Somerset County
ME · Pop. 50,852 · Rural County
Somerset County, Maine covers 3,924 square miles with a population of 50,852 and a density of 13 people per square mile, so rural land and genuine privacy are available. The agricultural economy is rated moderate, built on hay, haylage, corn. A median home price of $155,000 and an effective property tax rate of 1.16% set the cost of entry. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 127-day growing season, average summer highs of 73.6°F and average winter lows of 3.6°F. Annual rainfall averages 38.5 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Charles A Dean Memorial Hospital is 17 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 92.1% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $155,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- Broadband reaches 92.1% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- At 13 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
Cons
- Flood risk is very high, so careful parcel siting and flood insurance are essential.
- Drought risk is very high, making water storage and irrigation infrastructure essential rather than optional.
- A 127-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Average winter lows of 3.6°F demand serious cold-weather infrastructure for livestock and water systems.
At a glance
Somerset County, ME is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $155k
- Property tax
- 1.16%
- Growing season
- 127 days (zone 4b)
- Annual rainfall
- 38.5"
- Broadband
- 92.1%
- Nearest hospital
- Charles A Dean Memorial Hospital, 17 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Somerset County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Somerset County?
- Somerset County is in USDA hardiness zone 4b with a 127-day growing season, average summer highs of 73.6°F, and average winter lows of 3.6°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $155,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.16%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 92.1% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Charles A Dean Memorial Hospital is 17 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Maine Resources
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More counties in Maine
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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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