Best places to raise a family in Maine
Written by:
April 20, 2021
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Best places to raise a family in Maine
Choosing a place to raise children can be a daunting task for any family. If it takes a village to raise a child, that may just extend all the way to your next-door neighbor, fifth-grade teacher, or volunteer soccer coach. While all parents are looking for a great place to raise their kids, oftentimes this decision means balancing—and prioritizing—certain community resources and costs.
Stacker compiled a list of the best places to raise a family in Maine using data from Niche. Niche ranks places to live based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather. Keep reading to see if where you grew up or currently live made the list.
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#25. York
- Population: 13,070
- Median home value: $410,200 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,135 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $93,333
- Top public schools: Coastal Ridge Elementary School (A), York Middle School (A-), Eliot Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Brixham Montessori Friends School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 229 US Route 1, York ($2.2 million, 6 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $410,200 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,135 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $93,333
- Top public schools: Coastal Ridge Elementary School (A), York Middle School (A-), Eliot Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Brixham Montessori Friends School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 229 US Route 1, York ($2.2 million, 6 bedrooms)
#24. Farmington
- Population: 7,597
- Median home value: $159,400 (65% own)
- Median rent: $678 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $47,023
- Top public schools: W.G. Mallett School (A-), Mt. Blue High School (C+), Cascade Brook School (C+)
- Pictured: 133 Highland Ave, Farmington ($395,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $159,400 (65% own)
- Median rent: $678 (35% rent)
- Median household income: $47,023
- Top public schools: W.G. Mallett School (A-), Mt. Blue High School (C+), Cascade Brook School (C+)
- Pictured: 133 Highland Ave, Farmington ($395,000, 4 bedrooms)
#23. Arundel
- Population: 4,277
- Median home value: $257,300 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,203 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $71,463
- Top public schools: Mildred L. Day School (A), Kennebunk Elementary School (A), Sea Road School (A)
- Top private schools: School Around Us (unavailable)
- Pictured: 2805 Portland Rd, Arundel ($499,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $257,300 (87% own)
- Median rent: $1,203 (13% rent)
- Median household income: $71,463
- Top public schools: Mildred L. Day School (A), Kennebunk Elementary School (A), Sea Road School (A)
- Top private schools: School Around Us (unavailable)
- Pictured: 2805 Portland Rd, Arundel ($499,000, 3 bedrooms)
#22. Veazie
- Population: 1,999
- Median home value: $151,500 (72% own)
- Median rent: $895 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $51,346
- Top public schools: Veazie Community School (A)
- Pictured: 14 Killarney Ct Unit 11, Veazie ($279,500, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $151,500 (72% own)
- Median rent: $895 (28% rent)
- Median household income: $51,346
- Top public schools: Veazie Community School (A)
- Pictured: 14 Killarney Ct Unit 11, Veazie ($279,500, 2 bedrooms)
#21. Kennebunkport
- Population: 3,596
- Median home value: $390,500 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,048 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $84,266
- Top public schools: Mildred L. Day School (A), Kennebunk Elementary School (A), Sea Road School (A)
- Pictured: 4 Josiah Curtis Ln, Kennebunkport ($4.6 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $390,500 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,048 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $84,266
- Top public schools: Mildred L. Day School (A), Kennebunk Elementary School (A), Sea Road School (A)
- Pictured: 4 Josiah Curtis Ln, Kennebunkport ($4.6 million, 5 bedrooms)
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#20. Kennebunk
- Population: 11,424
- Median home value: $331,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $964 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $75,517
- Top public schools: Mildred L. Day School (A), Kennebunk Elementary School (A), Sea Road School (A)
- Top private schools: The New School (B+)
- Pictured: 22 Summer St, Kennebunk ($1.7 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $331,400 (75% own)
- Median rent: $964 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $75,517
