The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 04974 sells for about $325,000, or $215 per square foot.
Prices are up +3.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 68 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $1,105 a month.
ZIP 04974 — Searsport
The housing market in 04974 remains stable with modest price appreciation and limited inventory. Demand is driven by buyers seeking coastal lifestyle properties, though high interest rates and limited supply continue to constrain transaction volume.
This area is best suited for retirees, remote workers, and families seeking a quiet coastal lifestyle with access to outdoor recreation and a slower pace of life.
Median prices moved up 3.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 68 days on market with 5.2 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 3.2% · poverty 14.6% — 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 7.1%/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 4.8%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
ZCTA 04974, Waldo County, ME
Crime rates in Searsport are generally low and consistent with rural coastal Maine, with property crime being the primary concern compared to violent crime.
Schools serving the area are part of RSU 20, which provides standard public education services for the region with moderate performance ratings.
The area faces typical coastal Maine risks, including winter storm impacts and potential flood exposure for properties located along the Penobscot Bay shoreline.
Economic momentum is driven by tourism, local maritime industries, and small-scale retail, 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 is primarily car-dependent, with residents traveling along US Route 1 toward employment hubs in Belfast or Bangor.
The area features significant access to Penobscot Bay for boating and fishing, along with local parks and proximity to coastal hiking trails.
The rental market is tight with limited inventory, often influenced by seasonal demand and a small supply of year-round housing units.
The local economy is anchored by tourism, maritime services, and small-business retail, with many residents commuting to larger nearby employment centers.
Transportation is dominated by private vehicle use along the US Route 1 corridor, with minimal public transit infrastructure available.
Development is largely focused on small-scale residential improvements and maintaining the town's historic coastal character.
Not applicable for ZIP level.
Parcels are subject to municipal property taxes and regional school district assessments.
Property insurance premiums are influenced by coastal hazard exposure and the age of the housing stock.
Not applicable for ZIP level.
Not applicable for ZIP level.
Not applicable for ZIP level.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ACS tables for ZCTA 04974.
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.
Coastal park offering hiking trails and picnic areas overlooking Penobscot Bay.
Historic maritime harbor serving as a hub for local boating and fishing activities.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.