RANK #229 / 1001 NAT · POP 67,058
1YR FORECAST: +0.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +21%
Aroostook County, often called "The County" by locals, is Maine's northernmost and largest county, exceeding the combined size of Connecticut and Rhode Island. This expansive region, bordering Canada, is known for its vast woodlands, over 2,000 lakes, rivers, and streams, and the 92-mile Allagash Wilderness Waterway. While remote, with a drive from Portland taking around 4-5 hours, it offers a distinct, slower pace of life. Presque Isle is the largest city, and Houlton serves as the county seat. The area provides extensive outdoor recreation, including snowmobiling on over 2,000 miles of trails, ATVing, hunting, fishing, and cross-country skiing. Life in Aroostook County is characterized by a strong sense of community and a connection to the land, with many residents owning their homes. The region's culture reflects Franco-American, Acadian, Native American, and Scandinavian influences. Public schools in Aroostook County are a focus, with institutions like the Maine School of Science and Mathematics receiving national recognition. The economy, historically tied to potato cultivation, is diversifying. Recent developments include investments in agricultural technology, with a new potato research lab at the University of Maine's Aroostook Farm, and expansion in potato processing. The aerospace sector is also emerging, with an aerospace research park under development at the Presque Isle International Airport. Additionally, niche small businesses, including eateries and creative ventures, have seen growth.
Aroostook County is one of 75 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +2.7% runs above the profile's typical +0.8%.
See all 75 Affordable Slow Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Above national median
Below-average climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 7.3x — home prices are high relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: Homicide rates from CDC/NCHS vital-statistics mortality data — a multi-year average that stabilizes counts in smaller counties — compiled in the County Health Rankings 2025 release. Rates per 100,000 population; U.S. average ≈ 6.5. Grade reflects homicide rate relative to the national average. Learn more →
See where Aroostook County stands nationally: safest large counties in America · highest homicide-rate counties.
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
King Pine Wind Farm
Longwood Energy
|
$2,000M | Planned |
|
Number Nine Wind Farm
EDP Renewables
|
$1,100M | Operating |
|
Loring LiquidCool Data Center Campus
Loring LiquidCool Data Center (LiquidCool Solutions / Green 4 Maine)
|
$500M | Under Construction |
|
Timberland Solar Project (Hersey)
Next Phase Energy Services
|
$100M | Proposed |
|
Presque Isle Bypass Phase 2
Maine Department of Transportation
|
$84M | Planned |
|
Taste of Maine Potato Chip Co. Plant
Taste of Maine Potato Chip Co.
|
$65M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 77/100, Aroostook County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. and median household income stands at $56,700 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in ME.
By national standards, Aroostook County is quite affordable. Homes here have a median value of $149,700, and the income-to-home-value ratio of 0.38 is well above the U.S. average — especially with median rent at just $784/month. Residents can generally buy a home without being cost-burdened.
Aroostook County's job market is contracting (-1.3% YoY) while population is roughly stable (-0.2% change). Home values are +2.7% over the past 12 months. Hiring headwinds without an offsetting exodus — residents are staying, but local employers are shedding payroll.
Not particularly — 0.79% of Aroostook County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.