Southwest Harbor, ME

Maine

Southwest Harbor is a small town in Maine with a population of 563. Residents earn $31,518 per year, which is 58% below the national average.

2.4 /5.0
C Fair
563 Population 417/sq mi density
$31,518 Median Income $26,970 per capita
$407,700 Home Value $588,944 Zillow
$903 Median Rent
47°F Avg Temperature
C
Overall
2.4 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.0 / 5.0
$31,518 median income, 6.1% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$407,700 home value, $903/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K (100% below avg)
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $31,518
58% lower than US avg
Home Value $407,700
45% higher than US avg
Violent Crime 0/100K
100% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 27.9%
17% lower than US avg
Median Rent $903
22% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 28.8%
10% lower than US avg
Unemployment 6.1%
69% higher than US avg
Poverty Rate 0.0%
100% lower than US avg

How Southwest Harbor Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population563
Median Age58.1 yrs
Density417/mi²
Male / Female42% / 58%
Largest GroupWhite 97%

Economy

B
Median Income$31,518
Per Capita$26,970
Unemployment6.1%
Poverty0.0%
County GDP$3,681M
Commute9 min

Housing

F
Home Value$407,700
Rent$903
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$588,944

Crime

C+
Violent0/100K
Property1,910/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault0/100K
Burglary225/100K

Health

Obesity28.8%
UninsuredN/A
Depression27.7%
Heart Disease5.0%

Climate

Avg Temp47°F
AQI34 (Good)
Rain55.5 in/yr
Elevation95 ft

Education

B
Bachelor's+27.9%
High School+98.4%
School Score5.64

Community

2024 VoteR 43% / D 55%
Commute9 min
EV Stations2
Libraries22

Is Southwest Harbor a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Southwest Harbor receives an overall livability score of 2.4 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C. Key strengths include low crime rates, a low poverty rate, high health insurance coverage. Areas to be aware of include high housing costs, above-average unemployment, below-average incomes. Southwest Harbor has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Southwest Harbor is $31,518, 58% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate of 6.1% is somewhat elevated compared to the national rate of 3.6%. Only 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line, well below the national rate of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 9 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Southwest Harbor is $407,700, 45% above the national median. Renters pay a median of $903 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. With a home price-to-income ratio of 12.9x, housing affordability is a significant challenge for many families.

Safety & Crime

Southwest Harbor is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,910 per 100,000, near the national average.

Education

27.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 98.4% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Southwest Harbor experiences four distinct seasons with an average temperature of 47°F. Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34.

Southwest Harbor has a population of 563 with a density of 417 people per square mile. The median age is 58.1 years, 49% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (97%), with 2.1% Black.

Population

563
Total Population
417
People / sq mi
58.1yrs
Median Age
49% above US avg
1.4mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 42.3%
Female 57.7%

Race & Ethnicity

Southwest Harbor vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only97.8%
25% above US avg
Spanish2.2%
84% below US avg

Social Characteristics

Southwest Harbor vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Southwest Harbor is $31,518, which is 58% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 6.1% (above the 3.6% US average). 0.0% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 9 minutes.

Income: Southwest Harbor vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$31,518
58% below US avg
Per Capita Income$26,970
Avg Weekly Wage$1,034
IRS Avg AGI$72,602

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment6.1%
69% above US avg
Poverty Rate0.0%
100% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,980
County GDP$3,681M

Business (County)

Restaurants352
Healthcare168
Retail342
Manufacturing85

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$6,825
95% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate1.67%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time9.4 min
Work from Home3.7%

Walkability

The median home value in Southwest Harbor is $407,700, 45% above the national average. Monthly rent averages $903 (22% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $588,944.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$407,700
45% above US avg
Zillow ZHVI$588,944

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$903
22% below US avg

HUD Fair Market Rent

Studio$1,108
1 Bedroom$1,186
2 Bedrooms$1,497
3 Bedrooms$1,951
4 Bedrooms$2,190

Ownership & Property

Owner-Occupied26.1%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$6,825
95% above US avg
Effective Rate1.67%
In Southwest Harbor, 28.8% of adults are obese (below the 32.1% national rate). 27.7% report depression. 17.7% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Southwest Harbor vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity28.8%
10% below US avg
Diabetes7.6%
Heart Disease5.0%
High Blood Pressure27.0%
Asthma12.5%
COPD5.7%
Stroke2.5%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking19.0%
Physical Inactivity17.7%
Depression27.7%
Mental Distress19.0%
Physical Distress11.7%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.3%
Checkup Rate79.0%
Premature Death7,940/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment8.5/10
Exercise Access73.1%
Healthcare Facilities168
Southwest Harbor has a violent crime rate of 0 per 100,000 residents, 100% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,910 per 100,000 (3% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Southwest Harbor vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault0.0/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,910.1/100K
3% below US avg
Burglary224.7/100K
Theft1,685.4/100K
Vehicle Theft0.0/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13

Safety Score

Safety GradeC+
Safety Score2.5 / 5.0
Southwest Harbor has an average annual temperature of 47°F (9°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation is 55.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34.

Temperature

24°F Jan (-5°C) 70°F Jul (21°C)
Annual Average47.3°F
12% below US avg
January Average24°F (-5°C)
July Average70°F (21°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall55.5 inches
46% above US avg

Air Quality

AQI Median34.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation95 ft (29 m)
Area1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²)
Population Density417/sq mi
Coordinates44.2784°N, 68.3286°W
County FIPS23009
It is classified as Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent. 27.9% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (17% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Democrat by a 11.8-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 42.9%
D 54.7%

Winner: Democrat by 11.8 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+27.9%
17% below US avg
High School+98.4%
School Test Score5.64
B Education Grade (3.2/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 8Nonmetro — Rural, adjacent
Population Density417/sq mi
Total Area1.4 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations2
Alt Fuel Stations2
Public Libraries22
Healthcare Facilities168
Restaurants352
Retail Stores342

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)13
C+ Safety Grade (2.5/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute9.4 min
Work from Home3.7%

Nearby Cities

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