Thorndike, Maine Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

Thorndike, Maine is a small town located in Waldo County. It has a population of about 1,700 people. Thorndike sits under the shadow of Mount Waldo, which gives it a beautiful backdrop and some incredible outdoor activities. The climate in Thorndike is typical of the New England area: cold winters with heavy snowfall and mild summers.

Thorndike was first settled in 1783 by Ephraim Thorndike, who gave his name to the town. It was incorporated as a town in 1815 and has been relatively unchanged since then. Thorndike’s politics are dominated by its small-town nature; most residents are conservative Republicans who value tradition and community involvement.

The economy of Thorndike is based mainly on agriculture and forestry. There are several farms that produce dairy products, vegetables, fruits, and other goods for sale locally or for export to other parts of Maine or New England. The forest industry also plays an important role in the local economy; lumber companies harvest trees from nearby forests for sale to furniture makers and other woodworking industries across the region.

In terms of education, there are two elementary schools located in Thorndike that serve students from kindergarten through eighth grade; high school students attend nearby Belfast High School or one of the many private schools located throughout Waldo County.

There are several landmarks located throughout Thorndike that attract visitors from all over Maine and beyond. These include Chewonki Neck Wildlife Sanctuary, an area popular for hiking trails and bird watching; The Old School House Museum, which houses artifacts from early settlers; Colonel Buck’s Tavern, an 18th-century historical landmark now open as a restaurant; and many more parks, trails, churches, historical sites, monuments, and natural attractions throughout the town.

Population: 712. Estimated population in July 2024: 731 (+2.7% change)
Males: 360 (50.6%), Females: 352 (49.4%)

Waldo County

Demographics

Median resident age: 37.4 years
Median household income: $26,786
Median house value: $74,200

Population by Race

Races in Thorndike:

• White Non-Hispanic (99.0%)

Ancestries: Irish (16.7%), English (15.3%), French (12.8%), German (9.4%), Scottish (6.2%), Italian (5.5%).

Elevation: 275 feet

Population by Education

Thorndike, Maine is a small town located in Waldo County, with a population of just over 1,000 people. It is a rural area known for its natural beauty, with many forests and lakes nearby. The cost of living in Thorndike is relatively low compared to other parts of the state. Housing prices are among the lowest in Maine, and most residents own their homes. The median home value is around $155,000, which is lower than the national average. Utilities and groceries tend to be slightly higher than the national average due to its rural location, but overall it remains an affordable place to live.

The town has a few small businesses that provide employment opportunities for locals. There are also many farms in the area that offer seasonal employment opportunities for those looking for extra income or part-time work during the summer months. Additionally, there are several recreational activities available such as fishing and camping nearby which attract visitors from all over Maine and beyond. The town also has two schools: Thorndike Elementary School and Thorndike High School which serve local students from kindergarten through twelfth grade.

For population 25 years and over in Thorndike

• High school or higher: 81.6%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.4%
• Graduate or professional degree: 3.8%
• Unemployed: 4.1%
• Mean travel time to work: 26.9 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Thorndike town

• Never married: 23.1%
• Now married: 59.5%
• Separated: 3.0%
• Widowed: 3.5%
• Divorced: 10.9%

1.1% Foreign born

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Thorndike:

• SEBASTICOOK VALLEY HOSPITAL (about 17 miles; PITTSFIELD, ME)
• WALDO COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 20 miles; BELFAST, ME)
• INLAND HOSPITAL (about 24 miles; WATERVILLE, ME)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Thorndike:

• BANGOR INTL (about 36 miles; BANGOR, ME; Abbreviation: BGR)
• BRUNSWICK NAS (about 66 miles; BRUNSWICK, ME; Abbreviation: NHZ)
• PORTLAND INTL JETPORT (about 97 miles; PORTLAND, ME; Abbreviation: PWM)

Other public-use airports nearest to Thorndike:

• PITTSFIELD MUNI (about 15 miles; PITTSFIELD, ME; Abbreviation: 2B7)
• RING HILL (about 21 miles; CARMEL, ME; Abbreviation: 38B)
• BELFAST MUNI (about 23 miles; BELFAST, ME; Abbreviation: BST)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Thorndike:

• UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT AUGUSTA (about 38 miles; AUGUSTA, ME; Full-time enrollment: 3,172)
• UNIVERSITY OF MAINE (about 54 miles; ORONO, ME; Full-time enrollment: 8,590)
• UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FARMINGTON (about 59 miles; FARMINGTON, ME; Full-time enrollment: 2,229)
• UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE (about 94 miles; PORTLAND, ME; Full-time enrollment: 7,381)
• SAINT JOSEPHS COLLEGE (about 106 miles; STANDISH, ME; Full-time enrollment: 2,376)
• UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND-UNIVERSITY CAMPUS (about 112 miles; BIDDEFORD, ME; Full-time enrollment: 2,251)
• UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE-MAIN CAMPUS (about 154 miles; DURHAM, NH; Full-time enrollment: 12,586)

Schools

Public high school in Thorndike:

• MT VIEW HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 535; Location: 577 MOUNT VIEW ROAD; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Thorndike:

• MT VIEW JR HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 268; Location: 575 MOUNT VIEW ROAD; Grades: 07 – 08)
• MT VIEW ELEMENTARY SCHOOL (Students: 203; Location: 573 MOUNT VIEW ROAD; Grades: KG – 06)