First known as Plantation Number Five, Sixth Range, it was purchased by Samuel Parkman, a Boston Brahmin. In 1822, it was incorporated as a town and named for its proprietor. It was inherited by the proprietor's son, George Parkman, who visited it annually. Much of the town has excellent soil for farming. In 1837, the wheat crop was 6,018 bushels. In 1859, it was noted for making butter and cheese. By 1886, Parkman had several sawmills and a gristmill.
As of the census of 2010, there were 843 people, 353 households, and 241 families residing in the town. The population density was. There were 538 housing units at an average density of. The racial makeup of the town was 97.7% White, 0.1% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.1% Asian, 0.5% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.6% of the population. There were 353 households of which 28.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 58.1% were married couplesliving together, 5.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.2% had a male householder with no wife present, and 31.7% were non-families. 24.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 7.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.39 and the average family size was 2.83. The median age in the town was 45.2 years. 21.5% of residents were under the age of 18; 6.7% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.6% were from 25 to 44; 35.2% were from 45 to 64; and 14.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 52.2% male and 47.8% female.
2000 census
As of the census of 2000, there were 811 people, 311 households, and 222 families residing in the town. The population density was 17.8 people per square mile. There were 498 housing units at an average density of 10.9 per square mile. The racial makeup of the town was 98.03% White, 0.86% African American, 0.12% Native American, 0.12% Asian, and 0.86% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.49% of the population. There were 311 households out of which 35.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 61.4% were married couples living together, 6.4% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.3% were non-families. 21.5% of all households were made up of individuals and 9.0% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.61 and the average family size was 3.03. In the town, the population was spread out with 27.6% under the age of 18, 4.9% from 18 to 24, 30.5% from 25 to 44, 25.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.1% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38 years. For every 100 females, there were 109.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.7 males. The median income for a household in the town was $28,355, and the median income for a family was $32,000. Males had a median income of $26,207 versus $20,313 for females. The per capita income for the town was $11,965. About 8.5% of families and 15.4% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.8% of those under age 18 and 21.8% of those age 65 or over.
