Orrington offers land, privacy and rural charm just outside of Bangor
The small town of Orrington sits on the eastern bank of the Penobscot River, just outside Bangor, where development gives way to tranquil landscapes. Residents here have room to spread out without losing access to Brewer and Bangor, both within 7 miles. “It’s rural, so you’re able to pick up two or three acres of land as opposed to Bangor or Brewer, where you’re going to get a quarter of an acre,” says Karen Burns, a Realtor with Century 21 Queen City Real Estate and a lifelong resident of the Bangor area. “It’s the availability of privacy.”
Burns says the lower tax base is another draw, bringing new construction to town. “You’ve got probably four or five brand new home communities that are going up in Orrington,” she says. Orrington balances city access with quiet living and has an overall CAP Index Crime Score of 1 out of 10, well below the national average of 4.
Mix of New England-style homes, new construction and waterfront builds
Residential pockets have a mix of New Englander, Cape Cod and ranch-style homes, as well as 19th-century colonial-inspired farmhouses. The town also features a few custom-built properties and new construction communities. Orrington’s median lot size is roughly one acre, and most houses are set back from the road on spacious, tree-lined lots. Waterfront properties offer views of ponds, lakes and streams, though they rarely come on the market. Prices for older homes typically range from $160,000 to $490,000, while newer construction sells for $330,000 to $580,000. There are also opportunities to build, with parcels selling for $60,000 to $120,000.
Highway access outside Bangor and near an industrial riverfront
Residents live in a car-dependent area with no public transportation and few sidewalks. State Route 15 is the main highway, connecting Orrington to Interstates 395 and 95. Residents are within reach of Bangor, where they can access Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center, St. Joseph Healthcare and Bangor International Airport. Augusta is about 80 miles southwest.
The Eagle Point Energy Center, a waste-to-energy plant along the river, is scheduled to reopen in 2025 after a fire in 2024. The Eagle Point Business Park is set to open nearby, though there is no completion date. It occupies the site of a former chemical plant that contaminated the area with mercury, which remains an issue as of 2025 when the Maine Department of Environmental Protection issued a violation notice to the chemical company in March.
Year-round recreation on Brewer Lake, snowmobiling trails and more
Brewer Lake is a destination for swimming, boating, paddling and fishing. The Orrington Recreation Commission maintains a public boat launch on its northwestern shore, and the state stocks the lake with salmon. At the Fields Pond Audubon Center, residents can explore nature trails and launch kayaks from a public boat ramp. There’s also a state-maintained boat launch along the Penobscot River.
The Olin Richardson Tract Public Access Area in Orrington’s southeastern corner has about 2 miles of trails for hiking and winter snowshoeing. Snowfall here averages more than four feet a year. The Orrington Trail Riders maintain snowmobiling trails that crisscross about 36 miles through town. Golfers can play the 18-hole course at Rocky Knoll Country Club and the 9-hole course at Pine Hill Golf Course. Orrington is also home to D.R. Disc Golf, and the Orrington Recreation Commission runs youth and adult sports programs at Center Drive School.
Students go from Center Drive School to a high school of their choice
Orrington is part of Alternate Organizational Structure #47 and is home to Center Drive School, which serves kindergarten through eighth grade and holds a B from Niche. AOS #47 doesn’t operate a high school and covers tuition for students in ninth through 12th grade to attend a public or private school of their choice. Options include the C-plus-rated Brewer High School, where the Air Force Junior ROTC program teaches students aerospace science and leadership skills. Higher education continues in Bangor at Husson University, Eastern Maine Community College and the University of Maine’s Bangor Campus.
Locals get together for Old Home Week and the Orrington Farmers Market
Orrington’s biggest event is Old Home Week, a summer tradition celebrating the community's history as the oldest town in Penobscot County. It spans 10 days and features events like the Endless Yard Sale, used book sale and art auction. The Orrington Farmers Market is another local favorite, held each Saturday from April through October.
A few small-town businesses, with more options in Brewer and Bangor
Shopping and dining are limited, though several businesses operate on River Road. Snows Corner Plaza features Dunkin and Orrington Pizza, while the Rocky Knoll Country Club is home to Shorty’s Pub. Convenience stores like Freshies stock the essentials. Kings Mountain Orrington sells Maine-made products, with a corn maze in the fall and a tree farm in the winter. The Orrington Public Library serves residents alongside houses of worship such as Calvary Chapel and Orrington Center Church. Brewer and Bangor offer more retail options, including Hannaford, Walmart, Lowe’s and Target.
Written By
Sally Stimpson
