$337,659Average Value$210Average Price per Sq Ft4Homes For Sale
Rural back roads and a close-knit community define Chelsea
Chelsea offers a rural Maine lifestyle along quiet back roads, not far from city amenities. Located about seven miles south of downtown Augusta, Chelsea sits along the eastern bank of the Kennebec River. Though it feels remote, the town is close to both Augusta and Gardiner, where groceries, entertainment, eateries and the University of Maine can be found. Family farm markets and the local Togus Pond add to Chelsea’s peaceful, country feel. Despite its pastoral landscape, the town maintains a tight-knit community feel. “Chelsea is full of nice, working-class people,” says Marty Britten, a local municipal worker who has lived in the area for more than 30 years. “There are plenty of organic farms and river access with nice fishing and a walking trail.”
Chelsea’s Community Heart & Soul was created in 2019 by town officials to foster community engagement. The volunteer-based program helps with food access through a community garden and nature access through grant funds that revitalized the town’s only park. The organization also communicates via a quarterly newsletter and keeps a calendar of social events like walking groups and potluck dinners.
Butternut Park and Togus Pond offer serene recreation
Outdoor recreation in Chelsea centers around its natural water features. On the west side of town, Butternut Park is a grassy area that sits along the banks of the Kennebec River and is a popular spot for watching Hallowell’s July Fourth fireworks display. On the other side of the river, the Kennebec River Trail follows the water and leads all the way to Augusta. “And in the wintertime, the Kennebec has smelting, which is ice fishing for smelt,” Britten says. For more fishing opportunities, Togus Pond on the town’s north side is teeming with bass and perch. Kayakers and anglers often take advantage of the lake’s quiet and accessible shoreline.
The town of Chelsea turned 175 years old in August 2025, and the community gathered outside the town office to celebrate. Festivities included live music, food and craft vendors, as well as family-friendly activities like bounce houses, a petting zoo and face painting.
Go for a hike on the Kennebec River Rail Trail in Chelsea.
Togus Pond offers fishing on the north side of Chelsea.
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Ranch styles with acreage line Chelsea’s quiet roads
Residences in Chelsea are primarily single-family homes, and the town’s owner-occupancy rate is 87%. Some properties sit along the town’s main road, tucked down long driveways behind pine and maple trees. Other homes are located down narrow side roads that wind deeper into Chelsea’s rural setting. Ranch- and raised ranch-style homes are common, ranging in size from 1,000 to 2,500 square feet. There are also older farmhouses built in the early 1900s that have since been updated. Properties typically offer at least an acre, sometimes upwards of 5, and often feature detached or attached garages. Price tags run from around $130,000 to about $525,000.
Ranch-style homes offer spacious lots and two-car garages in Chelsea.
Chelsea residents appreciate the woodsy lots that complement their ranch-style homes.
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Riverside eats, farms and a dance hall shape town life
Retail and entertainment options in Chelsea lean on the town’s unassuming atmosphere. On the east side, Crystal Falls draws a weekend crowd to dance along to live music. On the west side, Mughal Palace sits on River Road and serves up traditional Indian favorites. Just down the street, Deb’s Ice Cream operates out of a small cottage, offering drive-through or window service. Centrally located in Chelsea along State Route 226, Olde Haven Farm sells fresh vegetables, unique preserve combinations like strawberry basil and blueberry lavender, as well as handmade goods like soaps and salsas. The family farm also runs a butchery, selling pork and lamb raised on-site. For more shopping and dining variety, residents can head north to Augusta, where there’s a Walmart and Sam’s Club, or across the river to Gardiner, where there’s a Hannaford and several riverside eateries. “If you live in northern Chelsea, you go up to Augusta,” Britten says. “But otherwise, it’s very convenient to cross the bridge over the river into Gardiner.”
Bring the kids to Deb’s Ice Cream for a sweet treat in Chelsea.
Gardiner offers a variety of gift shops and restaurants for Chelsea residents.
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Nearby public schools and UMA serve local students
Students can begin their education at Chelsea Elementary School, which serves kindergarteners through eighth-grade learners and holds a B-minus rating from Niche. High schoolers then typically attend either Gardiner Area High School across the river, which has a C-plus, or the C-rated Cony Middle and High School located in Augusta. The combined campus installed a new turf field in 2021, Fuller Field.
For higher education, the University of Maine at Augusta is situated about 9 miles north of Chelsea’s center. Part of the University of Maine system, the institution is known for its flexible online and distance-learning programs.
Students in Chelsea begin their education at Chelsea Elementary School.
Students in Chelsea continue their education at Gardiner Area High School.
The University of Maine at Augusta offers various academic programs for its students.
