard.

In the 19th century, Augusta got a regular [[steamboat]] service and the railroad. The city installed gas lights in 1859. A telephone service was available in 1880 and a local hospital in 1898. In the early 20th century, Augusta built two movie houses and a film production studio.

==Downtown revitalization==
For much of Augusta's history, the central business district was on and near Water Street on the west bank of the Kennebec River. The street, laid out in the late 1700s, was the location of the area's commercial and industrial life. Many fires damaged this concentrated area, including one in 1865 that destroyed nearly 100 buildings. In 1890, the first trolley line began operation down Water Street, connecting Augusta with Gardiner and Hallowell to the south.

In 1932, buses replaced the trolley line. With the completion of the [[Maine Turnpike]] and [[Interstate 95 in Maine|Interstate 95]] in 1955, local commercial developments began to move away from Water Street and closer to the highway. Among the results was a storefront vacancy rate downtown of about 60 percent.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.centralmaine.com/2018/07/15/influx-of-arts-events-in-downtown-augusta-signals-new-push-for-activity/ |title=Influx of arts, events in downtown Augusta signals new push for activity |date=July 15, 2018 |website= centralmaine.com| publisher= |access-date=August 28, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180829072047/https://www.centralmaine.com/2018/07/15/influx-of-arts-events-in-downtown-augusta-signals-new-push-for-activity/ |archive-date=August 29, 2018 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Since the late 2000s, there has been a renewed and ongoing focus by city officials, the Augusta Downtown Alliance, and private developers to revitalize the downtown area.

==Geography==

Augusta is the easternmost state capital in the United States. According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{cvt|58.03|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which {{cvt|55.13|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{cvt|2.90|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web |title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url= https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt | website= census.gov | publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=November 23, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110220065340/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=February 20, 2011 |df=mdy}}</ref> Augusta is drained by Bond's Brook, Woromontogus Stream and the [[Kennebec River]].

===Roads===

The city is crossed by [[Interstate 95 in Maine|Interstate 95]], [[U.S. Route 201]], [[Maine State Route 11|State Route 11]], [[U.S. Route 202 in Maine|U.S. Route 202]], [[Maine State Route 9|State Route 9]], [[Maine State Route 3|State Route 3]], [[Maine State Route 100|State Route 100]], [[Maine State Route 27|State Route 27]], [[Maine State Route 8|State Route 8]], [[Maine State Route 104|State Route 104]], and [[Maine State Route 105|State Route 105]].

===Bordering===
Augusta borders the towns of [[Manchester, Maine|Manchester]] to its west, [[Sidney, Maine|Sidney]] and [[Vassalboro, Maine|Vassalboro]] to its north, [[Windsor, Maine|Windsor]] to its east, [[Chelsea, Maine|Chelsea]] to its south, and the city of [[Hallowell, Maine|Hallowell]] to its southwest.

===Climate===
Augusta's climate is classified as a [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]]: ''Dfb''). Summers are typically warm, rainy, and humid, while winters are cold, windy, and snowy. Spring and fall are usually mild, but conditions are widely varied, depending on wind direction and jet stream positioning.

The hottest month is July, with an average high temperature of {{cvt|80|°F|1}}. The coldest month is January, with an average low of {{cvt|10|°F|1}}. Most snowfall occurs from December through March. There is usually little or no snow in April and November, and snow is rare in May and October.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.intellicast.com/Almanac/Northeast/May/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070429165729/http://www.intellicast.com/Almanac/Northeast/May/ |archive-date=April 29, 2007 |title=May in the Northeast |year=2003 |publisher= | website= Intellicast.com |access-date=April 29, 2007}}</ref>

