Washington County scores 67.7, placing it in the 68th percentile nationally and above the national median of 50.0. This easternmost Maine county delivers solid livability despite its remote location.
2 / 5
Beats Maine's middle mark
Washington's 67.7 score exceeds Maine's average of 66.9, placing it in the upper-middle tier of Maine counties. It's a reliable performer across most livability dimensions.
3 / 5
Exceptional housing affordability
Washington County boasts the highest cost score (83.6) in this entire group, with median homes at just $147,100 and rent at $768 monthly. It's Maine's most accessible county for budget-constrained homebuyers.
4 / 5
Income and health gaps evident
Washington's income score of 17.5 is the lowest here, with median household income of $52,237, reflecting limited local economic opportunity. Health outcomes at 65.5 are also the weakest in this county set.
5 / 5
Ideal for self-sufficient minimalists
Washington County suits retirees living on fixed incomes, remote workers, and self-sufficient families who prize ultra-affordable housing and self-reliance over local services or earning opportunities. It's genuine eastern Maine at unbeatable prices.
Washington County scores 67.7, placing it in the 68th percentile nationally and above the national median of 50.0. This easternmost Maine county delivers solid livability despite its remote location.
Beats Maine's middle mark
Washington's 67.7 score exceeds Maine's average of 66.9, placing it in the upper-middle tier of Maine counties. It's a reliable performer across most livability dimensions.
Exceptional housing affordability
Washington County boasts the highest cost score (83.6) in this entire group, with median homes at just $147,100 and rent at $768 monthly. It's Maine's most accessible county for budget-constrained homebuyers.
Income and health gaps evident
Washington's income score of 17.5 is the lowest here, with median household income of $52,237, reflecting limited local economic opportunity. Health outcomes at 65.5 are also the weakest in this county set.
Ideal for self-sufficient minimalists
Washington County suits retirees living on fixed incomes, remote workers, and self-sufficient families who prize ultra-affordable housing and self-reliance over local services or earning opportunities. It's genuine eastern Maine at unbeatable prices.
Score breakdown
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🏛70.6
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
Washington County's effective tax rate of 1.124% slightly exceeds the national median of 1.1%, but the county's modest median home value of $147,100 keeps taxes low. The median property tax of $1,654 is just 62% of the national median of $2,690, making it one of America's most affordable taxing counties.
Slightly above Maine average rates
Washington County's effective rate of 1.124% edges just above Maine's state average of 1.107%, placing it slightly higher than mid-tier counties. The median tax of $1,654 is significantly below the state median of $2,598, reflecting Washington County's lower property valuations.
Affordable eastern Maine choice
Washington County's 1.124% rate is higher than Piscataquis (0.970%) but similar to Somerset (1.159%) and Oxford (1.094%). The county's low median home value of $147,100 makes it one of Maine's most affordable places to own property.
Lowest tax bills in Maine
On Washington County's median home value of $147,100, the 1.124% rate translates to approximately $1,654 in annual property taxes. Homeowners with mortgages pay around $1,815 annually, making this among Maine's lowest absolute tax burdens.
Still worth checking your assessment
Even with Maine's lowest absolute tax bills, Washington County homeowners should verify their assessments reflect true market value. An appeal costs nothing and could provide extra savings.
Washington County renters spend 17.6% of income on rent, hovering just above Maine's state average of 17.4% and well below national levels. With the state's lowest median household income at $52,237, the county achieves affordability through proportionally low housing costs scaled to its rural economy.
Washington Offers Unbeatable Housing Prices
At 17.6%, Washington County's rent-to-income ratio is above the state average but barely—kept reasonable by the lowest median rents and home values in Maine. This easternmost county delivers the absolute lowest affordability barrier for price-sensitive relocators.
Washington Leads on Rock-Bottom Costs
Washington's median rent of $768 is the cheapest in the state—$39 below Piscataquis and $102 below Oxford. Home values at $147,100 are the lowest in Maine, making this remote region unbeatable for buyers with tight budgets.
Lowest Costs, Lowest Income Trade-off
Renters spend $768 monthly on a median income of $52,237, consuming 17.6% of household earnings. Homeowners pay just $724 in mortgage costs, but the county's low wage base means absolute affordability masks limited economic opportunity.
Washington: For Intentional Rural Living
Washington County offers Maine's lowest housing costs and rents—ideal if you have remote income, retirement savings, or portable work. This is the affordability frontier for relocators willing to embrace true rural Maine in exchange for maximum housing stability on any budget.
