Androscoggin County

Understand

Androscoggin County is a county in the U.S. state of Maine. As of the 2020 census, the county's population was 111,139. Its county seat is Auburn and its most populous city is Lewiston.

Androscoggin County comprises the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine metropolitan statistical area and is partially included in the Lewiston-Auburn, Maine, Metropolitan New England City and Town Area. It is also a part of the Portland-Lewiston-South Portland, Maine combined statistical area.

Androscoggin County was established in 1854. Its location along the Androscoggin River contributed to the growth of textile mills, manufacturing and other industries during the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Today, the county combines urban communities with rural areas. Lewiston and Auburn form the principal urban area, while many of the surrounding towns consist of forests, farmland and lakes.

The county has a strong Franco-American heritage, particularly in Lewiston and Auburn, where French Canadian immigrants historically worked in the textile mills.

Cities

• Lewiston—Auburn — twin cities with a strong French-Canadian heritage
• Lisbon — a small mill town that is largely a bedroom community for people working in the Portland area
• Livermore Falls
• Poland — a historic resort area that is home to Range Ponds State Park, which has hiking trails and a pristine freshwater beach

Get in

• Auburn-Lewiston Municipal Airport (LEW)

Stay safe

Androscoggin County is generally suitable for normal travel precautions. During winter, roads can become icy and snow-covered.

Go next

• Cumberland County — Includes Portland and the southern Maine coast.
• Oxford County — Mountainous and rural area west of Androscoggin County.
• Kennebec County — Located north and east of Androscoggin County.
• Franklin County — Known for mountains, lakes and outdoor recreation.
• Portland — Maine's largest city and a major destination on Casco Bay.

History

Demand for a new county emerged when the residents of the rapidly growing town of Lewiston complained of the long distance they had to travel to reach Wiscasset, the county seat of Lincoln County, in which Lewiston was originally located. It was also an impractical circumstance as Lewiston's neighbor, Auburn, was part of Cumberland County. As the growing partnership of the two towns emerged, the case for the towns to be in the same county grew. Different plans were discussed, including Lewiston joining Cumberland County. Eventually, the idea of a new county came to the table. The debate then became over which town would be the center of the new county. Bath, Brunswick, and Lewiston each desired the distinction. Lewiston eventually won the debate. Androscoggin County was created in 1854 from towns originally in Cumberland County, Lincoln County, Kennebec County, and Oxford.