Population66,609 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Border Connections And A Northern Civic Heart
Aroostook County, MaineAroostook County brings a broad northern Maine geography into focus through communities including Houlton, Caribou and Presque Isle. Houlton, the county seat, sits at the United States–Canada border near the northern end of Interstate 95, giving it a distinctive role in regional travel. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 66,609 residents in Aroostook County, Maine, on July 1, 2025.
Aroostook County at a Glance
Population66,609 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatHoulton
Largest MunicipalityPresque Isle
Established1839 (organized; NACo County Explorer)
Total Area, Including Water6,827.408 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesI-95 · U.S. 1 · U.S. 2
Area Codes207
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Discover Aroostook County
Aroostook County
Aroostook County was established in 1839, but Houlton's town history began earlier. The town records settlement in 1807 and incorporation in 1831, following Maine's separation from Massachusetts. Its position on the international border gives local history a wider frame than county government alone. Museum research materials covering the Aroostook War and Houlton's air base offer further ways to explore how borders, transportation and national events intersected with everyday life in this northern community.
Houlton offers a practical introduction to the county's civic and historical identity. Begin with its town history and local museum resources before building a wider route that includes Caribou or Presque Isle. The county covers a broad area, so select destinations by location rather than assuming they are close together. If a trip includes crossing into Canada, check the current border requirements separately from the local sightseeing plan. Aroostook State Park combines Echo Lake with the slopes of Quaggy Jo Mountain, giving visitors a choice between waterside scenery and a more demanding walk. It was Maine's first state park, adding a conservation story to the landscape. Plan around the activity you want to do, and read current notices: facilities, drinking-water availability and trail conditions can affect even a short outing. Maine Acadian Culture introduces the heritage of communities in the St. John Valley through a network of historical and cultural places. It is best approached as a regional story rather than a single museum entrance. Use the National Park Service information to identify the participating places that interest you, then check each site's visiting arrangements. This gives a northern Maine journey a cultural focus alongside its scenery. Presque Isle and the St. John Valley are different destinations within a large county. Choose a regional base first, then group cultural stops and outdoor visits around that base.
What Shapes Us
Place And Character
Houlton, the county seat, sits at the United States–Canada border near the northern end of Interstate 95, giving it a distinctive role in regional travel.
The Local Story
Aroostook County was established in 1839, but Houlton's town history began earlier. The town records settlement in 1807 and incorporation in 1831, following Maine's separation from Massachusetts.
Explore The County
Houlton offers a practical introduction to the county's civic and historical identity. Begin with its town history and local museum resources before building a wider route that includes Caribou or Presque Isle.
Northern communities, shared histories and connections beyond the border.
A Closer Look
Aroostook County
Places and perspectives from Aroostook County
The County
UMFK to host its Poutine Fest Oct. 29
FORT KENT, Maine — The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host its second annual Poutine Fest…
Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Aroostook County
Stories from every corner of Aroostook County.
UMFK to host its Poutine Fest Oct. 29
FORT KENT, Maine — The University of Maine at Fort Kent will host its second annual Poutine Fest…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Cary Library lists memorial donations
Cary Library of Houlton recently released its latest rounds of memorial donations. Third quarter (July, August and September)…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
MMG Insurance pledges $50,000 to support Northern Maine Community Trails
PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — Northern Maine Community Trails is excited to announce a generous $50,000 pledge from MMG…
Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Accreditor suspends any new offerings within UMPI’s YourPace program
The University of Maine at Presque Isle can’t offer any new YourPace competency-based programs without accreditor approval, according…
Oct 15, 2026 • 2 min read
Maliseet Advocacy Center lights it up purple for Domestic Violence Awareness Month
HOULTON, Maine — The Maliseet Advocacy Center’s hope is that one day, domestic and sexual violence will be…
Oct 15, 2026 • 2 min read
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County Resources
Find the Right Local Connection
Start with the organization responsible for the service you need. Follow its official link for current requirements, office locations and availability.
Government
Additional Maine and national services
Maine local government finder — Find the municipal office responsible for local services.
Maine state agencies — Identify the state department responsible for an issue.
