$1,250,854Average Value$746Average Price per Sq Ft5Homes For Sale
Seasonal beach town in Scarborough
Between May and October, the small coastal enclave of Higgins Beach welcomes thousands of visitors to its southern Maine shores. However, despite being a prominent tourist destination, this oceanfront community is still home to a handful of year-round locals. Higgins Beach falls under the jurisdiction of Scarborough, an up-and-coming town with a developing downtown area. Late 19th- and 20th-century homes here are often owned by families who pass them down from one generation to the next, says Julie Lemieux, a local broker at Old Orchard Beach Realty. However, as Scarborough’s property tax rates continue to slowly rise, more homeowners here have decided to sell, which helps to placate the area’s prominent housing demand. Higgins Beach has a CAP Index crime score of 1 out of 10, which is well below the national average of 4. Students here are zoned for Scarborough Public Schools, which receives an overall A-minus rating from Niche. There is some risk of flooding in this area, but most residential properties are built away from the high-risk flood zones.
The community of Higgins Beach is a great place to work, live and play.
Higgins Beach is a fun and peaceful neighborhood.
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Surf and swim at Higgins Beach
Higgins Beach is an ideal spot for all kinds of outdoor recreation: beachgoers can go fishing for striped bass, tan on the sand or even try their hand at surfing. Locals would like to think that the beach belongs solely to them, Lemieux says, but technically, it does not. “The beach is public, but they control it by not allowing parking. There are a few on the street spots, but it’s not an easy area to park,” she said. According to Katy Foley, a longtime Scarborough resident and broker with The Scott and Sunny Townsend Team at Keller Williams Realty, the town of Scarborough encompasses three additional coastal communities: Ferry Beach, Pine Point Beach and Scarborough Beach. Higgins Beach is also bordered on either side by Crescent Beach State Park and Scarborough Beach State Park, which both offer picnic areas and hiking trails.
A local resident enjoys low tide on Higgins Beach.
Higgins Beach is a great place to take family for a relaxing weekend.
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Seasonal dining and lodging options
For basic groceries, sandwiches, baked goods and ice cream, locals and tourists can head over to Higgins Beach Market at the intersection of Ocean Avenue and Spurwink Road; however, when the temperatures start to drop, the market closes up for the off-season. Similarly, the Higgins Beach Inn – one of two hotels in the area – is also only open seasonally. Foley mentions that the inn is also home to Shade, a popular restaurant specializing in homemade dishes, including a signature corned beef hash. Hank’s Restaurant, located off Spurwink Road, opens for the summer and serves classic American favorites and a selection of prepared foods. Hank’s is housed in the building that used to be Spurwink Country Kitchen, which had served country-style cuisine since 1955. For additional shopping and dining, residents can head into central Scarborough around Route 1 and Gorham Road intersection.
Higgins Beach Market is a popular spot in the summertime.
Have breakfast or lunch at Hank's near Higgins Beach.
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New Englander-style cottages and beachfront bungalows
Higgins Beach is primarily residential, so there’s a wide range of housing styles that potential homebuyers can browse. Homes here go quick, selling on average after only 25 days on the market, compared to the national average of 43 days. Lining the streets are cozy bungalows, stately Craftsman properties and quintessential New Englander-style cottages with earth-tone shingled exteriors. “With the older houses, people who buy them will pare them down and completely cut them,” Lemieux says. “If they’re from away, locals don’t like when they do that that. They’re kind of getting used to it, though.” A majority of the single-family homes here range between $900,000 and $2 million; properties with direct access to the beach are almost all $1 million and up. Higgins Beach is also home to the Piper Shores Lifecare Retirement Community, which houses residents in cottages and apartments and offers a number of on-site recreational amenities, culinary options and healthcare services.
Some subdivisions have smaller, more cozy homes in Higgins Beach.
Higgins Beach is a quiet neighborhood in Scarborough, ME.
