CountyScore

Knox County

Maine · ME

#8 in Maine
67.6
County Score

County Report Card

About Knox County, Maine

35% ahead of national livability standard

Knox's composite score of 67.6 outpaces the national median of 50.0 by 35%, establishing it as a strong American county by livability metrics. This coastal Maine county combines community stability with economic resilience.

Above-average Maine, top quartile ranking

At 67.6, Knox exceeds Maine's state average of 66.9, placing it in the state's upper quartile. The county punches above its size, delivering livability comparable to much larger metro-adjacent Maine counties.

Health and risk management lead the way

Knox scores 76.5 on health—Maine's highest—and 71.4 on risk, reflecting strong hospital systems, low environmental hazards, and economic stability. Median household income of $71,903 provides solid middle-class purchasing power.

Housing costs rising, incomes not matching pace

The cost score of 69.8 masks rising pressures: median home values of $290,800 and rents of $1,079/month consume significant income shares for working families. The income score of 30.3 suggests wage growth hasn't kept pace with housing inflation.

Excellent choice for health-conscious coastal dwellers

Knox attracts retirees, health professionals, and families who prioritize medical excellence and environmental safety over maximum affordability. The county's scenic coast, strong hospitals, and manageable risks make it ideal for those with stable middle-class incomes and health-care priorities.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax67Cost69.8SafetyComing SoonHealth76.5SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.3Risk71.4WaterComing Soon
🏛67
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠69.8
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼30.3
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤76.5
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡71.4
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty →
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncomeincomebycounty.com
Compare Knox County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Lonoke County
Arkansas
67.6
Median income: $71,449
Fayette County
Iowa
67.6
Median income: $58,764
Madison County
Iowa
67.6
Median income: $89,542
Anderson County
Kansas
67.6
Median income: $64,925
Meade County
Kansas
67.6
Median income: $74,868

Deep Dives

Knox County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Knox County

via TaxByCounty

Knox taxes above national average

Knox County's 1.253% effective tax rate significantly exceeds the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the 65th percentile nationally. Residents pay $3,643 annually on a median home value of $290,800—slightly above the national median home value—making Knox one of America's higher-taxed counties. This coastal county charges premium rates for scenic coastal living.

Second-highest tax rate in Maine

Knox's 1.253% effective rate ranks second-highest among Maine's 16 counties, trailing only Androscoggin (1.256%). The median property tax of $3,643 exceeds Maine's state median of $2,598 by $1,045 annually, a 40% premium. Knox combines high tax rates with coastal appeal and above-average home values.

Highest taxes on Maine's midcoast

Knox's 1.253% rate substantially exceeds neighboring Lincoln (0.931%) and Hancock (0.878%), the state's most tax-friendly coastal counties. On a median $290,800 home, Knox residents pay roughly $1,040 more annually than Hancock residents on comparable properties. Knox's higher taxes reflect its exclusive island and peninsula communities.

Premium rates for premium coastal location

A median Knox home valued at $290,800 carries an estimated annual property tax of $3,643, among Maine's highest. Homeowners with mortgages pay approximately $3,599, while those without mortgages pay around $3,709 annually. Over 30 years, that totals roughly $109,000 in property taxes on a median-priced home.

High-value properties need assessment accuracy

With homes valued at $290,000-plus and tax rates above 1.25%, even modest assessment errors cost significant money annually. Knox homeowners should carefully review their assessments against recent comparable sales, especially after market activity. Successful appeals on coastal properties often recover hundreds in annual overages.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Knox County

via CostByCounty

Knox's coastal rents exceed national standard

Knox renters spend 18.0% of income on rent, above both Maine's state average (17.4%) and the national average. The county's median household income of $71,903 sits above state peers but still yields a notable housing cost burden reflective of coastal demand.

Knox ranks in Maine's pricier half

Knox places 11th among Maine's 16 counties for affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio notably above the state average. The county's coastal location and scenic appeal command housing premium that affects both renters and homeowners.

Mid-coast pricing between markets

Knox's $1,079 rent exceeds Hancock ($1,000) to the north but remains well below Cumberland ($1,492) to the south, establishing mid-coast positioning. Median home values of $290,800 reflect solid coastal demand, second only to Cumberland statewide.

Homeownership carries higher burden here

Renters spend $1,079 monthly while homeowners invest substantially more at $1,246, with the county's $71,903 median income pressed by both housing costs. At 18.0% of income devoted to rent, Knox households face tighter budgets than most Maine counties.

