Small but dedicated island community off Maine’s coast
Chebeague Island is a small community with deep roots. The island was inhabited by the Wabanaki Indigenous people for thousands of years before Europeans colonized the island in the 1740s. Today, many of the current residents are descendants of these European settlers. “It’s hard to encapsulate it in a few words. You almost have to experience it to understand it. It’s such a special community,” says Jane Leonard, real estate agent at Re/Max Shoreline. “You feel like you’ve gone back in time. When two cars pass, people wave to each other.”
Chebeague Island has about 350 year-round residents and 1,800 summer residents. “There are families who’ve vacationed on the island for generations, starting in the late 1880s and early 1990s, and still come there and are in the same cottages,” Leonard says. "A few years ago, one of our historians coined the term 'summer natives' [to describe them]." Today, about 50 island residents earn a living lobstering and about a similar number commute to work on the mainland, while others are retirees or keep the island running. “Many people commute or work hard on the island and devote many hours to volunteer commitments,” she says.
Chebeague Island is located off of the coast of Maine.
Chebeague Island stretches out into the Atlantic Ocean.
1/2
Activities centered around history and community
The Chebeague Island Inn houses visitors and hosts weddings throughout the warmer months, and the Chebeague Island Historical Society preserves the town’s history through lecture series and exhibits. “Many of the ‘good things’ on the island are a collaboration of summer people and year-round folks: the library, recreation center, historical society, the sailing school. They’ve come about because many people have taken a lot of time and devoted themselves to making the island a more inviting and interesting place to live,” Leonard says.
The Chebeague Island historical society welcomes visitors to remember the past.
Chebeague Community Church is the oldest institution on Chebeague Island.
1/2
Chebeague Island’s recreational facilities include a golf course and yacht club
Summer offers a breadth of outdoor activities for visitors and residents. The Chebeague Island Yacht Club has a sailing school and races throughout the summer, and golfers take in the ocean air on Great Chebeague Golf Club’s 9-hole course. The Chebeague Recreation Center serves as a hub of activity for the island. “The recreation center is open in the summer and year-round. They’re always trying to meet the needs of the community,” Leonard says. “It’s a place where people gather, teens meet, and there are summer programs and camps for children.” The rec center also has a gym, swimming pool and pickleball court where locals can take beginner lessons.
Sunbathers soak up the rays on Chebeague Island.
The Great Chebeague Golf Club is a nine-hole course on Chebeague Island.
Biking is a great way to get around on Chebeague Island.
1/3
Seasonal restaurants and getting groceries to the island
Dining options on the island include Two Birds Café, which is open seasonally and sells handmade pastries, coffee and sandwiches. Also during the on-season, Chebeague Island Inn offers a fine dining experience using locally sourced ingredients. Doughty’s Island Market sells grocery basics like frozen meats, bread, milk and wine. However, for larger grocery hauls and deliveries, residents utilize the Casco Bay Lines freight ferries to carry their cargo across the bay.
Two Birds Cafe is open Friday - Sunday on Chebeague Island.
Doughty's Island market provides grocery essentials on Chebeague Island.
1/2
Renovated Cape Cods and coastal cottages
Some homes on Chebeague Island date back to the 1800s, but new construction continues today. Modest Cape Cods and coastal cottages cost around $500,000, though homes needing major renovations start around $250,000. Larger homes with ocean views run higher, often costing from $700,000 to $1 million or more. Homes don’t come for sale frequently, as many properties are passed down in the same family through generations. “You see some recent buildings, and you have the aging housing stock, so you see people renovating existing houses," Leonard says. “There has been a move to control growth. There’s a limited number of building permits the town will issue. There is one aquifer serving the island, so people are mindful of that.”
This Cape Cod with shake shingle siding is nestled deep within Chebeague Island.
This 1787sf home overlooks the ocean in Chebeague Island.
1/2
Chebeague Island School serves kindergarten through fifth grade
The Chebeague Island School, which is not rated by Niche, teaches about 30 students in kindergarten through fifth grade on the island. “The school was rebuilt three years ago and has attracted families,” Leonard says. After fifth grade, students commute to Yarmouth via the CTC ferry to attend school. They attend Frank H. Harrison Middle School and Yarmouth High School, which both earn A grades from Niche. The high school’s facilities include a performing arts center, a school-wide community garden and a weight room.
Chebeague Island School serves students from grades PK -5.
Frank H. Harrison Middle School serves Yarmouth.
Yarmouth High School serves Yarmouth.
1/3
Traveling to and from Chebeague Island
Although many residents have a car, locals and visitors often get around by bike, as the island is less than 5 miles long. Chebeague Island is only accessible from the mainland by ferry. There are two regular ferry lines: one to Portland, and the other to Yarmouth. The Chebeague Transportation Company (CTC) ferry to Yarmouth runs daily and takes about 15 minutes to cross the bay. Many people keep their car on the mainland, and permanent residents and visitors can purchase a parking pass on the Yarmouth side. “There’s obviously a certain amount of inconvenience of living on any island not connected by a causeway,” Leonard says. Portland International Jetport and Maine Medical Center are the closest major airport and hospital, both about 10 miles southwest in Portland.
Chebeague Island has experienced some coastal erosion as a result of the changing environment and storms in the Casco Bay. The town released a sea level rise vulnerability assessment in 2016, and although it expects sea levels to continue to rise, it concluded that no major roads will be impacted in the near future.
Chebeague Island is only accessible by ferry or private boat.
Tourists see the sights on the way to Chebeague Island.
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
Are you familiar with the Chebeague Island neighborhood?
to let others know what life in this neighborhood is like.
Crime and Safety
1 - Low Crime, 10 - High Crime
Chebeague Island
US
Homicide
1
4
Sexual Assault
1
4
Assault with Weapon
1
4
Robbery
1
4
Burglary
1
4
Motor Vehicle Theft
1
4
Larceny
1
4
Crime Score
1
4
Source: WhatIsMyCrimeRisk.com
Demographics and Home Trends
On average, homes in Chebeague Island, Portland sell after 53 days on the market compared to the national average of 47 days. The average sale price for homes in Chebeague Island, Portland over the last 12 months is $564,337, down 12% from the average home sale price over the previous 12 months.
Lot 2 at Buxhill Boulevard consists of 1.35 acres in a convenient location near the Chebeague Island Inn, CTC ferry, Stone Pier, Great Chebeague Golf Club with its nine-hole golf course, and several beaches including Hamilton Beach. Come explore the possibility of building your own island cottage with peaks of water views on one of Casco Bay's most desirable islands. This parcel has been surveyed
Carrie MartinLegacy Properties Sotheby's International Realty
Interested in learning more about homes in this area?
Reach out to
Timothy Crosta,
an experienced agent in this neighborhood.
Average Home Value
Source: Public Records
Property Mix - Square Feet
This Neighborhood Has More Owners
Demographics
Total Population
1,078
Median Age
51
Population Density
1 person/acre
Population under 18
18.7%
Below the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
30.9%
Above the national average
19.1%
Finances
Median Household Income
$133,522
Significantly above the national average
$71,702
Average Household Income
$164,412
Education and Workforce
High School Graduates
97.7%
College Graduates
73.9%
Significantly above the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
50.1%
Significantly above the national average
13.3%
% Population in Labor Force
75.2%
Weather
Annual Precipitation
49''
Average Winter Low Temperature
16°F
Average Summer High Temperature
79°F
Annual Snowfall
36''
Area Factors
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score®
30/ 100
Car-Dependent
Walk Score®
2/ 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.
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.
