Best counties to raise a family in Maine
Best counties to raise a family in Maine
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 wish lists.
Stacker compiled a list of the best counties to raise a family in Maine using 2025 data from Niche. Niche ranks counties based on a variety of factors including cost of living, schools, health care, recreation, and weather.
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.
#16. Piscataquis County
- Niche grades: good for families (C), public schools (C), cost of living (B+), weather (D-), outdoor activities (B)
- Population: 17,125
- Median household income: $55,234
- Median home value: $153,300
- Top places to live: Dover-Foxcroft (B+), Sebec (B-), Parkman (B-)
#15. Oxford County
- Niche grades: good for families (C), public schools (C-), cost of living (B), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 58,728
- Median household income: $57,933
- Median home value: $192,300
- Top places to live: Norway (C+), Paris (C+), Rumford (C+)
#14. Somerset County
- Niche grades: good for families (C+), public schools (C+), cost of living (B+), weather (D), outdoor activities (B)
- Population: 50,852
- Median household income: $56,199
- Median home value: $155,200
- Top places to live: Pittsfield (B-), Skowhegan (B-), Fairfield (C)
#13. Aroostook County
- Niche grades: good for families (C+), public schools (C+), cost of living (B+), weather (D), outdoor activities (B)
- Population: 67,227
- Median household income: $54,254
- Median home value: $131,700
- Top places to live: Presque Isle (B), Mapleton (B), Houlton (B-)
#12. Washington County
- Niche grades: good for families (C+), public schools (C), cost of living (B+), weather (D+), outdoor activities (B-)
- Population: 31,261
- Median household income: $52,237
- Median home value: $147,100
- Top places to live: Calais (B+), Passamaquoddy Pleasant Point Reservation (B+), Eastport (B)
#11. Waldo County
- Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C-), cost of living (B), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 40,006
- Median household income: $68,441
- Median home value: $239,100
- Top places to live: Belfast (B), Winterport (A-), Lincolnville (A-)
#10. Androscoggin County
- Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C+), cost of living (B-), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 112,323
- Median household income: $67,298
- Median home value: $232,000
- Top places to live: Auburn (B-), Greene (B-), Sabattus (C+)
#9. Franklin County
- Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C+), cost of living (B+), weather (D-), outdoor activities (B+)
- Population: 30,145
- Median household income: $58,522
- Median home value: $176,700
- Top places to live: Farmington (B), Jay (B-), Chisholm (C+)
#8. Penobscot County
- Niche grades: good for families (B-), public schools (C+), cost of living (B), weather (D), outdoor activities (B+)
- Population: 153,571
- Median household income: $63,248
- Median home value: $193,800
- Top places to live: Hampden (A), Orono (A), Veazie (A)
#7. York County
- Niche grades: good for families (B), public schools (C+), cost of living (C+), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 214,731
- Median household income: $82,904
- Median home value: $357,200
- Top places to live: Kennebunk (A-), York (A-), Saco (B+)
#6. Kennebec County
- Niche grades: good for families (B), public schools (B-), cost of living (B), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 125,614
- Median household income: $65,062
- Median home value: $219,900
- Top places to live: Hallowell (A-), Manchester (B+), Winslow (B)
#5. Knox County
- Niche grades: good for families (B), public schools (B), cost of living (C+), weather (C), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 40,860
- Median household income: $71,903
- Median home value: $290,800
- Top places to live: Camden (A), Rockport (A), Rockland (B)
#4. Lincoln County
- Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B), cost of living (B-), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 35,840
- Median household income: $72,026
- Median home value: $306,200
- Top places to live: Bremen (A-), South Bristol (A-), Damariscotta (B+)
#3. Hancock County
- Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B), cost of living (B-), weather (D+), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 56,084
- Median household income: $69,630
- Median home value: $278,400
- Top places to live: Bar Harbor (A), Ellsworth (B+), Surry (B-)
#2. Sagadahoc County
- Niche grades: good for families (B+), public schools (B-), cost of living (B-), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A-)
- Population: 37,093
- Median household income: $82,080
- Median home value: $300,200
- Top places to live: Woolwich (A), West Bath (A), Bath (B+)
#1. Cumberland County
- Niche grades: good for families (A), public schools (B), cost of living (C), weather (C-), outdoor activities (A)
- Population: 305,940
- Median household income: $92,983
- Median home value: $411,400
- Top places to live: Cape Elizabeth (A+), Back Cove (A), Cumberland (A)
