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Lewiston is a city located in Androscoggin County, Maine. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 35,690. A former industrial center, it is located in southwest Maine, at the falls of the Androscoggin River, across from Auburn. Founded in 1770, Lewiston is home to Bates College.
Somali Controversy
Since 2001, Lewiston has been a site of ethnic tensions due to the immigration of approximately 4,000 Somalis into what had previously been an almost entirely Caucasian town of about 30,000.
Several demonstrations have been held in Lewiston, both by those who oppose the Somalis' presence and those who support it. In January 2003 a small group from the Creativity Movement came to Lewiston to demonstrate against the Lewiston Somali immigrants. This prompted a counter demonstration of 5,000 people and the organization of the "Many and One Coalition", a community group opposed to discrimination. Students at Bates College have also mostly demonstrated in favor of the Somalis.
Geography
Lewiston is located at 44°5'51" North, 70°11'33" West (44.097473, -70.192416)1.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 91.1 km² (35.2 mi²). 88.3 km² (34.1 mi²) of it is land and 2.8 km² (1.1 mi²) of it is water. The total area is 3.13% water.
Demographics
As of the census2 of 2000, there are 35,690 people, 15,290 households, and 8,654 families residing in the city. The population density is 404.2/km² (1,047.0/mi²). There are 16,470 housing units at an average density of 186.5/km² (483.2/mi²). The racial makeup of the city is 95.75% White, 1.07% African American, 0.28% Native American, 0.84% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.36% from other races, and 1.66% from two or more races. 1.26% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 15,290 households out of which 25.4% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 40.9% are married couples living together, 11.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 43.4% are non-families. 35.9% of all households are made up of individuals and 13.7% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.17 and the average family size is 2.81.
In the city the population is spread out with 20.7% under the age of 18, 12.6% from 18 to 24, 26.9% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 17.8% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 38 years. For every 100 females there are 90.9 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 87.8 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $29,191, and the median income for a family is $40,061. Males have a median income of $30,095 versus $21,810 for females. The per capita income for the city is $17,905. 15.5% of the population and 10.0% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 20.9% of those under the age of 18 and 12.5% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
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