RANK #694 / 1001 NAT · POP 216,731
1YR FORECAST: +0.2%
5YR OUTLOOK: +26%
York County, Maine, stands out for its coastal charm and historical significance, notably in towns like York, which was America's first chartered city in 1641. Located in the southernmost part of Maine, bordering New Hampshire, it offers a blend of sandy beaches, rocky coastlines, and historic villages. Commuting to nearby cities like Boston is feasible, with towns such as York, Ogunquit, and Kennebunkport being popular for their accessibility. The region boasts extensive outdoor recreation opportunities, including hiking at Mount Agamenticus, exploring Ferry Beach State Park, and enjoying various beaches like Long Sands and Short Sands.
Life in York County attracts a mix of families, retirees, and remote workers drawn to its quality of life and community feel. The economy is diverse, with significant activity in healthcare, service, and retail sectors. Recent economic developments include commercial real estate projects in towns like Biddeford and Saco, encompassing mixed-use spaces, retail, and residential properties. The county also sees ongoing investment in sectors such as data centers and energy, contributing to its economic landscape. Public transportation options, including local bus services and connections to Amtrak, support residents' mobility. The area is served by numerous public school districts, including Wells-Ogunquit Community School District and York Public Schools.
York County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +1.5% YoY, population +0.9%, wages +3.7%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Overvalued relative to economy
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing looks overvalued at 16.9x — 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: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Sanford Data Center
Undisclosed (New England Energy Co. owns land)
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Sanford Solar Portfolio (multiple projects)
Walden Renewables, Acton H Road Solar 1, LLC
|
$80M | Operating/Under Construction |
|
The Meadows Residential Community
Undisclosed
|
$50M | Planned |
|
York County Recovery and Training Centers
York County Government
|
$44M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
At 30/100, York County faces headwinds that place it in the lower third of the 1001 counties we track. Median income of $88,333 combined with job growth of -0.1% suggests the local economy is struggling to keep pace with national trends.
York County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $395,700 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.22 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,339/month on average.
York County's population is growing — up +0.9% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of -0.1%). Home values shifted +1.5% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
Not particularly — 1.85% of York County's population moved in from another state, which is below the national average. Most residents are long-term locals rather than recent transplants.