Skip to content

Piscataquis County

ME · Pop. 17,125 · Rural County

72/100Homestead Score

Piscataquis County sits in Maine across 3,961 square miles, home to 17,125 people at 4.3 per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on hay, haylage, corn. The median home price is $153,000, with an effective property tax rate of 0.97%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.2°F and average winter lows of 7.2°F. Annual rainfall averages 43.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Millinocket Regional Hospital is 26 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 83.4% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.

Property Tax: 0.97%
Growing Season: 144 days
Broadband: 83.4%
Density: 4.3/sq mi

Pros

  • A median home price of $153,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
  • At 4.3 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
  • A median household income of $55,234 anchors the local economy.

Cons

  • A 144-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
  • The nearest hospital, Millinocket Regional Hospital, is 26 miles away, a real consideration for medical needs.
  • Average winter lows of 7.2°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
  • The agricultural economy is rated weak, so local farm markets, suppliers, and services are limited.

At a glance

Piscataquis County, ME is a strong overall fit for homesteading.

Homestead score
72/100
Median home price
$153k
Property tax
0.97%
Growing season
144 days (zone 5a)
Annual rainfall
43.9"
Broadband
83.4%
Nearest hospital
Millinocket Regional Hospital, 26 mi

Taxes & Cost of Living

Property Tax Rate0.97%
Median Household Income$55,234
Poverty Rate16.5%

Land & Building

Median Home Price$153K

Climate & Growing

USDA Zone5a
Growing Season144 days
Annual Rainfall43.9 inches
Avg Summer High76.2°F
Avg Winter Low7.2°F
Top CropsHay, Haylage, Corn

Natural Disaster Risk

Drought5/10
Wildfire1/10
Tornado1/10
Flood4/10

Healthcare

Nearest HospitalMillinocket Regional Hospital (26 mi)
Emergency RoomYes
Healthcare Facilities2

Infrastructure & Community

Broadband Coverage83.4%

Business & Employment

Unemployment Rate5.2%
Ag EconomyWeak

Homesteading in Piscataquis County: FAQ

What is the growing season like in Piscataquis County?
Piscataquis County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 144-day growing season, average summer highs of 76.2°F, and average winter lows of 7.2°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
How affordable is land and property here?
The median home price is $153,000 and the effective property tax rate is 0.97%. Per-acre raw-land prices vary widely by parcel here, so check active listings for current rates.
Is broadband internet available?
Broadband reaches 83.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
How close is healthcare?
Millinocket Regional Hospital is 26 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.

Explore Maine Resources

Partner links — we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you

Nearby counties

The closest counties to Piscataquis 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.