View source for Penobscot County, Maine

{{short description|County in Maine, United States}}
{{Distinguish|Penobscot, Maine}}
{{Use American English|date=June 2025}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=April 2024}}
{{Infobox U.S. county
 | county              = Penobscot County
 | state               = Maine 
 | seal                = 
 | founded             = 1816
 | seat wl             = Bangor
 | largest city wl     = Bangor
 | area_total_sq_mi    = 3557
 | area_land_sq_mi     = 3397
 | area_water_sq_mi    = 160
 | area percentage     = 4.5%
 | population_as_of    = 2020
 | population_total    = 152199
 | pop_est_as_of       = 2024
 | population_est      = 156840 {{gain}}
 | density_sq_mi       = auto
 | time zone           = Eastern
 | named for           = [[Penobscot people|Penobscot tribe]]
 | ex image            = PenobscotCourthouse.jpg
 | ex image cap        = Penobscot County Courthouse
 | district            = 2nd
 | website             = [https://www.penobscot-county.net penobscot-county.net]
 | coordinates         = {{coord|45.40|-68.63|display=title,inline|type:adm2nd_region:US-ME_source:UScensus1990}}
}}

'''Penobscot County''' is a [[County (United States)|county]] in the [[U.S. state]] of [[Maine]], named for the [[Penobscot]] people in Wabanakik.<ref>{{Cite web|last=Girouard|first=Maria|date=December 3, 2020|title=Acknowledging the Land|url=https://www.mainewabanakireach.org/acknowledging_the_land|website=Wabanaki REACH|access-date=March 1, 2021|archive-date=May 16, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516080340/https://www.mainewabanakireach.org/acknowledging_the_land|url-status=dead}}</ref> As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the population was 152,199,<ref>{{cite web|title=Census - Geography Profile: Penobscot County, Maine|url=https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=0500000US23019 |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=November 21, 2021}}</ref> making it the third-most-populous county in Maine. Its [[county seat]] is [[Bangor, Maine|Bangor]].<ref name="GR6">{{cite web |url=http://www.naco.org/Counties/Pages/FindACounty.aspx |access-date=June 7, 2011 |title=Find a County |publisher=National Association of Counties}}</ref> The county was established on February 15, 1816, from part of [[Hancock County, Maine|Hancock County]] when the area was still part of [[Massachusetts]]. Penobscot County is home to the [[University of Maine]].

Penobscot County comprises the Bangor, ME [[Metropolitan Statistical Area]].

==Geography==
According to the [[U.S. Census Bureau]], the county has an area of {{convert|3557|sqmi}}, of which {{convert|3397|sqmi}} is land and {{convert|160|sqmi}} (4.5%) is water.<ref name="GR1">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_23.txt|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 7, 2014|date=August 22, 2012|title=2010 Census Gazetteer Files|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140909034104/http://www.census.gov/geo/maps-data/data/docs/gazetteer/counties_list_23.txt|archive-date=September 9, 2014}}</ref> The county highpoint is East Turner Mountain at {{convert|2456|ft|m}} next to [[Baxter State Park]].

===Adjacent counties===
*[[Aroostook County, Maine|Aroostook County]] – north
*[[Washington County, Maine|Washington County]] – southeast
*[[Hancock County, Maine|Hancock County]] – south
*[[Waldo County, Maine|Waldo County]] – southwest
*[[Somerset County, Maine|Somerset County]] – west
*[[Piscataquis County, Maine|Piscataquis County]] – northwest

===National protected area===
* [[Sunkhaze Meadows National Wildlife Refuge]]

