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Orono

Orono

Neighborhood in Old Town, Maine

Penobscot County 04473

$344,831 Average Value
$190 Average Price per Sq Ft
3 Homes For Sale

Balancing the University of Maine and acres of wilderness

The town of Orono balances being a thriving college town and a Central Maine community surrounded by natural recreation. Home to the University of Maine, some say that Orono is to Maine what Cambridge is to Massachusetts, with both communities being college towns just outside bustling cities like Bangor and Boston. While the college put Orono on the map, the town continues to grow, with a historic downtown area with many dining and shopping options for students and residents alike. Orono also offers a range of housing options that are just a quick drive away from hiking trails or kayaking along the Penobscot River. “it’s kind of like the classic college town, but it has more of a balance between residents and students,” says James Spear, an associate broker with RE/MAX Collaborative who has been serving the area since 2020. “There is less of a downturn in the summer when the students go away, the businesses all do well year round.”

The town of Orono settled in 1774 in the state of Maine.
The town of Orono settled in 1774 in the state of Maine.
The town of Orono is the perfect place to call home.
The town of Orono is the perfect place to call home.
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Orono schools and the University of Maine

Students can start their education at Asa C Adams School, which receives a B-plus rating on Niche. From there, they can move on to Orono Middle School, which receives an A rating before finishing up at the A-minus-rated Orono High School. The school is known for the OHS-International Program, which allows students from around the globe to live with host families and spend a year at the school. For higher education, the town is known for being home to the University of Maine, most famous for its hockey team and notable alums like Stephen King. “I got to go to a hockey game a while ago, and it was a super great time,” Spear says, “it was not even a playoff game, but the stadium was pretty packed with students and residents.”

The town of Orono is known for hosting The University of Maine.
The town of Orono is known for hosting The University of Maine.
Orono Middle School receives an overall rating of A from niche.
Orono Middle School receives an overall rating of A from niche.
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Apartments and homes along the Penobscot River

The home styles in Orono are as abundant as the number of houses, with Cape Cod, colonial revival, ranch style, and New Englander-inspired residences being the most common sights in town. “Parts of Orono have some beautiful large homes, especially down by the river, but some of them are used by fraternities and sororities,” Spear says. Homes commonly range from smaller two—and three-bedroom homes costing between $150,000 and $400,000 to larger three—and four-bedroom houses that average between $450,000 and $575,000. Closer to the college, there are also several apartment buildings with rents ranging from $1,250 to around $1,800.

You can find a variety of colonial style homes in the town of Orono.
You can find a variety of colonial style homes in the town of Orono.
Colonial homes in Orono vary in price and size.
Colonial homes in Orono vary in price and size.
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Orono's local food and brews

Downtown Orono is home to many different bars and eateries, with Pat's Pizza having served the town since 1931. About a block from Pat’s is The Family Dog, a newer restaurant known for its pub fare, especially its hamburgers and hot dogs. For a fresh pint, residents can head to Orono Brewing Company, which has a bright, cheery interior and an open-air beer garden. Spear says the Tubular IPA is a popular option and was one of their flagship drinks. Residents can grab groceries at The Local or head to the Orono Farmers’ Market, which runs year-round.

The Family Dog offers both interior and exterior seating in Orono.
The Family Dog offers both interior and exterior seating in Orono.
Margaritas Mexican Restautant in Orono offers Mexican cuisine and a beautiful ambience.
Margaritas Mexican Restautant in Orono offers Mexican cuisine and a beautiful ambience.
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Bog boardwalks and river trails

According to Spear, the Stillwater River trail, also known as the university bike path, is one of the big draws to the area. The 3-mile paved trail spans from Orono to Old Town, where residents of all ages and skill levels can walk, bike or jog through the DeMeritt University Forest and along the Stillwater River. The town also shares The Orono Bog with the city of Bangor and is known for the mile-long boardwalk that winds through the bog, home to over 110 different species of bird and almost 100 different plant species. The Penobscot Valley Country Club offers outdoor recreation on well-maintained greenways. The course is an 18-hole championship golf course that was built in 1924 and has been used by famous golfers like Arnold Palmer and Tom Watson. The Union Street Boat Landing sits just south of Ayers Island and is popular with kayakers and canoers alike for putting the boat in the water.