Maine Legislature — Find legislators, bills and legislative schedules.
Secretary of State — Access elections, records and business services.
Maine Revenue Services — Find state tax forms and taxpayer contacts.
Maine Ethics Commission — Find campaign-finance reporting and ethics information.
Maine Attorney General — Find consumer assistance and state legal office contacts.
Maine State Archives — Research historical government records and archival holdings.
Maine open government — Find the public-records request process and agency contacts.
Maine Governor — Find executive office contact information and announcements.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
Schools
Local services for Aroostook County
UMaine Cooperative Extension — Aroostook County — Local education, youth programs and resources for farms, gardens and families. Browse the county office’s current offerings.
Public school contacts
Selected local schools from the NCES 2024-2025 directory. Contact the school or district to confirm enrollment, attendance boundaries and current services; this is not a complete school list.
Dawn F Barnes Elementary Sch – Elementary; grades PK-08. 1025 Van Buren Road, Caswell, ME 04750. 207-325-4611.
Easton Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 33 Bangor Road, Easton, ME 04740. 207-488-7700.
Connor Consolidated School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 1581 Van Buren RD, Connor Twp, ME 04736. 207-496-4521.
Limestone Community School – Elementary; grades PK-08. 93 High Street, Limestone, ME 04750. 207-325-4742.
ME Sch of Science & Mathematics – High; grades 09-12. 95 High Street, Limestone, ME 04750. 207-325-3600.
Fort Kent Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-06. 108 PLEASANT ST, Fort Kent, ME 04743. 207-834-3456.
Madawaska Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-05. 353 Eleventh AVE, Madawaska, ME 04756. 207-728-3635.
Additional Maine and national services
Maine Department of Education — Find public education programs and state guidance.
Maine school directory — Locate schools and school administrative units.
Maine special education — Find special education supports and family resources.
Maine adult education — Find local adult learning and diploma programs.
Maine community colleges — Explore certificates, associate degrees and workforce education.
University of Maine System — Compare public university campuses and programs.
Finance Authority of Maine — Find student financial-aid and education-financing information.
Maine career and technical education — Explore secondary career and technical education pathways.
Maine Parent Federation — Find family support and education information concerning disabilities.
Maine homeschooling — Find home-instruction requirements and notice forms.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
Hospitals
Local hospital contacts
Facility contacts from the CMS Hospital General Information directory, updated July 22, 2026. Contact the facility directly to confirm current services and appointment arrangements.
Cary Medical Center – Acute Care Hospitals. 163 Van Buren Rd, Suite 1, Caribou, ME 04736. 207-498-3111.
Northern Maine Medical Center – Critical Access Hospitals. 194 E Main Street, Fort Kent, ME 04743. 207-834-3195.
Houlton Regional Hospital – Critical Access Hospitals. 20 Hartford Street, Houlton, ME 04730. 207-532-2900.
Northern Light A R Gould Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. Po Box 151, Presque Isle, ME 04769. 207-768-4000.
Additional Maine and national services
Service areas and destinations vary. Check the provider’s location or route before planning a visit; this list includes resources elsewhere in Maine.
MaineHealth — Locate hospitals, practices and services within the MaineHealth system.
Northern Light Health — Find Northern Light hospitals, providers and locations.
Central Maine Healthcare — Locate Central Maine Healthcare hospitals and clinical services.
Maine Hospital Association — Find Maine hospital-system information and hospital contacts.
Maine hospital quality information — Compare reported healthcare quality and cost information.
Medicare Care Compare — Search hospitals and other Medicare providers by location.
HRSA health center finder — Locate community health centers by address or town.
Maine CDC — Find public-health programs and current health notices.
MaineCare — Find MaineCare coverage information and member contacts.
VA Maine Healthcare — Find VA care locations and veteran patient services.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
Public Safety
Additional Maine and national services
Maine State Police — Find State Police offices and public information.
Maine Department of Public Safety — Find state public-safety bureaus and contacts.
Maine Warden Service — Find wildlife-law-enforcement information and regional contacts.
Maine Marine Patrol — Find coastal enforcement offices and marine safety information.
Maine Fire Marshal — Find fire-safety, inspection and investigation resources.