{{Weather box
|location=Augusta, Maine ([[Augusta State Airport]]), 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1948–present
|single line=Y
|Jan record high F=61
|Feb record high F=64
|Mar record high F=85
|Apr record high F=90
|May record high F=94
|Jun record high F=100
|Jul record high F=99
|Aug record high F=100
|Sep record high F=96
|Oct record high F=87
|Nov record high F=77
|Dec record high F=67
|year record high F=100

|Jan avg record high F = 49.7
|Feb avg record high F = 48.7
|Mar avg record high F = 59.4
|Apr avg record high F = 74.5
|May avg record high F = 85.5
|Jun avg record high F = 89.4
|Jul avg record high F = 90.7
|Aug avg record high F = 89.9
|Sep avg record high F = 86.0
|Oct avg record high F = 74.6
|Nov avg record high F = 63.7
|Dec avg record high F = 53.5
|year avg record high F = 93.1

|Jan high F=28.8
|Feb high F=31.9
|Mar high F=40.6
|Apr high F=53.5
|May high F=65.8
|Jun high F=74.4
|Jul high F=79.9
|Aug high F=78.9
|Sep high F=70.9
|Oct high F=57.9
|Nov high F=45.7
|Dec high F=34.7
|year high F=55.2
|Jan mean F=20.4
|Feb mean F=23.2
|Mar mean F=32.0
|Apr mean F=43.8
|May mean F=55.3
|Jun mean F=64.2
|Jul mean F=70.1
|Aug mean F=68.9
|Sep mean F=61.0
|Oct mean F=49.2
|Nov mean F=38.0
|Dec mean F=27.2
|year mean F=46.1
|Jan low F=12.1
|Feb low F=14.4
|Mar low F=23.4
|Apr low F=34.2
|May low F=44.7
|Jun low F=54.1
|Jul low F=60.3
|Aug low F=58.8
|Sep low F=51.0
|Oct low F=40.4
|Nov low F=30.3
|Dec low F=19.8
|year low F=37.0

|Jan avg record low F = -7.6
|Feb avg record low F = -4.1
|Mar avg record low F = 4.0
|Apr avg record low F = 23.8
|May avg record low F = 34.4
|Jun avg record low F = 44.2
|Jul avg record low F = 52.5
|Aug avg record low F = 49.6
|Sep avg record low F = 37.8
|Oct avg record low F = 28.4
|Nov avg record low F = 16.2
|Dec avg record low F = 1.3
|year avg record low F = -9.7

|Jan record low F=-22
|Feb record low F=-23
|Mar record low F=-11
|Apr record low F=9
|May record low F=26
|Jun record low F=36
|Jul record low F=43
|Aug record low F=39
|Sep record low F=28
|Oct record low F=21
|Nov record low F=4
|Dec record low F=-15
|year record low F=-23
|precipitation colour=green
|Jan precipitation inch=2.62
|Feb precipitation inch=2.32
|Mar precipitation inch=3.21
|Apr precipitation inch=3.82
|May precipitation inch=3.27
|Jun precipitation inch=4.01
|Jul precipitation inch=3.20
|Aug precipitation inch=3.41
|Sep precipitation inch=3.90
|Oct precipitation inch=4.69
|Nov precipitation inch=3.95
|Dec precipitation inch=3.44
|year precipitation inch=41.84
|Jan snow inch=19.0
|Feb snow inch=14.8
|Mar snow inch=15.2
|Apr snow inch=4.5
|May snow inch=0.0
|Jun snow inch=0.0
|Jul snow inch=0.0
|Aug snow inch=0.0
|Sep snow inch=0.0
|Oct snow inch=0.3
|Nov snow inch=3.6
|Dec snow inch=13.9
|year snow inch=71.3
|unit precipitation days=0.01 in
|Jan precipitation days=10.1
|Feb precipitation days=9.5
|Mar precipitation days=11.0
|Apr precipitation days=11.9
|May precipitation days=13.1
|Jun precipitation days=12.7
|Jul precipitation days=12.2
|Aug precipitation days=10.7
|Sep precipitation days=10.2
|Oct precipitation days=12.3
|Nov precipitation days=11.3
|Dec precipitation days=12.3
|year precipitation days=137.3
|unit snow days=0.1 in
|Jan snow days=8.7
|Feb snow days=6.9
|Mar snow days=6.1
|Apr snow days=1.9
|May snow days=0.0
|Jun snow days=0.0
|Jul snow days=0.0
|Aug snow days=0.0
|Sep snow days=0.0
|Oct snow days=0.3
|Nov snow days=2.8
|Dec snow days=6.9
|year snow days=33.6
|source 1=[[NOAA]] (snow 1981–2010)<ref name= NOAA>{{cite web |url=https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=gyx |title=NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration| website= weather.gov |access-date=May 20, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>{{cite web |url=https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USW00014605&format=pdf |publisher=National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration |title= Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020) Station: Augusta State AP, ME |access-date=May 20, 2021}}</ref>
}}

