How Piscataquis County became the state’s most popular housing market

By Kathleen O’Brien, Bangor Daily News Staff

Maine’s most rural county is set to see the most homes sold per capita in the state for the third straight year.

Some 315 homes in Piscataquis County sold from January through October of this year, which is the fewest out of all Maine’s counties, according to the Maine Association of Realtors. But, when broken down per capita, Piscataquis is on track to have the most homes change hands. 

Nearly 19 homes per 1,000 people in Piscataquis County sold through the first 10 months of this year — the most in the state, followed by Franklin and Lincoln counties, which each had about 13 homes per 1,000 change hands. 

Meanwhile, the most populated counties have the most home purchases, but the fewest per capita. For example, nearly 3,200 properties have sold in Cumberland County from January through October, but with more than 303,000 residents, that only equates to roughly 10 homes sold per 1,000 people, data from the Maine Association of Realtors shows.  

Piscataquis’ relative popularity is surprising given how rural the county is. But that’s part of what’s driving interest in the area, as well as its amenities, low cost and availability of seasonal homes. 

“We only have 17,000 people here, so the per capita data is skewed by our population base,” said Dolly Perkins, a Dover-Foxcroft-based agent with Realty of Maine. 

Regardless, Perkins has noticed more people “from away” move to Piscataquis County in the wake of the pandemic, which forced many to work from home, she said. Though the county is rural, the expansion of fiber internet allows people to work remotely, while still earning a higher income than what’s typical for the region. 

“It’s the land of the big cheap houses,” Perkins said. “They’ve discovered that we have reasonably priced homes, so you can get a lot more for your money here than you can elsewhere.” 

The average home in Piscataquis County costs roughly $218,500, according to Zillow. That’s less than half the median price of a home in Maine, which sat at $401,000 as of Dec. 3. 

While some new residents are buying year-round homes, others are purchasing seasonal getaways, since Piscataquis County — the second largest Maine county by acreage — offers lakes, state parks and the state’s tallest mountain, Katahdin. 

Those who don’t enjoy hunting, fishing or other outdoor recreation can still appreciate the “cozy, small town feel” and slower pace of life that Piscataquis County offers, Perkins said. But, communities like Dover-Foxcroft offer residents resources like a hospital, reputable schools and an ice arena. 

“We don’t tend to have a lot of the problems that some of the more urban areas in Maine are having and people like the Mayberry feel of the town,” Perkins said. “Your neighbors know who you are and people tend to get along here.”