The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 04972 sells for about $245,000, or $168 per square foot.
Prices are up +2.1% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 52 days to sell. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,350 a month.
ZIP 04972
The housing market in 04972 remains stable with low inventory and modest price appreciation. Demand is driven by local buyers and those seeking rural affordability, though the limited supply keeps sales volume low.
This ZIP is best suited for families and individuals seeking a quiet, rural lifestyle with high affordability compared to urban centers, though it requires a car for all daily needs.
Median prices moved up 2.1% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 52 days on market with 3.5 months of supply — a fast-moving market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 98.2% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 4.1% · poverty 9.8% — 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 6.8%/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 5.7%/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 04972, Penobscot County ME
Crime rates in the area are generally low and consistent with rural Maine averages, with no significant upward trends reported.
Schools serving the area are part of the local regional school unit, generally characterized by small class sizes and moderate performance metrics.
The area faces typical New England climate risks, including winter storm exposure and localized flood risks near water bodies; insurance availability remains stable.
Economic momentum is modest, driven primarily by local services, small-scale forestry, and tourism, 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.
Commutes are primarily car-dependent, with residents traveling to nearby regional employment hubs via state routes.
The area offers significant access to outdoor recreation, including nearby lakes, hiking trails, and seasonal forest activities.
The rental market is tight with limited inventory, primarily consisting of single-family homes and small multi-family units.
The local economy is anchored by small businesses, education, and regional government services, with a strong reliance on the broader Penobscot County labor market.
Public transit is non-existent; the area relies entirely on private vehicle transportation via state highway corridors.
There are no major commercial or residential developments currently approved or under construction in this ZIP code.
The county appraisal district conducts periodic revaluations to ensure assessments align with market value trends.
Parcels are subject to standard municipal and county school district levies with no specialized utility or hospital districts.
Property insurance premiums are moderate, reflecting low wildfire risk but potential exposure to severe winter weather events.
Maine has seen a modest net inflow of domestic migrants, particularly from other New England states, seeking lower costs of living.
Maine is a judicial foreclosure state, requiring court intervention for the foreclosure process, which generally extends the timeline for lenders.
Sellers are required to provide a property disclosure statement covering known material defects, though the state is generally caveat emptor.
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 hiking and nature trails.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.