{{Graph:Weather monthly history
| table=ncei.noaa.gov/weather/Augusta.tab
| title=Augusta monthly weather statistics
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1800= 1211
|1810= 1805
|1820= 2457
|1830= 3980
|1840= 5314
|1850= 8225
|1860= 7609
|1870= 7808
|1880= 8665
|1890= 10527
|1900= 11683
|1910= 13211
|1920= 14114
|1930= 17198
|1940= 19360
|1950= 20913
|1960= 21680
|1970= 21945
|1980= 21819
|1990= 21325
|2000= 18560
|2010= 19136
|2020= 18899
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=Census of Population and Housing| website= census.gov | publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=June 4, 2015|df=mdy}}</ref>
}}

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov | website= census.gov | publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date= November 23, 2012}}</ref> of 2010, there were 19,136 people, 8,802 households, and 4,490 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{cvt|347.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 9,756 housing units at an average density of {{cvt|177.0|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.1% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.1% [[African American (U.S. census)|African American]], 0.7% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.5% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.4% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.3% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.8% of the population.

There were 8,802 households, of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.2% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 11.8% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 49.0% were non-families. 39.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.76.

The median age in the city was 43.2 years. 18.3% of residents were under the age of 18; 8.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 26% were from 25 to 44; 29.4% were from 45 to 64; and 18% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.6% male and 51.4% female.

===2000 census===
As of the census<ref name="GR2">{{cite web |url=https://www.census.gov |title=U.S. Census website | website= census.gov | publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=January 31, 2008}}</ref> of 2000, there were 18,560 people, 8,565 households, and 4,607 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|335.1|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|adj=off}}. There were 9,480 housing units at an average density of {{convert|171.2|/sqmi|/km2|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 96.21% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 0.50% [[African American (U.S. census)|Black]] or [[Race (United States Census)|African American]], 0.48% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.35% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.01% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.16% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.3% from two or more races. 0.86% of the population were [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race.

There were 8,565 households, out of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.1% were married couples living together, 10.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 46.2% were non-families. 38.3% of all households were made up of individuals, and 14.2% had someone living alone who was 65&nbsp;years of age or older. The average household size was 2.10 and the average family size was 2.77.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 20.5% under the age of 18, 8.7% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.7% who were 65&nbsp;years of age or older. The median age was 40&nbsp;years. For every 100 females, there were 89.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 87.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,921, and the median income for a family was $42,230. Males had a median income of $31,209 versus $22,548 for females. The per capita income for the city was $19,145. About 11.4% of families and 15.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 19.2% of those under age 18 and 9.8% of those age 65 or over.

==Government==

===Local government===
{{see also|List of mayors of Augusta, Maine}}

Augusta is governed by a [[mayor and council-manager]] system. The City Council oversees all City government activities and establishes the legislative policies of the city, adopts and amends ordinances and local laws, appropriates municipal resources, and sets the tax rate. The [[City Manager]] serves as the chief executive officer and purchasing agent of the city. The [[mayor]] presides at all meetings of the council, and is recognized ceremonially as the official head of the city.

