York County
ME · Pop. 214,731 · Mixed County
York County, Maine covers 991 square miles with a population of 214,731 and a density of 216.7 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 $357,000, with an effective property tax rate of 1.03%. The climate sits in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F and average winter lows of 16°F. Annual rainfall averages 51.7 inches, and with drought risk rated very high, water storage and irrigation planning matter. Southern Maine Health Care is 9.6 miles away and includes an emergency room. Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes. On the hazard side, flood risk is very high, tornado risk is high, wildfire risk is high, drought risk is very high, so plan infrastructure and insurance accordingly.
Pros
- Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes, making remote work and online farm sales realistic.
- Southern Maine Health Care, with an emergency room, is just 9.6 miles away — strong local healthcare access.
- A low unemployment rate of 3% reflects a stable local job base.
- A low poverty rate of 7.8% signals a relatively stable local economy.
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 150-day growing season limits crop diversity and calls for season-extension tools.
- A median home price of $357,000 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 a glance
York County, ME is a challenging place to homestead on the data.
- Homestead score
- 31/100
- Median home price
- $357k
- Property tax
- 1.03%
- Growing season
- 150 days (zone 5b)
- Annual rainfall
- 51.7"
- Broadband
- 97.6%
- Nearest hospital
- Southern Maine Health Care, 9.6 mi
Taxes & Cost of Living
Land & Building
Climate & Growing
Natural Disaster Risk
Healthcare
Infrastructure & Community
Business & Employment
Homesteading in York County: FAQ
- What is the growing season like in York County?
- York County is in USDA hardiness zone 5b with a 150-day growing season, average summer highs of 80.5°F, and average winter lows of 16°F. The established crops are hay, haylage, corn.
- How affordable is land and property here?
- The median home price is $357,000 and the effective property tax rate is 1.03%. There's no published county per-acre figure, so use recent comparable sales to gauge raw-land value.
- Is broadband internet available?
- Broadband reaches 97.6% of homes, strong coverage that supports remote work for most parcels.
- How close is healthcare?
- Southern Maine Health Care is 9.6 miles away and includes an emergency room; there are 3 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
Invest in farmland online — vetted properties with passive income potential.
More counties in Maine
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The closest counties to York 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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