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Residents are linked to Augusta via State Route 226
Chelsea is car dependent, as there are no public train or bus services available. State Route 226 winds through Chelsea as the town’s main two-lane artery. The highway leads residents to Water Street along the Kennebec River and then connects them to Gardiner and Farmingdale across the water. The highway also continues north toward Augusta. In the northern neck of Chelsea, the Togus VA Medical Center provides health services to military veterans and their families.
Written By
Mary Beth Greene
Photography Contributed By
Mallory Nolte
Video By
Max Gilmore
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
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On average, homes in Chelsea, ME sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 55 days. The median sale price for homes in Chelsea, ME over the last 12 months is $341,000, up 5% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Experience the charm of historic Hallowell from the heart of one of Maine's most beloved riverfront communities. Ideally situated in the village center, this 2 bedroom, 1 bath condominium places you steps from Granite City Park, with scenic views of the Kennebec and an easy stroll to restaurants, galleries, and shops. Originally built in 1892 during Hallowell's storied mill era, the
Buildable waterfront lot along Togus Stream! This affordable 1.34 acre lot sits on a dead-end road within minutes of the city- allowing your waterfront experience to have the added convenience of a quick drive to the grocery store, shopping centers and many local eateries. Enjoy year-round recreational activities while listening to the loons in your front yard.
Welcome to this beautifully maintained one-owner home, peacefully set on 2.3 acres in Chelsea. Showcasing an incredible amount of space, thoughtful features, and room to make it your own, this property is truly something special. The first floor has four bedrooms, an office, three full bathrooms, laundry room, dining room, sunroom, and a spacious kitchen filled with cabinetry and storage,
Opportunity, acreage, and room to make it your own in Chelsea! Set on 2.02 acres, this 3-bedroom, 1-bath property offers the space and flexibility to create the home and lifestyle you've been envisioning. The first floor features a convenient laundry area, a living room with a woodstove, and a primary bedroom. The second story includes an eat-in kitchen, a bathroom, two additional bedrooms with
This stunning and meticulously maintained Cape Cod style home offers everything and more! Upon entering you will be welcomed by cozy and warm modern features and many updates that have been completed within the last four years, which include a new roof, whole house generator, heat pumps, new boiler, deck, whole house water filtration system, finished basement space, primary bedroom walk-in
Alisha GillespieColdwell Banker Plourde Real Estate
Rare opportunities like this don't come along often. Create the home you've always envisioned on this beautiful 6.41± acre surveyed parcel featuring sweeping pastoral views, historic stone walls, and a small pond and brook known as ''Meadow Brook'', which borders the property. Live here and enjoy a picturesque setting with abundant wildlife, exceptional birdwatching, and the tranquil sounds of
The perfect blend of privacy and community awaits on this beautiful 2.31 acre parcel wooded lot nestled in one of Chelsea's established neighborhoods. This sweet spot is ideal for building your dream home or investing in peaceful Maine living. Don't miss the chance to create something special in this quiet, well-loved town.
A lot to unpack on this property coming to the market. First, you drive into the nicely paved driveway. The two-unit building sits atop the left side of the property high and dry. This two-unit features a three bedroom one bathroom unit and a one bedroom one bathroom unit. Built in 2021 on a slab. The structure is modern and in great shape. Radiant heat and heat pump systems heat and cool the
This remarkable homestead property is ready to go and grow. Much of the grunt work is done. The structures are sound and fencing in place for large animals. The house and Garage/Barn have metal roofs and new siding. No worries for well and septic as they are new or redone in the past 1-4 years. As an added bonus there is an existing mobile home site with well and septic present and power nearby.
PERFECT country lot bordered by old stone walls. Sweet, sunny, and clear parcel surrounded by trees. Minutes from Augusta, on the East side of the Kennebec River. Easy distance from the sea and mountains. 6+ acre parcel: Bounded by continuous stone wall along 2 sides, S. Dondero Rd. and Hankerson Rd. Tax bill includes the parcel NOT being sold.
Don't miss out this opportunity to own your dream home: this 3bedrooms, 2 full bath Raised Ranch comes with two oversized garages on a private 2.08-acre lot and just minutes from downtown Augusta and the VA, whole house generator, multiple heat pumps, multiple garages, storage spaces, an oversized deck with hot tub and much more!
This 1-bedroom, 1-bathroom apartment, available starting December 10th, is ideally situated in Chelsea, offering a quaint small-town ambiance while remaining close to Augusta. The kitchen boasts ample cabinet space, and the bathroom includes an additional linen closet for convenient storage. Enjoy a spacious living area and a generously sized bedroom. The property is nestled in a peaceful wooded
2 bed, 1 bath apartment in Chelsea available now! Located in a quiet, wooded setting, this apartment offers convenient access to Augusta while maintaining the feel of a small-town community.The unit features a large living area open to the kitchen with plenty of cabinet space, two good-sized bedrooms, and additional closet with linen storage in the bathroom. The surrounding wooded setting
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