David Banks
Responds Quickly
RE/MAX By The Bay
(207) 503-3042
1,122 Total Sales
12 in Harpswell
$145K - $1.2M Price Range
Harpswell
Rural Neighborhood in Maine
Cumberland County 04003, 04066, 04079
No matter what time of day it is, you can smell the sea salt and hear the boats hum in certain parts of Harpswell.
The eastern portion of the small Maine town of Harpswell is an enclave of islands, each with its own distinctive personality. The tight-knit Bailey Island convenes around the lobster industry and its general store, Orr’s Island has a special protected cove where the wind can’t get in and Great Island is where you’ll find tons of lobstermen and old fishing weirs.
“You drive down and you’ll see fishermen in fishing gear, and places to buy lobster and buy fish,” says Curt Fish, owner of Sharon Drake Real Estate in nearby Bath. “You have to go pretty far up the coast before you see lots of fishermen in one place.”
Throughout the islands, houses include see everything from multifamily properties for around $200,000 to shingle-style shorefront homes with deepwater docks for $3 million. There are 1970s bungalows for $330,000, ten-year-old contemporary ranch-style houses for $750,000, modern contemporary houses with board and batten exteriors for $400,000 and contemporary brick houses with cathedral ceilings for $1.6 million. Harpswell is a mostly year-round community, says Fish, but about 30% of residents are so-called “summer folk.”
One of the highlights of these idyllic keys is Cliff Trail, a hiking area along Strawberry Creek in Great Island. The trail includes a 150-ft. cliff with breathtaking views of the Long Reach waterway. The creekside portion of the hike was updated in 2021 to include a smooth wide path, accessible for people who either use mobility devices or have limited mobility. Devil’s Back Trail Area, named for a trail that runs along the “spine” of the devil’s back, goes through a mixed forest that includes a handful of apple trees. If you take the trail down to Gun Point Cove, you can climb out to the rocks for a picnic during low tide.
Orr’s Island and Bailey Island are vibrant communities with a Nantucket or Martha’s Vineyard sort of vibe, Fish says. Here, residential areas closely packed with cottages are close to a handful of beaches and conservation areas, like the rocky Houghton Graves Park. There are also plenty of places in Harpswell where you can go kayaking or learn how to sail. “You really feel like you’re out in open ocean,” Fish says. “You can always smell salt water, and you can always hear a boat going this way or out.”
Tucked away at the northern tip of Orr’s Island is Long Cove, a secluded, dead quiet waterway. Because it opens to the north, wind can’t get inside, and as a result the water here is warm. Neighbors can come here to get a reprieve from the otherwise windy key, or to escape during a hurricane.
Harpswell is part of Maine School Administrative District 75, which has about 2,400 students between the towns of Bowdoinham, Harpswell, Bowdoin and Topsham. About 125 children in kindergarten through fifth grade attend Harpswell Community School.
When it’s time to eat, Bailey Island General Store has a mix of convenience items plus freshly made pizza and lobster rolls. Right next to the historic Cribstone Bridge connecting Bailey and Orr’s is Cook’s Lobster & Ale House. You can have your lobster whole here, or in stew form, packed into a grilled cheese or fried into wontons. You can also order it submerged in a big bowl of macaroni and cheese.
Even though these are islands, it’s not terribly inconvenient to get to the highway. It’s a short drive to both Route 1 and I-295, which will take you down to Portland and its international jetport.
Aquaculture and boating are deeply engrained into this community. If you move here, you can join in the fun and come sail away.
