Waldo County
ME · Pop. 40,006 · Suburban County
Waldo County sits in Maine across 730 square miles, home to 40,006 people at 54.8 per square mile. The agricultural economy is rated weak, built on haylage, hay, corn. The median home price is $239,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.08%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 151-day growing season, average summer highs of 74.4°F and average winter lows of 13.8°F. Annual rainfall averages 47.9 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Waldo County General Hospital is 9.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 77% of homes. On the hazard side, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Waldo County General Hospital, with an emergency room, is just 9.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3.7% reflects a stable local job base.
- A median household income of $68,441 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- A 151-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 77% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 13.8°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
Waldo County, ME is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 59/100
- Median home price
- $239k
- Property tax
- 1.08%
- Growing season
- 151 days (zone 5a)
- Annual rainfall
- 47.9"
- Broadband
- 77%
- Nearest hospital
- Waldo County General Hospital, 9.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Waldo County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Waldo County?
- Waldo County is in USDA hardiness zone 5a with a 151-day growing season, average summer highs of 74.4°F, and average winter lows of 13.8°F. The established crops are haylage, hay, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $239,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.08%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 77% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Waldo County General Hospital is 9.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there is 1 hospital in the county.
Explore Maine Resources
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More counties in Maine
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The closest counties to Waldo 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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