Portland, Maine
The bustling and beautiful waterfront of Portland, Maine, attracts residents and tourists alike.Getty Images
- StateMaine
- CountyCumberland
- Population68,866
Maine’s largest city combines the charm of a funky historical town on the Atlantic Coast with a bustling metro and busy port. Locals may have to battle boatloads of tourists each summer, but it’s for good reason, as there is a wealth of things to see and do here.
A stroll through downtown Portland winds past a working waterfront where fish and lobster boats unload their catches, and on to art galleries, hundreds of shops, and a slew of restaurants, often serving the marine life plucked just off its shores. The Old Port district delivers stunning 19th-century architecture and much of the area’s nightlife, while the Port of Portland maintains its role as one of New England’s largest by tonnage.
Though beaches and fishing remain key attractions, the city has directed focus on arts and food scene, as of late. More than 3,000 people gather monthly at First Friday Art Walk events, and its Arts District is home to several cultural centers, including the Portland Museum of Art, Portland Stage theater, and Portland Symphony Orchestra. The Portland Farmers Market, which takes place every Wednesday, has been running since 1768, but is now joined by others, as well as a host of food festivals like the annual wine week and Harvest on the Harbor fall event.
Of course, locals can always head out along the 70 miles of Portland Trails that stretch across the Casco Bay region, or stop at one of many nearby beaches when they want a break from city life.
Portland offers residents access to quality health care, with 127 doctors in a 30-mile radius receiving above-average ratings from Healthgrades. It also earned high scores on the Sharecare health care access index, which tracks the abundance of health care facilities and health professionals in a region.—KR
A stroll through downtown Portland winds past a working waterfront where fish and lobster boats unload their catches, and on to art galleries, hundreds of shops, and a slew of restaurants, often serving the marine life plucked just off its shores. The Old Port district delivers stunning 19th-century architecture and much of the area’s nightlife, while the Port of Portland maintains its role as one of New England’s largest by tonnage.
Though beaches and fishing remain key attractions, the city has directed focus on arts and food scene, as of late. More than 3,000 people gather monthly at First Friday Art Walk events, and its Arts District is home to several cultural centers, including the Portland Museum of Art, Portland Stage theater, and Portland Symphony Orchestra. The Portland Farmers Market, which takes place every Wednesday, has been running since 1768, but is now joined by others, as well as a host of food festivals like the annual wine week and Harvest on the Harbor fall event.
Of course, locals can always head out along the 70 miles of Portland Trails that stretch across the Casco Bay region, or stop at one of many nearby beaches when they want a break from city life.
Portland offers residents access to quality health care, with 127 doctors in a 30-mile radius receiving above-average ratings from Healthgrades. It also earned high scores on the Sharecare health care access index, which tracks the abundance of health care facilities and health professionals in a region.—KR
Town Information
| Median sale price for single family residences (2022) | $462,667 |
| Median household income | $70,572 |
| Racial and ethnic makeup of current residents | Asian: 4.18%, Black: 8.96%, Hispanic: 3.91% |
| Racial and ethnic makeup of U.S. | Asian: 6.1%, Black: 13.6%, Hispanic: 18.9% |
| High school district graduation rate (averages of districts were applied when necessary) | 86.28% |
| Percent of schools serving students in the area that rank "above average" (averages of districts were applied when necessary) | 7% |
| Number of hospitals within 25 miles recommended by over 50% of patients | 4 |
| Number of above-average nursing homes within 50 miles, per 100,000 households | 34 |
| Sharecare Community Well-Being Index Score (out of 100) | 69 |
Sources: ATTOM, U.S. Census Bureau, GreatSchools, Healthgrades, Caring.com, Sharecare