Maine road conditions — Check reported road incidents and travel conditions.
Maine consumer protection — Find consumer complaint guidance and fraud resources.
Maine highway safety — Find traffic-safety education and programs.
Maine corrections — Find corrections facilities and public contact information.
Maine 911 — Learn how the state emergency calling system works.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
Emergency Services
Local services for Aroostook County
Aroostook County Emergency Management Agency — County preparedness and emergency-planning information.
Additional Maine and national services
Maine Emergency Management Agency — Find statewide emergency updates and preparedness information.
National Weather Service Gray — Read official forecasts and warnings for southern and western Maine.
National Weather Service Caribou — Read official forecasts and warnings for northern and eastern Maine.
211 Maine — Find community assistance and referrals by need and location.
American Red Cross Northern New England — Find regional disaster assistance and preparedness programs.
Ready.gov — Build household emergency plans and supply kits.
FEMA disaster assistance — Check assistance options for federally declared disasters.
Poison Control — Find poison-exposure assistance and prevention information.
Maine emergency medical services — Find Maine EMS system information and contacts.
Maine Forest Service — Find wildfire prevention and forest-protection information.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
State Parks
Additional Maine and national services
Service areas and destinations vary. Check the provider’s location or route before planning a visit; this list includes resources elsewhere in Maine.
Maine park finder — Find state parks, historic sites and public lands.
State parks overview — Compare coastal, lakeside and mountain park settings.
Park day-use fees — Check current day-use fees before visiting.
Camping reservation guidance — Find the official state-park campsite reservation process.
Park campground fees — Compare campsite fees and special camping charges.
Group camping — Find designated group-camping locations and arrangements.
RV and camper information — Check campground facilities and RV planning information.
Baxter State Park — Plan a visit using the park's own reservations and rules.
Acadia National Park — Plan visits to Maine's national park; it is not a state park.
Maine conservation lands maps — Find official state and conservation mapping tools.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
Trails
Additional Maine and national services
Service areas and destinations vary. Check the provider’s location or route before planning a visit; this list includes resources elsewhere in Maine.
Maine Appalachian Trail Club — Find Maine Appalachian Trail stewardship and trail information.
Appalachian Trail Conservancy — Review Appalachian Trail maps, alerts and trip-planning guidance.
Maine Bureau of Parks and Lands — Find trails on state-managed lands and current park notices.
Acadia carriage roads — Plan walking and cycling on Acadia's shared carriage roads.
Baxter State Park hiking — Check trail access, reservations and seasonal rules before hiking.
Maine Island Trail Association — Find coastal island-trail membership and stewardship information.
Maine Coast Heritage Trust — Find coastal preserves and property-specific visitor guidance.
Maine Audubon sanctuaries — Find sanctuary trails and wildlife-watching destinations.
Maine land trusts — Find land trusts and their preserve information across Maine.
Maine weather warnings — Check the forecast and warnings for the trail's location.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
Utilities
Additional Maine and national services
Service areas and destinations vary. Check the provider’s location or route before planning a visit; this list includes resources elsewhere in Maine.
Maine Public Utilities Commission — Find regulated utility contacts and consumer assistance.
Maine Office of Public Advocate — Find independent guidance about utility bills and rates.
Efficiency Maine — Explore energy-efficiency programs and available incentives.
MaineHousing heating assistance — Find heating-assistance programs and application contacts.
Maine broadband authority — Find statewide broadband projects and connectivity programs.
Maine utility assistance — Find utility complaint assistance and consumer-service contacts.
Versant Power — Check service and outage information within Versant's territory.
Summit Natural Gas of Maine — Check natural-gas service availability and customer contacts.
Maine Drinking Water Program — Find public-water oversight and drinking-water information.
Dig Safe — Arrange utility marking before eligible excavation work.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
Libraries
Local library contacts
Locations and public phone numbers are from the IMLS FY2024 Public Libraries Survey. Call the branch to confirm current hours and services before visiting.
Faye O`Leary Hafford Library – 1063 Allagash Road, Allagash, ME 04774. 207-398-4454.
