Quiet living and lower taxes make Hermon a desirable suburb of Bangor
Hermon blends country charm with city convenience. Just under 6,500 people live in this small town outside Bangor, drawn by city access without city taxes. “Hermon is a sought-after town, and the biggest reason is their tax base. They’re one of the lowest taxed communities in this area, and that’s what brings in an awful lot of people,” says Karen Burns, a Realtor with Century 21 Queen Real Estate and lifelong Bangor-area resident. Lower taxes are also bringing new construction to Hermon, where a mix of rural homes and suburban subdivisions lets residents escape city bustle without giving up convenience. The town is bisected by U.S. Route 2, which leads about 9 miles east into downtown Bangor for commuting, shopping and dining.
Housing includes country homes, custom builds and new construction
Sprawling Cape Cods, raised ranch- and ranch-style homes appeal to those looking for a country setting, with tree-lined lots providing privacy and up to several acres of land. Newer subdivisions have more of a neighborhood feel, with modern ranch-style and New Traditional homes on residential streets. “There's a lot of new construction, and I think what drives the contractors to build in Hermon is that the demand is going to be there,” Burns says. Prices for older single-family homes typically range from $170,000 to $450,000, while new construction sells for $340,000 to $640,000. There are also custom-built properties with prices falling between $500,000 and $675,000, and mobile homes selling for $80,000 to $210,000. Hermon's overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, the lowest possible score and significantly lower than the national average of 4.
U.S. Route 2 links residents to Bangor and Interstate 95
This is a car-dependent area with few sidewalks and no public transportation. U.S. Route 2 connects residents to Bangor, with Bangor International Airport, Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center and St. Joseph Healthcare all within 10 miles of Hermon. Route 2 also links to Interstate 95, which runs about 70 miles southwest to Augusta. The interstate is a busy trucking route, and businesses like Dysart’s Restaurant & Truck Shop serve drivers stopping in town. Freight trains cross U.S. Route 2 in the town’s southeastern corner, where the highway also hosts Pinewood Business Park, Liberty Industrial Park and Freedom Industrial Park.
Few shops and restaurants in town, with more options in nearby Bangor
The U.S. Route 2 corridor has gas stations, banks and auto shops. “That’s grown hugely in the last 10 years,” Burns says. “It’s been a huge help for the people in Hermon because they don’t have to come all the way into Bangor.” Dollar General sells the essentials, and there’s a small shopping center with Danforth’s Down Home Supermarket and Ace Hardware. The center also has casual restaurants like Dunkin’ and Hero’s Sports Grill & Entertainment Center. Just outside of town is Chase’s Family Restaurant and Hide-Away Lounge, a laidback diner serving classic comfort foods. Bangor offers more shops and restaurants, including big retailers like Walmart, Target, Home Depot and L.L. Bean.
Kids attend Hermon Public Schools, with an Army Junior ROTC program
The Hermon Public Schools system holds an overall grade of B-minus from Niche and has an average student-to-teacher ratio of 14-to-1. Students in prekindergarten through fourth grade can attend the C-plus-rated Patricia A. Duran School before moving on to Hermon Middle School and Hermon High School, both of which earn a B-minus. The high school offers an Army Junior ROTC program that teaches students about citizenship, military history and leadership. Burns adds that it also has an award-winning cheerleading program that has won 12 state championships since 2007. Higher education can continue in Bangor at Husson University, Eastern Maine Community College and the University of Maine’s Bangor Campus.
Year-round recreation at Hermon Pond and the Hermon Mountain Ski Area
Jackson Beach sits on the banks of Hermon Pond, and is a popular spot for picnicking, swimming and fishing. A public boat launch next to the beach gives paddlers and boaters access to the water. Ecotat Gardens & Arboretum features a shaded trail network for residents to explore, and the town maintains a gravel path between the high school and elementary school. Golfers play at Hermon Meadow Golf Club, a public 18-hole course, while campers head to spots like Pleasant Hill Campground. Hermon gets over four feet of snow each year on average, and the Hermon Mountain Ski Area offers skiing, snowboarding and tubing. “I used to go there when I was a kid. It’s a good place to learn,” Burns says. The Penobscot Snowmobile Club grooms snowmobiling trails throughout town, and The Sports Arena provides indoor fun with bowling and arcade games.
Community events and programs through the Hermon Recreation Department
The Hermon Recreation Department hosts events throughout the year. Summer Sizzler brings residents together each August for a full day of family-friendly activities. It starts with a slime run in the morning and continues all day long with a car show, live performances and a cornhole tournament. After dusk, a fireworks show ends the night with a bang. The department also offers youth sports programs and a seniors group with activities for adults 55 and over.
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Sally Stimpson
