Population41,117 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
Coastal Communities Beneath a Mountain Skyline
Knox County, MaineRockland, Camden, and the island towns give Knox County a varied coastal identity. Mount Megunticook rises within Camden Hills State Park, while North Haven and Vinalhaven extend the county’s community map offshore. Its namesake, Henry Knox, lived in the area after the Revolutionary War. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated 41,117 residents in Knox County, Maine, on July 1, 2025.
Knox County at a Glance
Population41,117 (July 1, 2025 Census estimate)
County SeatRockland
Largest MunicipalityRockland
Established1860
Total Area, Including Water1,143.944 square miles, including water (2020 Census geography)
Major RoutesU.S. 1 · ME 17 · ME 90
Area Codes207
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Discover Knox County
Knox County
Knox County was established in 1860 from parts of Waldo and Lincoln counties, making it Maine’s most recently created county. It was named for Henry Knox, the Revolutionary War general and former secretary of war who lived in the area from 1795 until 1806. Rockland serves as the county seat. The Union Fair, whose origins date to 1868, adds an agricultural chapter to a county often understood primarily through its coast and island communities.
Rockland, Camden, Rockport, and the island towns offer different ways to experience Knox County. Camden Hills State Park brings a mountain landscape close to the coast, with Mount Megunticook as a prominent feature. North Haven and Vinalhaven are separate island communities rather than extensions of the mainland street network. A county-wide plan should allow for that geography, balancing mainland destinations with the additional travel arrangements needed for an island visit. The Farnsworth Art Museum offers a sustained look at American art in Rockland, adding an indoor cultural destination to a coastal journey. Use the current exhibition program to decide what interests you most and how much time to allow. Collections and changing exhibitions reward close attention; a museum visit can become the centre of the day, rather than only a brief stop between waterfront views and shops. Camden Hills State Park is known for views over Camden and Penobscot Bay, but the route you choose shapes the experience. Mount Battie and the higher terrain around Mount Megunticook involve different access choices and levels of effort. The summit road and hiking trails should not be treated as equivalent options. Review park information for road access, trail conditions and a route suited to your group. Rockland art and Camden scenery make complementary themes for a coastal visit. Avoid rushing both: select the exhibition or walking route first, then leave room for the journey.
What Shapes Us
Local Character
Rockland, Camden, and the island towns give Knox County a varied coastal identity. Mount Megunticook rises within Camden Hills State Park, while North Haven and Vinalhaven extend the county’s community map offshore.
Community History
Knox County was established in 1860 from parts of Waldo and Lincoln counties, making it Maine’s most recently created county.
Around the County
Rockland, Camden, Rockport, and the island towns offer different ways to experience Knox County. Camden Hills State Park brings a mountain landscape close to the coast, with Mount Megunticook as a prominent feature.
Coastal places reveal more beyond the mainland roads.
A Closer Look
Knox County
Places and perspectives from Knox County
PenBay Pilot
Street closure: Main Street in Rockland for Sunday Stroll
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Read the Story Oct 16, 2026 • 2 min read
Around Knox County
Stories from every corner of Knox County.
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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
Knox County contacts
County Commission — Official Knox County county commission information and contacts.
County Commissioners — Official Knox County county commissioners information and contacts.
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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox Maine.
Schools
Local services for Knox County
UMaine Cooperative Extension — Knox 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.
Appleton Village School – Elementary; grades PK-08. 737 Union Road, Appleton, ME 04862. 207-785-4504.
Camden Hills Regional H S – High; grades 09-12. 25 Keelson Drive, Rockport, ME 04856. 207-236-7800.
Hope Elementary School – Elementary; grades PK-08. 34 Highfield Road, Hope, ME 04847. 207-785-4081.
Isle au Haut Rural School – Elementary; grades PK-08. 1 Schoolhouse lane, Isle Au Haut, ME 04645. 207-335-2521.
North Haven Community School – Other; grades KG-12. 93 Pulpit Harbor RD, North Haven, ME 04853. 207-867-4707.
Vinalhaven School – Other; grades PK-12. 22 Arcola Lane, Vinalhaven, ME 04863. 207-863-4800.
Cushing Community School – Elementary; grades KG-05. 54 Cross Road, Cushing, ME 04563. 207-354-2312.
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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox 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.
Mainehealth Pen Bay Hospital – Acute Care Hospitals. 6 Glen Cove Drive, Rockport, ME 04856. 207-921-8000.