- Top public schools: Mildred L. Day School (A), Kennebunk Elementary School (A), Sea Road School (A)
- Top private schools: The New School (B+)
- Pictured: 22 Summer St, Kennebunk ($1.7 million, 5 bedrooms)
#19. Gorham
- Population: 17,582
- Median home value: $268,700 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,073 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $84,767
- Top public schools: Gorham Middle School (A-), Village Elementary School (A-), Narragansett Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 341 Ossipee Trl E, Gorham ($410,000, 0 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $268,700 (83% own)
- Median rent: $1,073 (17% rent)
- Median household income: $84,767
- Top public schools: Gorham Middle School (A-), Village Elementary School (A-), Narragansett Elementary School (A-)
- Pictured: 341 Ossipee Trl E, Gorham ($410,000, 0 bedrooms)
#18. Brunswick
- Population: 20,517
- Median home value: $243,500 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,002 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $59,922
- Top public schools: Brunswick High School (A), West Bath School (A-), Brunswick Junior High School (A-)
- Top private schools: St. John's Catholic School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 48 Union St Unit 301, Brunswick ($805,000, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $243,500 (68% own)
- Median rent: $1,002 (32% rent)
- Median household income: $59,922
- Top public schools: Brunswick High School (A), West Bath School (A-), Brunswick Junior High School (A-)
- Top private schools: St. John's Catholic School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 48 Union St Unit 301, Brunswick ($805,000, 2 bedrooms)
#17. Orono
- Population: 10,776
- Median home value: $176,100 (50% own)
- Median rent: $921 (50% rent)
- Median household income: $47,528
- Top public schools: Orono Middle School (A), Asa C. Adams School (A), Veazie Community School (A)
- Pictured: Main St Lot 3-10, Orono ($354,900, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $176,100 (50% own)
- Median rent: $921 (50% rent)
- Median household income: $47,528
- Top public schools: Orono Middle School (A), Asa C. Adams School (A), Veazie Community School (A)
- Pictured: Main St Lot 3-10, Orono ($354,900, 3 bedrooms)
#16. South Berwick
- Population: 7,470
- Median home value: $268,200 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,003 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $88,262
- Top public schools: Coastal Ridge Elementary School (A), York Middle School (A-), Eliot Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Berwick Academy (A+)
- Pictured: 124 Wild Rose Ln, South Berwick ($550,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $268,200 (75% own)
- Median rent: $1,003 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $88,262
- Top public schools: Coastal Ridge Elementary School (A), York Middle School (A-), Eliot Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Berwick Academy (A+)
- Pictured: 124 Wild Rose Ln, South Berwick ($550,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#15. Portland
- Population: 66,595
- Median home value: $289,000 (45% own)
- Median rent: $1,124 (55% rent)
- Median household income: $60,467
- Top public schools: Casco Bay High School (A), Longfellow School - Portland (A-), Portland High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (A+), Cheverus High School (A+), St. Brigid School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 49 Neal St, Portland ($2.5 million, 9 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $289,000 (45% own)
- Median rent: $1,124 (55% rent)
- Median household income: $60,467
- Top public schools: Casco Bay High School (A), Longfellow School - Portland (A-), Portland High School (A-)
- Top private schools: Waynflete (A+), Cheverus High School (A+), St. Brigid School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 49 Neal St, Portland ($2.5 million, 9 bedrooms)
#14. West Bath
- Population: 2,216
- Median home value: $272,500 (73% own)
- Median rent: $838 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $69,762
- Top public schools: West Bath School (A-), Phippsburg Elementary School (B+), Morse High School (B)
- Pictured: 17 Rock Haven Dr, West Bath ($1.1 million, 2 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $272,500 (73% own)
- Median rent: $838 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $69,762
- Top public schools: West Bath School (A-), Phippsburg Elementary School (B+), Morse High School (B)
- Pictured: 17 Rock Haven Dr, West Bath ($1.1 million, 2 bedrooms)
#13. Camden
- Population: 4,817
- Median home value: $356,000 (75% own)
- Median rent: $930 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $67,226