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1820= 13870
|1830= 31530
|1840= 45705
|1850= 63089
|1860= 72731
|1870= 75150
|1880= 70476
|1890= 72865
|1900= 76246
|1910= 85285
|1920= 87684
|1930= 92379
|1940= 97104
|1950= 108198
|1960= 126346
|1970= 125393
|1980= 137015
|1990= 146601
|2000= 144919
|2010= 153923
|2020= 152199
|estyear=2024
|estimate=156840
|estref=<ref name="USCensusEst2024">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/data/tables/time-series/demo/popest/2020s-counties-total.html|title=County Population Totals and Components of Change: 2020-2024|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 6, 2025}}</ref>
|align-fn=center
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/programs-surveys/decennial-census.html|title=U.S. Decennial Census|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 7, 2014}}</ref><br />1790–1960<ref>{{cite web|url=http://mapserver.lib.virginia.edu|title=Historical Census Browser|publisher=University of Virginia Library|access-date=September 7, 2014}}</ref> 1900–1990<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/cencounts/me190090.txt|title=Population of Counties by Decennial Census: 1900 to 1990|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 7, 2014}}</ref><br />1990–2000<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100327165705/http://www.census.gov/population/www/cen2000/briefs/phc-t4/tables/tab02.pdf |archive-date=March 27, 2010 |url-status=live|title=Census 2000 PHC-T-4. Ranking Tables for Counties: 1990 and 2000|publisher=United States Census Bureau|access-date=September 7, 2014}}</ref> 2010–2019<ref name="QF">{{cite web|title=State & County QuickFacts |url=http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/23/23019.html |publisher=United States Census Bureau |access-date=August 19, 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606152345/http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/23/23019.html |archive-date=June 6, 2011}}</ref>
| align = right
}}

===2020 census===

As of the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]], the county had a population of 152,199. Of the residents, 18.2% were under the age of 18 and 19.7% were 65 years of age or older; the median age was 42.0 years. For every 100 females there were 98.0 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 96.3 males. 42.9% of residents lived in urban areas and 57.1% lived in rural areas.<ref name="Census2020DHC">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic and Housing Characteristics (DHC)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dhc?get=NAME%2CP2_002N%2CP2_003N&for=county%3A019&in=state%3A23|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2023|access-date=10 December 2025|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020DP">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Demographic Profile (DP1)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/dp?get=NAME%2CDP1_0021P%2CDP1_0024P%2CDP1_0025C%2CDP1_0049C%2CDP1_0045C%2CDP1_0069C%2CDP1_0073C%2CDP1_0125P%2CDP1_0126P%2CDP1_0129P%2CDP1_0138P%2CDP1_0139P%2CDP1_0141P%2CDP1_0142P%2CDP1_0143P%2CDP1_0145P%2CDP1_0146P%2CDP1_0147C%2CDP1_0148C%2CDP1_0149C%2CDP1_0156C%2CDP1_0157C%2CDP1_0158C%2CDP1_0159P%2CDP1_0160P&for=county%3A019&in=state%3A23|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=10 December 2025|df=mdy}}</ref><ref name="Census2020PL">{{cite web|title=2020 Decennial Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171)|url=https://api.census.gov/data/2020/dec/pl?get=NAME%2CP1_001N%2CP1_003N%2CP1_004N%2CP1_005N%2CP1_006N%2CP1_007N%2CP1_008N%2CP1_009N%2CP2_001N%2CP2_002N%2CH1_001N%2CH1_002N&for=county%3A019&in=state%3A23|website=United States Census Bureau|year=2021|access-date=10 December 2025|df=mdy}}</ref>

The racial makeup of the county was 91.5% White, 1.0% [[African Americans|Black or African American]], 0.9% [[Native Americans in the United States|American Indian and Alaska Native]], 1.2% [[Asian Americans|Asian]], 0.0% [[Native Hawaiians|Native Hawaiian]] and [[Pacific Islander|Pacific Islander]], 0.6% from some other race, and 4.7% from [[Multiracial Americans|two or more races]]. [[Hispanic and Latino Americans|Hispanic or Latino]] residents of any race comprised 1.8% of the population.<ref name="Census2020PL"/>

There were 64,250 households in the county, of which 24.3% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 26.5% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

There were 74,878 housing units, of which 14.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 66.4% were owner-occupied and 33.6% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 6.6%.<ref name="Census2020DP"/>

