Van Buren, ME

Maine

Van Buren is a small town in Maine with a population of 1,614. Residents earn $35,200 per year, which is 53% below the national average.

2.8 /5.0
C+ Fair
1,614 Population 374/sq mi density
$35,200 Median Income $29,483 per capita
$90,200 Home Value $101,697 Zillow
$596 Median Rent
38°F Avg Temperature
48 Violent Crime/100K 1,242 property/100K
C+
Overall
2.8 / 5.0
Fair overall score based on economy, affordability, safety and education
B
Economy
3.4 / 5.0
$35,200 median income, 0.1% unemployment
A+
Affordability
5.0 / 5.0
$90,200 home value, $596/mo rent
F
Safety
1.0 / 5.0
48 violent crimes/100K (87% below avg)
D
Education
1.7 / 5.0
9.3% bachelor's degree or higher
Median Income $35,200
53% lower than US avg
Home Value $90,200
68% lower than US avg
Violent Crime 48/100K
87% lower than US avg
Bachelor's+ 9.3%
72% lower than US avg
Median Rent $596
49% lower than US avg
Obesity Rate 42.2%
31% higher than US avg
Unemployment 0.1%
97% lower than US avg
Poverty Rate 12.3%
1% lower than US avg

How Van Buren Compares to the U.S. Average (100% = U.S. avg)

People

Population1,614
Median Age57.1 yrs
Density374/mi²
Male / Female46% / 54%
Largest GroupWhite 96%

Economy

B
Median Income$35,200
Per Capita$29,483
Unemployment0.1%
Poverty12.3%
County GDP$3,670M
Commute17 min

Housing

A+
Home Value$90,200
Rent$596
OwnershipN/A
Zillow$101,697

Crime

F
Violent48/100K
Property1,242/100K
Murder0.0/100K
Assault48/100K
Burglary334/100K

Health

Obesity42.2%
UninsuredN/A
Depression29.7%
Heart Disease7.2%

Climate

Avg Temp38°F
AQI34 (Good)
Rain41.5 in/yr
Elevation515 ft

Education

D
Bachelor's+9.3%
High School+78.2%
School Score5.64

Community

2024 VoteR 62% / D 36%
Commute17 min
EV Stations3
Libraries15

Is Van Buren a Good Place to Live?

Based on current data, Van Buren receives an overall livability score of 2.8 out of 5.0, earning a grade of C+. Key strengths include low unemployment, low crime rates, affordable housing. Areas to be aware of include below-average incomes, high obesity rates. Van Buren has some notable strengths but also faces challenges that prospective residents should consider.

Economy & Jobs

The median household income in Van Buren is $35,200, 53% below the national average of $75,149. The job market is very strong with unemployment at just 0.1%. 12.3% of residents live in poverty, near the national average of 12.4%. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes, shorter than most U.S. cities.

Cost of Living & Housing

The median home value in Van Buren is $90,200, 68% below the national median — offering relatively affordable homeownership. Renters pay a median of $596 per month, below the national average — a plus for affordability. At just 2.6x median income, home prices are very affordable relative to local earnings.

Safety & Crime

Van Buren is a very safe community with a violent crime rate of 48 per 100,000 residents — well below the national average of 380. Property crime occurs at a rate of 1,242 per 100,000, 37% below the national average.

Education

9.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree, below the national average of 33.7%. 78.2% have completed high school. Area schools have an average test score of 5.6/10.

Climate & Weather

Van Buren has a cool climate with an average annual temperature of 38°F. Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation totals 41.5 inches, including 96.7 inches of snow. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34.

Van Buren has a population of 1,614 with a density of 374 people per square mile. The median age is 57.1 years, 47% older than the national median of 38.9. The city is predominantly White (96%), with 1.7% Black.

Population

1,614
Total Population
374
People / sq mi
57.1yrs
Median Age
47% above US avg
4.3mi²
Land Area

Gender Distribution

Male 46.4%
Female 53.6%

Race & Ethnicity

Van Buren vs U.S. Average

Language Spoken at Home

English Only50.7%
35% below US avg
Spanish49.3%
268% above US avg

Social Characteristics

Van Buren vs U.S. Average

The median household income in Van Buren is $35,200, which is 53% below the national average of $75,149. The unemployment rate is 0.1% (below the 3.6% US average). 12.3% of residents live below the poverty line. Workers commute an average of 17 minutes.

