Moving to Searsport, Maine

Searsport, Maine is a small town located in Waldo County on the coast of Penobscot Bay. It is a picturesque New England community with a rich maritime history and a unique culture that has been shaped by its proximity to the sea.

Searsport was originally founded as part of the ancient Indian village of Pentagoet in 1630. The town was incorporated as Searsport in 1794, and named after General Jonathan Searle, who had served during the American Revolution. Since then, it has become an important fishing port and commercial center for the surrounding area.

The town’s economy is mainly based on its fishing industry. Lobster, scallops, and herring are among the most commonly caught species here. Other industries include lumbering, farming and manufacturing. Searsport also has several tourist attractions such as museums that showcase its maritime history and lighthouses that have been restored to their original condition. In addition to this, there are many restaurants serving local seafood dishes as well as other traditional New England fare.

In recent years Searsport has become increasingly popular with tourists due to its stunning natural beauty and historic sites. There are several beaches nearby where visitors can go swimming or participate in water activities such as kayaking or sailing. The nearby Penobscot River is also home to some of Maine’s most spectacular scenery including bald eagles soaring over islands that are home to seals and porpoises playing in their natural habitat.

Searsport offers plenty of outdoor activities for visitors throughout all four seasons including hiking trails, golf courses, cross-country skiing trails, snowmobiling routes and more – all surrounded by the beautiful landscape of coastal Maine’s forests and fields. Aside from outdoor activities there are plenty of unique shops to explore downtown along with art galleries featuring local artists’ work from all over Maine’s Downeast region.

Searsport is truly a special place that combines history with modern amenities while still preserving its charming small-town atmosphere – making it an ideal destination for any type of traveler looking for something special in New England.

Population: 2,641. Estimated population in July 2024: 2,679 (+1.4% change)
Males: 1,261 (47.7%), Females: 1,380 (52.3%)

Waldo County

Demographics

Median resident age: 41.0 years
Median household income: $31,288
Median house value: $87,100

Population by Race

Races in Searsport:

• White Non-Hispanic (97.9%)
• American Indian (1.4%)
• Two or more races (0.9%)

Ancestries: English (25.0%), Irish (12.2%), United States (10.9%), French (7.8%), French Canadian (4.9%), German (4.4%).

Elevation: 60 feet

Land area: 4.4 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Searsport

• High school or higher: 87.7%
• Bachelor’s degree or higher: 18.6%
• Graduate or professional degree: 5.6%
• Unemployed: 6.2%
• Mean travel time to work: 23.5 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Searsport town

• Never married: 22.7%
• Now married: 55.7%
• Separated: 0.8%
• Widowed: 9.1%
• Divorced: 11.7%

1.4% Foreign born

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Searsport:

• WALDO COUNTY GENERAL HOSPITAL (about 8 miles; BELFAST, ME)
• PENOBSCOT BAY MEDICAL CENTER (about 23 miles; ROCKPORT, ME)
• BLUE HILL MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 24 miles; BLUE HILL, ME)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Searsport:

• BANGOR INTL (about 25 miles; BANGOR, ME; Abbreviation: BGR)
• BRUNSWICK NAS (about 81 miles; BRUNSWICK, ME; Abbreviation: NHZ)
• PORTLAND INTL JETPORT (about 112 miles; PORTLAND, ME; Abbreviation: PWM)

Other public-use airports nearest to Searsport:

• BELFAST MUNI (about 7 miles; BELFAST, ME; Abbreviation: BST)
• ISLESBORO (about 11 miles; ISLESBORO, ME; Abbreviation: 57B)
• BREWER (about 23 miles; BREWER, ME; Abbreviation: 0B2)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Searsport:

• UNIVERSITY OF MAINE (about 43 miles; ORONO, ME; Full-time enrollment: 8,590)
• UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT AUGUSTA (about 59 miles; AUGUSTA, ME; Full-time enrollment: 3,172)
• UNIVERSITY OF MAINE AT FARMINGTON (about 85 miles; FARMINGTON, ME; Full-time enrollment: 2,229)
• UNIVERSITY OF SOUTHERN MAINE (about 109 miles; PORTLAND, ME; Full-time enrollment: 7,381)
• SAINT JOSEPHS COLLEGE (about 124 miles; STANDISH, ME; Full-time enrollment: 2,376)
• UNIVERSITY OF NEW ENGLAND-UNIVERSITY CAMPUS (about 126 miles; BIDDEFORD, ME; Full-time enrollment: 2,251)
• UNIVERSITY OF NEW HAMPSHIRE-MAIN CAMPUS (about 169 miles; DURHAM, NH; Full-time enrollment: 12,586)

Schools

Public high school in Searsport:

• SEARSPORT DISTRICT HIGH SCHOOL (Students: 263; Location: 24 MORTLAND ROAD; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Searsport:

• SEARSPORT ELEMENTARY (Students: 208; Location: 30 MORTLAND ROAD; Grades: PK – 05)
• SEARSPORT DISTRICT MIDDLE SCHOOL (Students: 183; Location: 26 MORTLAND ROAD; Grades: 06 – 08)

Libraries

Library in Searsport:

• SEARSPORT – CARVER MEMORIAL LIBRARY (Operating income: $44,107; Location: 12 UNION STREET; 11,025 books; 120 audio materials; 130 video materials; 15 serial subscriptions)