===2010 census===
At the [[2010 United States Census|2010 census]], there were 153,923&nbsp;people, 62,966&nbsp;households, and 38,917&nbsp;families living in the county.<ref name="census-dp1">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US23019
  |title=DP-1 Profile of General Population and Housing Characteristics: 2010 Demographic Profile Data
  |access-date=January 21, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213031646/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_DP/DPDP1/0500000US23019
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The population density was {{convert|45.3|PD/sqmi}}. There were 73,860 housing units at an average density of {{convert|21.7|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|units&nbsp;|units|}}.<ref name="census-density">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US23019
  |access-date=January 21, 2016
  |title=Population, Housing Units, Area, and Density: 2010 - County
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213192051/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/DEC/10_SF1/GCTPH1.CY07/0500000US23019
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref> The county's racial makeup was 95.4% white, 1.2% American Indian, 0.9% Asian, 0.8% black or African American, 0.2% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. Those of Hispanic or Latino origin made up 1.1% of the population.<ref name="census-dp1"/> In terms of ancestry, 20.9% were [[English people|English]], 17.2% were [[Irish people|Irish]], 9.4% were [[Americans|American]], 7.1% were [[Germans|German]], 6.0% were [[French Canadian]], and 5.9% were [[Scottish people|Scottish]].<ref name="census-dp2">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US23019
  |title=DP02 SELECTED SOCIAL CHARACTERISTICS IN THE UNITED STATES – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 21, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021726/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP02/0500000US23019
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>

Of the 62,966&nbsp;households, 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 47.1% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, 38.2% were non-families, and 28.0% of households were made up of individuals. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.82. The median age was 39.9 years.<ref name="census-dp1"/>

The county's median household income was $42,658 and the median family income was $54,271. Males had a median income of $41,094 versus $31,910 for females. The county's per capita income was $22,977. About 10.1% of families and 15.7% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.4% of those under age 18 and 9.2% of those age 65 or over.<ref name="census-dp3">{{cite web
  |url=http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US23019
  |title=DP03 SELECTED ECONOMIC CHARACTERISTICS – 2006-2010 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates
  |access-date=January 21, 2016
  |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]
  |archive-url=https://archive.today/20200213021218/http://factfinder.census.gov/bkmk/table/1.0/en/ACS/10_5YR/DP03/0500000US23019
  |archive-date=February 13, 2020
  |url-status=dead
  }}</ref>
===2000 census===
At the [[2000 United States census|2000 census]] there were 144,919 people, 58,096 households, and 37,820 families living in the county. The population density was {{convert|43|/mi2|/km2|disp=preunit|people&nbsp;|people|}}. There were 66,847 housing units at an average density of {{convert|20|/mi2|/km2|}}. The county's racial makeup was 96.60% White, 0.49% Black or African American, 1.00% Native American, 0.70% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.23% from other races, and 0.96% from two or more races. 0.61% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 17.8% were of [[English people|English]], 17.3% [[United States]] or American, 14.0% [[French people|French]], 13.0% [[Irish people|Irish]] and 6.7% [[French Canadian]] ancestry. 95.8% spoke [[English language|English]] and 2.3% [[French language|French]] as their first language.<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=January 31, 2008|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref>
There were 58,096 households, of which 30.10% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 51.50% were married couples living together, 9.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.90% were non-families. 26.70% of households were one person and 10.00% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.88.

The age distribution was 22.80% under the age of 18, 11.30% from 18 to 24, 29.00% from 25 to 44, 23.80% from 45 to 64, and 13.10% 65 or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 95.30 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 92.30 males.

The median household income was $34,274 and the median family income was $42,206. Males had a median income of $32,824 versus $23,346 for females. The per capita income for the county was $17,801. About 9.70% of families and 13.70% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 15.00% of those under age 18 and 11.10% of those age 65 or over.

==Politics==
As the most populous county in [[Maine's 2nd congressional district]], Penobscot County's support for [[Donald Trump]] in 2016 helped deliver him a split electoral vote from Maine.<ref>{{citation |url= https://ballotpedia.org/Pivot_Counties_in_Maine |title= Pivot Counties in Maine |work= [[ballotpedia.org]] |access-date= 2024-09-20 }}</ref> It was the first time since [[United States presidential election in Maine, 1828|1828]] that Maine split its electoral votes. Republican strength in the county has increased in each subsequent election (2020 and 2024).