Gladys J. Craig Memorial Library – 57 Exchange Street, Ashland, ME 04732. 207-435-6532.
Caribou Public Library – 30 High Street, Caribou, ME 04736. 207-493-4214.
Fort Fairfield Public Library – 339 Main Street, Fort Fairfield, ME 04742. 207-472-3880.
Fort Kent Public Library – 1 Monument Square, Fort Kent, ME 04743. 207-834-3048.
Cary Library-Houlton – 107 Main Street, Houlton, ME 04730. 207-532-1302.
Robert A. Frost Memorial Library – 42 Main Street, Limestone, ME 04750. 207-325-4706.
Additional Maine and national services
Maine State Library — Find library services, research assistance and statewide resources.
Maine library directory — Locate public and other libraries by community.
Digital Maine Library — Access statewide online research databases.
Digital Maine repository — Explore digitized Maine documents and historical collections.
Maine InfoNet — Find shared library catalogs and borrowing services.
MaineCat catalog — Search participating Maine library collections.
Maine Memory Network — Explore historical photographs and records from Maine institutions.
Maine Historical Society — Find historical research collections and library access information.
Library of Congress — Search national digitized collections, maps and manuscripts.
National Archives — Find federal archival records and research guidance.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
Courts
Additional Maine and national services
Maine Judicial Branch — Find Maine courts, calendars and court-system information.
Maine court locations — Locate the court serving a town or case type.
Maine court forms — Find official court forms and instructions.
Maine court help — Find court-process information and self-help materials.
Maine electronic filing — Check e-filing availability and access to electronic court systems.
Maine jury service — Find jury-service instructions and contact information.
Maine probate courts — Find participating county probate-court services.
U.S. District Court for Maine — Find federal district-court locations and procedures.
U.S. Bankruptcy Court for Maine — Find federal bankruptcy-court forms and filing information.
Pine Tree Legal Assistance — Find civil legal-aid information and eligibility contacts.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
DMV
Additional Maine and national services
Maine Bureau of Motor Vehicles — Find official driver and vehicle services.
BMV branch locations — Locate an office and check available services.
Maine driver licensing — Find licensing requirements and driver-service information.
Maine vehicle registration fees — Check the official vehicle-registration fee schedules.
Maine vehicle titles — Find title applications and ownership-document requirements.
Maine REAL ID — Check official REAL ID documentation requirements.
Maine license renewal — Find driver-license renewal options.
Maine disability plates and placards — Find mobility-parking application information.
Maine passenger vehicle registration — Find passenger-vehicle registration requirements.
Maine registration renewal — Find renewal guidance and online eligibility information.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
Transportation
Local services for Aroostook County
Aroostook Regional Transportation System — MaineDOT lists this regional provider for Aroostook County. Use the Region 1 directory entry to contact the operator.
Additional Maine and national services
Service areas and destinations vary. Check the provider’s location or route before planning a visit; this list includes resources elsewhere in Maine.
Maine Department of Transportation — Find transportation projects, travel information and agency services.
Maine road conditions — Check reported incidents, construction and road conditions.
Maine State Ferry Service — Check routes and schedules for state-served islands.
Amtrak Downeaster — Plan rail travel on the Brunswick-to-Boston corridor.
Concord Coach Lines — Check intercity coach routes and schedules serving Maine.
METRO Greater Portland Transit — Check bus routes within the Greater Portland service area.
Bangor Community Connector — Find bus services in the Bangor urban area.
Island Explorer — Check seasonal shuttle routes in the Acadia area.
Casco Bay Lines — Plan passenger-ferry trips to Casco Bay islands.
Maine Turnpike Authority — Find toll-road travel updates and toll information.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
Postal Services
Additional Maine and national services
USPS locations — Find nearby post offices, collection boxes and service hours.
USPS ZIP Code lookup — Check the ZIP Code associated with a mailing address.
USPS mail management — Access official mail tracking and delivery-management tools.
USPS missing mail — Learn the official process for finding delayed or missing mail.
USPS hold mail — Find temporary mail-hold options for eligible addresses.
USPS address changes — Find official mail-forwarding and change-of-address options.
