People often say that a certain town in Maine is the poorest. In most cases, they are talking about Waterville. Even though it’s officially called a city, many still refer to it as a town. Waterville is often at the top of lists showing poverty in the state. Let’s look at why it’s considered the poorest.
How Do We Know a Town Is Poor?
To find out which towns are poor, experts look at:
How much money people make on average (called median income)
How many people live below the poverty line
How easy it is to find jobs
How expensive it is to live there
Why Is Waterville Called the Poorest Town?
Waterville has:
One of the lowest incomes in Maine
One of the highest poverty rates
Many people who struggle to find steady work
Because of this, websites and reports have listed it as the poorest place in Maine for a few years now.
Are There Other Poor Towns in Maine?
Yes. There are other small towns that also have a lot of poverty. These include:
Calais
Skowhegan
Millinocket
Eastport
Madawaska
These places have fewer jobs and many families earning very little.
Which Counties in Maine Are the Poorest?
Some rural counties in Maine also have a lot of poverty:
Washington County
Somerset County
Piscataquis County
In these places, almost 1 in every 5 people lives below the poverty line.
Why Do These Areas Struggle?
Many of these towns and counties used to depend on mills or factories, which have closed down. Without jobs, people struggle to pay bills, and young people often leave to find work elsewhere.
Even though there are many struggling towns in Maine, Waterville is often called the poorest because of its low income and high poverty. But it’s not alone. Many small towns and rural areas across the state also face serious money problems. When someone says, “this town is the poorest in Maine,” they are usually talking about Waterville—or places just like it.
SOURCES
[1] https://247wallst.com/income/2025/01/17/the-poorest-town-in-every-state-in-america/
[2] https://92moose.fm/is-this-maines-poorest-town/
[3] https://www.onlyinyourstate.com/trip-ideas/maine/10-poorest-towns-me
[4] https://wokq.com/maine-has-the-second-poorest-town-in-the-country/
[5] https://themainemonitor.org/examining-poverty-levels-in-maine-by-county/