- Top public schools: Camden Hills Regional High School (A), Camden-Rockport Middle School (A-), Camden-Rockport Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Watershed School (A-)
- Pictured: 325 Belfast Rd, Camden ($2.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $356,000 (75% own)
- Median rent: $930 (25% rent)
- Median household income: $67,226
- Top public schools: Camden Hills Regional High School (A), Camden-Rockport Middle School (A-), Camden-Rockport Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Watershed School (A-)
- Pictured: 325 Belfast Rd, Camden ($2.0 million, 5 bedrooms)
#12. Bar Harbor
- Population: 5,470
- Median home value: $315,700 (62% own)
- Median rent: $864 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $66,591
- Top public schools: Conners-Emerson School (A), Mt. Desert Island High School (A-), Trenton Elementary School (B+)
- Pictured: Hamilton Hill Way Lot 23, Bar Harbor ($3.5 million, 7 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $315,700 (62% own)
- Median rent: $864 (38% rent)
- Median household income: $66,591
- Top public schools: Conners-Emerson School (A), Mt. Desert Island High School (A-), Trenton Elementary School (B+)
- Pictured: Hamilton Hill Way Lot 23, Bar Harbor ($3.5 million, 7 bedrooms)
#11. Hampden
- Population: 7,352
- Median home value: $230,000 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,009 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $86,071
- Top public schools: George B. Weatherbee School (A-), Reeds Brook Middle School (A-), Hampden Academy (B+)
- Pictured: Freedom Ave Lot 67, Hampden ($419,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $230,000 (84% own)
- Median rent: $1,009 (16% rent)
- Median household income: $86,071
- Top public schools: George B. Weatherbee School (A-), Reeds Brook Middle School (A-), Hampden Academy (B+)
- Pictured: Freedom Ave Lot 67, Hampden ($419,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#10. Freeport
- Population: 8,439
- Median home value: $294,100 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,329 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $86,128
- Top public schools: Freeport Middle School (A-), Mast Landing School (A-), Pownal Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Pine Tree Academy (A-), Maine Coast Waldorf School (A-), L'Ecole Française du Maine (A+)
- Pictured: 178 Main St, Freeport ($875,000, 9 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $294,100 (81% own)
- Median rent: $1,329 (19% rent)
- Median household income: $86,128
- Top public schools: Freeport Middle School (A-), Mast Landing School (A-), Pownal Elementary School (A-)
- Top private schools: Pine Tree Academy (A-), Maine Coast Waldorf School (A-), L'Ecole Française du Maine (A+)
- Pictured: 178 Main St, Freeport ($875,000, 9 bedrooms)
#9. Rockport
- Population: 3,372
- Median home value: $273,600 (77% own)
- Median rent: $879 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $66,731
- Top public schools: Camden Hills Regional High School (A), Camden-Rockport Middle School (A-), Camden-Rockport Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Ashwood Waldorf School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 100 Beauchamp Point Rd, Rockport ($3.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $273,600 (77% own)
- Median rent: $879 (23% rent)
- Median household income: $66,731
- Top public schools: Camden Hills Regional High School (A), Camden-Rockport Middle School (A-), Camden-Rockport Elementary School (B+)
- Top private schools: Ashwood Waldorf School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 100 Beauchamp Point Rd, Rockport ($3.9 million, 5 bedrooms)
#8. Scarborough
- Population: 20,146
- Median home value: $367,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,206 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $94,905
- Top public schools: Scarborough Middle School (A), Benjamin Wentworth Intermediate School (A), Scarborough High School (A)
- Top private schools: Morrison Center (unavailable)
- Pictured: 121 Stewart Dr, Scarborough ($735,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $367,700 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,206 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $94,905
- Top public schools: Scarborough Middle School (A), Benjamin Wentworth Intermediate School (A), Scarborough High School (A)
- Top private schools: Morrison Center (unavailable)
- Pictured: 121 Stewart Dr, Scarborough ($735,000, 3 bedrooms)
#7. Falmouth Foreside
- Population: 1,611
- Median home value: $483,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,750 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $103,583
- Top public schools: Falmouth High School (A+), Falmouth Middle School (A+), Falmouth Elementary School (A)
