Living in Southwest Harbor, Maine
Cost of living, income, home prices, rent and demographics of Southwest Harbor · Census data 2020–2024
Southwest Harbor has 1,553 residents with a median age of 48.9. The median household income is $59,205 (21% lower than the Maine median), the median home value is $428,500, the median rent is $959/month.
Southwest Harbor at a glance
- Population
- 1,553
- Median age
- 48.9State: 44.8
- Median household income
- $59,205State: $74,733
- Median home value
- $428,500State: $296,600
- Median rent
- $959/moState: $1,139
- Homeowners
- 55.7%
- Bachelor's degree or higher
- 35.3%
- Average commute
- 16 min
Is Southwest Harbor a good place to live?
Pros: An average commute of 16 minutes; a poverty rate of 9.3%.
Cons: Median household income 21% lower than the Maine median; home values 44% higher than the state median; unemployment of 4%.
The weather is best in June to September.
Cost of living in Southwest Harbor
Housing is the biggest part of the cost of living. In Southwest Harbor the median home value is $428,500, 29% higher than the U.S. median. Renters pay a median of $959 per month, which is 30.2% of household income. Homeowners with a mortgage pay $1,828 a month in housing costs.
Southwest Harbor median household income
The median household income in Southwest Harbor is $59,205 and the income per person is $45,995. 9.3% of residents live below the poverty line (Maine: 10.7%).
Housing in Southwest Harbor: homes for sale and rent
- Housing units
- 1,450
- Owner-occupied
- 55.7%
- Renter-occupied
- 44.3%
- Vacant
- 49.6%Includes seasonal homes
- Median year built
- 1982
- Average household size
- 2.07
49.6% of homes are vacant most of the year, a sign that Southwest Harbor has many vacation and second homes.
Southwest Harbor demographics
- Population
- 1,553
- Median age
- 48.9
- Under 18
- 14.5%
- 65 and older
- 26.7%
- Households
- 731
- Foreign-born
- 1%
- Veterans
- 7.7%Adults 18+
Hispanic or Latino can be of any race. Population history of Southwest Harbor ›
Education in Southwest Harbor
35.3% of adults 25 and older in Southwest Harbor have a bachelor's degree or higher (Maine: 36.2%), and 5.8% have a graduate or professional degree.
Jobs and commute in Southwest Harbor
- Unemployment rate
- 4%State: 3.8%
- Average commute
- 16 minState: 25 min
- Work from home
- 11.1%
- Drive alone
- 72%
- Public transit
- 0%
- Walk to work
- 3.2%
- Homes with broadband
- 84%
Southwest Harbor vs nearby towns
| Town | Population | Median income | Home value | Rent |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Southwest Harbor | 1,553 | $59,205 | $428,500 | $959 |
| Northeast Harbor | 419 | $92,415 | $729,700 | $1,356 |
| Cranberry Isles | 196 | $65,000 | $439,100 | $1,000 |
| Mount Desert | 1,671 | $92,813 | $522,100 | $1,341 |
| Tremont | 1,508 | $88,803 | $407,000 | $1,217 |
| Bar Harbor | 5,244 | $77,180 | $538,400 | $1,106 |
| Winter Harbor | 493 | $86,250 | $210,500 | $818 |
| Swans Island | 438 | $86,250 | $316,700 | $2,125 |
| Brooklin | 869 | $68,750 | $339,400 | $1,236 |
More for people moving to Southwest Harbor
Southwest Harbor ZIP code ›Weather and climate ›Living in Southwest Harbor: FAQ
What is the median household income in Southwest Harbor, ME?
The median household income in Southwest Harbor is $59,205, 21% lower 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 Southwest Harbor?
The median home value in Southwest Harbor is $428,500, compared with $296,600 in Maine.
How much is rent in Southwest Harbor?
The median gross rent in Southwest Harbor is $959 per month, about 30.2% of household income.
Is Southwest Harbor, ME a good place to live?
Pluses: an average commute of 16 minutes; a poverty rate of 9.3%. Minuses: median household income 21% lower than the Maine median; home values 44% higher than the state median; unemployment of 4%.
What is the median age in Southwest Harbor?
The median age in Southwest Harbor is 48.9 years (Maine: 44.8).
How long is the commute in Southwest Harbor?
The average commute to work in Southwest Harbor is 16 minutes; 11.1% of workers work from home.
What is the unemployment rate in Southwest Harbor?
The unemployment rate in Southwest Harbor is 4% (U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-year estimates 2020–2024).
How educated is Southwest Harbor?
35.3% of adults in Southwest Harbor 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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