Cumberland County
ME · Pop. 305,940 · Mixed County
Cumberland County is a mixed rural-suburban county in Maine, spanning 836 square miles with 305,940 residents at a density of 366 people per square mile, a more developed setting where truly rural parcels are scarcer. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $411,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.11%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.2°F and average winter lows of 16.1°F. Annual rainfall averages 50.2 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Mercy Westbrook is 8.4 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 96.7% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 96.7% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Mercy Westbrook, with an emergency room, is just 8.4 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 2.7% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 7.1% signals a relatively stable local economy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- A median home price of $411,000 raises the cost of entry relative to more affordable rural markets.
- The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.
- At 366 people per square mile, this is a developed area where finding truly rural acreage is harder and pricier.
At a glance
Cumberland County, ME is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 39/100
- Median home price
- $411k
- Property tax
- 1.11%
- Growing season
- 170 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 50.2"
- Broadband
- 96.7%
- Nearest hospital
- Mercy Westbrook, 8.4 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Cumberland County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Cumberland County?
- Cumberland County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 170-day growing season, average summer highs of 77.2°F, and average winter lows of 16.1°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $411,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.11%. County-level per-acre prices aren't published, so compare current local listings for raw land.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 96.7% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Mercy Westbrook is 8.4 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 9 hospitals in the county.
Explore Maine Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
The largest listing site for rural property — farms, ranches, hunting land, and timberland.
AcreTrader
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More counties in Maine
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The closest counties to Cumberland County by distance, including across state lines.
Data sources
Verified
Figures are sourced from public datasets: U.S. Census Bureau — ACS 5-year & Gazetteer, USDA NASS Census of Agriculture, USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map, NOAA NCEI U.S. Climate Normals (1991–2020), FEMA National Risk Index, FCC Broadband Data Collection, BLS Local Area Unemployment Statistics, HIFLD Hospitals. Always confirm specifics locally before relying on them. See our methodology for how the homestead score is calculated.
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