Moving to Maine
Maine, otherwise known as ‘The Pine Tree State’, is a wonderful state to work and live. If you are moving or relocating to ME, we have assembled a comprehensive list of some important facts and useful tidbits to help make your move an easy transition.
Geography
Located in the New England Region of the country, Maine is bordered by and New Hampshire. With a total land area of over 35,384.65 Square Miles, it comes in as the 11th smallest state.
Population
Currently, the population of ME is 1,331,479 making it the 8th least populated state in the union and the 11th least densely populated. The state capital, Augusta, has a population of 18560. which is the 2nd smallest capital in the country.
Notable Mainers
Maine is home to several famous and some infamous citizens such as, Walter Van Tilburg Clark a prominent writer is from East Oreland and Cyrus Curtis a prominent publisher is from Portland. Others include people like Dustin Farnum a actor and John Ford a film director .
Climate
Maine is located on the eastern margin of the North American continent. Its northerly latitude and geographic location exposes the state to both the moderating and moistening influence of the Atlantic Ocean, as well as the effects of the hot and cold air masses from the interior of the continent. Also, Maine is located within the primary storm track of the mid-latitudes. Maines climate is characterized by cold, snowy winters and mild summers. Mean annual winter temperatures range from 25°F in the far south to less than 15°F in the northern and interior portions of the state. Mean annual summer temperatures range from near 60°F in the far north to near 70°F in the south. Maine is approximately 90% forested with over 3500 miles of coastline, making forestry, seafood, hunting and fishing, tourism and ecosystem services all sensitive to a changing climate.
National Parks
Maine is home to 1 beautiful national park.
- Acadia
Covering most of Mount Desert Island and other coastal islands, Acadia features the tallest mountain on the Atlantic coast of the United States, granite peaks, ocean shoreline, woodlands, and lakes. There are freshwater, estuary, forest, and intertidal habitats.
Crime Statistics
Safety and security should always be an important consideration when relocating to a new area. A state’s crime rate affects more than just the safety of its resident, it highly affects property value, economics and the overall quality of life. Based on the last FBI Crime Statistics, Maine’s violent crime rate is 12 per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 37.3. In addition, the state’s property crime rate is 198per 10k residents which is less than the national average of 248.7.
Maine ranks #47 in the US for violent crime and #38 for property crime.
Schools & Education
Whether you are a student, have children, or neither, a state’s educational system is not only important to those attending, it’s vital to the overall quality of life, culture and economics of the state. Based on data from multiple public and private sources, we were able to rank Maine’s educational system.
Overall Grade: C+
Maine spends on average $15193.00 per pupil, which is greater than the national average ($11,900). ME ranks #13 in the US compared to the rest of the country. While ME ranks #13 in spending, the latest graduation rate is 87.50%%.
Another important factor is the percentage of families that enroll their young children (ages 3-4) in an accredited pre-school program. Maine ranks #35 with over 41.10% of children attending a early educational program.
Taxes
The current income tax rate for Maine is 10.15% which ranks 47th favorable amongst other states. If you are purchasing property, you may want to consider the the property tax burden rate. This is the amount you pay in taxes per $1000 earned. ME’s rate is $47.66 which ranks 45th in the US.
Currently, ME sales tax is $22.31 for which it comes in as 24th compared to other states.
Sports
Unfortunately Maine does’nt have any major league teams.
Utility Companies
Before you move to Maine, it’s advised that you know who your utility companies are. We have an extensive list of both public and private utility companies in ME.
Other Resources
For more information about moving to Maine, visit their website at http://www.state.me.us/