A lively college town surrounded by the beauty of northern Maine
The town of Orono in Central Maine is a thriving college community surrounded by natural recreation. Home to the University of Maine, Orono, according to some, is to Maine what Cambridge is to Massachusetts. While the college put the town on the map, it continues to grow, and it offers a historic downtown area with many dining and shopping options. As of 2024, Orono's population is around 12,000 people, which is almost a 10% increase from 2020. “It’s kind of like the classic college town, but it has more of a balance between residents and students,” says James Spear, an associate broker with RE/MAX Collaborative who has been serving the area since 2020. “There is less of a downturn in the summer when the students go away; the businesses all do well year-round.”
The town of Orono settled in 1774 in the state of Maine.
The town of Orono is known for hosting The University of Maine.
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Orono public schools and the University of Maine
Students in Orono are served by Regional School Unit No. 26 (MSAD 26) and can begin at Asa C Adams School, which receives a B-plus rating on Niche. From there, they can move on to Orono Middle School, which earns an A. Orono High School scores an A-minus. The University of Maine, which is a major employer in town, is known for its hockey team and notable alums like Stephen King. “I got to go to a hockey game a while ago, and it was a super great time,” Spear says. “It was not even a playoff game, but the stadium was pretty packed with students and residents.”
Orono High School receives an overall score of A- on niche.
Orono Middle School receives an overall rating of A from niche.
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Riverside housing and university apartments
The home styles in Orono are abundant and include Cape Cod, Colonial Revival, ranch-style and New Englander-inspired residences. “Parts of Orono have some beautiful large homes, especially down by the river, but some of them are used by fraternities and sororities,” Spear says. The median housing price in town is about $325,000, lower than the national median. Closer to the college, there are also several apartment buildings with monthly rents averaging around $1,325.
New Englander style homes are common in the town of Orono.
You can find a variety of colonial style homes in the town of Orono.
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Downtown Orono dining and breweries
Downtown Orono is home to many different bars and eateries, and Pat's Pizza has served the town since 1931. For a fresh pint, residents can head to Orono Brewing Company, which has a bright, cheery interior and an open-air beer garden. Spear says the Tubular IPA is a popular option and is one of their flagship drinks. Residents can shop for groceries at The Local or head to the Orono Farmers’ Market, which runs year-round every Saturday, rain or shine.
The Family Dog is a town favorite with a large menu suitable for all in Orono.
Pat's Pizza in Orono has been around for years and it's a town favorite.
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Stillwater River and Orono Bog trails
The Stillwater River Trail, also known as the university bike path, is considered one of the big draws to the area. The 3-mile paved trail spans from Orono to Old Town, where residents can walk, bike or jog through the DeMeritt University Forest and along the Stillwater River. The town also shares The Orono Bog with the city of Bangor, and the bog has a mile-long boardwalk and hundreds of bird and plant varieties. The Penobscot Valley Country Club offers outdoor recreation on well-maintained greenways that famous golfers like Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson have used. The Union Street Boat Landing sits just south of Ayers Island and is used for kayaking and canoeing.
Enjoy a bike ride through the Orono Bog Boardwalk in Veazie.
Enjoy a walk at Stillwater River Trail in Orono, Maine.
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Local interstates and University of Maine bus lines
Orono offers several ways to get around town, including U.S. Route 2 and Interstate 95. These roads lead to nearby cities like Bangor, 9 miles away, and Old Town, 4 miles away. The town also offers the Black Bear Orono Express bus line as well as numerous sidewalks and trails for pedestrian use. Bangor International Airport is 11 miles away, and the Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center is 6 miles away.
Summer concerts and community Thanksgivings
The town of Orono holds many events throughout the year to help bring the community together, such as the annual Summer Concert Series on the Orono Village Green. Every Tuesday in July, the community gathers behind the library to listen to rock, jazz and pop music. In the fall, the community has its Scott Scripture Memorial Community Thanksgiving Dinner, where town employees cook dishes and deliver them to residents’ homes.
Decreasing crime rates in Orono
According to the town of Orono’s annual report, the town saw a 9% decrease in total incidents between 2022 and 2023.
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