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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox Maine.
Public Safety
Knox County contacts
Knox County Sheriff’s Department — Official Knox County knox county sheriff’s department information and contacts.
Knox County Sheriff’s Office — Official Knox County knox county sheriff’s office information and contacts.
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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox Maine.
Emergency Services
Local services for Knox County
Knox County Emergency Management Agency — County preparedness and emergency-planning information. Find the county’s entry in the official MEMA directory.
Knox County contacts
Emergency Management Agency — Official Knox County emergency management agency information and contacts.
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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox 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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox 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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox 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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox 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.
Mildred Stevens Williams Memorial Library – 2916 Sennebec Road, Appleton, ME 04862. 207-785-5656.
Camden Public Library – 55 Main Street, Camden, ME 04843. 207-236-3440.
Cushing Public Library – 39 Cross Road, Cushing, ME 04563. 207-354-8860.
Friendship Public Library – 3 Main Street, Friendship, ME 04547. 207-832-5332.
Hope Library – 443 Camden Road, Hope, ME 04847. 207-763-3553.
North Haven Public Library – 33 Main Street, North Haven, ME 04853. 207-867-9797.
Rockland Public Library – 80 Union St., Rockland, ME 04841. 207-594-0310.
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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox Maine.
Courts
Knox County contacts
Judges of the Courts — Official Knox County judges of the courts information and contacts.
Courts — Official Knox County courts information and contacts.
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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox 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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox Maine.
Transportation
Local services for Knox County
Midcoast regional transportation directory — Use Region 5 for mainland Knox County transportation contacts; Isle au Haut is listed in Region 2. Confirm current operators and routes.
Knox County contacts
Knox County Regional Airport — Official Knox County knox county regional airport information and contacts.
Airport Public Advisory Committee (APAC) — Official Knox County airport public advisory committee (apac) information and contacts.
Airport Master Plan — Official Knox County airport master plan information and contacts.
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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox 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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox 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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox Maine.
Employment
Knox County contacts
Employment — Official Knox County employment information and contacts.
Careers — Official Knox County careers information and contacts.
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: Knox County ME, Knox County Maine, Knox ME, Knox Maine.
Get to Know Knox County
Useful answers for residents, visitors and anyone planning their next step.
Local Questions
Knox County Questions, Answered
Explore practical details about the county and the organizations that serve it.
The Beech Hill Preserve photographic record includes a stone ring within the Beechnut Hut Historic District. Treat it as a feature to learn about through preserve interpretation, rather than assigning it an unsupported origin.
The aerial view of Camden’s historic district shows the close relationship between streets, buildings and harbor. It is a useful visual reference before exploring the town at ground level.
Camden Yacht Club is a recognizable waterfront structure. Its photograph offers a view of the built harbor landscape; club facilities should not be assumed open to nonmembers without checking.
The Farnsworth Homestead offers a different subject from working waterfronts and civic buildings. Its historic house form gives an architecture-focused visit another layer; verify current visitor arrangements with the institution.
Knox County Courthouse offers a larger, more formal architectural presence. Comparing it with the Farnsworth Homestead highlights different building types within the same community.
Rockland, Maine.
American art collections and changing exhibitions in Rockland.
Consult current exhibitions, admission and opening information before visiting.
Camden, Maine.
Views toward Camden and Penobscot Bay from a varied trail landscape.
Check summit-road access separately from hiking-route conditions and difficulty.
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
- Farnsworth Art Museum — Rockland. American art collections and changing exhibitions in Rockland.
- Camden Hills State Park — Camden. Views toward Camden and Penobscot Bay from a varied trail landscape.
Photo credits
- RockportME BeechHillPreserve MysteryStoneRing.jpg — Magicpiano; CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Camden View 090112.jpg — Paul H Chacon; CC BY-SA 3.0.
- Camden Yacht Club 4.jpg — Brian P. D. Hannon; CC BY-SA 4.0.
- RocklandME FarnsworthHomestead.jpg — Magicpiano; CC BY-SA 4.0.
- Knox County Courthouse, Rockland, Maine.jpg — Doug Kerr from Albany, NY, United States; CC BY-SA 2.0.
Fact sources: MaineDOT public roads; 2020 Census municipal populations. Routes shown are selected major corridors, not a complete road list.
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