countyscore
52.8
County Score
Safety 78.4Cost of Living 68.7Schools 54.6

County Report Card

About Washington County, Maine

Washington County Surpasses the Median

Washington County earns a composite score of 52.8, placing it above the national median of 50.0. This suggests a higher-than-average livability profile for this easternmost county.

Outperforming the State Baseline

The score of 52.8 puts the county well ahead of the Maine state average of 48.0. It is a surprising leader in the state's ranking of overall well-being.

High Safety and Lowest Costs

Safety is a hallmark at 78.4, and the cost score of 68.7 reflects very affordable median home values of $147,100. Rent is also among the lowest in the state at $768.

Economic and Utility Limitations

Washington County struggles with an income score of 19.1 and a water score of 8.1. These numbers highlight the difficulty of finding high-paying local work and the need for water infrastructure upgrades.

Peaceful Living for Independent Souls

This county is ideal for those with remote income or fixed pensions who prioritize safety and low cost of living. It offers a rugged, secure lifestyle for those who value independence.

2040608010029.668.778.439.654.619.152.58.151.8Tax29.6Cost68.7Safety78.4Health39.6Schools54.6Income19.1Risk52.5Water8.1Weather51.852.8/100
This county
National avg
2 above average4 below average

Washington County DNA

Foverall

How Washington County compares to the national average across 9 dimensions

Washington County is a tale of two counties — exceptional in Safety (78.4/100) but notably weak in Water Quality (8.1/100). This polarized profile creates distinct trade-offs for residents.

Dimension Breakdown

Tax
29.6-22.4
Cost
68.7+20.700000000000003
Safety
78.4+23.400000000000006
Health
39.6-10.399999999999999
Schools
54.6
Income
19.1-31.9
Risk
52.5
Water
8.1-49.9
Weather
51.8
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Can You Afford to Live Here?

Median Home Price

$147,100

National median: $174,650

Median Rent

$768/mo

National median: $854/mo

Income Needed (home)

$147,100/yr

28% front-end rule

Income Needed (rent)

$30,720/yr

30% rent rule

Affordability Spectrum2.8x income
AffordableNational avgExpensive
Local median income: $52,237/yr
Compare Mortgage Rates

Economic & Education Snapshot

Primary Care

35.2

per 100K

Data from Federal Reserve (FRED), U.S. Department of Education College Scorecard, and CMS NPPES.

Explore this county

Property Taxtaxbycounty.comCost of Livingcostbycounty.comIncome & Jobsincomebycounty.comSafetycrimebycounty.comHealthhealthbycounty.comSchoolsschoolsbycounty.comDisaster Riskriskbycounty.comWater Qualitywaterbycounty.comWeather & Climateweatherbycounty.comSoil Qualitysoilbycounty.comLawn Carelawnbycounty.comFarmers Marketsmarketsbycounty.comView on Mapcountyscore.com/map
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Counties with similar scores

Lincoln County
Arkansas
Median income: $51,667
52.8
Jefferson County
Idaho
Median income: $82,952
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Mason County
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Median income: $62,127
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Hancock County
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Median income: $91,326
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Kent County
Maryland
Median income: $74,402
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Benzie County
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Median income: $72,603
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Chippewa County
Michigan
Median income: $60,631
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Madison County
Nebraska
Median income: $64,637
52.8

Nearby counties

Hancock County
Maine
51.2
Penobscot County
Maine
38.7
Waldo County
Maine
53.9
Knox County
Maine
50.5
Piscataquis County
Maine
49.7
Kennebec County
Maine
40.2
Lincoln County
Maine
54.2
Somerset County
Maine
41.3

Deep Dives

Washington County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 11 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Washington County

via TaxByCounty

Washington County taxes remain modest

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.

Full property tax analysis on TaxByCounty

Cost of Living in Washington County

via CostByCounty

Washington County: Remotely Affordable

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.

Full cost of living analysis on CostByCounty

Income & Jobs in Washington County

via IncomeByCounty

Washington County faces steepest income gap

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.