The city maintains a [[Police|police department]]; it is remarkable for not having had an officer killed in the line of duty for over a century.<ref>{{cite news| work= [[The Daily Caller]]| title= American arms race heats up at local police level| date= May 7, 2012| publisher= | url= | access-date= }}</ref>

===Political makeup===

Augusta has historically been [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]. In the [[2012 United States presidential election|2012 presidential election]], [[Barack Obama]] received 5,192 of the votes to [[Mitt Romney]]'s 3,339.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://maineelections.bangordailynews.com/?County=Kennebec+County&Town=Augusta |title=Augusta, Maine, 2012 General Election results |work= [[Bangor Daily News]] |access-date=November 13, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130915074518/http://maineelections.bangordailynews.com/?County=Kennebec+County&Town=Augusta |archive-date=September 15, 2013 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref>

In the [[2020 United States Presidential election|2020 presidential election]], [[Joe Biden]] won 5,248 votes to [[Donald Trump]]'s 4,155.<ref>{{cite web |url= https://cms6.revize.com/revize/augustame/Official%20State%20and%20City%20ROVC%20November%2003%202020%20Signed.pdf|title=2020 general election|website=revize.com|access-date=12 October 2023}}</ref>

The city has not voted for a Republican presidential candidate since [[George H. W. Bush]] in the [[1988 United States presidential election|Republican landslide of 1988]]. Democrats are the majority political affiliation in all four voting wards. There are more voters who are not enrolled than there are registered Republicans in the city.

;Voter registration

{|class=wikitable
! colspan=6 |Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of November 2012<ref name="maine.gov voters">{{cite web |url=http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2012/r-e-active.pdf |title=REGISTERED & ENROLLED VOTERS - STATEWIDE |date=November 6, 2012 |website= maine.gov| publisher= State of Maine |access-date=March 23, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20121211233410/http://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/2012/r-e-active.pdf |archive-date=December 11, 2012}}</ref>
|-
! colspan=2 |Party
! Total Voters
! Percentage
|-
|{{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
|[[Maine Democratic Party|Democratic]]
|align=center |4,780
|align=center |34.82%
|-
|{{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
|Unenrolled
|align=center |4,778
|align=center |34.80%
|-
|{{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
|[[Maine Republican Party|Republican]]
|align=center |3,656
|align=center |26.63%
|-
|{{party color cell|Green Party (United States)}}
|[[Maine Green Independent Party|Green Independent]]
|align=center |512
|align=center |3.70%
|-
! colspan=2 |Total
! align=center |13,726
! align=center |100%
|}

==Education==

There are five public schools, one private school, and one college (the [[University of Maine at Augusta]]).<ref name=":1">{{cite web |title=University of Maine at Augusta |url=http://www.uma.edu/ |access-date=September 26, 2007 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060630030257/http://www.uma.edu/ |archive-date=June 30, 2006 |url-status=live}}</ref> There are two public libraries in Augusta, the city-operated [[Lithgow Public Library]] and the [[Maine State Library]].

Farrington, Gilbert, Hussey, and Lincoln are the four public elementary schools that are located in the city.<ref name="Augusta School System">{{cite web |title=City of Augusta, Maine School Department |url=http://www.augustaschools.org/schools/index.php| website= augustaschools.org| publisher= City of Augusta, Maine |access-date=September 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160113084855/http://www.augustaschools.org/schools/index.php |archive-date=January 13, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Cony serves students in grades 7–12 from Augusta and the surrounding towns; Cony comprises Cony Middle School and [[Cony High School]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Cony| website= augustaschools.org| publisher= |url= http://www.augustaschools.org/schools/cony/index.php |access-date=September 7, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160112155002/http://www.augustaschools.org/schools/cony/index.php |archive-date=January 12, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

St. Michaels is a private [[Catholic school]]; it charges tuition to its students.<ref>{{cite web |title=St. Michael School |url=http://www.smsmaine.org/ |access-date=September 7, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150630041335/http://www.smsmaine.org/| website= smsmaine.org| publisher= St. Michael School |archive-date=June 30, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

The University of Maine at Augusta is third-largest university in the [[University of Maine System]].<ref>{{cite web |title=UMA Quick Facts |url=http://www.uma.edu/about/quick-facts/ |access-date=September 7, 2015 | website= uma.edu| publisher= University of Maine System |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905070926/http://www.uma.edu/about/quick-facts/ |archive-date=September 5, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Media==

