Oxford County, incorporated in 1805, is located on the western edge of Maine and borders New Hampshire. South Paris is the county seat. Comprised of the commercial districts of Norway, Oxford, and Paris, and complimented by the outlying villages of Buckfield, Harrison, Hartford, Hebron, Mechanic Falls, Otisfield, Poland, Sumner, Waterford and West Paris, the member towns of the Oxford Hills Chamber of Commerce stretch from the borders of Lewiston-Auburn to the Mountains and Lakes Regions in Western Maine. If you live here, you know how breathtaking the area is. If you are visiting, the people you meet — and scenic beauty you see — will make you want to stay longer.

The Oxford Hills has more than 10 lakes and ponds, including Lake Pennesseewassee of Norway, Crystal Lake and Long Lake of Harrison, South Pond of Buckfield, and Upper Range, Middle Range and Lower Range Ponds of Poland — all of which are havens for boating, swimming, fishing, ice skating, cross country skiing, snowmobiling and other activities.

Streaked, Singepole, and Hawk mountains, among others, are hiking treks with vista views of Mount Washington and the Presidential Range. Additionally, Norway’s Ordway Grove and Paris Cornwall Nature Preserve provide over 150 acres of land for public use.

Whatever your reason for being in the Oxford Hills — existing business, new business venture, community member, employee, or visitor, contact the Oxford Hills Chamber at 4 Western Avenue, South Paris, for more information about the area or by calling 207-743-2281 or emailing [email protected].

Oxford County facts

Population, 2012 estimate = 57,481

Persons under 5 years, percent, 2012 = 4.9 percent

Persons under 18 years, percent, 2012 = 20.6 percent

Persons 65 years and over, percent, 2012 = 18.1 percent

Housing units, 2011 = 36,251

Homeownership rate, 2007-2011 = 78.0 percent

Households, 2007-2011 = 23,512

Median household income, 2007-2011 = $40,889

COUNTY BUILDING

26 Western Avenue
South Paris, ME 04281
Tel: 743-6359
Fax: 743-1545

COMMUNITIES
• Andover • Bethel
• Brownfield • Buckfield
• Byron • Canton
• Denmark • Dixfield
• Fryeburg • Gilead
• Greenwood • Hanover
• Hartford • Hebron
• Hiram • Lincoln Plt.
• Lovell • Magalloway Plt.
• Mexico • Newry
• Norway • Otisfield
• Oxford • Paris • Peru
• Porter • Roxbury
• Rumford • Stoneham
• Stow • Sumner • Sweden • Upton • Waterford
• West Paris • Woodstock

CENSUS DATA
Population……………. 57,481
County seat …. South Paris
Square miles…………… 2,078
Source: U.S. Census