USPS redelivery — Arrange redelivery of eligible missed items.
USPS pickup — Check carrier-pickup options for eligible packages.
USPS postage calculator — Estimate postage for a planned shipment.
U.S. Postal Inspection Service — Find mail-fraud reporting and postal-crime prevention resources.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
Veterans
Additional Maine and national services
Maine Bureau of Veterans Services — Find Maine veteran programs and state service officers.
VA Maine Healthcare — Find VA hospitals, clinics and patient services in Maine.
VA locations — Locate VA facilities and services by address.
VA benefits — Find official federal veteran benefit information.
Maine Veterans Homes — Explore Maine veteran residential and long-term-care locations.
Maine Veterans Project — Find veteran support programs offered by this Maine nonprofit.
Maine CareerCenter veteran employment services — Connect with a CareerCenter for veteran employment assistance and hiring events.
VA education benefits — Explore education and training benefits and application guidance.
VA housing assistance — Find veteran housing-benefit programs and contacts.
VA records — Find ways to request and manage military or VA records.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
Employment
Additional Maine and national services
Maine CareerCenters — Find regional job-search assistance and employer services.
Maine JobLink — Search job postings and workforce opportunities in Maine.
Maine Department of Labor — Find state employment programs and labor information.
Maine state careers — Browse Maine state-government employment opportunities.
Maine unemployment services — Find official unemployment claim and account guidance.
Maine vocational rehabilitation — Find employment supports for people with disabilities.
Maine workforce education — Explore community-college workforce training programs.
USAJOBS — Search federal jobs by Maine location and occupation.
Apprenticeship job finder — Search registered apprenticeship opportunities.
CareerOneStop — Explore occupations, training and job-search tools.
Geographic search aliases: Aroostook County ME, Aroostook County Maine, Aroostook ME, Aroostook Maine.
Get to Know Aroostook County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Aroostook County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
Market Square brings together the facades of a historic commercial center. Take time to notice the rhythm of the buildings and the open square rather than treating it simply as a route through town.
The Acadian Landing Site cross in Madawaska is a specific place to begin learning about that heritage. Pair the monument with local historical interpretation rather than relying on the landmark alone to tell the whole story.
The Aroostook County Courthouse and Jail presents a civic counterpart to the commercial buildings of Market Square. Its prominent central section and symmetrical facade reward a closer architectural look.
Island Falls Opera House is one example. Its surviving building offers a reason to look into the history of entertainment and community gathering in a smaller Aroostook town; confirm present access before visiting.
Fort Kent’s historic blockhouse is a tangible starting point. The archival photograph linked here helps identify the structure; use current site information to plan a visit and to understand its historical setting.
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Presque Isle, Maine.
Echo Lake, Quaggy Jo Mountain and Maine's first state park.
Check park notices, including drinking-water availability, before setting out.
St. John Valley, Maine.
Acadian heritage interpreted through places across the St. John Valley.
Choose individual participating sites and check each site's opening arrangements.
Shop - Dine - Discover
Meet Local Businesses
Support the businesses that help make our communities thrive. From family-owned shops and restaurants to trusted local services, discover businesses worth visiting throughout the county.
My Local Guide
Find Something Fun
Make Time to ExploreBrowse local places by the kind of day you have in mind.
Explore these places
- Aroostook State Park — Presque Isle. Echo Lake, Quaggy Jo Mountain and Maine's first state park.
- Maine Acadian Culture — St. John Valley. Acadian heritage interpreted through places across the St. John Valley.
Photo credits
- HoultonME MarketSquare.jpg — Doug Kerr; CC BY-SA 2.0.
- MadawaskaME AcadianLandingCross.jpg — Todd Edgard (NPS employee); Public domain.
- HoultonME AroostookCountyCourthouse.jpg — Doug Kerr; CC BY-SA 2.0.
- IslandFallsME OperaHouse.jpg — Magicpiano; CC BY-SA 3.0.
- Fort Kent, Fort Kent (Aroostock County, Maine).jpg — NPS photo; Public domain.
Fact sources: MaineDOT public roads; 2020 Census municipal populations. Routes shown are selected major corridors, not a complete road list.
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