New Sweden, Maine
| New Sweden, Maine | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
 Location of New Sweden, Maine |
|
| Coordinates: 46°57′34″N 68°6′17″W / 46.95944°N 68.10472°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Aroostook |
| Area | |
| • Total | 34.60 sq mi (89.61 km2) |
| • Land | 34.57 sq mi (89.54 km2) |
| • Water | 0.03 sq mi (0.08 km2) |
| Elevation | 636 ft (194 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 602 |
| • Estimate (2012) | 598 |
| • Density | 17.4/sq mi (6.7/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 04762 |
| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-49415 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582625 |
New Sweden is a town in Aroostook County, Maine, United States. The population was 602 at the 2010 census.
Starting in 1870, a Swedish-immigrant colony was established by the State of Maine in Aroostook County. The State of Maine had appointed William W. Thomas, Jr., who had served as American Consul in Sweden during the administration of President Abraham Lincoln, to be State Immigration Commissioner. On March 23, 1870 the Legislature passed an Act authorizing a Board of Immigration and Thomas was named Commissioner of Immigration. Thomas went to Sweden, recruited the first 51 immigrants, and led them into the township that became New Sweden. Early hardships were overcome and the colony prospered and grew into the neighboring townships of Westmanland (1879), (1881) and the surrounding areas. New Sweden has maintained many Swedish traditions since its founding, including the celebrations of St. Lucia Day and "Midsommar." Founders Day is also observed on July 23 every year. The Swedish language can sometimes still be heard in the older generation. The New Sweden Folk Dancers typically perform at many of the Swedish celebrations and Swedish foods are known to grace the tables.
New Sweden was the home of Einar Gustafson, who was the archetype of the child for whom the Jimmy Fund was named.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 34.60 square miles (89.61 km2), of which 34.57 square miles (89.54 km2) is land and 0.03 square miles (0.08 km2) is water.
As of the census of 2010, there were 602 people, 255 households, and 182 families residing in the town. The population density was 17.4 inhabitants per square mile (6.7/km2). There were 323 housing units at an average density of 9.3 per square mile (3.6/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 95.5% White, 0.3% African American, 1.7% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.2% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.8% of the population.
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