$370,304Average Value$209Average Price per Sq Ft8Homes For Sale
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 Elementary, 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-minus 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 has a large menu that's 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.
Hiking the 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.
Written By
Braxton Puentes
Photography Contributed By
Anhella Sanchez
Video By
Lucas Dyke
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Karen Burns,
an experienced agent in this area.
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.
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On average, homes in Orono, ME sell after 21 days on the market compared to the national average of 52 days. The median sale price for homes in Orono, ME over the last 12 months is $364,500, up 12% from the median home sale price over the previous 12 months.
This is the rarest find and I am not kidding! This beautiful 2 bedroom(could be 3 easily) 1.5 bathroom log cabin home with a 2 car garage combined with 55 acres you can't ask for anything better. All wood throughout with vaulted ceilings and an amazing fireplace that is just breathtaking! It has a nice screened in porch on the front and a deck on the back to enjoy all the surrounding wildlife.
Motivated seller!Welcome to this charming colonial home nestled in one of Orono's most sought-after neighborhoods. This spacious residence features four well-appointed bedrooms and two and a half bathrooms, all set on a beautifully landscaped lot just under half an acre. The only thing missing from this wonderful home is its next loving owner.Conveniently located near the
A preserved patch of forest, this 1.3-acre lot feels like summer waiting to happen. It's on a quiet, private road, maintained year-round, and it's oh-so-close to the buzz of Pushaw Lake. Picture morning coffee with loons calling in the background, lazy afternoon paddles, and campfire stories under starry skies. The public beach and boat launch are just around the bend, making it easy to jump into
The Reserve at Orono is top-quality student housing serving the University of Maine, just a mile from campus and all the essentials. Enjoy a spacious Orono, ME apartment or townhome in a setting offering a complete lifestyle, including a resort-style pool, clubhouse and game room, enclosed dog park, 24-hour fitness center, outdoor grill and fireplace, and resident social events – all close to
Very spacious single family home right in the heart of Orono. Walk to campus or downtown in a few minutes. 4BD, 2BA with an additional bonus room that can be used as an office, dining or additional bedroom. Well cared for and updated throughout. Beautiful hardwood floors throughout the home. Newer windows offer lots of ample natural light. Lots of privacy in the back yard or on the back deck.
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