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Androscoggin County, ME

RANK #728 / 996  ·  POP 111,532  ·  ME

PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.1%

Androscoggin County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Androscoggin County?

Androscoggin County, Maine, is characterized by its "Twin Cities" of Lewiston and Auburn, bisected by the Androscoggin River. Lewiston, the larger city, is known for its French-Canadian heritage, evident in landmarks like the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul. The county, located in Southern Maine, is about 40 minutes north of Portland, offering a balance of urban amenities and natural landscapes. Commuting within the Lewiston-Auburn area is generally manageable, with local bus services available. The region boasts outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking and biking trails along the Androscoggin River, fishing in Lake Auburn, and winter sports at Lost Valley.

Life in Androscoggin County offers a blend of community-centered living and access to nature. The area attracts families and young professionals, with a significant immigrant population contributing to its cultural diversity. Local schools include Durham Community School and East Auburn Community School. The economy, historically rooted in textiles and shoe manufacturing, has diversified into sectors like healthcare, technology, and education. Recent economic developments include investments in housing and support for local businesses, with a focus on innovation and manufacturing.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.3x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+2.7%

Above national median

Home Prices
+1.3%

Below national median

Climate & Terrain
-0.3

Below-average climate & terrain

Price/Rent
12x

Strong rental yield

Housing is fairly valued at 4.3x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Androscoggin County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
111,532
+1.05% YoY
Median Household Income
$64,500
Median Home Value
$211,800
+1.32% 12mo
Median Rent
$916
Average Annual Pay
$58,507
+4.3% YoY
Employment
48,676
+1.2% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.3045
More affordable than average
Migration Inflow
3.28%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$313,000
Days on Market
45
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
2.5
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
99.0%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
36.2%
Listings w/ Price Drops
28.6%
Building Permits (2024)
346
Single-Family Permits
263

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[05] Capital Investment

$774M
TOTAL
PROJECT AMOUNT STATUS
Androscoggin Mill Data Center
JGT2 Redevelopment LLC (managed by Sentinel Data Centers)
$500M Proposed
Green Apple Solar
Undisclosed (Cleanview)
$179M Planned
Community Solar Portfolio (multiple projects)
Hayworth Solar Partners, LLC, Syncarpha, EDP Renewables North America
$50M Operating/Under Construction
Bates College Athletic Facilities Upgrade
Bates College
$45M Planned

Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +2.7% 50 percentile
Population Growth +1.1% 73 percentile
Income Growth +8.8% 58 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.6% 90 percentile
Home Price Change +1.3% 50 percentile
Rent Growth +1.5% 27 percentile
Price/Rent 12x 71 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Androscoggin County, ME a good place to move to?

Androscoggin County has a Boom Town Index score of 27/100, ranking #728 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.2% and a median household income of $64,500, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Androscoggin County affordable?

The median home value in Androscoggin County is $211,800 with median rent at $916/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3045, which is more affordable than the national average.

Is Androscoggin County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +1.1% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.2%. Home values changed +1.3% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Androscoggin County?

Yes — 3.28% of Androscoggin County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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