The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 04944 sells for about $285,000, or $185 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 62 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,350 a month.
ZIP 04944 — Hinckley
The housing market in 04944 remains stable with limited inventory driving steady price appreciation. Demand is supported by buyers seeking rural properties within commuting distance of Waterville, though high interest rates have tempered overall transaction volume.
This area is well-suited for families and individuals seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with affordable housing options compared to larger urban centers, while remaining within a reasonable commute to regional services.
Median prices moved up 4.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 62 days on market with 4.8 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 0.0% · poverty 0.0% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 7.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 04944, Somerset County ME
Crime rates in Hinckley are generally low and consistent with rural Maine averages, with property crime being the primary concern.
Schools serving the area are part of the local regional district, generally characterized by small class sizes and community-focused programming.
The area faces moderate risk from winter weather events and seasonal flooding near the Kennebec River, with standard insurance coverage recommended.
Economic momentum is driven by local small businesses and proximity to regional employment hubs in Waterville, with limited large-scale industrial development.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Maine) — Maine Resident Homestead Property Tax Exemption: Provides a reduction in the valuation of the homestead for property tax purposes. The exemption amount is set by state statute (currently $25,000 of the just value of the property). The formula is: (Just Value - Homestead Exemption) * Local Tax Rate = Tax Due.
Commuting primarily involves personal vehicle travel via U.S. Route 201, providing direct access to the employment and service centers in Waterville.
The area offers significant outdoor recreation access, including proximity to the Kennebec River for fishing and boating, as well as local trails for hiking and snowmobiling.
The rental market is characterized by low inventory and high demand, with limited multi-family housing options and a reliance on single-family rentals.
The local economy is anchored by education, small-scale agriculture, and service-sector jobs, with many residents commuting to nearby Waterville for larger employment opportunities.
Transportation is heavily reliant on private vehicles, with U.S. Route 201 serving as the primary arterial corridor for regional connectivity.
Development is largely focused on small-scale residential infill and the preservation of rural land, with no major large-scale commercial projects currently approved.
The Somerset County assessment regime relies on periodic revaluations to ensure property tax equity across the jurisdiction.
Parcels are subject to local school district taxes and county-level assessments for regional services.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by rural fire protection ratings and proximity to flood-prone areas along the river.
Maine has experienced a modest net inflow of residents, driven by remote work trends and interest in rural lifestyle relocation.
Maine is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court intervention for the foreclosure process, which typically extends the timeline for completion.
Sellers are required to provide a property disclosure statement covering known material defects, though the state generally follows caveat emptor principles.
Data retrieved from data.census.gov ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
Provides extensive opportunities for fishing, boating, and scenic recreation.
A historic site with significant local cultural and educational importance.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.