Income: Van Buren vs U.S.

Commute Mode

Income

Median HH Income$35,200
53% below US avg
Per Capita Income$29,483
Avg Weekly Wage$984
IRS Avg AGI$56,858

Employment & Poverty

Unemployment0.1%
97% below US avg
Poverty Rate12.3%
1% below US avg
Establishments (County)2,396
County GDP$3,670M

Business (County)

Restaurants145
Healthcare228
Retail314
Manufacturing75

Tax & Cost of Living

Property Tax (IRS)$3,828
9% above US avg
Effective Tax Rate4.24%

Commute & Transportation

Commute Time16.8 min
Work from Home10.1%

Walkability

The median home value in Van Buren is $90,200, 68% below the national average. Monthly rent averages $596 (49% below US avg). Zillow estimates the typical home value at $101,697.

Home Value Sources

Ownership Split

Home Values

Census Median$90,200
68% below US avg
Zillow ZHVI$101,697

Real Estate Market (Redfin)

Rental Costs

Census Median Rent$596
49% 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-Occupied64.2%

Property Tax

Avg Tax (IRS)$3,828
9% above US avg
Effective Rate4.24%
In Van Buren, 42.2% of adults are obese (above the 32.1% national rate). 29.7% report depression. 34.4% are physically inactive.

Health Metrics: Van Buren vs U.S. Average (%)

Chronic Conditions

Obesity42.2%
31% above US avg
Diabetes12.0%
Heart Disease7.2%
High Blood Pressure36.4%
Asthma14.5%
COPD10.6%
Stroke3.7%

Behaviors & Mental Health

Binge Drinking15.2%
Physical Inactivity34.4%
Depression29.7%
Mental Distress23.4%
Physical Distress17.8%

Healthcare Access

Insurance Rate93.0%
Checkup Rate77.8%
Premature Death10,576/100K

Food & Exercise

Food Environment7.4/10
Exercise Access56.2%
Healthcare Facilities228
Van Buren has a violent crime rate of 48 per 100,000 residents, 87% below the national average of 380. Property crime stands at 1,242 per 100,000 (37% below US avg). The murder rate is 0.0 per 100,000.

Crime Rates: Van Buren vs U.S. Average (per 100,000)

Violent Crime

Total Violent47.8/100K
87% below US avg
Murder0.0/100K
100% below US avg
Rape0.0/100K
Robbery0.0/100K
Assault47.8/100K

Property Crime

Total Property1,242.2/100K
37% below US avg
Burglary334.5/100K
Theft764.5/100K
Vehicle Theft143.3/100K
Arson0.0/100K

Traffic Safety

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10

Safety Score

Safety GradeF
Safety Score1.0 / 5.0
Van Buren has an average annual temperature of 38°F (4°C). Winters average 7°F in January while summers reach 66°F in July. Annual precipitation is 41.5 inches. Air quality is rated Good with a median AQI of 34.

Temperature

7°F Jan (-14°C) 66°F Jul (19°C)
Annual Average38.4°F
29% below US avg
January Average7°F (-14°C)
July Average66°F (19°C)

Precipitation & Snow

Annual Rainfall41.5 inches
9% above US avg
Snowfall96.7 inches/yr

Air Quality

AQI Median34.0
RatingGood

Geography

Elevation515 ft (157 m)
Area4.3 sq mi (11.2 km²)
Population Density374/sq mi
Coordinates47.1670°N, 67.9489°W
County FIPS23003
It is classified as Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K. 9.3% of residents hold a bachelor's degree or higher (72% below US avg). In the 2024 election, the county voted Republican by a 26.2-point margin.

2024 Presidential Election (County)

R 62.4%
D 36.2%

Winner: Republican by 26.2 points

Education

Bachelor's Degree+9.3%
72% below US avg
High School+78.2%
School Test Score5.64
D Education Grade (1.7/5.0)

Urban-Rural Classification

RUCC Code 7Nonmetro — Urban 2.5K–20K
Population Density374/sq mi
Total Area4.3 sq mi

Infrastructure & Services

EV Charging Stations3
Alt Fuel Stations3
Public Libraries15
Healthcare Facilities228
Restaurants145
Retail Stores314

Safety & Disasters

Fatal Crashes (County/yr)10
F Safety Grade (1.0/5.0)

Commute & Transportation

Avg Commute16.8 min
Work from Home10.1%

Nearby Cities

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