The value of housing tells a lot about income and the competition for housing in a particular area. For nearly three decades the coastal counties (except for Washington) have registered higher housing values, while the northern counties and Washington County have had the lowest.
During the 2005-2009 period, the distribuion has generally held to the earlier pattern. However, the north-south divide, at least in home values, seems to be consolidating.
Six northern counties (including Washington) fall into the two lowest value categories. Six of the seven remaining southern and coastal counties fill the two highest value categories. A band of four central counties divides the other two groups.
Maine’s median value of housing units, $172,100, is $19,000 below the second highest category which ranges from $191,100 to $198,800.
| County | Value | Category |
| Cumberland | $244,900 | 1 |
| York | $232,900 | 1 |
| Knox | $206,400 | 1 |
| Hancock | $198,800 | 2 |
| Lincoln | $195,400 | 2 |
| Sagadahoc | $191,100 | 2 |
| Androscoggin | $152,700 | 3 |
| Waldo | $145,300 | 3 |
| Kennebec | $142,200 | 3 |
| Oxford | $140,800 | 3 |
| Penobscot | $126,400 | 4 |
| Franklin | $122,800 | 4 |
| Somerset | $102,400 | 4 |
| Washington | $98,700 | 5 |
| Piscataquis | $98,100 | 5 |
| Aroostook | $82,500 | 5 |
Source: U.S. Census. 2005-2009 data from http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/23000.html (accessed August 29, 2011)
Census note:
Value is the respondent’s estimate of how much the property (house and lot) would sell for if it were for sale.
This tabulation includes only specified owner-occupied housing units–one-family houses on less than 10 acres without a business or medical office on the property. These data exclude mobile homes, houses with a business or medical office, houses on 10 or more acres, and housing units in multi-unit structures.
From http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/meta/long_HSG495209.htm (accessed August 29, 2011)