Edgecomb combines outdoor abundance with coastal convenience
With roots stretching back as far as the 18th century, Edgecomb is a well-established community in the coastal Maine countryside. As of the last U.S. census report in 2020, the town had a population of less than 1,200 year-round residents. People who own vacation properties here often stay on a seasonal basis, so the population count can fluctuate throughout the year, usually peaking during the summer months. “Edgecomb is a really great community with a lot of natural land,” says Kirstie Ransdell, a local Realtor and Associate Broker with Keller Williams Realty, Inc. She notes that outdoor recreation is one of the area's biggest draws between the town’s lakes, nature preserves and hiking trails. Despite its rural setting and lack of commercial amenities, Ransdell says that another significant draw is Edgecomb’s central location: “It’s convenient to Route 1 and it’s convenient to Wiscasset, Boothbay and Damariscotta,” she says, listing three nearby towns that, when connected, create a large, triangle-like shape with Edgecomb at the center. All three places have their own downtown area with local shopping and dining establishments, as well as a few chain stores and larger retailers outside downtown. Edgecomb has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, significantly lower than the national average of 4 and the lowest score possible on the index.
Nature preserves and tidal rivers define the town’s landscape
Natural landscapes and abundant outdoor recreation are defining characteristics of Edgecomb. The town is bound by the Sheepscot River to the west and the Damariscotta River to the east, which makes this a popular area for boating, fishing and other water activities. On land, Edgemont is home to almost 900 acres’ worth of nature preserves with trail systems, historic sites and observation areas all open to the public. The largest preserve, the Charles and Constance Schmid Land Preserve, covers 766 acres of land and features 7 miles of trailways, including part of the River-Link wildlife corridor. “Edgemont is also very convenient to the golf course at Boothbay Harbor Country Club, which people really like,” Ransdell says. Less than 10 minutes from Edgecomb center, the semi-private country club has a scenic 18-hole golf course and various luxury amenities for fitness and wellness.
Housing ranges from mobile homes to million-dollar waterfronts
Housing options in Edgecomb cover a wide array of architectural styles, and potential buyers can find everything from recently renovated mobile homes to custom, multi-acre estates with private waterfront access. “Residents have a couple of choices of being on the water: in west Edgecomb, you’d be on the Sheepscot River, while the eastern side of town borders the Damariscotta River,” Ransdell says. “A lot of people purchase investment properties or condos at the Sheepscot Harbour Resort, and they live in them whenever they want and then rent them out when they aren’t using them. It’s one way for people to get their foot in the door so they can live in the coastal area and become a part of the community.” Mobile homes usually cost between $200,000 and $300,000, while inland single-family homes like farmhouses, New England capes and Craftsman-style cottages range from about $400,000 to $800,000. Waterfront properties start at around $900,000 and can sell for upwards of $1.3 million. Edgecomb’s average home value is $600,000, which is slightly less expensive when compared to the Portland Metro Area’s average housing value of $640,000.
Shopping trips to Damariscotta and Boothbay Harbor
Although Edgemont lacks a developed downtown area, a few local businesses and eateries line a stretch of Boothbay Road in the town center. Dining options include Cook’s Landing Pizzeria and Blanchard’s Creamery, a popular family-owned spot serving homemade ice cream, coffee and baked goods in a restored 19th-century barn. “For the everyday errands and shopping trips, people are often going to go to Damariscotta, but it can also depend on the time of year,” Ransdell says. She notes people flock to Boothbay Harbor during the summer for seasonal boutiques and restaurants that are otherwise closed for most of the year. One of the few year-round stores in Boothbay Harbor is Hannaford supermarket, a convenient 7 miles from Edgecomb.
Edgecomb Eddy School enrolls primary students
Edgecomb is zoned for the AOS98 school system, which is also known as the Boothbay-Boothbay Harbor Community School District (CSD) and serves four other rural communities in Lincoln County, including the Boothbay and Southport areas. Edgecomb Eddy School teaches prekindergarten through sixth-grade students and is rated B-minus. In 2009, Edgecomb Eddy School was recognized as the National Title I Distinguished School for the State of Maine. Students in grades seven and eight can attend Boothbay Region Elementary School, while Boothbay Region High School serves secondary students; both are rated B.
Getting around coastal Maine via Routes 1 and 27
Maine State Route 27 is Edgecomb’s main artery and the only numbered thoroughfare running through town. Residents can take Route 27 south to Boothbay and Boothbay Harbor, or go north to merge onto U.S. Route 1, a major coastal highway connected to cities like Bath and Portland. “I think the Route 1 corridor is where this area is going to see a lot of its growth, especially since I’ve seen more commercial properties go up for sale there,” Ransdell says. For frequent fliers, the nearest airport is Portland International Airport, just over 50 miles away. The closest 24-hour emergency room is a 15-minute drive from town at the MaineHealth Lincoln Hospital Miles Campus in Damariscotta.