At $52,237, Washington County's median household income falls 30.1% below the U.S. median of $74,755—the largest gap among Maine counties. Economic isolation and limited employment diversity characterize this easternmost Maine region.
Maine's lowest household income
Washington County ranks dead last among Maine's 16 counties, earning $14,635 less than the state median of $66,872. This persistent income deficit reflects decades of economic stagnation in eastern Maine.
Significantly behind all adjacent counties
Washington's $52,237 median trails every neighboring county—Piscataquis ($55,234), Penobscot ($63,248), and Waldo ($68,441)—by meaningful margins. Geographic isolation limits access to higher-wage job markets.
Low housing costs provide only margin
Washington County's 17.6% rent-to-income ratio and median home value of $147,100 represent the state's most affordable housing. Affordable shelter is essential—without it, household budgets would face crisis.
Small steps build foundational security
Washington County residents earning $52,237 should start with modest automatic savings—even $25 monthly begins building emergency reserves. Seek out state and federal programs offering matched savings accounts for low-income households.
Washington County's life expectancy of 72.3 years is nearly four years below the U.S. average of 76.4—the steepest gap in Maine and a critical public health emergency. The 17.3% poor or fair health rate is among the nation's highest, reflecting a population in acute health distress.
Maine's Most Severe Health Crisis
Washington County ranks dead last in Maine with a life expectancy of 72.3 years—4.4 years below the state average of 76.7—representing the state's most pressing health emergency. The 17.3% poor or fair health rating compounds this crisis, indicating systemic health failure across the county's population.
Extreme Disparity Among Peers
Washington County's 72.3-year life expectancy is 2.1 years below the next-worst county (Somerset at 74.4) and 7.8 years below the best-performing Sagadahoc (80.1). With only 42 primary care providers per 100,000 residents—the lowest in the state—geographic and resource barriers are extreme.
Uninsured and Underserved
Washington County has Maine's highest uninsured rate at 11.6%, and with only 42 primary care providers per 100,000 residents (the state's lowest), residents face dual barriers to care. Though the county has 700 mental health providers per 100,000—an anomaly possibly reflecting specialized facilities—physical healthcare access remains critically scarce.
Washington County: Urgent Action Required
At 11.6% uninsured and with Maine's lowest life expectancy of 72.3 years, Washington County residents must prioritize getting covered immediately. Call 1-800-442-6003 or visit maine.gov/portal/health to explore MaineCare, marketplace plans, and emergency health services in Calais, Eastport, and Houlton today.
Washington County's composite risk score of 47.55 places it in the relatively low category and just below Maine's state average of 56.75. The easternmost Maine county experiences modest exposure to hurricanes (85.94) and floods (74.60) that are common to Atlantic-facing regions. Geographic isolation and lower population density help keep overall vulnerability manageable despite coastal hazard exposure.
Below-average risk for Maine
Washington County's 47.55 composite score ranks it mid-range among Maine's 16 counties, placing it in the lower-risk half of the state despite its coastal location. The county sits 9 points below Maine's state average, reflecting resilience comparable to Piscataquis County (52.35) despite different geographic characteristics. This favorable profile distinguishes Washington from higher-risk southern and central Maine counties.
Lower risk than all major neighbors
Washington County's 47.55 score ranks it lower than neighboring Penobscot County (78.02) to the west and Piscataquis County (52.35) inland. Among coastal Maine counties, only Waldo (40.62) and Sagadahoc (23.35) present lower risk profiles. Washington's easternmost location and sparse development patterns create a naturally resilient environment compared to more densely populated regions.
Floods and hurricanes dominate risk profile
Flood risk at 74.60 is Washington County's most significant natural hazard concern, affecting river valleys and coastal low-lying areas where precipitation and storm surge accumulate. Hurricane risk at 85.94 creates secondary flood and wind damage threats from Atlantic tropical storms. Earthquake (46.72), tornado (11.04), and wildfire (21.76) risks all remain minimal, making water and wind the primary hazard types to address.
Flood insurance is important coverage
Standalone flood insurance should be a priority for Washington County residents given the 74.60 flood risk, particularly those in mapped floodplains or near waterways. Wind and hail coverage complements this protection against the 85.94 hurricane risk, ensuring comprehensive storm damage coverage. Earthquake insurance is not economically justified by the 46.72 score, allowing residents to concentrate resources on water and wind preparedness.