- Pictured: 301 Foreside Rd, Falmouth ($999,999, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $483,900 (86% own)
- Median rent: $1,750 (14% rent)
- Median household income: $103,583
- Top public schools: Falmouth High School (A+), Falmouth Middle School (A+), Falmouth Elementary School (A)
- Pictured: 301 Foreside Rd, Falmouth ($999,999, 3 bedrooms)
#6. North Yarmouth
- Population: 3,779
- Median home value: $331,800 (90% own)
- Median rent: $1,210 (10% rent)
- Median household income: $113,994
- Top public schools: Greely Middle School (A), Greely Middle School 4-5 (A), Greely High School (A)
- Pictured: 728 New Gloucester Rd, North Yarmouth ($569,000, 3 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $331,800 (90% own)
- Median rent: $1,210 (10% rent)
- Median household income: $113,994
- Top public schools: Greely Middle School (A), Greely Middle School 4-5 (A), Greely High School (A)
- Pictured: 728 New Gloucester Rd, North Yarmouth ($569,000, 3 bedrooms)
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#5. Cumberland
- Population: 7,998
- Median home value: $376,400 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,183 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $111,890
- Top public schools: Greely Middle School (A), Greely Middle School 4-5 (A), Greely High School (A)
- Top private schools: Friends School of Portland (unavailable)
- Pictured: 169 Longwoods Rd, Cumberland ($495,000, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $376,400 (82% own)
- Median rent: $1,183 (18% rent)
- Median household income: $111,890
- Top public schools: Greely Middle School (A), Greely Middle School 4-5 (A), Greely High School (A)
- Top private schools: Friends School of Portland (unavailable)
- Pictured: 169 Longwoods Rd, Cumberland ($495,000, 4 bedrooms)
#4. Falmouth
- Population: 12,141
- Median home value: $439,800 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,701 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $121,285
- Top public schools: Falmouth High School (A+), Falmouth Middle School (A+), Falmouth Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Winfield Children's House (unavailable)
- Pictured: 10 Foreside Rd, Falmouth ($1.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $439,800 (85% own)
- Median rent: $1,701 (15% rent)
- Median household income: $121,285
- Top public schools: Falmouth High School (A+), Falmouth Middle School (A+), Falmouth Elementary School (A)
- Top private schools: Winfield Children's House (unavailable)
- Pictured: 10 Foreside Rd, Falmouth ($1.2 million, 4 bedrooms)
#3. Cumberland Center
- Population: 2,926
- Median home value: $332,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,164 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $99,500
- Top public schools: Greely Middle School (A), Greely Middle School 4-5 (A), Greely High School (A)
- Pictured: 50 Vining Way Unit Tbb, Cumberland ($1.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $332,000 (74% own)
- Median rent: $1,164 (26% rent)
- Median household income: $99,500
- Top public schools: Greely Middle School (A), Greely Middle School 4-5 (A), Greely High School (A)
- Pictured: 50 Vining Way Unit Tbb, Cumberland ($1.4 million, 4 bedrooms)
#2. Yarmouth
- Population: 8,529
- Median home value: $374,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,227 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $89,984
- Top public schools: Yarmouth High School (A+), Frank H. Harrison Middle School (A+), Yarmouth Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: North Yarmouth Academy (A)
- Pictured: 185 W Main St, Yarmouth ($1.1 million, 5 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $374,600 (73% own)
- Median rent: $1,227 (27% rent)
- Median household income: $89,984
- Top public schools: Yarmouth High School (A+), Frank H. Harrison Middle School (A+), Yarmouth Elementary School (A+)
- Top private schools: North Yarmouth Academy (A)
- Pictured: 185 W Main St, Yarmouth ($1.1 million, 5 bedrooms)
#1. Cape Elizabeth
- Population: 9,275
- Median home value: $435,700 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,199 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $123,116
- Top public schools: Cape Elizabeth High School (A+), Pond Cove Elementary School (A), Cape Elizabeth Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Aucocisco School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 16 Ledgewood Ln, Cape Elizabeth ($1.8 million, 4 bedrooms)
- Median home value: $435,700 (89% own)
- Median rent: $1,199 (11% rent)
- Median household income: $123,116
- Top public schools: Cape Elizabeth High School (A+), Pond Cove Elementary School (A), Cape Elizabeth Middle School (A)
- Top private schools: Aucocisco School (unavailable)
- Pictured: 16 Ledgewood Ln, Cape Elizabeth ($1.8 million, 4 bedrooms)
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