Full income & jobs analysis on IncomeByCounty

Safety in Washington County

via CrimeByCounty

Safety prevails in Washington County

Washington County earns an excellent safety score of 99.2. The total crime rate of 514.6 per 100,000 is over four times lower than the national average of 2,385.5.

Top-tier safety in the Pine Tree State

The county's total crime rate of 514.6 is less than half the Maine state average of 1,084.3. This performance places Washington County well above the average state safety score of 98.3.

Safer than northern coastal neighbors

Washington County is significantly safer than neighboring Penobscot County, which reports a crime rate of 1,756.5. Its local crime rate is also lower than Waldo County's nearby regions.

Violent crime exceeds state average

While total crime is low, the violent crime rate of 93.3 is slightly higher than the state average of 82.4. Conversely, property crime is remarkably low at 421.3 per 100,000 residents.

Keep your home and community safe

Given the low property crime rate, residents enjoy a high level of security for their belongings. Installing basic lighting and staying connected with neighbors can help maintain these favorable statistics.

Full safety analysis on CrimeByCounty

Schools in Washington County

via SchoolsByCounty

The Most Intimate Schools in Maine

Washington County features 34 public schools across a high density of 23 districts, serving 3,597 students. The system is heavily weighted toward elementary education, with 25 primary schools and 6 high schools.

High Funding Levels in Washington

The county spends $10,659 per pupil, which is over $900 more than the Maine state average. Despite this investment, the graduation rate of 83.6% trails the state average by 2.5 points.

Small Districts Define the Landscape

RSU 37/MSAD 37 is the largest district, yet it only serves 691 students. There are currently no charter schools in Washington County, with education managed through numerous small local districts.

Rural Life and Tiny Classrooms

This county has the smallest average school size in the set at just 112 students. Almost every school (31 of 34) is rural, and even the largest school, Narraguagus High, has only 331 students.

Peaceful Living Near Rural Schools

Families seeking the ultimate in small-school education will find it in Washington County. Look for homes near Machias or Calais to benefit from high per-pupil spending and tight-knit school communities.

Full schools analysis on SchoolsByCounty

Disaster Risk in Washington County

via RiskByCounty

Washington County is relatively low risk

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.

Full disaster risk analysis on RiskByCounty

Water Quality in Washington County

via WaterByCounty

Washington County Drinking Water Snapshot

Washington County records a Grade F for drinking water, with a staggering 52 health violations over the last five years. The violation rate of 425.7 per 100,000 residents is nearly triple the Maine state average.

E. Coli and Chemical Concerns

Of the 87 assessed water bodies, 2.3% are impaired according to the 2022 reporting cycle. The primary causes for these impairments include Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBS) and E. coli contamination.

Extensive Data Collection Efforts

With 69 sites and 10,938 measurements over five years, Washington County has a very high monitoring footprint. Researchers are actively tracking physical, nutrient, and biological data, including algae and phytoplankton levels.

Steady Flow on St. Croix River

The St. Croix River at Baring is currently flowing at 2,440 cfs, which is 92% of its long-term typical mean. This represents relatively stable water volume for the county's primary river system.

Addressing Significant Contamination

The combination of extreme violation rates and E. coli in the watershed makes water safety a priority. Use a high-quality UV or reverse osmosis system to protect your family from bacteria and the chemicals found in the county's supply.

Full water quality analysis on WaterByCounty

Weather & Climate in Washington County

via WeatherByCounty

The brisk edge of Down East

Washington County averages 43.8°F, which is roughly 10 degrees cooler than the median U.S. county. This humid continental climate is heavily influenced by the cold waters of the Gulf of Maine.

Defining the Maine average

The county’s 43.8°F average perfectly matches the statewide annual temperature for Maine. It serves as the benchmark for the state’s weather patterns, balancing coastal and northern influences.

Maine's wettest eastern corner

Washington County receives 49.2 inches of precipitation, making it wetter than Waldo (48.8) and Penobscot (43.8). It also sees significantly more snow than Waldo, averaging 86.1 inches.

Foggy summers and snowy winters

July averages 67.2°F, but the county only sees about 3 days of extreme heat per year. Winters bring 86.1 inches of snow and January temperatures that average a cold 18.2°F.