===Printed media===
*''[[Kennebec Journal]]'', daily newspaper for capital area
*''[[Uncle Henry's]]'', former weekly [[classified advert]]s publication

===Radio===
{{see also|Template:Augusta-Waterville Radio}}
*[[WJZN]], oldies
*[[WMDR (AM)|WMDR]], religious
*[[WMME-FM]], top-40
*[[WTOS-FM]], rock
*[[WVQM]], talk
*[[WWTP (FM)|WWTP]], religious

===Television===
Augusta is part of the [[:Template:Portland Maine TV|Portland, Maine television market]], and receives most of that market's channels. WCBB channel 10, licensed to Augusta, is the local television outlet for the [[Maine Public Broadcasting Network]].<ref>{{cite web |title=WCBB Channel 10 |url=http://www.stationindex.com/tv/callsign/WCBB| website= stationindex.com |access-date=October 1, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151001183611/http://www.stationindex.com/tv/callsign/WCBB |archive-date=October 1, 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Transportation==
[[Interstate 95 in Maine|Interstate 95]] passes by the western outskirts of Augusta. [[U.S. Route 202 in Maine|U.S. 202]] runs east–west through the city. [[U.S. Route 201|U.S. 201]] runs north–south through the city.

Intercity bus service is provided by [[Greyhound Lines]] and [[Concord Coach Lines]].

[[Augusta State Airport]] (AUG), in the western part of the city, has commercial flights.

==Sites of interest==
*[[Blaine House]]
*[[Fort Western]]
*[[Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine]]<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://hhrcmaine.org/ |title= Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine| website= hhrcmaine.org |access-date=November 27, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191105082356/https://hhrcmaine.org/ |archive-date=November 5, 2019 |url-status=live}}</ref> at the [[University of Maine at Augusta]]
*[[Lithgow Public Library]]
*[[Maine State House]]
*[[Maine State Museum]]<ref>{{cite web| url= http://www.maine.gov/museum/| title= Maine State Museum| website= maine.gov| publisher= State of Maine| archiveurl= https://web.archive.org/web/20071226234931/http://www.maine.gov/museum/ |archivedate=December 26, 2007 }}</ref>
*[[Viles Arboretum]]
*[[Kennebec Arsenal]]
*[[Augusta Mental Health Institute]]

