Calais, ME

Full City Profile · Maine · Washington County County

2.9 /5.0
C+ Fair
3,087 Population 90/sq mi density
$48,654 Median Income $31,240 per capita
$111,800 Home Value $161,398 Zillow
$815 Median Rent 29.7% income on rent
44°F Avg Temperature
64 Violent Crime/100K 1,401 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.9 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C+
Economy
2.5 / 5.0
$48,654 median income, 7.4% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$111,800 home value, $815/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
64 violent crimes/100K
B
Education
3.1 / 5.0
26.1% bachelor's degree or higher
Calais has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 44°F (7°C). Winters average 20°F in January while summers reach 67°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 54.7 inches. The area receives 95.0 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34.

Temperature

20°F Jan (-7°C) 67°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average44.2°F
18% below US avg
January Average20°F (-7°C)
July Average67°F (19°C)

Geography

Elevation209 ft (64 m)
Area40.1 sq mi (103.9 km²)
Population Density90/sq mi
Coordinates45.1430°N, 67.2175°W
TimezoneAmerica/New_York
CountyWashington County County
Nearest AirportHoulton International (HUL)
73 miles away

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall 54.7"
44% above US avg
Snowfall 95.0"
Wettest Month (Dec) 6.27"
Driest Month (Jul) 3.18"

Air Quality

AQI Median34.0
RatingGood
Good Days %96.2%
Unhealthy Days0

Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)

Ozone (O₃)0.0354 ppm
PM2.5 (Fine Particles)4.1 μg/m³

Natural Hazard Risk

Overall RiskRelatively Low
Risk Score47.6 / 100
Social Vulnerability86.4 / 100
Community Resilience80.6 / 100

Hazard Breakdown

Tornado Very Low
Hurricane Relatively Moderate
Earthquake Very Low
Wildfire Very Low
Flood Relatively Low
Hail Very Low
Strong Wind Very Low
Heat Wave Very Low
Winter Weather Relatively High
Lightning Relatively Moderate
Ice Storm Relatively High
Drought Relatively Low
Cold Wave Relatively Low
Landslide Very Low
Coastal Flood Relatively Moderate
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)

Earthquake History

40 earthquakes (M2.5+) within 150 km since 1990. Strongest: M3.6. Most recent: M3.3 on Jan 14, 2023.

Aug 27, 2015 27 km N of Noonan, Canada M3.6 128 km
Sep 16, 1994 7 km SE of Lee, Maine M3.6 81 km
Sep 16, 1994 9 km SE of Lee, Maine M3.6 79 km
Feb 2, 2016 8 km E of Lubec, Maine M3.6 40 km
Jul 1, 2015 30 km NNW of Yarmouth, Canada M3.5 140 km
Jan 10, 2019 22 km NW of Saint John, Canada M3.4 77 km
Jan 14, 2023 7 km ESE of Dedham, Maine M3.3 120 km
Sep 16, 1994 9 km SE of Lee, Maine M3.3 79 km
Sep 16, 1994 9 km SE of Lee, Maine M3.3 79 km
Oct 25, 2001 4 km S of Howland, Maine M3.3 114 km
Feb 9, 2016 7 km NE of Vanceboro, Maine M3.3 52 km
Jul 25, 2010 35 km S of Fundy Bay, Canada M3.2 85 km
Oct 15, 2003 11 km E of Saint Andrews, Canada M3.1 25 km
Aug 17, 2022 3 km SE of Centerville, Maine M3.0 61 km
Mar 30, 2010 7 km WSW of Dedham, Maine M3.0 132 km
Jan 17, 2021 4 km ESE of Centerville, Maine M2.9 60 km
Mar 14, 2018 16 km WNW of Saint John, Canada M2.9 80 km
Aug 11, 2022 4 km E of Centerville, Maine M2.8 58 km
Aug 11, 2022 Maine M2.8 59 km
Jul 25, 2013 32 km N of Keswick Ridge, Canada M2.8 129 km
Source: USGS (M2.5+, 1990-2025)

Hurricane History

3 hurricanes (Cat 1+) within 500 km since 1980. Strongest: Category 2. Most recent: Earl (2010, Cat 1).

Year Name Category Closest
2010 Earl Category 1 234 km
2008 Kyle Category 1 170 km
2003 Juan Category 2 282 km
Source: NOAA IBTrACS (Cat 1+, 1980-2026)

Tornado History

9 tornadoes (EF0+) within 100 km since 1950. Strongest: EF2. Total: 6 injuries.

Date Rating Distance Fatalities
Nov 7, 1971 EF2 77 km 0
Sep 15, 1961 EF2 78 km 0
Jul 7, 1954 EF2 15 km 0
Aug 12, 2019 EF1 65 km 0
Jun 10, 1965 EF1 77 km 0
Aug 17, 1959 EF1 99 km 0
Jul 2, 1958 EF1 62 km 0
Jul 17, 2013 EF0 78 km 0
May 29, 1961 EF0 10 km 0
Source: NOAA SPC (EF0+, 1950-2024)

Wildfire History

4 wildfires (100+ acres) within 100 km. Largest: SUNKEN STR (1,201 ac, 1985).

Year Name Acres Distance
1985 SUNKEN STR 1,201 33 km
1984 UNNAMED 901 70 km
2006 CENTERVILLE FIRE 705 63 km
2001 UNNAMED 627 73 km
Source: NIFC/IRWIN (100+ acres)

Monthly Weather

Month Avg Temperature Precipitation Summary
January 20°F (-7°C) 4.9 in Coldest
February 22°F (-6°C) 4.2 in
March 31°F (-1°C) 4.8 in
April 41°F (5°C) 4.4 in
May 52°F (11°C) 4.4 in
June 60°F (16°C) 4.1 in
July 67°F (19°C) 3.2 in Warmest, Driest
August 66°F (19°C) 3.5 in
September 59°F (15°C) 4.2 in
October 48°F (9°C) 5.4 in
November 38°F (3°C) 5.5 in
December 27°F (-3°C) 6.3 in Wettest

Calais has a seasonal temperature swing of 47°F / from 20°F in January to 67°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 54.7 inches, with December being the wettest month (6.3") and July the driest (3.2").

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