Gear up for heavy precipitation

High-quality rain gear and waterproof home sealing are essential for the 49.2 inches of annual rainfall. Winter prep should account for the 21.5°F seasonal average and nearly 90 inches of snow.

Full weather & climate analysis on WeatherByCounty

Soil Quality in Washington County

via SoilByCounty

The Acidic Ground of Down East

Washington County likely shares the state's acidic average pH of 3.88. This is quite low compared to the 6.5 national median, creating a perfect environment for acid-loving plants like wild blueberries.

Glacial Legacy and Soil Texture

Soil texture data is not currently recorded, but the county's glacial history often results in diverse, rocky textures. These physical traits determine how easily roots can penetrate the ground to access water and minerals.

Naturally Rich in Organic Matter

Maine's average organic matter of 35.77% suggests the soil here is naturally rich in carbon compared to the 2.0% national average. The state's 0.242 in/in water capacity means the land is generally good at holding onto moisture through the season.

Coastal Runoff and Drainage

Drainage data is limited, which is a key consideration for anyone building near the coast or in low-lying bogs. Understanding how your land handles runoff is essential for both farming and home construction projects.

Milder Winters in Zone 5b

With a Zone 5b rating, you have a slightly longer growing season than your northern neighbors. Focus on crops that enjoy the cool, moist Atlantic air and the region's unique peat-rich environments.

Full soil quality analysis on SoilByCounty

Lawn Care in Washington County

via LawnByCounty

Balanced Growth in Washington County

Washington County matches the Maine state average exactly with a lawn difficulty score of 49.8. This Zone 5b coastal region is essentially on par with the national median for ease of lawn maintenance.

Ample Rainfall for Coastal Lawns

At 49.2 inches of annual rain, this is one of the wettest counties in the state, reducing the need for artificial irrigation. The 1,874 growing degree days provide a consistent, temperate environment that keeps grass from burning out in summer.

Testing Your Coastal Soil Profile

Specific soil metrics are not currently available for Washington County, so testing for local salt levels and pH is recommended. Most coastal lawns benefit from core aeration to prevent soil compaction and ensure water reaches the roots.

Excellent Resilience to Severe Drought

Only 0.8% of the county is currently facing severe drought, making it one of the most resilient areas in the state. Despite 33 weeks of moderate drought last year, the high annual rainfall helps local lawns recover quickly.

Prime Planting Times for Washington

Take advantage of the May 4th to October 10th frost-free window to establish your yard. Zone 5b is ideal for cool-season mixes like Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass that love the moist, coastal air.

Full lawn care analysis on LawnByCounty

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Washington County's county score?
Washington County, Maine has a composite county score of 52.8 out of 100 on CountyScore. This score is calculated from a weighted average of available data dimensions including property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools.
How does Washington County rank among counties in Maine?
Washington County ranks #5 among all counties in Maine on CountyScore's composite ranking. Rankings are based on available data dimensions and updated as new data is added.
What are property taxes like in Washington County, Maine?
The median annual property tax in Washington County is $1,654, with an effective tax rate of 1.12%. This earns Washington County a tax score of 29.6/100 on CountyScore (higher = lower taxes).
What is the median household income in Washington County?
The median household income in Washington County, Maine is $52,237 per year according to U.S. Census Bureau data. Washington County earns an income score of 19.1/100 on CountyScore.
Is Washington County, Maine a good place to live?
Washington County scores 52.8/100 on CountyScore's overall county ranking, ranking #5 in Maine. The best way to evaluate Washington County is to compare individual dimension scores — property tax, cost of living, income, safety, health, and schools — based on your personal priorities. Use CountyScore to compare Washington County with other counties side by side.
By Logan Johnson, Founder & Data EditorUpdated Reviewed by Logan Johnson, Founder & Data Editor

ByCounty Network

Property TaxCost of LivingIncome & JobsSafetyHealthSchoolsDisaster RiskWater QualityWeather & ClimateSoil QualityLawn CareFarmers Markets

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