Best counties to raise a family in Maine
Best counties to raise a family in Maine
Known in other parts of the world as shires, provinces, or territories, the United States’ counties (also known in certain states as boroughs or parishes) date back to the 1600s, when settlers first came to find freedom from British rule. Today, those counties remain, with the 50 states divided into several, each with its own unique makeup.
For people looking to find a home to raise a family in, choosing a county is an important decision. Most families place affordable homes, safe neighborhoods, a quality school system, and family-friendly activities at the top of their wishlists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Maine using data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, healthcare, recreation and weather. Listings and images are from realtor.com.
The list features counties that boast some of the top schools and fun, family-friendly activities for every season. Keep reading to explore the best counties to raise a family. Maybe you’ll find one that suits your brood.
#7. Lincoln County
- Median home value: $215,400 (79% own)
- Median rent: $819 (21% rent)
- Median household income: $57,720
- Top public schools: South Bristol Elementary School (A), Nobleboro Central School (A-), Great Salt Bay Community School (A-)
- Top private schools: Lincoln Academy (A-), Coastal Christian School (B-), Damariscotta Montessori School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Newcastle (A), Damariscotta (A-), Edgecomb (B+)
- Pictured: 88 Dodge Cove Ln, Newcastle ($2.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
#6. Knox County
- Median home value: $213,400 (77% own)
- Median rent: $856 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $57,751
- Top public schools: Camden Hills Regional High School (A), Hope Elementary School (A-), Camden-Rockport Middle School (A-)
- Top private schools: Watershed School (A-), Ashwood Waldorf School (unavailable), Children's House Montessori School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Rockport (A), Camden (B+), Rockland (B)
- Pictured: 99 Calderwood Ln, Rockport ($7.0 million, 4 bedrooms)
#5. Kennebec County
- Median home value: $159,400 (71% own)
- Median rent: $761 (29% rent)
- Median household income: $55,365
- Top public schools: Fayette Central School (A), Belgrade Central School (B+), Wayne Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Kents Hill School (A+), Erskine Academy (B-), Temple Academy (B-)
- Top places to live: Hallowell (A-), Manchester (B+), Waterville (B)
- Pictured: Overlook Dr Lot 11, Hallowell ($439,900, 3 bedrooms)
#4. York County
- Median home value: $252,300 (74% own)
- Median rent: $983 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $67,830
- Top public schools: Mildred L. Day School (A), Kennebunk Elementary School (A), Sea Road School (A)
- Top private schools: Berwick Academy (A+), Thornton Academy (B+), The New School (B+)
- Top places to live: Kennebunk (A), York (A-), South Berwick (A-)
- Pictured: 51 River Locks Rd, Kennebunk ($2.8 million, 6 bedrooms)
#3. Hancock County
- Median home value: $212,700 (76% own)
- Median rent: $818 (24% rent)
- Median household income: $57,178
- Top public schools: Conners-Emerson School (A), Swans Island Elementary School (A), Lamoine Consolidated School (A)
- Top private schools: George Stevens Academy (A-), The Bay School (unavailable), Graham Lake School (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Bar Harbor (A-), Ellsworth (B+), Surry (B)
- Pictured: 62 Sols Cliff Rd, Bar Harbor ($8.4 million, 7 bedrooms)
#2. Sagadahoc County
- Median home value: $213,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $894 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $63,694
- Top public schools: West Bath School (A-), Georgetown Central School (A-), Phippsburg Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Hyde School (A-), Chop Point School (A), Providence's Merrymeeting Center (unavailable)
- Top places to live: Topsham (A-), West Bath (B+), Bath (B+)
- Pictured: Somerset Pl Lot 1, Topsham ($639,000, 3 bedrooms)
#1. Cumberland County
- Median home value: $278,100 (69% own)
- Median rent: $1,131 (31% rent)
- Median household income: $73,072
- Top public schools: Yarmouth High School (A+), Frank H. Harrison Middle School (A+), Cape Elizabeth High School (A+)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (A+), Cheverus High School (A+), North Yarmouth Academy (A)
- Top places to live: Cape Elizabeth (A+), Yarmouth (A+), Falmouth (A+)
- Pictured: 18 Angell Point Rd, Cape Elizabeth ($2.5 million, 5 bedrooms)
