Living in Mount Desert, Maine
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Mount Desert · Census data 2020–2024
Mount Desert has 1,671 residents with a median age of 54.9. The median household income is $92,813 (24% higher than the Maine median), the median home value is $522,100, the median rent is $1,341/month.
Mount Desert at a glance
- Population
- 1,671
- Median age
- 54.9State: 44.8
- Median household income
- $92,813State: $74,733
- Median home value
- $522,100State: $296,600
- Median rent
- $1,341/moState: $1,139
- Homeowners
- 84.8%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 64.4%
- Average commute
- 18 min
Is Mount Desert a good place to live?
Pros: Median household income 24% higher than the Maine median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 1.3%; a poverty rate of 7.4%.
Cons: Home values 76% higher than the state median.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Mount Desert
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Mount Desert the median home value is $522,100, 57% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $1,341 per month, which is 19.1% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $2,048 a month in housing costs.
Mount Desert median household income
The median household income in Mount Desert is $92,813 and the income per person is $54,686. 7.4% of residents live below the poverty line (Maine: 10.7%).
Housing in Mount Desert: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 2,163
- Owner-occupied
- 84.8%
- Renter-occupied
- 15.2%
- Vacant
- 63.2%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1969
- Average household size
- 2.08
63.2% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Mount Desert has many vacation and second homes.
Mount Desert demographics
- Population
- 1,671
- Median age
- 54.9
- Under 18
- 14.1%
- 65 and older
- 29.1%
- Households
- 797
- Foreign-born
- 6%
- Veterans
- 4.3%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Mount Desert ›
Education in Mount Desert
64.4% of adults 25 and older in Mount Desert have a bachelor's degree or higher (Maine: 36.2%), and 26.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Mount Desert
- Unemployment rate
- 1.3%State: 3.8%
- Average commute
- 18 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 19.1%
- Drive alone
- 63%
- Public transit
- 0.5%
- Walk to work
- 5.8%
- Homes with broadband
- 96.9%
Mount Desert vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mount Desert | 1,671 | $92,813 | $522,100 | $1,341 |
| Northeast Harbor | 419 | $92,415 | $729,700 | $1,356 |
| Southwest Harbor | 1,553 | $59,205 | $428,500 | $959 |
| Bar Harbor | 5,244 | $77,180 | $538,400 | $1,106 |
| Cranberry Isles | 196 | $65,000 | $439,100 | $1,000 |
| Tremont | 1,508 | $88,803 | $407,000 | $1,217 |
| Trenton | 1,599 | $60,455 | $357,400 | $1,102 |
| Winter Harbor | 493 | $86,250 | $210,500 | $818 |
| Blue Hill | 2,813 | $80,377 | $399,500 | $1,038 |
More for people moving to Mount Desert
Mount Desert ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Mount Desert: FAQ
What is the median household income in Mount Desert, ME?
The median household income in Mount Desert is $92,813, 24% higher than the Maine median of $74,733 (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
What is the average home price in Mount Desert?
The median home value in Mount Desert is $522,100, compared with $296,600 in Maine.
How much is rent in Mount Desert?
The median gross rent in Mount Desert is $1,341 per month, about 19.1% of household income.
Is Mount Desert, ME a good place to live?
Pluses: median household income 24% higher than the Maine median; an average commute of 18 minutes; unemployment of 1.3%; a poverty rate of 7.4%. Minuses: home values 76% higher than the state median.
What is the median age in Mount Desert?
The median age in Mount Desert is 54.9 years (Maine: 44.8).
How long is the commute in Mount Desert?
The average commute to work in Mount Desert is 18 minutes; 19.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Mount Desert?
The unemployment rate in Mount Desert is 1.3% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Mount Desert?
64.4% of adults in Mount Desert have a bachelor's degree or higher.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024 (margins of error apply, especially in small towns). Figures are in 2024 dollars.
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