Where Is Brunswick, Maine?

Brunswick is a town in Cumberland County, southwestern Maine, US. It is located at the falls of the Androscoggin River, 26 miles (or about 42km) northeast of Portland. The town was first known as Pejepscot and was founded in 1628 as a trading post.

Brunswick, Maine, is in Cumberland County

Brunswick is located at the falls of the Androscoggin River, 26 miles (42 km) northeast of Portland, in southwestern Maine. The river was a source of power for lumber and cotton milling, as well as the manufacture of paper, textiles, and other products. The last mill closed in 1955, bringing the textile era to an end. Today, Brunswick's industries include shoe manufacturing, composites, and candle-making.

The town is also home to Bowdoin College, founded in 1794, and the Brunswick Naval Air Station, established during World War II and reactivated in 1951.

As of 2024, Brunswick has a population of 17,067, with a median age of 39.9 years. The average household income is $97,655, and the poverty rate is 9%. The town has a land area of 19.4 square miles and a population density of 878.10 people per square mile.

The town was first a trading post in 1628

Brunswick, Maine, was first established as a trading post in 1628 by Thomas Purchase, an English pioneer and trader. The area was known by its indigenous name, Pejepscot, meaning "the long, rocky rapids part [of the river]". Purchase's settlement was located at the mouth of the Androscoggin River, which provided water power for industry and supported an abundance of salmon, celebrated by the local Indigenous people for their richness.

In 1639, Purchase placed his settlement under the protection of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, anticipating hostility from the Indigenous communities. Indeed, during King Philip's War in 1675, Pejepscot was burned and abandoned due to the wrath of the Indigenous people. The area remained desolate for about a quarter of a century until the beginning of the 18th century when old families returned, and the settlement rapidly regained its former size.

In 1713, the Treaty of Portsmouth brought peace to the region between the Abenaki Indigenous people and the English colonists. This peace allowed for the further development of the settlement. In 1714, a consortium from Boston and Portsmouth purchased the land, calling it the Pejepscot Purchase. The settlement was then incorporated as a township in 1717 and named "Brunswick" in honour of the House of Brunswick, to which King George I of England belonged.

Brunswick continued to face challenges with Indigenous wars, and in 1722, the township was abandoned again due to conflicts with the Abenaki warriors from Norridgewock. However, the settlement persevered, and by the late 18th century, it had become a prosperous seaport and cultural hub. In 1794, Bowdoin College was founded in Brunswick, further contributing to the town's growth and cultural significance.

It was named for the Duchy of Brunswick in England

Brunswick is a town in Cumberland County, southwestern Maine, in the United States. It was named for the Duchy of Brunswick, to which the king of England belonged. The Duchy of Brunswick was a historical German state, whose capital was the city of Brunswick (Braunschweig).

The Duchy of Brunswick was established in 1815 by the Congress of Vienna as the successor state of the Principality of Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel. It was formed out of the possessions of the senior branch of the House of Brunswick, which originated from the Italian House of Este. The Duchy was ruled by the Welf (Guelph) family, who also ruled several small territories in northwest Germany.

The Welf family acquired significant possessions in Lower Saxony through the marriage of Henry the Black to Wulfhilde of Saxony, whose family had ruled as Dukes of Saxony for five generations. In 1235, Henry's descendants were made Dukes of Brunswick-Lüneburg, and in 1269, the House of Brunswick-Lüneburg divided into the branches of Lüneburg and Brunswick. The latter branch was later known as Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel.

In 1432, the Principality of Calenberg (later the Electorate of Hanover) split from Brunswick-Wolfenbüttel, and in 1705 it acquired the territory of Lüneburg. In 1815, the territory of Wolfenbüttel was recognised as a sovereign state by the Congress of Vienna, and it became known as the Duchy of Brunswick.

The Duchy of Brunswick was part of the German Confederation, the North German Confederation, and, from 1871, the German Empire. It was disestablished after World War I, with its territory incorporated into the Weimar Republic as the Free State of Brunswick.

The population of Brunswick is around 17,000

Brunswick, located in Cumberland County, Maine, has a population of around 17,000 people. The town, which was first established as a trading post in 1628, has grown steadily over the years. In 2000, the population of Brunswick was recorded at 21,172, which decreased slightly to 20,278 in 2010. By 2021, the population had grown to 16,554, and as of 2024, the population is projected to be 17,067. This represents a 6.84% increase since the last official US Census in 2020, which recorded a population of 15,974.

The population of Brunswick is predominantly White (Non-Hispanic), making up about 89% of the total population. Other racial and ethnic groups include Two or More Races (Non-Hispanic), White (Hispanic), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic), and Asian (Non-Hispanic). The median age in Brunswick is around 40 years, with a median household income of approximately $65,000 as of 2021. The town has a low poverty rate of 9% and a high homeownership rate of 68.6%.

Brunswick is known for its rich history, particularly in shipbuilding and textiles. The town is also home to Bowdoin College, founded in 1794, and the Peary-MacMillan Arctic Museum, which showcases memorabilia of renowned explorers who were alumni of the college. The Brunswick Naval Air Station, established during World War II, and the Stowe House, where Harriet Beecher Stowe wrote "Uncle Tom's Cabin," are also notable landmarks in the town.

The average household income is $97,655

Brunswick, Maine, is a town in Cumberland County. It has a population of around 16,554 people, with a median age of 41.9. The median household income in Brunswick, ME, in 2021 was $65,285, a 2.88% increase from 2020. The average household income is higher, at $91,902.

The town has a diverse economy, with a range of industries providing employment for its residents. The largest industries by employment numbers are Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance, and Retail Trade. However, the highest-paying industries are Public Administration, Finance & Insurance, and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services. The average commute time for workers in Brunswick is 20.8 minutes, and the majority of residents drive alone to work.

The population of Brunswick is predominantly white (89%), with the other largest ethnic groups being Two+ (Non-Hispanic), White (Hispanic), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic), and Asian (Non-Hispanic). The town has a high rate of citizenship, with 97.8% of residents being US citizens.

Brunswick has a rich history, dating back to 1628 when it was founded as a trading post. It was incorporated as a township in 1717 and named for the duchy of Brunswick, to which the king of England belonged. The town has a strong connection to education and is home to Bowdoin College, founded in 1794. It also boasts a naval history, with the Brunswick Naval Air Station established during World War II and reactivated in 1951.

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