Washington County
ME · Pop. 31,261 · Rural County
Washington County is a rural county in Maine, spanning 2,563 square miles with 31,261 residents at a density of 12.2 people 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 $147,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.12%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 153-day growing season, average summer highs of 75.1°F and average winter lows of 10.9°F. Annual rainfall averages 50.4 inches, and with drought risk rated high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Down East Community Hospital is 18.7 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 77.4% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is high, drought risk is high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- A median home price of $147,000 makes land and property relatively affordable.
- At 12.2 people per square mile, land is available with genuine space and privacy.
- A median household income of $52,237 anchors the local economy.
Cons
- A 153-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- Broadband reaches only 77.4% of homes, a real gap for remote work or online sales.
- Average winter lows of 10.9°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
Washington County, ME is a solid homesteading option with some tradeoffs.
- Homestead score
- 65/100
- Median home price
- $147k
- Property tax
- 1.12%
- Growing season
- 153 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 50.4"
- Broadband
- 77.4%
- Nearest hospital
- Down East Community Hospital, 18.7 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in Washington County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in Washington County?
- Washington County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 153-day growing season, average summer highs of 75.1°F, and average winter lows of 10.9°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $147,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.12%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 77.4% of homes, so verify service at a specific parcel before purchasing.
- How close is healthcare?
- Down East Community Hospital is 18.7 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 2 hospitals in the county.
Explore Maine Resources
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LandWatch
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Lands of America
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AcreTrader
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More counties in Maine
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The closest counties to Washington 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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