===Voter registration===
{| class=wikitable
! colspan = 6 | Voter registration and party enrollment as of March 2024<ref name="Maine SOS">{{cite web |author1=Bureau of Corporations, Elections & Commissions |title=Registered & Enrolled Voters Statewide |url=https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/data/data-pdf/r-e-active.pdf |website=Maine SOS |access-date=April 9, 2024 |archive-date=August 7, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190807013308/https://www.maine.gov/sos/cec/elec/data/data-pdf/r-e-active.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| {{party color cell|Republican Party (United States)}}
| [[Republican Party (United States)|Republican]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 35748}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |35748 |99269 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|Democratic Party (United States)}}
| [[Democratic Party (United States)|Democratic]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 29890}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |29890 |99269 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|Independent Party (United States)}}
| Unenrolled
| align = center | {{formatnum: 27843}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |27843 |99269 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|Green Party (United States)}}
| [[Maine Green Independent Party|Green Independent]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 3908}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |3908 |99269 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|No Labels}}
| [[No Labels]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 1051}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |1051 |99269 |2}}
|-
| {{party color cell|Libertarian Party (United States)}}
| [[Libertarian Party (United States)|Libertarian]]
| align = center | {{formatnum: 829}}
| align = center | {{Percentage |829 |99269 |2}}
|-
! colspan = 2 | Total
! align = center | {{formatnum: 99269}}
! align = center | {{Percentage |100}}
|}
{{clear}}

{{PresHead|place=Penobscot County, Maine|source=<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uselectionatlas.org/RESULTS|title=Dave Leip's Atlas of U.S. Presidential Elections|first=David|last=Leip|website=uselectionatlas.org}}</ref>}}
<!-- PresRow should be {{PresRow|Year|Winning party|GOP vote #|Dem vote #|3rd party vote #|State}} -->
{{PresRow|1880|Republican|8,186|6,307|1,186|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1884|Republican|8,006|5,303|953|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1888|Republican|7,873|5,292|415|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1892|Republican|6,571|4,516|694|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1896|Republican|8,414|4,031|223|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1900|Republican|6,873|3,615|273|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1904|Republican|7,013|2,225|285|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1908|Republican|7,336|3,525|250|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1912|Progressive|3,367|5,093|5,622|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1916|Republican|7,324|7,294|205|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1920|Republican|14,145|6,110|143|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1924|Republican|15,081|3,618|1,429|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1928|Republican|21,750|9,114|96|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1932|Republican|18,987|13,058|272|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1936|Republican|19,077|9,732|2,559|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1940|Republican|18,674|14,757|40|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1944|Republican|16,934|13,292|38|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1948|Republican|16,367|10,705|243|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1952|Republican|24,614|11,222|49|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1956|Republican|27,806|8,568|0|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1960|Republican|28,459|19,175|0|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1964|Democratic|14,449|28,766|17|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1968|Democratic|20,011|24,327|661|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1972|Republican|30,186|18,552|11|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1976|Republican|29,016|24,672|1,925|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1980|Republican|28,869|26,519|7,405|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1984|Republican|40,403|24,445|206|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1988|Republican|34,912|28,429|413|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1992|Democratic|24,218|29,485|26,741|Maine}}
{{PresRow|1996|Democratic|22,885|35,961|11,671|Maine}}
{{PresRow|2000|Republican|35,620|32,868|4,718|Maine}}
{{PresRow|2004|Democratic|40,318|40,417|1,377|Maine}}
{{PresRow|2008|Democratic|37,495|41,614|1,358|Maine}}
{{PresRow|2012|Democratic|36,547|38,811|1,948|Maine}}
{{PresRow|2016|Republican|41,622|32,838|6,080|Maine}}
{{PresRow|2020|Republican|44,825|37,713|2,731|Maine}}
{{PresRow|2024|Republican|47,438|37,945|1,690|Maine}}
{{PresFoot}}

==Communities==

===Cities===
* [[Bangor, Maine|Bangor]] (county seat)
* [[Brewer, Maine|Brewer]]
* [[Old Town, Maine|Old Town]]

