The poorest town in Maine is Perry, located in Washington County, with about 35.1% of its population living below the poverty level. Perry has an approximate population of 1,492 residents. This makes it the town with the highest poverty rate in the state according to Census data.
Overview of Poverty in Perry, Maine
Perry stands out as the most economically challenged town in Maine. Despite Maine’s overall lower poverty rate compared to the national average, Perry’s poverty rate is significantly higher than the state average. The town has limited economic opportunities, which contributes to its high poverty statistics.
Other Notably Poor Towns in Maine
Besides Perry, other towns with high poverty rates include:
Lubec (33.7% below poverty level), also in Washington County.
Danforth (33.1%), Washington County.
Princeton (29.1%), Washington County.
Springfield (28.8%), Washington County.
These towns, largely rural, share similar challenges such as limited job availability and lower incomes, affecting overall economic well-being.
Economic Context in Maine’s Poorer Towns
Maine’s poverty is often concentrated in small, rural communities, especially in Washington County. Many residents in these areas struggle with limited well-paying jobs. Industries such as retail, healthcare, and manufacturing provide employment, but often at wages that make economic advancement difficult. This contributes to higher rates of poverty and related social challenges.
Additional Notes
Interestingly, other towns like Waldoboro in Maine have also been noted nationally for their low median household incomes, ranking among the poorest towns in the country, but Perry remains the poorest within Maine itself based on poverty percentage.
In sum, Perry is recognized as Maine’s poorest town by poverty rate, reflecting broader economic difficulties facing rural communities in the state.
Sources
[1] https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/trip-ideas/maine/10-poorest-towns-me
[2] https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fQ4LX_QrmHs
[3] https://247wallst.com/income/2025/01/17/the-poorest-town-in-every-state-in-america/
[4] https://wokq.com/maine-has-the-second-poorest-town-in-the-country/
[5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Maine_locations_by_per_capita_income