==Notable people==
[[File:Old Fort Western.jpg|alt=|thumb|Old Fort Western]]<!-- Note:· Only people who already have a Wikipedia article may appear here. This establishes notability. The article must mention how they are associated with Augusta, whether born, raised, or residing. The fact of their association should have a reliable source cited. Alphabetical by last name please. All others will be deleted.-->
*[[Ambrose Abbott]], former member, [[Maine Senate]]
*[[Martha Ballard]], midwife
*[[James G. Blaine]], former [[United States Secretary of State|U.S. Secretary of State]] and [[1884 United States presidential election|1884]] [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]] presidential nominee
*[[Horatio Bridge]], U.S. Navy officer during the [[American Civil War]]
*[[William Bridgeo]], state representative and resident of Augusta<ref>{{Cite web |title=William Bridgeo |url=https://ballotpedia.org/William_Bridgeo |access-date=2023-12-23 |website=Ballotpedia |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Julia Clukey]], 2010 Olympic luger<ref>{{cite web |title=Julia Clukey |url=http://clukeyluge.com/about-me/#opening |website= clukeyluge.com| publisher= |access-date=September 16, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20171107031430/http://clukeyluge.com/about-me/#opening |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |url-status=dead |df=mdy-all}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Clark |first1=Ernie |title=Augusta's Julia Clukey looks to the future after Olympic luge near-miss |url=http://bangordailynews.com/2013/12/20/sports/olympics/augustas-julia-clukey-looks-to-the-future-after-olympic-luge-near-miss/ |website=Bangor Daily News |date=December 20, 2013 |access-date=September 16, 2015 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160911015949/http://bangordailynews.com/2013/12/20/sports/olympics/augustas-julia-clukey-looks-to-the-future-after-olympic-luge-near-miss/ |archive-date= September 11, 2016 |url-status=live}}</ref>
*[[Beverly Daggett]], President, Maine Senate
*[[Olive E. Dana]], short-story writer, essayist, poet
*[[Melville Fuller]], former Chief Justice, [[United States Supreme Court]] 
*[[George Huntington Hartford]], owner of [[Great Atlantic and Pacific Tea Company]] (A&P), the country's largest food retailer at the time of his death<ref name="levinson">{{cite book |last= Levinson |first=Marc |title=The Great A&P and the struggle for small business in America |publisher=Hill and Wang |year=2011 |isbn=978-0-8090-9543-8}}</ref>
*[[John F. Hill]], former Maine governor
*[[Elizabeth Ellis Hoyt]], American economist<ref name="UNE2019">{{Cite web |title=Elizabeth Ellis Hoyt collection, 1973 |url=https://library.une.edu/mwwc/collections/collections-a-z/elizabeth-ellis-hoyt-collection-1973/ |website=[[University of New England (United States)|University of New England]] |date=July 30, 2019 |access-date=April 20, 2025 |language=en}}</ref>
*[[Robert Deniston Hume]], Oregon politician and businessman
*[[Eastman Johnson]], artist
*[[Roger Katz]], mayor of Augusta and state legislator
*[[George W. Ladd]], U.S. congressman
*[[Dorianne Laux]], poet
*[[Sumner Lipman]], state legislator and attorney
*[[Henry A. McMasters]], recipient of the [[Medal of Honor]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.history.army.mil/html/moh/indianwars.html |title=Medal of Honor recipients |website= history.army.mil |publisher=United States Army |access-date=November 19, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101110225055/http://www.history.army.mil//html/moh/indianwars.html |archive-date=November 10, 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref>
*[[Rachel Nichols (actress)|Rachel Nichols]], actress
*[[Frederick G. Payne]], Mayor of Augusta and 60th [[List of Governors of Maine|governor of Maine]]
*[[David Peoples (golfer)|David Peoples]], athlete and golfer
*[[Frederick W. Plaisted]], mayor of Augusta, 48th governor of Maine
*[[John F. Potter]], U.S. congressman, judge
*[[Travis Roy]], hockey player
*[[Luther Severance]], publisher, U.S. congressman and senator
*[[Olympia Snowe]], former U.S. senator
*[[John L. Stevens]], U.S. minister to Kingdom of Hawaii, accused of attempting to overthrow Hawaiian queen, 1893
*[[Judith Tarr]], fantasy and science fiction author
*[[Manch Wheeler]], quarterback with the [[Buffalo Bills]]
*[[Gil Whitney]], television news anchorman and meteorologist
*[[Reuel Williams]], U.S. senator
*[[Willard G. Wyman]], general

==See also==

*[[USS Augusta|USS ''Augusta'']], 2 ships

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
{{wikivoyage|Augusta (Maine)|Augusta, Maine}}
{{EB1911 poster|Augusta (Maine)|Augusta, Maine}}
*[http://www.augustamaine.gov/ City of Augusta, Maine]
*[http://www.lithgow.lib.me.us/ Lithgow Public Library]
*{{Cite AmCyc |wstitle=Augusta (Maine) |display=Augusta, a city of Maine |short=x}}
*{{cite web| url= https://downeast.com/our-towns/augusta-maine/ |website= DownEast.com| date= March 2020| last= Wright| first= Virginia M. |title= Best Places to Live in Maine: Augusta; A new crop of downtown entrepreneurs has a message: Don't Dis 'Gusta| access-date=}}

{{Kennebec County, Maine}}
{{MELargestCities}}
{{Maine}}
{{New England}}
{{United States state capitals}}
{{Northeast US}}
{{Kennebec River}}
{{Maine county seats}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Augusta, Maine| ]]
[[Category:Cities in Maine]]
[[Category:Cities in Kennebec County, Maine]]
[[Category:County seats in Maine]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1629]]
[[Category:1629 establishments in the Thirteen Colonies]]
[[Category:State capitals in the United States]]