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Scarborough Public Schools is the No. 1 district in Maine for athletics
Lemieux says that besides its suburban neighborhoods and easy access to Portland, one of Scarborough’s top selling points is its school system, which Niche ranks as one of the top ten school districts in the greater Portland area. Niche also ranks Scarborough Public Schools as the No. 1 school district for athletics in Maine. Young learners here can kickstart their education at Pleasant Hill Primary School, which serves kindergarten through second grade and receives a B rating. Students in grades three through five can then head to the A-rated Wentworth School, which was named in the top 20 “Best Public Elementary Schools in Maine” by Niche in 2024. Older students might then attend Scarborough Middle School and, later on, head to Scarborough High School, both of which are rated B-plus.
Entrance to Scarborough High School
Wentworth School in Maine is a highly-rated public elementary school located in Scarborough.
Scarborough Middle School serves students from grades 6-8.
Pleasant Hill School is a public school located in Scarborough, Maine.
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
David Banks,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Parks in this Area
Crescent Beach State Park
Fishing
Trails
Beach
Scarborough Beach State Park
Dog Park
Beach
Black Point Community Park
Playground
Parking Lot
Multi-Purpose Field
Jennie & Isaac E. Willey Recreation Area
Baseball/Softball
Football
Playground
Ferry Beach
Fishing
Beach
Transit
Airport
Portland International Jetport
19 min drive
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Higgins Beach
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
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 Higgins Beach, Scarborough sell after 15 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Higgins Beach, Scarborough over the last 12 months is $1,363,730, up 4% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Built in 2014, this sun filled well appointed home perfectly sited on 3.75 private acres of open fields and woods. Enjoy amazing Eastern sunrises from the large primary bedroom with a deck or the large first floor deck nicely situated for entertaining. The large wrap around farmer's porch provides a western exposure for amazing sunsets. 3 bedrooms, 2.5 baths with hardwood floor primary bedroom
Higgins Beach Living Just One Block from the Ocean!The sand and saltwater are calling! Just steps from iconic Higgins Beach, this rare 5-bedroom, 3-bathroom home offers the ultimate in coastal living. Whether you're dreaming of a year-round residence, a seasonal getaway, or a prime investment opportunity, this beachside escape is ready to make memories.Inside, you'll find a beautifully updated
Style meets salt air in this beautifully reimagined and updated condo at the Atlantic House. Perched in a coveted upper unit with front-row seats to the Atlantic, this oceanfront condo has 620 feet of shared shoreline and uninterrupted water views that will leave you in awe. Inside, you'll find a modern kitchen with luxe finishes and the most incredible details, a living room with a fireplace,
Welcome to 13 Pearl St. at Higgins Beach a surfers paradise. and a dog walkers favorite. Built in 2000, located within 120 steps to one of Maine's premier sandy beaches. This wonderful year round seaside cottage boasts 3 bedrooms 2 full baths, hardwood floors with beach and water views. The Higgins Beach neighborhood is a well known vacation destination for its sandy beach and surfing. Located
Welcome to the Downs!Hackamore North Apartments are walking distance to the future town center. The Downs brings all the benefits and amenities of city-living to the suburbs. These 1 and 2 bedroom units are centrally located just a short drive to Scarborough and South Portland's beaches, downtown Portland, and all major highways. The Downs is the future home to a modern town center that will
Welcome to the Downs!Hackamore Place Apartments are walking distance to the future town center. The Downs will bring the benefits of city-living to the suburbs. These 1 and 2 bedroom units are centrally located and within minutes of Scarborough beaches, downtown Portland, and all major highways. The Downs is the future home to a modern town center that will include retail, commercial, dining
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
David Banks,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,646
Median Age
62
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
12.6%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
45.3%
Significantly above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$160,436
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$168,504
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
99.6%
College Graduates
77.5%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
33.1%
Above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
56%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
36''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
38/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
13/ 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.
