Situated in southern Maine’s York County, Dayton is a rural residential neighborhood that maintains proximity to urban areas. Swathes of farmland interspersed with white Cape Cods and red barns populate the area, and open lots are framed by groves of pine-oak forests. “Dayton has a rich agricultural history, and I appreciate that there’s still a fair amount of farming here,” says Keith Harris, a fifth-generation farmer who owns Pumpkin Valley Farm in Dayton. “Plus, Dayton is only a 30-minute drive from Portland.” While residents can drive to Saco or Portland for urban amenities, they don’t have to travel far to find farm-fresh meat and produce, Maine maple syrup or farm festivals. Neighborhood farms host community activities and cross-country skiing, and the Saco River presents chances to fish and paddle.
Dayton is a rural town with working farms and bucolic homes.
Get fresh milk and produce at Harris Farm in Dayton.
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Farmhouses and Capes on spacious lots
Most of Dayton is in a 3-acre zoning district, so properties sit on spacious lots along quiet country roads. Homes are situated on cleared grass fields or in the dense pine-oak forests. There is currently limited inventory in the southern Maine area, and houses are often passed down generationally. When properties come on the market, buyers can find 1940s farmhouses on multiple acres for around $800,000. Properties built in the 1970s and 80s are more common and usually come in ranch and Cape Cod styles. Prices start around $330,000 and rise to $480,000. Those seeking more rustic lodging can find log cabins built in the 1980s for about $600,000.
Dayton has many Farmhouses throughout the area.
This iconic New England barn can be seen along the road in Dayton.
This rural home is typical in Dayton.
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Paddle along the Saco River or walk through the forest
Dayton hosts plenty of recreational opportunities in the Maine countryside. Skelton Dam Boat Launch offers convenient access to the Saco River to go fishing or enjoy boating along the water. During the winter, residents can go cross-country skiing on the groomed trails at Harris Farm. Just across the northern edge of Dayton is Pleasant Point Park, which offers forested nature trails with glimpses of the river. Residents can gather for an outdoor picnic and wade in the river at the beach, while the adventurous can jump into the river on the park’s rope swing or launch a kayak or canoe onto the river.
Skelton Dam is part of the Saco River Reservoir in Dayton.
There are plenty of hiking trails in Pleasant Point Park.
The Saco River near Dayton provides recreational opportunities.
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Festivals at Pumpkin Valley Farm and treats on Maine Maple Sunday
Pumpkin Valley Farm hosts seasonal events, the largest of which is a fall festival with a 5-acre corn maze and pumpkin patch. “In 2018, we added the Sunflower Festival in an effort to extend our relatively short operating season,” Harris says. The festival features bright blooms with wood-fired pizza and live music. In the spring, locals can greet the farm’s newest additions on baby animal days. During the weekend of Maine Maple Sunday in March, residents can stop by the sugar house at Cole Farm for maple syrup and ice cream and family-friendly activities.
Fresh and local goods from Harris Farm
Harris Farm operates a country store stocking local eggs, milk, beef and in-season vegetables. Cole Farm sells maple syrup year-round, and farmers can go to the farmer-owned cooperative Andy’s Agway for animal feed and garden supplies. For household essentials, locals can stop by Dayton Country Store, a small but well-stocked store that sells a few hot foods, including pizza and wings. Gonneville Farm Ice Cream and Homestyle Cookin is another local favorite serving country-style dishes and ice cream. The neighborhood is rural but not secluded — Saco and Biddeford are 6 miles east and host supermarkets like Hannaford and big box shops like Target.
Dayton is the home of Gonneville Farm Ice Cream.
Harris Farm sells meat, dairy, vegetables and offers cross country skiing.
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Publicly funded private education for Dayton students
Children can begin school at Dayton Consolidated School, which earns a B rating from Niche. The district does not have a public middle or high school, but Dayton has a town tuition program that allows students to attend the private Thornton Academy without paying tuition fees. Starting in sixth grade, students can attend the A-minus-rated Thornton Academy, which has over 200 course offerings, including dance, songwriting, Arabic and Chinese.
Dayton Consolidated School serves students in Kindergarten through 5th grade.
Thorton Academy was established in 1811 in the Saco, Maine, community.
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6 miles to Saco and 20 miles to Portland
Since Dayton is a rural neighborhood, residents rely on personal vehicles to commute and run errands. The neighborhood’s state highways allow residents to travel to nearby towns and connect to Interstate 95, on which they can drive 20 miles north to Portland.
Dayton is a rural town in York County, Maine.
Dayton is a rural area with plenty of farmland.
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Dayton residents must drive for some resources
There are fewer amenities at hand in Dayton, so locals must drive out of town to access resources like medical centers and supermarkets. The nearest hospital is Maine Medical Center, which is 23 miles away in Portland.
Shaw's Supermarket is the premier grocery store near Dayton.
GreatSchools:
The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process.
View GreatSchools Rating Methodology
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Heath Taylor,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Pleasant Point Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Kayak/Canoe
Biddeford Dog Park
Rotary Park
Baseball/Softball
Boating
Disc Golf
Jubilee Park
Picnic Area
Trails
Shevenell Park
Events
Boom Field Disc Golf
Disc Golf
Transit
Airport
Portland International Jetport
34 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Dayton
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Dayton, Alfred sell after 23 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Dayton, Alfred over the last 12 months is $654,782, down 7% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Home Trends
Median Price (12 Mo)
$575,000
Median Single Family Price
$575,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$330
Last 12 months Home Sales
14
Median List Price
$562,500
Median Discount From 1st List Price
0%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
-19%
Home Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
192
Median Year Built
1998
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,928
On par with the national average
1,936
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
131,986
Distribution of Home Values
Source: Public Records
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Heath Taylor,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,912
Median Age
46
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
20%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18.6%
On par with the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$103,916
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$119,718
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
96.2%
College Graduates
25.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
8.2%
% Population in Labor Force
76.6%
Above the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
36''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
26/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
0/ 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score
Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.
Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
