$137,894Average Value$77Average Price per Sq Ft1Home For Sale
Simple, rural living along the Mattawamkeag River
Passing through town on U.S. Highway 2, it’s possible for folks to miss Mattawamkeag if they aren’t paying close enough attention. This is a real blink-and-you’ll-miss-it town, with just a handful of homes and businesses scattered around the one-lane highway that runs through it. But while it might not look like much, Mattawamkeag has just enough for residents to get by and plenty of nature to spare. “Most of the families who live here extend back generations, though we did have a small influx a few years back,” says Carleton Norris, a local who manages Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park. Despite this town’s small size, its history can be traced all the way back to its earliest inhabitants, the Penobscot tribe. Since then, the junction of the Mattawamkeag and Penobscot Rivers has been both a humble fishing community and a tiny railroad town along the Maine Central Railroad. Nowadays, though, Mattawamkeag is for people searching for a true escape from cities and suburbs. “It’s definitely rural living,” Norris says. “But for the most part, people look after each other.”
The Penbscot River and Mattawamkeag river meet.
Skip stones across the rivers that surround Mattawamkeag.
1/2
Rustic homes and plots of land
Most homes in Mattawamkeag are located just off U.S. Highway 2 on densely wooded lots. These houses are charming and rustic, stripped of flashy flairs except for painted shutters and front porches. Often, homebuyers here purchase lots to construct their own home, as houses can be rare to list for sale. While a manufactured home can sell for under $100,000, ranch-style houses or cottages typically ask for $100,000 to $150,000. Prices rarely climb above $200,000, but a farmhouse with acreage can ask for up to $260,000.
Mattawamkeag architecture varies greatly from home to home.
Mattawamkeag residents take pride in their landscaping.
1/2
Schools are just south in Lincoln
Homes in Mattawamkeag are zoned to Regional School Unit No. 67, which encompasses the communities of Mattawamkeag, Lincoln and Chester. Its schools are based in Lincoln, roughly 13 miles south. Ella P. Burr School serves students in pre-kindergarten through the third grade, while grades four through eight are housed in Mattanawcook Junior High. Both schools score a C-plus from Niche, and Mattanawcook Academy, the area’s high school, earns a C grade. Students at Mattanawcook High can apply to the Jobs for Maine Graduates program, which prepares high schoolers to enter the workforce or pursue higher education through portfolio development, community service and academic conferences. Students in the program receive 12 months of follow-up after graduation to ensure a smooth transition out of high school.
Students of Mattawamkeag begin their academic studies at Ella P. Burr School.
Mattawamkeag students attend Mattanawcook Junior High School from 4th to 8th grade.
Mattawamkeag Students finish their schooling at Mattanawcook Academy.
1/3
Get lost in Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park
Forests and farmland span for miles around Mattawamkeag, and the town itself is bordered by the Mattawamkeag River to the north and the Penobscot River to the west. This area doesn’t have the typical parks with playgrounds and soccer fields, though there are some nearby in Lincoln. Instead, folks in Mattawamkeag take to the wilderness that surrounds them. Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park and Campground is about 8 miles east of town, a drive that takes about 30 minutes via the rural backroads. Driving down the dirt path to the park might feel like getting lost, but that’s exactly why folks choose to visit. This remote riverfront park and campground is ideal for fishing, canoeing or simply basking in the tranquility of the rushing waters lined by pines and firs. While the park is private enough to visit without seeing another soul, it has just enough amenities for campers to get by on. “We cater to people looking for something off the beaten path, but they still want their creature comforts. So we’ve got showers, bathrooms, all that. Just don’t come here expecting wi-fi,” Norris says. Hikers can lace up their boots and make a trek to Sleugundy Heater Gorge to observe its staggering rock formations or continue even farther to reach Gordon Falls.
Homes with large lots line the banks of the of the Penbscot River in Mattawamkeag.
Flowers grow through the rocks along the shores of the Mattawamkeag River.
1/2
Just enough businesses to get by on
For those passing through, it’s almost impossible to know where to stop in Mattawamkeag. Its local establishments are often run out of homes, with faded or nondescript signage such as “restaurant” that do little to direct visitors. Residents, however, know there’s just enough in town to get by on. Municipal buildings dot U.S. Highway 2, locally called Main Street. Madden’s Store provides everyday conveniences, while Wyman Hardware is chock-full of supplies. Fro Dough Pizza & Bake Shop is perhaps the town’s best-known restaurant, operating out of a tiny takeout counter in a little shack painted with ice cream cones and bicycles. Crossroads BNB offers a simple menu of comforting classics, from all-you-can-eat bowls of pasta to chicken pot pie. Most residents head into Lincoln for weekly grocery runs and other necessities. The town has big-box stores such as Walmart and Hannaford in addition to a Main Street strip with local restaurants and the area’s health facility, Penobscot Valley Hospital. “You definitely have to go to Lincoln for things, but Mattawamkeag’s a nice place to come home to after work,” Norris says.
Big Apple has all the household needs Mattawamkeag residents need.
Try the burger at Crossroads BNB Mattawamkeag you won't be disappointed.
1/2
Residents head to Lincoln for events, including the Loon Festival
Lincoln, considered the nearest commercial center to Mattawamkeag, is known for its myriad lakes and its annual Loon Festival. People from across the region come to town to celebrate this beloved lake bird with a weekend of festivities capped off by a parade and a waterfront race, cheekily known as the Redneck Regatta. Even outside of the festival weekend, it’s nearly impossible to miss the town’s 13-foot-long loon statue that sits against the shores of Mattanawcook Pond.
On Fridays Mattawamkeag can shop at the Lincoln Farmers Market.
For more shopping and dining options Mattawamkeag residents go to Main St. in Lincoln.
1/2
Interstate 95 is close by for trips to Bangor
U.S. Highway 2 runs 13 miles south directly to Lincoln, a drive that typically takes 15 to 20 minutes. Interstate 95 is just outside of Lincoln and continues directly to Bangor, about 60 miles or roughly an hour away from Mattawamkeag.
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
James Spear,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Mattawamkeag Wilderness Park
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Mattawamkeag
US
Homicide
3
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
2
4
Robbery
2
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 Mattawamkeag, Old Town sell after 28 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Mattawamkeag, Old Town over the last 12 months is $72,000, down 29% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This home offers single floor living and ample space. It includes four bedrooms, two full bathrooms, a large living room, and an additional family room. Some updates may be needed, but it has features such as hardwood floors that can be uncovered. The property is located near recreational water, is a day trip away from Baxter State Park, and has a short commute to Lincoln for shopping, health
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
James Spear,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
399
Median Age
55
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
17%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
29.8%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$43,249
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$54,672
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
85.4%
College Graduates
13.3%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
1%
% Population in Labor Force
47.7%
Below the national average
65.1%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
45''
Average Winter Low Temperature
5°F
Average Summer High Temperature
78°F
Annual Snowfall
63''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
25/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
4/ 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.
