Lincoln County

Maine · ME

#2 in Maine
70.5
County Score

County Report Card

About Lincoln County, Maine

Maine's top-ranked livability, 41% above national

Lincoln's composite score of 70.5 ties for Maine's highest and sits 41% above the national median of 50.0. This coastal county delivers exceptional livability across balanced dimensions of tax efficiency, affordability, and community health.

Tied for state's best overall livability

At 70.5, Lincoln matches Franklin County for Maine's highest composite score, surpassing the state average of 66.9. The county demonstrates that coastal Maine can deliver premium livability without prohibitive pricing.

Tax efficiency and balanced costs dominate

Lincoln boasts an effective tax rate of 0.931%—Maine's second-lowest—and a cost score of 73.1, with median homes at $306,200 and rents at $1,003/month. Health outcomes score 75.4, and risk management scores 68.2, reflecting strong stability.

Income growth slower than state average

The income score of 30.4 with median household income of $72,026 lags behind wealthier Maine counties like Cumberland. However, this limitation is modest compared to rural peers and reflects a county optimized for cost efficiency rather than maximum earnings.

Premium choice for tax-conscious coastal seekers

Lincoln is ideal for professionals, retirees, and remote workers prioritizing low taxes, coastal beauty, and financial predictability over maximum income or cutting-edge amenities. The county delivers Maine's best value proposition for those seeking balanced, stable living.

Score breakdown

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

Tax76.1Cost73.1SafetyComing SoonHealth75.4SchoolsComing SoonIncome30.4Risk68.2WaterComing Soon
🏛76.1
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠73.1
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼30.4
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
75.4
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
68.2
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Lincoln County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Lincoln County

via TaxByCounty

Lincoln taxes well below national average

Lincoln County's 0.931% effective tax rate falls well below the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the 30th percentile nationally. Residents pay $2,850 annually on a median home value of $306,200—notably above the national median home value—while enjoying below-average tax rates. Lincoln delivers the rare combination of valuable coastal homes and tax restraint.

Third-lowest tax rate in Maine

Lincoln's 0.931% effective rate ranks third-lowest among Maine's 16 counties, trailing only Franklin (1.074%) and Hancock (0.878%). The median property tax of $2,850 exceeds Maine's state median of $2,598 by $252 annually, but this reflects Lincoln's higher home values, not higher tax rates. Lincoln offers exceptional tax value for its coastal location.

Most tax-efficient upscale coastal county

Lincoln's 0.931% rate exceeds only Hancock (0.878%) along Maine's midcoast, substantially undercutting Knox (1.253%) despite comparable home values. On a median $306,200 home, Lincoln residents pay roughly $1,080 less annually than Knox residents on comparable properties. Lincoln combines coastal prestige with tax efficiency.

Valuable homes, restrained tax burden

A median Lincoln home valued at $306,200 carries an estimated annual property tax of $2,850, modest considering the home values. Homeowners with mortgages pay approximately $2,770, while those without mortgages pay around $2,966 annually. Over 30 years, that totals roughly $85,000 in property taxes on a median-priced home.

Protect your assessment investment

Lincoln's appeal as an upscale coastal community often brings reassessments and higher valuations, particularly after waterfront sales. Homeowners should verify their assessed values against recent comparable sales in their waterfront or inland neighborhoods. Filing an appeal preserves your current tax rate and requires no cost to challenge overvaluation.

Cost of Living in Lincoln County

via CostByCounty

Lincoln's rent costs sit between coast and nation

Lincoln renters spend 16.7% of income on rent, below Maine's state average (17.4%) and below the national average. The county's median household income of $72,026 supports this favorable ratio, positioning Lincoln as an accessible coastal alternative.

Third-most affordable Maine coastal county

Lincoln ranks sixth among Maine's 16 counties for housing affordability, bettering the state average and offering notably better value than its coastal peers. The county delivers genuine affordability among Maine's oceanside communities.

Mid-coast gem priced between peers

Lincoln's $1,003 rent nearly matches Hancock ($1,000) and sits well below Knox ($1,079) and Cumberland ($1,492), establishing strong mid-coast value. Median home values of $306,200 reflect coastal demand while remaining below Knox's $290,800 and far below Cumberland's $411,400.

Balanced costs across housing paths

Renters pay $1,003 monthly while homeowners invest $1,128, with the county's $72,026 median income maintaining the favorable 16.7% rent-to-income ratio. Lincoln households preserve solid discretionary purchasing power despite coastal positioning.

