Maine
ME · Data from 2022–2023 government sources
Maine, the Pine Tree State, is the northeasternmost state in the country and the largest in New England. Known for its rugged coastline, dense forests, and iconic lighthouses, Maine offers a distinctly independent character shaped by the sea and the wilderness. Acadia National Park, the lobster industry, and Stephen King are among its most famous exports.
Think you know Maine? Test your geography skills.
Play GeoProwlHistory
Maine was inhabited by the Wabanaki people — including the Penobscot, Passamaquoddy, and Micmac nations — for thousands of years. English and French colonists established settlements in the early 1600s. Maine was part of Massachusetts for nearly 200 years before separating to become the 23rd state on March 15, 1820, as part of the Missouri Compromise. The state's economy was historically built on fishing, shipbuilding, and timber — industries that continue in modified forms today.
Economy
Maine's economy is driven by healthcare, tourism, manufacturing, and natural resources. The lobster industry is iconic — Maine harvests about 80% of the nation's lobster catch, worth over $700 million annually. Tourism generates nearly $9 billion per year, with visitors drawn to the coast, Acadia National Park, and ski resorts. The state has a growing craft beer and food scene. Bath Iron Works, a General Dynamics subsidiary, is one of the state's largest employers, building naval destroyers.
Geography & Landmarks
Maine covers 35,380 square miles, with over 3,400 miles of tidal coastline (more than California when accounting for inlets and islands). The state is 90% forested — the highest percentage of any U.S. state. Mount Katahdin (5,267 feet) in Baxter State Park is the northern terminus of the Appalachian Trail. Acadia National Park, on Mount Desert Island, is the only national park in New England and one of the most visited in the country. Acadia's Cadillac Mountain (1,530 feet) is one of the first places in the United States to see sunrise from October through March. Maine's coastline, if measured including all bays, inlets, and islands, stretches approximately 3,478 miles — more than California's.
Acadia National Park — NPS / Kristi Rugg
Source: NPS API
Culture & Traditions
Maine's cultural identity is shaped by its maritime heritage, literary tradition, and fierce independence. The state has inspired generations of artists and writers, from Henry Wadsworth Longfellow and Edna St. Vincent Millay to Stephen King, who has set dozens of novels in fictional Maine towns modeled on his hometown of Bangor. The Wyeth family — N.C., Andrew, and Jamie Wyeth — painted Maine's landscapes for over a century, and the Farnsworth Art Museum in Rockland houses the definitive collection of their work. Maine's culinary fame rests on lobster, with the state landing roughly 80% of the nation's lobster catch; the lobster roll (butter-drenched in Maine, mayo-dressed in Connecticut) is the state's signature dish. The L.L.Bean flagship store in Freeport, open 24/7 since 1951, is both a retail institution and a symbol of Maine's outdoor culture.
Notable Cities
Augusta
CapitalThe state capital, located on the Kennebec River. A small city known for the Maine State Museum and the Blaine House, the governor's mansion.
18,938
Population
$45,006
Median income
$166,100
Home value
$865
Median rent
44.9
Median age
7.7%
Unemployment
52.8%
Homeownership
2,364
Bachelor's+
Portland
Maine's largest city and a nationally recognized food destination. The Old Port district features cobblestone streets, craft breweries, and world-class seafood restaurants.
Bar Harbor
The gateway town to Acadia National Park on Mount Desert Island. A charming village that has been a summer resort destination since the Gilded Age.
Bangor
The cultural center of northern Maine and hometown of author Stephen King. Once the lumber capital of the world in the 19th century.
Kennebunkport
A coastal resort town known as the summer home of the Bush presidential family. Charming New England architecture and scenic ocean views.
Capital city data: Census Bureau ACS 5-Year (2022)
Intel File · Fun Facts
Maine produces approximately 80% of the nation's lobster — over 100 million pounds in a typical year.
At 90% forest cover, Maine is the most heavily forested state in the nation.
Acadia National Park was the first national park east of the Mississippi River.
Maine is the only state in the U.S. that borders exactly one other state (New Hampshire).
The first international naval battle of the American Revolution took place off Machias, Maine in 1775.
Data & Statistics
Demographics
- Population
- 1,366,949
- Median income
- $68,251
- Median age
- 44.8
- Median home value
- $244,800
- Below poverty line
- 145,491
- Bachelor's degree+
- 214,733
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2022)
Agriculture
- Total farms
- 7,036
- Cropland
- 445,379 acres
- Market value
- $870M
Source: USDA NASS, Census of Agriculture (2022)
Public Health
- Obesity rate
- 32.6%
- Diabetes rate
- 11.4%
- Smoking rate
- 14.0%
- High blood pressure
- 35.8%
- Uninsured
- 5.9%
Source: CDC BRFSS Prevalence Data (2023, 2022 fallback)
National Parks & Sites
- National parks
- 1
- Total NPS sites
- 7
- Sites
- Acadia National Park, Appalachian National Scenic Trail, Frances Perkins National Monument, Katahdin Woods and Waters National Monument, Maine Acadian Culture, Roosevelt Campobello International Park, Saint Croix Island International Historic Site
Source: National Park Service API
Climate
- Avg temperature
- 42.9°F
- Avg high
- 53.3°F
- Avg low
- 32.0°F
- Annual precipitation
- 46.1 in
- Annual snowfall
- 81.3 in
Source: NOAA Climate Normals (2010)
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the capital of Maine?▾
Augusta is the capital of Maine. It is one of the least populous state capitals in the eastern United States, with a population of about 19,000.
What is Maine known for?▾
Maine is known for its lobster industry, Acadia National Park, rugged coastline with iconic lighthouses, vast pine forests, blueberries (the state leads the nation in wild blueberry production), and L.L.Bean's flagship store in Freeport.
Where is Acadia National Park?▾
Acadia National Park is located on Mount Desert Island off the mid-coast of Maine, about 3 hours north of Portland. It was established in 1919 as the first national park east of the Mississippi. The park features Cadillac Mountain — the first place in the U.S. to see sunrise from October to March.
Why is Maine called Vacationland?▾
Maine's license plates read 'Vacationland,' reflecting the state's long history as a summer retreat. Since the mid-1800s, visitors have been drawn to Maine's cool summers, coastal beauty, mountains, and outdoor recreation. Tourism is one of the state's largest industries.
Data sources
U.S. Census Bureau · USDA NASS · CDC BRFSS · National Park Service · NOAA CDO
This product uses the Census Bureau Data API but is not endorsed or certified by the Census Bureau. This product uses the NASS API but is not endorsed or certified by NASS.
© 2026 GeoProwl. All rights reserved.