Southwest Harbor, ME
Full City Profile · Maine · Hancock County County
2.3
/5.0
C
Fair
563
Population
417/sq mi density
$31,518
Median Income
$26,970 per capita
$407,700
Home Value
$637,764 Zillow
$903
Median Rent
33.3% income on rent
47°F
Avg Temperature
C
Overall
2.3 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
C
Economy
2.4 / 5.0
$31,518 median income, 21.5% unemployment
F
Affordability
1.0 / 5.0
$407,700 home value, $903/mo rent
C+
Safety
2.5 / 5.0
0 violent crimes/100K
B
Education
3.2 / 5.0
27.9% bachelor's degree or higher
Southwest Harbor experiences four distinct seasons with an average annual temperature of 47°F (8°C). Winters average 24°F in January while summers reach 70°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 55.5 inches. The area receives 71.5 inches of snow annually. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 37.
Temperature
24°F Jan (-5°C)
70°F Jul (21°C)
| Annual Average | 47.3°F |
| 12% below US avg | |
| January Average | 24°F (-5°C) |
| July Average | 70°F (21°C) |
Geography
| Elevation | 95 ft (29 m) |
| Area | 1.4 sq mi (3.5 km²) |
| Population Density | 417/sq mi |
| Coordinates | 44.2784°N, 68.3286°W |
| Timezone | America/New_York |
| County | Hancock County County |
| Nearest Airport | Knox County Regional (RKD) 41 miles away |
Precipitation & Snow
Air Quality
| AQI Median | 37.0 |
| Rating | Good |
| Good Days % | 91.3% |
| Unhealthy Days | 1 |
Air Pollutants (EPA 2023)
| Ozone (O₃) | 0.0412 ppm |
| SO₂ (Sulfur Dioxide) | 0.06 ppb |
| CO (Carbon Monoxide) | 0.17 ppm |
| PM2.5 (Fine Particles) | 4.2 μg/m³ |
Natural Hazard Risk
| Overall Risk | Relatively Low |
| Risk Score | 55.0 / 100 |
| Social Vulnerability | 30.2 / 100 |
| Community Resilience | 97.5 / 100 |
Hazard Breakdown
| Tornado | Very Low |
| Hurricane | Relatively Moderate |
| Earthquake | Very Low |
| Wildfire | Very Low |
| Flood | Relatively Low |
| Hail | Very Low |
| Strong Wind | Relatively Low |
| Heat Wave | Very Low |
| Winter Weather | Relatively High |
| Lightning | Relatively Moderate |
| Ice Storm | Relatively High |
| Drought | Relatively Low |
| Cold Wave | Relatively Moderate |
| Landslide | Relatively Low |
| Coastal Flood | Relatively Moderate |
| Avalanche | Very Low |
Source: FEMA National Risk Index v1.20 (Dec 2025)
Tsunami History
1 tsunami recorded within 500 km. Highest wave on record: 3.6 m (12 ft).
| Year | Location | Cause | Max Wave | Deaths | Distance |
| 2008 | MAINE | Avalanche | 3.6 m | - | 122 km |
Source: NOAA/NCEI Historical Tsunami Database. Sorted by wave height.
Monthly Weather
| Month | Avg Temperature | Precipitation | Summary |
|---|---|---|---|
| January | 24°F (-5°C) | 4.5 in | Coldest |
| February | 26°F (-3°C) | 3.8 in | |
| March | 33°F (1°C) | 4.9 in | |
| April | 44°F (7°C) | 5.2 in | |
| May | 55°F (13°C) | 4.5 in | |
| June | 64°F (18°C) | 4.3 in | |
| July | 70°F (21°C) | 3.3 in | Warmest, Driest |
| August | 69°F (21°C) | 3.5 in | |
| September | 62°F (17°C) | 4.2 in | |
| October | 51°F (10°C) | 5.9 in | |
| November | 40°F (5°C) | 5.9 in | Wettest |
| December | 30°F (-1°C) | 5.7 in |
Southwest Harbor has a seasonal temperature swing of 46°F / from 24°F in January to 70°F in July. Total annual precipitation is 55.5 inches, with November being the wettest month (5.9") and July the driest (3.3").