Written By
Laura Finaldi
Photography Contributed By
Jeff Tippett
Video By
Tyler Cataldo
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Agents Specializing in this Area
-
David Banks
-
Bobbie Newberg
Bobbie Newberg
Responds QuicklyEngel & Volkers Casco Bay
(207) 481-4342
29 Total Sales
4 in Harpswell
$345K - $1.1M Price Range
-
John Blouin
John Blouin
Responds QuicklyLAER
(207) 739-4760
176 Total Sales
1 in Harpswell
$285,000 Price
-
Nicholas Dambrie
Nicholas Dambrie
Keller Williams Realty
(207) 387-9614
173 Total Sales
1 in Harpswell
$749,000 Price
-
Craig Garrett
Craig Garrett
Tim Dunham Realty
(207) 687-1055
41 Total Sales
1 in Harpswell
$85,000 Price
-
Tim Dunham
Tim Dunham
Tim Dunham Realty
(207) 417-4408
391 Total Sales
3 in Harpswell
$393K - $525K Price Range
Schools
Source:
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 , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Bates-Morse Mountain Conservation Area
Brunswick Town Commons
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Parking Lot
Cliff Trail
- Trails
- Parking Lot
- Hiking
Pickard Field
- Baseball/Softball
- Soccer
- Playground
Houghton Graves Park
- Picnic Area
- Trails
- Parking Lot
Doughty Point Preserve
- Trails
Transit
Crime and Safety
| 1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime | Harpswell | 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
Harpswell Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Harpswell, ME sell after 26 days on the market compared to the national average of 49 days. The median sale price for homes in Harpswell, ME over the last 12 months is $850,000, up 13% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Housing Trends
Median List Price
$922,000
Median Sale Price
$850,000
Median Single Family Sale Price
$934,000
Median 2 Bedroom Sale Price
$695,000
Median Change From 1st List Price
0%
Last 12 months Home Sales
49
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
13%
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$589
Neighborhood Facts
Number of Homes in Neighborhood
910
Number of Homes for Sale
21
Median Year Built
1984
Months of Supply
5.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,050
Above the national average
1,933
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,316
Average 1 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
805
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
26,571
Open Houses
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Saturday, Jun 1411am - 1pm
$750,000
- 4 Beds
- 3 Baths
- 2,674 Sq Ft
- 428 Mountain Rd
- New 11 days ago
Amazing opportunity in coastal Harpswell! This is a 4BR/3BA house located on 3.17 acres in the Reach Road Association. The main house is a 3BR/2BA cape with an open concept first floor kitchen/dining/living area that opens onto a deck and includes custom built-ins and a Jötul gas fireplace insert. An attached two-car garage opens into a generous mudroom that connects the house to a separate
Sarah Singer Ellen Domingos Portside Real Estate Group
-
Saturday, Jun 1411am - 1pm
$498,500
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,289 Sq Ft
- 1682 Harpswell Islands Rd
Coastal Living at Its Finest, Welcome to 1682 Harpswell Islands Road, where timeless coastal charm meets modern updates. Originally built in 1880 and rich in local history, this beautifully preserved 3-bedroom 2-bath home includes a bonus/office room was relocated to its current location on Orr's Island, offering stunning views of Beals Cove and Harpswell Sound.Lovingly updated throughout the
Shannon Hillman Portside Real Estate Group
Distribution of Home Values
Homes for Sale
-
$745,000
- 2 Beds
- 1 Bath
- 1,008 Sq Ft
- 61 W Shore Rd
- New 14 days ago
Island living on oceanfront in Maine!! As you drive down the peninsula your cares get left behind. Step back in time to quiet roadways, with neighbors out walking and chatting, and tending to their summery cottage gardens. Location Location!! Stunning, expansive, westerly views of Harpswell Sound and out to open Ocean! This little gem has open kitchen, dining, living area that opens onto the
Nancy CarletonVitalius Real Estate Group(207) 383-1215 -
$839,000
- 3 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 2,800 Sq Ft
- 250 Oak Ledge Rd
- New 3 days ago
Captivating, stunning, beautiful! You pick the adjective to describe this 1.4+/- acre waterfront site with 188' of frontage on the New Meadows River (salt water). The ranch-style, 1972 vintage house was thoughtfully designed to fully capture its water views. The north wing of the house features the kitchen/dining area with its large picture windows encompassing the water views and its access to
Robert Williams Rob Williams Real Estate Brokers
-
$995,000
- 4 Beds
- 2 Baths
- 1,368 Sq Ft
- 87 Lowells Cove Rd
- New 4 days ago
Enjoy stunning ocean views and endless possibilities from this unique coastal property overlooking picturesque Lowell's Cove. Set on a gentle hillside, the main 3-bedroom home has seen thoughtful updates in the kitchen, bath, and flooring, and offers the perfect setting to start your day on the east-facing deck and wind down with sunset views from the west deck. A charming recently renovated fish
Jeffrey Mateja Keller Williams Realty
Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to , an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
4,039
Median Age
61
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
13.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
42.2%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$87,500
Above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$117,320
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.2%
College Graduates
53.6%
Above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
25.7%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
65%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
50''
Average Winter Low Temperature
12°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
47''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
11
/ 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.
Nearby Neighborhoods
Harpswell Neck
A Casco Bay peninsula with Brunswick as an anchor town
Phippsburg
Scenic midcoast Maine fishing village with a connected community
Brunswick
Powerhouse riverfront community with a thriving downtown scene
West Bath
Nature-filled peninsula offers reprieve from city living
Downtown Freeport
A quaint Maine neighborhood for outdoor and shopping enthusiasts alike
Chebeague Island
Very small and dedicated island community off Maine's coast
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