Enjoy a walk at Stillwater River Trail in Orono, Maine.
Enjoy a walk at Stillwater River Trail in Orono, Maine.
Sit and enjoy the scenery that the town of Orono offers in Webster Park.
Sit and enjoy the scenery that the town of Orono offers in Webster Park.
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Interstates and the Black Bear Orono Express

Orono offers several ways to get around town, with U.S. Route 2 running through the heart of the community and Interstate 95 running along the northwestern end of town. This streamlines the drive to nearby cities like Bangor, 9 miles away, and Old Town, 4 miles away. The town also offers the Black Bear Orono Express bus line alongside numerous sidewalks and trails downtown and on the college’s campus for additional transportation options. Bangor International Airport is 11 miles away, and the Northern Light Eastern Maine Medical Center is 6 miles away.

Black Bear Orono Express is used for students who attend the University of Maine to get around.
Black Bear Orono Express is used for students who attend the University of Maine to get around.
Commuters in Orono use I-95 and Route 2 to get around the town and other nearby cities.
Commuters in Orono use I-95 and Route 2 to get around the town and other nearby cities.
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Summer concerts and community Thanksgivings

The town of Orono has a large number of events throughout the year to help bring the community together. The annual Summer Concert Series on the Orono Village Green is a popular summer activity where the community gathers behind the library every Tuesday in July with rock, jazz, and pop music filling the evening air. In the fall, the community holds its larger events, like the Scott Scripture Memorial Community Thanksgiving Dinner, where town employees cook a number of dishes and send them to residents’ homes for them to enjoy. There is also a popular Trunk or Treat, which not only allows for a safer Halloween but also allows local businesses to join in the fun and pass out treats.

Braxton Puentes
Written By
Braxton Puentes
Anhella Sanchez
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Anhella Sanchez
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Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Dani O'Halloran, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Parks in this Area

Transit

Airport

Bangor International

24 min drive

Crime and Safety

1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime Orono US
Homicide 2 4
Sexual Assault 5 4
Assault with Weapon 2 4
Robbery 3 4
Burglary 4 4
Motor Vehicle Theft 3 4
Larceny 4 4
Crime Score 3 4

Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com

Demographics and Home Trends

Home Trends

Median Price (12 Mo)
$331,250
Median Single Family Price
$345,000
Median 2 Bedroom Price
$308,000
Average Price Per Sq Ft
$190
Number of Homes for Sale
3
Last 12 months Home Sales
50
Months of Supply
0.70
Median List Price
$345,000
Median Discount From 1st List Price
1%
Median Home Sale Price YoY Change
11%

Home Facts

Number of Homes in Neighborhood
725
Median Year Built
1957
Avg. Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
2,010
On par with the national average
1,935
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,243
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
19,602

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Dani O'Halloran, an experienced agent in this neighborhood.

Average Home Value




Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

This Neighborhood Has More Renters

Demographics

Total Population
9,659
Median Age
26
Population Density
2 ppl/acre
Population under 18
22.9%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
10.1%
Below the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$49,024
Significantly below the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$80,300

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
97.9%
College Graduates
70.1%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
42.5%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
57.3%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
42''
Average Winter Low Temperature
9°F
Average Summer High Temperature
80°F
Annual Snowfall
69''

Area Factors

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score®

46 / 100

Car-Dependent

Walk Score®

43 / 100
Source: Walk Score
Source: Walk Score

Sound Score® measures the noise level of any address. Transit Score® measures access to public transit. Bike Score® measures the bikeability of any address.

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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
NEIGHBORHOOD
Orono