Union offers a quiet, rural home base in Knox County
Between Augusta and Camden, Union is a rural town full of ponds, trees, farms and campgrounds. The Medomak River marks the western border of this Knox County community. “There’s a lot of outdoor activity in the area: fishing, dog parks, hiking trails, and skiing and ice fishing in the winter,” says Albert Howard, a real estate associate at Re/Max Jaret & Cohn who sells in Union. “It’s a great location for being able to access Route 17 and to get down to Interstate 95; it’s centrally located in the Midcoast [region].” The overall CAP Index Crime Score is 1 out of 10, much lower than the national average of 4.
Outdoor fun at Seven Tree Pond and Camden Snow Bowl
One of Union’s ponds is Seven Tree Pond, where locals can go canoeing, kayaking and fishing for bass. Ayer Park has a public boat dock and launch as well as a dog-friendly picnic area. Nearby shaded hiking trails wind up Spruce Mountain and lead to summit views of ponds, woods and hills. A few miles east, mountain bikers, skiers and snowboarders can explore the terrain of Camden Snow Bowl or simply ride up the chair lift to admire the foliage in the fall. Every February, the U.S. National Toboggan Championships take place at Camden Snow Bowl. Toboggan teams of two, three or four can reach 40 miles per hour as they slide down the 70-foot wooden chute onto a frozen pond. There’s no need to be an expert to compete; participants can earn prizes not only for speed, but also for costumes. Hundreds of teams race—some in penguin or gnome costumes—as over 5,000 people watch.
Union homes offer acreage and natural vistas
Properties in Union are spaced out along country roads, overlooking trees, fields, hills and ponds. Homes span centuries, sizes and styles, from 1800s farmhouses to contemporary custom builds to shingle-sided New Englanders. The median single-family home price is about $370,000; however, prices can range from about $170,000 for a no-frills cottage to about $1.3 million for a single-family home with an in-law apartment. Homes with several acres are available at most price points.
Union preserves regional history and culture
Since 1960, the Maine Wild Blueberry Festival at Union Fair has brought the community together to celebrate the region’s signature fruit. This summer festival includes pie-eating contests, baking competitions, agricultural demonstrations and the crowning of the Blueberry Queen. The Matthews Museum of Maine Heritage is also located on the fairgrounds. It preserves cultural artifacts dating back to the 18th century, including carriages, toys and an entire schoolhouse.
Students are zoned for MSAD 40 schools
Maine School Administrative District (MSAD) 40, rated B on Niche, serves the town. Students may attend B-rated Union Elementary School before advancing to Medomak Middle, rated B-minus, and Medomak Valley High, rated C-plus. Medomak Valley High has 14 sports teams, including six different basketball teams, which are split between varsity and junior varsity for girls and boys, as well as a team for freshmen boys. Basketball players may also join the unified team, which fosters inclusion and camaraderie between student athletes with and without intellectual disabilities.
Supporting local businesses in Union
Union is home to a few locally owned restaurants and retailers. Sterlingtown Public House not only serves burgers and beer; it also hosts live musicians in an outdoor performance space lit with string lights. Family-owned Sweetgrass Farm Winery and Distillery produces various spirits ranging from cranberry gin to apple brandy. Medomak River Trading Post carries outdoor gear, and Union Hardware sells home décor and repair supplies. Shoppers can stock up on home essentials at Dollar General or at The Common Market, an independent grocer. National chain retailers like Lowe’s Home Improvement and Walmart are about 20 miles away in Rockland.
Highways connect Union to the rest of Maine
Union is a rural, car-dependent community that is largely free of heavy traffic. State Route 17 stretches about 15 miles east to Rockport, where MaineHealth Pen Bay Hospital is located. Drivers can also access U.S. Route 1 in Rockport, a highway that extends the length of eastern Maine. Access to Interstate 95 is about 30 miles west in Augusta. Bangor International Airport is about 60 miles northeast of Union.