Knox rewards those valuing scenic appeal

If you're relocating to Maine's scenic mid-coast—home to Rockland's arts scene and island access—expect moderate coastal premium. Compare Knox's prices against Hancock's more affordable coastal option or Franklin's inland value before committing to the mid-coast lifestyle.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Knox County

via IncomeByCounty

Knox County approaches national income standard

Knox County's median household income of $71,903 comes within $2,852 of the national median of $74,755, placing it in the upper-middle tier nationally. The county reflects coastal Maine's stronger economic positioning.

Among Maine's highest-income counties

Knox County ranks 3rd among Maine's 16 counties with a median household income of $71,903, exceeding the state average of $66,872 by $5,031. The county's rockland-based economy supports professional and creative sectors.

Above neighbors in regional income ranking

Knox's $71,903 edges past Hancock County ($69,630) and significantly outpaces Franklin County ($58,522), positioning it as a coastal income leader. The county benefits from tourism, arts, and education economies.

Strong income supports housing costs

Knox County's rent-to-income ratio of 18.0% keeps housing comfortably affordable, and median home values of $290,800 are reasonable relative to median earnings. The county offers solid housing access and opportunity.

Build substantial wealth through diversified investing

Knox County households earning $71,903 have the income foundation to invest aggressively in stocks, bonds, and real estate. Strategic tax-advantaged investing can generate significant long-term wealth growth.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Knox County

via HealthByCounty

Knox leads national life expectancy

At 78.9 years, Knox residents live 2.5 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing the county in America's top tier for longevity. Only 12.4% report poor or fair health, matching Cumberland County's elite standard and far exceeding national norms. These figures reflect a coastal Maine advantage in economic stability and health resources.

Second healthiest county in Maine

Knox's 78.9-year life expectancy ranks second in Maine, trailing only Cumberland County's 79.5 years and exceeding all other counties by significant margins. Its 12.4% poor/fair health rate ties Cumberland for the state's best, signaling exceptional population health. At 107 primary care providers per 100K, Knox delivers strong frontline care access.

Coastal health advantage evident

Knox's 78.9-year life expectancy rivals Lincoln County (78.8 years) and exceeds Hancock County (78.1 years), confirming a coastal Maine health advantage. Its 12.4% poor/fair health rate beats all three neighbors, positioning Knox as Maine's second-healthiest county. Yet its 10.3% uninsured rate exceeds both Lincoln (10.1%) and trails Hancock (11.5%), suggesting that strong community fundamentals buffer coverage gaps.

Strong health despite coverage challenges

Knox's 10.3% uninsured rate represents roughly 1 in 10 residents without health coverage, yet population health outcomes remain among Maine's strongest. The county provides 107 primary care providers per 100K and 549 mental health providers per 100K, supporting accessible, continuous care. Community stability and economic resilience appear to offset insurance gaps for many residents.

Close the final coverage gaps

While Knox County leads in health outcomes, the 10.3% of uninsured residents remain vulnerable to catastrophic medical costs. Visit maine.gov/dhhs or healthcare.gov to explore coverage that protects your family's financial and physical health. Even in a healthy county, insurance protection matters.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Knox County

via RiskByCounty

Knox County is Maine's safest

Knox County's composite risk score of 28.59 ranks among the lowest in the nation, reflecting minimal exposure to tornado, earthquake, and wildfire threats. Despite coastal location, the county's hurricane risk (82.90) is offset by exceptional performance on other hazard types.

Very low risk statewide

At 28.59, Knox ranks as Maine's second-safest county after Lincoln (31.81), nearly 50% below the state average of 56.75. This exceptional safety profile makes Knox one of New England's lowest-risk counties overall.

Safest county on the coast

Knox's 28.59 score is dramatically lower than coastal peers like Cumberland (77.00) and Hancock (55.03), making it a coastal safety anomaly. The county's island and peninsular geography creates unique protection against many hazard types.

Hurricane is the only significant threat

Hurricane risk (82.90) stands as Knox's sole major concern, while flood (69.20), earthquake (45.93), tornado (12.82), and wildfire (16.79) all score well below state averages. This unusual profile—high hurricane, low everything else—defines Knox's risk landscape.

Windstorm coverage is your main focus

Knox's 82.90 hurricane risk demands solid windstorm and hurricane coverage in your homeowners policy. You can confidently minimize or skip earthquake, wildfire, and tornado riders—your county's exceptional safety on these hazards means those premiums are unnecessary expenses.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

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Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.