Peru, Maine
| Peru, Maine | |
|---|---|
| Town | |
Bird's-eye View
|
|
 Peru, Maine
|
|
| Coordinates: 44°29′41″N 70°26′14″W / 44.49472°N 70.43722°W | |
| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Oxford |
| Incorporated | 1821 |
| Area | |
| • Total | 47.60 sq mi (123.28 km2) |
| • Land | 46.68 sq mi (120.90 km2) |
| • Water | 0.92 sq mi (2.38 km2) |
| Elevation | 807 ft (246 m) |
| Population (2010) | |
| • Total | 1,541 |
| • Estimate (2012) | 1,529 |
| • Density | 33.0/sq mi (12.7/km2) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| • Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 04290 |
| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-58270 |
| GNIS feature ID | 0582673 |
Peru is a town in Oxford County, Maine, United States. The population was 1,541 at the 2010 census. In 1970 the town had 1345 residents.
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 five 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.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 47.60 square miles (123.28 km2), of which, 46.68 square miles (120.90 km2) of it is land and 0.92 square miles (2.38 km2) is water. Peru is drained by the Androscoggin River. Worthley Pond, 2 miles long by half a mile wide, is in the southern part of the town.
As of the census of 2010, there were 1,541 people, 629 households, and 446 families residing in the town. The population density was 33.0 inhabitants per square mile (12.7/km2). There were 909 housing units at an average density of 19.5 per square mile (7.5/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 97.6% White, 0.6% Native American, 0.3% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.3% of the population.
...
Wikipedia