===Towns===
{{div col|colwidth=12em}}
* [[Alton, Maine|Alton]]
* [[Bradford, Maine|Bradford]]
* [[Bradley, Maine|Bradley]]
* [[Burlington, Maine|Burlington]]
* [[Carmel, Maine|Carmel]]
* [[Charleston, Maine|Charleston]]
* [[Chester, Maine|Chester]]
* [[Clifton, Maine|Clifton]]
* [[Corinna, Maine|Corinna]]
* [[Corinth, Maine|Corinth]]
* [[Dexter, Maine|Dexter]]
* [[Dixmont, Maine|Dixmont]]
* [[East Millinocket, Maine|East Millinocket]]
* [[Eddington, Maine|Eddington]]
* [[Edinburg, Maine|Edinburg]]
* [[Enfield, Maine|Enfield]]
* [[Etna, Maine|Etna]]
* [[Exeter, Maine|Exeter]]
* [[Garland, Maine|Garland]]
* [[Glenburn, Maine|Glenburn]]
* [[Greenbush, Maine|Greenbush]]
* [[Hampden, Maine|Hampden]]
* [[Hermon, Maine|Hermon]]
* [[Holden, Maine|Holden]]
* [[Howland, Maine|Howland]]
* [[Hudson, Maine|Hudson]]
* [[Kenduskeag, Maine|Kenduskeag]]
* [[Lagrange, Maine|Lagrange]]
* [[Lakeville, Maine|Lakeville]]
* [[Lee, Maine|Lee]]
* [[Levant, Maine|Levant]]
* [[Lincoln, Maine|Lincoln]]
* [[Lowell, Maine|Lowell]]
* [[Mattawamkeag, Maine|Mattawamkeag]]
* [[Maxfield, Maine|Maxfield]]
* [[Medway, Maine|Medway]]
* [[Milford, Maine|Milford]]
* [[Millinocket, Maine|Millinocket]]
* [[Mount Chase, Maine|Mount Chase]]
* [[Newburgh, Maine|Newburgh]]
* [[Newport, Maine|Newport]]
* [[Orono, Maine|Orono]]
* [[Orrington, Maine|Orrington]]
* [[Passadumkeag, Maine|Passadumkeag]]
* [[Patten, Maine|Patten]]
* [[Plymouth, Maine|Plymouth]]
* [[Springfield, Maine|Springfield]]
* [[Stacyville, Maine|Stacyville]]
* [[Stetson, Maine|Stetson]]
* [[Veazie, Maine|Veazie]]
* [[Winn, Maine|Winn]]
* [[Woodville, Maine|Woodville]]
{{div col end}}

===Plantations===
* [[Carroll Plantation, Maine|Carroll Plantation]]
* [[Drew Plantation, Maine|Drew Plantation]]
* [[Seboeis Plantation, Maine|Seboeis Plantation]]
* [[Webster Plantation, Maine|Webster Plantation]]

===Census-designated places===
{{div col}}
* [[Bradley (CDP), Maine|Bradley]]
* [[Corinna (CDP), Maine|Corinna]]
* [[Dexter (CDP), Maine|Dexter]]
* [[East Millinocket (CDP), Maine|East Millinocket]]
* [[Hampden (CDP), Maine|Hampden]]
* [[Howland (CDP), Maine|Howland]]
* [[Lincoln (CDP), Maine|Lincoln]]
* [[Mattawamkeag (CDP), Maine|Mattawamkeag]]
* [[Milford (CDP), Maine|Milford]]
* [[Millinocket (CDP), Maine|Millinocket]]
* [[Newport (CDP), Maine|Newport]]
* [[Orono (CDP), Maine|Orono]]
* [[Patten (CDP), Maine|Patten]]
{{div col end}}

===Unorganized territories===
{{div col}}
* [[Argyle, Maine|Argyle]]
* [[East Central Penobscot, Maine|East Central Penobscot]]
* [[Kingman, Maine|Kingman]]
* [[North Penobscot, Maine|North Penobscot]]
* [[Prentiss, Maine|Prentiss]]
* [[Twombly Ridge, Maine|Twombly Ridge]]
* [[Whitney, Maine|Whitney]]
{{div col end}}

===Indian reservation===
*[[Penobscot Indian Island Reservation]]