Lincoln delivers coastal value without compromise

If you're seeking Maine's coast without the steep price tag, Lincoln County ranks among Maine's best-value oceanside communities. The county's strong affordability ranking, reasonable incomes, and coastal access make it worthy of serious comparison against pricier alternatives.

Income & Jobs in Lincoln County

via IncomeByCounty

Lincoln County nears national income median

Lincoln County's median household income of $72,026 comes within $2,729 of the national median of $74,755, placing it firmly in the upper-middle tier nationally. The county demonstrates solid economic performance relative to U.S. averages.

Second-highest income in Maine

Lincoln County ranks 2nd among Maine's 16 counties with a median household income of $72,026, trailing only Cumberland County ($92,983) and exceeding the state average by $5,154. The county's coastal economy drives strong earnings.

Leads regional income hierarchy

Lincoln's $72,026 exceeds Knox County ($71,903) by just $123 and outpaces Hancock County ($69,630) notably, establishing it as coastal Maine's income leader after Cumberland. The county benefits from tourism, marine industries, and remote professionals.

Excellent affordability ratio supports households

Lincoln County boasts the best rent-to-income ratio in Maine at 16.7%, providing renters substantial financial cushion. With median home values of $306,200, homeownership remains attainable for households earning near the median.

Leverage strong income for aggressive wealth building

Lincoln County households earning $72,026 can confidently max retirement accounts, invest in diverse portfolios, and build substantial equity. The county's stable economy supports long-term wealth accumulation strategies.

Health in Lincoln County

via HealthByCounty

Lincoln excels in national comparison

At 78.8 years, Lincoln residents live 2.4 years longer than the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing the county among America's healthiest. With 13.8% reporting poor or fair health—well below U.S. norms—Lincoln's population enjoys sustained health advantages. The county's coastal location and economic resources appear to drive these exceptional outcomes.

Third-healthiest county in Maine

Lincoln's 78.8-year life expectancy ranks third in Maine, behind Cumberland (79.5 years) and Knox County (78.9 years), confirming top-tier statewide performance. At 13.8% poor/fair health, Lincoln ranks above Knox and Cumberland but remains among Maine's best performers. Its 10.1% uninsured rate slightly exceeds the state average of 9.4%.

Coastal peer group achiever

Lincoln's 78.8-year life expectancy nearly matches Knox County (78.9 years) and exceeds Hancock County (78.1 years), confirming a consistent coastal health advantage. Its 13.8% poor/fair health rate tracks between Knox/Cumberland (12.4%) and Hancock (12.8%), positioning Lincoln firmly in Maine's health elite. Provider density at 109 primary care doctors per 100K supports this strong performance.

Access and affordability mostly align

Lincoln's 10.1% uninsured rate means roughly 1 in 10 residents lacks coverage, slightly above Maine's 9.4% state average. The county provides 109 primary care providers per 100K and limited mental health resources at 211 per 100K—lower than most peers, yet health outcomes remain strong. Community cohesion and economic stability may compensate for modest provider shortages.

Maintain Lincoln's health advantage

With 10.1% of residents uninsured, Lincoln County—like all Maine communities—must ensure coverage keeps pace with health outcomes. Explore marketplace and Medicaid options at maine.gov/dhhs to close coverage gaps. Proactive enrollment keeps Lincoln's health leadership strong for years to come.

Disaster Risk in Lincoln County

via RiskByCounty

Lincoln ranks among America's safest

Lincoln County's composite risk score of 31.81 places it in the very low risk category nationally, among the safest counties in America. The county's minimal earthquake (47.07), tornado (14.89), and wildfire (18.70) exposure create exceptional baseline protection.

Maine's safest county

At 31.81, Lincoln ranks as Maine's lowest-risk county, 44% below the state average of 56.75. This exceptional safety profile extends across nearly every hazard type measured.

Standout safe zone on Maine coast

Lincoln's 31.81 score is dramatically safer than nearby coastal counties like Hancock (55.03) and Cumberland (77.00), and approaches inland Franklin (43.64). The county's low-density geography and favorable terrain create unusual protection for a coastal location.

Hurricane is your sole major threat

Hurricane risk (83.44) is Lincoln's only significant hazard, while flood (69.80), earthquake (47.07), tornado (14.89), and wildfire (18.70) all score well below averages. This makes Lincoln's risk profile exceptionally focused and manageable.

Hurricane coverage solves 90% of risk

Prioritize windstorm and hurricane coverage given the 83.44 score—this single policy rider addresses your county's primary vulnerability. Standard homeowners coverage likely covers your other hazards adequately, making Lincoln one of Maine's lowest-cost counties for comprehensive protection.

ByCounty Network

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