Penobscot
Maine

What stands out

If you had to describe Penobscot County in numbers, start here: the average temperature is in the bottom 5% of American counties (43°F), the overdose death rate is in the top 8% of American counties (37 per 100,000), and home internet speed is in the top 8% of American counties (290 Mbps). Within Maine it ranks 6th of 16 counties for the average temperature, counting from the bottom.

Where you are

You live in Penobscot County, Maine. 152,640 people live here with you. The population grew 0.4% last year, and more Americans moved in than out (net +1,032).

Maine has the oldest population of any state, a graduated income tax that reaches 7.15% at moderate incomes, and an estate tax with a $7 million exemption. It does not tax Social Security and exempts a portion of pension income. Coastal property from Portland to Bar Harbor carries prices closer to Massachusetts than to the inland counties, where homes remain inexpensive.

Money

The typical household here brings in $59,438 a year, lower than 53% of American counties. Employers pay an average wage of $55,593. Unemployment runs 3.1%, lower than 62% of American counties. 9% of workers work from home.

Maine takes 6.3% of that median income in state income tax, about $3,752 a year.

Home

The median home costs $281K, pricier than 64% of American counties, about 2.1 years of the median household's income. A two-bedroom rents for around $1,058 a month. Property tax is 1.32% of home value, roughly $2,340 a year on that median home, higher than 79% of American counties. 70% of households own rather than rent.

Safety and health

Violent crime here is 3.5 per 1,000 residents, lower than 69% of American counties. Drug overdoses killed 37 people per 100,000 in 2024, one of the harder-hit counties in the country.

A child born here can expect to live 76.1 years, longer than 53% of American counties. There are 665 active physicians in the county, about 43.6 per 10,000 people. Medicare rates the local hospitals 4.0 of 5 stars. 7.1% of people under 65 have no health insurance.

School

Local students test at grade level 3.10 where 3.0 is national grade level, higher than 66% of American counties. 94% of adults finished high school.

Neighbors and politics

In 2024 your neighbors voted Republican by 31 points. 70% of eligible voters turned out. Under Maine law you can carry a concealed handgun without a permit, abortion is protected by state law, and marijuana is legal for adults.

Weather and risk

The year averages 43°F, highs near 54 and lows near 33, colder than 95% of American counties. About 39 inches of rain and snow fall a year. FEMA puts natural-hazard risk at 73 out of 100, riskier than 73% of American counties; the county has had 71 federal disaster declarations since 1953.

Getting around, going out

Home internet averages 290 Mbps down, faster than 92% of American counties. There are 12 airports in the county, counting general aviation. For a night or a weekend out: 0.7 full-service restaurants per 1,000 people, 8 breweries, 6 museums, 1 National Park Service site.