CountyScore

Penobscot County

Maine · ME

#14 in Maine
63.8
County Score

County Report Card

About Penobscot County, Maine

Penobscot beats national median

Penobscot County scores 63.8, comfortably above the national median of 50.0, placing it in the 64th percentile nationwide. While solid, it's slightly below its state peers, indicating a county with above-average but not exceptional livability.

Below Maine's middle ground

At 63.8, Penobscot ranks below Maine's state average of 66.9, placing it in the lower-middle tier of Maine counties. The gap suggests room for improvement on key livability dimensions.

Health outcomes lead the way

Penobscot's health score of 71.8 is among its strongest dimensions, paired with affordable housing at 75.6. Median rent of $997 and home values near $194,000 make this county accessible for working families and first-time homebuyers.

Low incomes and rising tax burden

Penobscot's income score of 24.7 reflects a median household income of $63,248, limiting household purchasing power. Its tax score of 66.9 and effective tax rate of 1.256% are also the highest among comparable Maine counties.

Solid choice for value-conscious families

Penobscot County suits working families and healthcare workers who prioritize good health infrastructure and manageable housing costs over high wages. It offers dependable New England living without the premium price tag of southern Maine.

Score breakdown

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

Tax66.9Cost75.6SafetyComing SoonHealth71.8SchoolsComing SoonIncome24.7Risk22WaterComing Soon
🏛66.9
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty →
🏠75.6
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty →
💼24.7
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty →
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
❤71.8
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty →
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
⚡22
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 Penobscot County with another county →

Counties with similar scores

Mobile County
Alabama
63.8
Median income: $58,119
Tuolumne County
California
63.8
Median income: $72,259
Colquitt County
Georgia
63.8
Median income: $49,691
Ford County
Illinois
63.8
Median income: $60,782
York County
Maine
63.8
Median income: $82,904

Deep Dives

Penobscot County across the ByCounty Network

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

Property Tax in Penobscot County

via TaxByCounty

Penobscot taxes higher than U.S. median

Penobscot County's effective tax rate of 1.256% exceeds the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the higher half of American counties. Despite lower home values than the national median, the county's tax rate of 1.256% results in a median property tax of $2,435, which is lower than the national figure of $2,690.

Penobscot rates rank above state average

At 1.256%, Penobscot County's effective tax rate is notably higher than Maine's state average of 1.107%, placing it in the upper tier of Maine counties. The county's median tax of $2,435 exceeds the statewide median of $2,598 when adjusted for home value differences.

Among Maine's highest tax counties

Penobscot County's 1.256% rate is the highest among the central Maine counties examined, exceeding Oxford (1.094%) and significantly higher than Piscataquis (0.970%). This elevated rate reflects the regional economic and municipal service structures of Maine's population center.

Higher rates push tax bills up

On a median home value of $193,800, Penobscot County's 1.256% rate translates to approximately $2,435 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages typically pay around $2,718 annually, making Penobscot among the costlier counties in Maine.

Assessment appeals worth exploring

With Penobscot County's relatively high tax rates, homeowners should verify their assessments are accurate. Even small reductions in assessed value can yield significant annual savings given the county's elevated effective rate.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Penobscot County

via CostByCounty

Penobscot Faces Rising Affordability Strain

Penobscot County renters spend 18.9% of their income on rent, exceeding both Maine's state average (17.4%) and the national benchmark. With median household income at $63,248—15% below the U.S. average of $74,755—housing cost growth is outpacing wage growth here.

Affordability Weakens in Central Maine

Penobscot County ranks near the bottom of Maine counties for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio of 18.9% significantly above the state average. This positions it among Maine's least affordable regions, driven by rising rents that haven't kept pace with wage stagnation.

Penobscot Rents Lead the Pack

At $997 monthly, Penobscot rents are the highest among its peers—$190 above Oxford County ($807) and $110 above Somerset County ($887). Only York County ($1,239) and Sagadahoc County ($1,050) command higher rents, making this a tight rental market.

Nearly One-Fifth Goes to Rent

Renters here spend $997 monthly on rent against a median income of $63,248, consuming 18.9% of household earnings. Homeowners face $968 monthly mortgage costs, meaning combined housing costs for both renters and owners near the stress threshold of 20%.

Weigh Penobscot Against Regional Options

Penobscot's rising rents and tight affordability make it worth comparing to less-pressured neighbors like Oxford or Washington counties. If you're relocating to central Maine, scout surrounding areas where housing costs haven't yet reached Penobscot's premium levels.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Penobscot County

via IncomeByCounty

Penobscot County income lags U.S. average

Penobscot County's median household income of $63,248 falls 15.4% short of the national median of $74,755. Despite being Maine's most populous county, it reflects the state's rural and post-industrial economic reality.