==Education==
===K-12 education===
School districts include:<ref name=SDMap2020>{{cite map|author=Geography Division|url=https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st23_me/schooldistrict_maps/c23019_penobscot/DC20SD_C23019.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220722144336/https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st23_me/schooldistrict_maps/c23019_penobscot/DC20SD_C23019.pdf |archive-date=July 22, 2022 |url-status=live|title=2020 CENSUS - SCHOOL DISTRICT REFERENCE MAP: Penobscot County, ME|publisher=[[U.S. Census Bureau]]|date=January 14, 2021|accessdate=July 22, 2022}} - [https://www2.census.gov/geo/maps/DC2020/PL20/st23_me/schooldistrict_maps/c23019_penobscot/DC20SD_C23019_SD2MS.txt Text]</ref>
{{div col|colwidth=30em}}
* [[Bangor School District]]
* [[Brewer School District]]
* [[Burlington Public Schools (Maine)|Burlington Public Schools]]
* [[Carroll Plantation School District]]
* [[Drew Plantation School District]]
* [[East Millinocket School District]]
* [[Glenburn School District]]
* [[Greenbush School District]]
* [[Indian Island School District]]
* [[Hermon School District]]
* [[Lakeville School District (Maine)|Lakeville School District]]
* [[Lowell School District (Maine)|Lowell School District]]
* [[Medway School District]]
* [[Milford School District (Maine)|Milford School District]]
* [[Millinocket School Department]]
* [[Orrington School District]]
* [[Regional School Unit 19]]
* [[Regional School Unit 22]]
* [[Regional School Unit 26]]
* [[Regional School Unit 34]]
* [[Regional School Unit 89]]
* [[School Administrative District 23]]
* [[School Administrative District 30]]
* [[School Administrative District 31]]
* [[School Administrative District 41]]
* [[School Administrative District 46]]
* [[School Administrative District 63]]
* [[School Administrative District 64]]
* [[School Administrative District 67]]
* [[School Administrative District 68]]
* [[Seboeis Plantation School District]]
* [[Veazie School District]]
* [[Woodville School District]]
*
{{div col end}}

Some portions are in the [[Penobscot Unorganized Territory]],<ref name=SDMap2020/> which is not in any municipality.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/eut|title=Education In Unorganized Territory (EUT) |publisher=[[Maine Department of Education]]|access-date=2024-08-12}}</ref> The [[Maine Department of Education]] takes responsibility for coordinating school assignments in the unorganized territory.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/eut/findschool|title=Education in the Unorganized Territory - Find Your School |publisher=[[Maine Department of Education]]|access-date=2025-07-13}}</ref> The department operates one school, Kingman Elementary School, in Kingman.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.maine.gov/doe/schools/eut/schools|title=Education in the Unorganized Territory Schools|publisher=[[Maine Department of Education]]|access-date=2025-07-13}}</ref>

===Colleges and universities===
[[University of Maine]] is in Orono.

==See also==
*[[National Register of Historic Places listings in Penobscot County, Maine]]

==References==
<references />

==Further reading==
* {{citation |chapter-url= https://archive.org/details/gazetteerofstate00varn/page/432/mode/2up |chapter= Penobscot County |title= Gazetteer of the State of Maine |author= George J. Varney |year=1881 |publisher=B.B. Russell |location=Boston |via=[[Internet Archive]] }}
* {{citation |title=History of Penobscot County, Maine |url=https://catalog.hathitrust.org/Record/009562785 |year=1882 |location=Cleveland, Ohio |publisher=Williams, Chase & Co. |via=[[HathiTrust]] }}

==External links==
*[http://www.penobscot-county.net Penobscot County Official Website]
*[http://www.maine.gov/local/penobscot/ Penobscot County] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071102165111/http://www.maine.gov/local/penobscot/ |date=November 2, 2007 }} on Maine.gov
*[http://CPRR.org/Museum/BMLRR/Penobscot.html "The Ancient Penobscot, or Panawanskek"]. ''Historical Magazine'', February 1872.
* Digital Maine Repository. Items related to [https://digitalmaine.com/do/search/?q=%22Penobscot%20County%22 Penobscot County]
* [[Core.ac.uk]]. Assorted items related to [https://core.ac.uk/search/?q=%22Penobscot+County%22+Maine Penobscot County]
* [[Digital Public Library of America]]. Assorted materials related to [https://dp.la/search?q=%22Penobscot+County%22+Maine Penobscot County]

{{Geographic Location
|Centre    = Penobscot County, Maine
|North     = [[Aroostook County, Maine|Aroostook County]]
|Northeast = 
|East      = 
|Southeast = [[Washington County, Maine|Washington County]]
|South     = [[Hancock County, Maine|Hancock County]]
|Southwest = [[Waldo County, Maine|Waldo County]]
|West      = [[Somerset County, Maine|Somerset County]]
|Northwest = [[Piscataquis County, Maine|Piscataquis County]]
}} 
{{Penobscot County, Maine}}
{{Maine}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Penobscot County, Maine| ]]
[[Category:Maine counties]]
[[Category:Maine placenames of Native American origin]]
[[Category:1816 establishments in Massachusetts]]
[[Category:Populated places established in 1816]]