Caribou, Maine

Caribou is the second largest city in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. Its population was 7,396 at the 2020 census. The city is a service center for the agricultural and tourism industries, and the location of a National Weather Service Forecast Office.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of , of which is land and is water.

Climate

File:Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020) - Caribou Area, ME(ThreadEx).svg

Climate chart for Caribou

Caribou has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfb), with very cold, snowy winters, and mild to warm summers, and is located in USDA hardiness zone 4b/4a. The monthly daily average temperature ranges from in January to in July. On average, there are 38 nights annually that drop to or below, and 91 days where the temperature stays below freezing, including 69 days from December through February. Although 1991–2020 averaged 2 days annually with highs at or above , more than 35 percent of all years on record have not seen such temperatures. Extreme temperatures range from on February 1, 1955, up to as recently as June 19, 2024. June 19, 2024 saw a heat index of 103 °F during a heat wave that hit the Midwest and New England.

The average first freeze of the season occurs on September 23, and the last May 15, resulting in a freeze-free season of 130 days; the corresponding dates for measurable snowfall, i.e. at least , are October 23 and April 25. The average annual snowfall for Caribou is approximately , while snowfall has ranged from in 1961–1962 to in 2007−2008; the record snowiest month was December 1972 with , while the most snow in one calendar day was on March 14, 1984. Measurable snowfalls typically occur from early November to early April. A snow depth of at least is on average seen 78 days per winter, including 63 days from January to March, when the snow pack is typically most reliable.

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Template:Sronly	%±
1860	297		—
1870	1,410		%
1880	2,756		%
1890	4,087		%
1900	4,758		%
1910	5,377		%
1920	6,018		%
1930	7,248		%
1940	8,218		%
1950	9,923		%
1960	12,464		%
1970	10,419		%
1980	9,916		%
1990	9,415		%
2000	8,312		%
2010	8,189		%
2020	7,396		%
U.S. Decennial CensusTemplate:Shallow reference inline

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 8,189 people, 3,559 households, and 2,206 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,914 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 98.2% White, 0.0% African American, 1.4% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 0.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 0.01% of the population.

There were 3,559 households, of which 27.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.5% were married couples living together, 11.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.0% had a male householder with no wife present, and 38.0% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.82.

The median age in the city was 44 years. 21.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 7.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 23.2% were from 25 to 44; 29.3% were from 45 to 64; and 19.3% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.0% male and 52.0% female.

2000 census

As of the census of 2000, there were 8,312 people, 3,517 households, and 2,324 families residing in the city. The population density was . There were 3,858 housing units at an average density of . The racial makeup of the city was 99.22% White, 0.01% African American, 1.48% Native American, 0.91% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.08% from other races, and 0.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race were 0.46% of the population.

There were 3,517 households, out of which 27.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.9% were married couples living together, 9.7% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.9% were non-families. 28.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.84.

In the city 22.5% of the population was under the age of 18, 6.6% was from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 26.2% from 45 to 64, and 17.6% was 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 93.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 88.8 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,485, and the median income for a family was $38,378. Males had a median income of $29,202 versus $20,737 for females. The per capita income for the city was $16,061. About 8.4% of families and 12.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 13.7% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.

Education

The school district for this community is Regional School Unit 39.

• Caribou Community School – Prekindergarten through 8th grade.

Notable people

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External links

• City of Caribou, Maine
• Caribou Public Library
• Caribou Chamber of Commerce & Industry
• Map of Caribou, Maine, c. 1870, from the Maine Memory Network