Middle-ranking income across Maine counties

Penobscot County earns $3,624 less than Maine's state median of $66,872, placing it in the middle tier of the state's 16 counties. It exceeds six lower-income counties but trails eight wealthier ones.

Competitive with regional peers

Penobscot's $63,248 median outpaces Washington ($52,237), Piscataquis ($55,234), and Somerset ($56,199) counties, but trails Waldo ($68,441) and significantly lags coastal York ($82,904) and Sagadahoc ($82,080). The gap widens toward Maine's more affluent southern regions.

Rental costs rising relative to wages

Penobscot County's 18.9% rent-to-income ratio approaches the affordability ceiling, meaning housing consumes a growing share of household budgets. At this level, unexpected expenses or income loss creates genuine financial stress for renters.

Strategic planning offsets income constraints

Penobscot County earners can maximize employer benefits, especially 401(k) matches, to accelerate retirement savings despite moderate wages. Consider low-cost index funds and automated monthly investments to build wealth incrementally.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Health in Penobscot County

via HealthByCounty

Penobscot County Lags National Health

Penobscot County's life expectancy of 75.3 years falls 1.1 years below the U.S. average of 76.4, signaling persistent health challenges in Maine's third-most-populous county. The 15.9% poor or fair health rate is slightly lower than the national average, though life expectancy tells a concerning story.

Below Maine Average Despite Resources

At 75.3 years, Penobscot County's life expectancy sits 1.4 years below Maine's 76.7-year state average, placing it among the state's weaker-performing counties. This gap is noteworthy because Penobscot hosts Maine's second-largest city, Bangor, and has relatively robust healthcare infrastructure.

Strong Provider Access, Weaker Outcomes

Penobscot County leads the state with 136 primary care providers per 100,000 residents and a robust 668 mental health providers per 100,000—significantly above neighbors like Oxford (67 and 306, respectively). Yet its 75.3-year life expectancy remains below peers, suggesting access alone doesn't guarantee better health outcomes.

Uninsured Rate Slightly Below State Norm

Penobscot County's 8.8% uninsured rate is better than Maine's 9.4% average, meaning most residents have coverage—yet life expectancy remains stubbornly low. The county's strong provider networks (136 primary care, 668 mental health per 100K) suggest systemic or behavioral health factors may be limiting life expectancy gains.

Coverage Gaps Persist Despite Low Rates

While Penobscot's uninsured rate is lower than state average, 8.8% of residents still lack health insurance—leaving potential health gains on the table. Reach out to Bangor-area community health centers or maine.gov to confirm your coverage and access preventive care today.

Full health analysis on HealthByCounty

Disaster Risk in Penobscot County

via RiskByCounty

Penobscot County faces above-average risk

Penobscot County's composite risk score of 78.02 places it in the relatively low category but well above the national average, reflecting substantial exposure to multiple natural hazards. The county experiences notably elevated risks across earthquakes (79.13), hurricanes (86.69), and floods (83.02), which collectively create a complex disaster profile. This regional vulnerability stems from Penobscot's location in a seismic zone combined with its susceptibility to Atlantic tropical storms.

Second-highest risk in Maine

Penobscot County ranks as the highest-risk county in Maine with its 78.02 score, surpassed only by York County's 81.46. This score significantly exceeds Maine's state average of 56.75, placing Penobscot among the state's most hazard-exposed communities. The county's comprehensive vulnerability across flood, earthquake, and hurricane threats distinguishes it as a regional priority for disaster preparedness.

Riskiest county in northern Maine

Penobscot's 78.02 score far exceeds neighboring Piscataquis County (52.35) to the west and Washington County (47.55) to the east. The county's exposure to seismic activity (79.13 earthquake risk) sets it apart from its more rural neighbors, whose lower composite scores reflect reduced infrastructure concentration and flood exposure. Penobscot residents face measurably higher overall risk than any comparable northern Maine county.

Floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes

Flood risk peaks at 83.02 in Penobscot County, making water damage the most prevalent hazard across residential and commercial properties. Hurricanes score 86.69, creating significant storm surge and wind damage potential, while earthquake risk at 79.13 remains an often-overlooked threat that can trigger secondary flooding and infrastructure failures. Together, these three hazards account for the majority of Penobscot's elevated composite risk.

Prepare for water and seismic threats

Flood insurance is not optional in Penobscot County given the 83.02 flood risk score; standard homeowners policies do not cover flood damage from any source. Earthquake insurance should also be considered, as Penobscot's 79.13 earthquake risk is substantially higher than most U.S. counties and can cause foundation damage, structural failure, and triggering of secondary hazards. Wind and hail endorsements complement these coverages to address hurricane exposure.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

ByCounty Network

🏛Property Tax🏠Cost of Living💼Income & Jobs🛡Safety❤Health🎓Schools⚡Disaster Risk💧Water Quality

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