RANK #442 / 996 · POP 50,656 · ME
PROJECTED GROWTH: +0.9%
Skowhegan, the county seat of Somerset County, Maine, is known for the Kennebec River flowing through its downtown and the annual Skowhegan State Fair, the oldest continuously running state fair in the U.S.. Located in west-central Maine, Somerset County is about a three-hour drive from Boston. The county is characterized by its mountains, forests, and waterways, including Flagstaff Lake and the Kennebec and Moose Rivers. Outdoor recreation is a significant draw, with opportunities for hiking, skiing, whitewater rafting, fishing, and snowmobiling, particularly in areas like the Moosehead Lake region and along the Kennebec River. Life in Somerset County often involves a connection to the outdoors and a sense of community. The county's economy has historically relied on logging, paper milling, and tourism. Recent economic developments include efforts to diversify the wood products industry and expand broadband infrastructure to support businesses and remote workers. Companies like New Balance have expanded their manufacturing presence in Skowhegan, and Maine Grains, a local grain processor, is also a notable employer. Several school districts serve the county, including RSU 54/MSAD 54 in Skowhegan and Maine Central Institute in Pittsfield.
Below national median (4.7x)
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.0x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
Somerset County has a Boom Town Index score of 56/100, ranking #442 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +0.2% and a median household income of $53,527, it's an above-average county on economic indicators.
The median home value in Somerset County is $150,500 with median rent at $849/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.3557, which is more affordable than the national average.
Population growth: +0.5% year-over-year. Job growth: +0.2%. Home values changed +2.3% in the past 12 months.
Yes — 4.46% of Somerset County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.