As part of the countywide housing needs assessment, HCPC conducted a household survey to capture the resident opinion of the current county housing market. The survey received a total of 625 unique responses, and participants were not required to answer every questions. This page highlights some of the more notable survey results. Click here for the full survey results PDF.
Demographics of Survey Participants
93% percent of respondents have a permanent residence in Hancock County, and the most common locations of those that did not were other parts of Maine and the states of Florida and Massachusetts. A total of 34 of the 37 county municipalities were represented in the survey with the highest response rates coming from Blue Hill (12.4%), Ellsworth (9.8%), Orland (9.8%), Bar Harbor (9.1%) and Lamoine (8%)
37% of respondents were between the ages of 45 to 64 and an additional 37% were 65 and over. Additionally, half of survey respondents have lived in Hancock County for 21 years or more, and of those that are seasonal residents over 50% have been coming to the county for 21 years or more. The 2020 Decennial Census showed that roughly 49% of the county population was 50 years or older.
15.7% of household survey respondents estimated their household income to be between $55,000-$74,999. 17.7% estimated it was between $75,000-$99,999 and roughly 41% of respondents estimated it was $100,000 or higher. The median household income in Hancock County when this survey was conducted was roughly $68,000.
Housing Environment of Survey Participants
Nearly 75% of survey respondents owned and occupied a home year-round. That is approximately the same percentage of owner-occupied households in the entire county according to the 2020 Decennial Census. In this survey 14.4% of respondents rented year-round, compared to roughly one quarter of the entire county population.
81% of respondents lived in a single-family home, which is the most common housing type in the county; roughly 83% of housing units in the county comprise one unit, either detached or attached.
Of those that responded to this question, 77% stated that it is difficult to find suitable housing in Hancock County. 8.4% responded “somewhat” and 12% were unsure.
For those that responded “yes” or “somewhat”, nearly 42% pointed to affordability as the primary reason it is difficult to find suitable housing. Almost 20% said that there is a limited availability of housing in the county and roughly 15% said that there is a lack of year-round housing. For those that answered “other”, many responses stated “all of the above”, as well as housing for employees, a lack of affordable housing, and a lack of housing for seniors.
Household Expenses of Survey Participants
When homeowners were asked to estimate their total monthly housing expenses responses were close to even between all dollar ranges, outside of the less than $500 option. 21% estimated monthly expenses to be between $2,000-$2,999, followed by nearly 20% spending $3,000 or more per month.
When renters were asked to estimate their total monthly housing expenses almost 32% responded between $1,000-$1,499 per month, followed by 26% estimating $1,500-$1,999 per month. 21% of renters stated that they spend $2,000 or more on monthly housing expenses.
Housing-Related Issues Experienced by Survey Participants
Survey participants were asked to identify various housing-related issues they are currently experiencing or have experienced in their current residence. The most common response among those experiencing housing-related issues was being cost burdened, or spending 30% or more of household income on housing costs; 21% of respondents stated they have experienced this issue. Other common responses included having to move in with family or friends (9.5%) and not having enough money for a sufficient deposit or down payment (8.4%). “Other” responses included high taxes and utility bills, difficulty finding options to downsize, limited housing options for those with disabilities, and difficulty finding skilled workers for property maintenance. Roughly 58% responded that they were not experiencing any of the listed housing-related issues in their current residence.
The housing needs assessment showed that roughly 22% of owner-occupied households and 47% of renter-occupied households in Hancock County are cost burdened. Additionally, around 8% of owner-occupied households and 22% of renter-occupied households are sever cost burdened, which is defined as spending 50% or more of household income on housing costs.
When asked to describe the current housing market in Hancock County, two-thirds of respondents answered “poor, many issues”. Around 19% stated that is is fair and less than 2% stated that it is good.
Housing Market Opinions of Survey Respondents
When asked to identify up to three of the top issues in the county, the most common responses were high prices or rents (77.7%), not enough options and few vacancies (64.3%) and year-round housing being converted into short-term or seasonal rentals (51.7%). Insufficient wages (28.4%) and costs to build (22.5%) also received higher response rates.
County Housing Needs of Survey Respondents
Survey participants were posed with a series of questions that asked them to rank, by degree of need, housing needs in Hancock County. Regarding types of housing, the top needs according to respondents are homes with two or more bedrooms, studio and one-bedroom units, and independent living rental units for seniors. More rental units that accept housing choice vouchers were also expressed as top need, as was assisted living and nursing care facilities for seniors.
Regarding prices for new for-sale housing units, the most needed price ranges according to respondents are between $100,000-$199,999 and between $200,000-$299,999. The median list price of a home in Hancock County was $405,000 in 2023 according to MaineHousing.
Regarding prices for new rental housing units, the most needed price ranges according to respondents are between $500-$999 per month and between $1,000-$1,499 per month. At the time of the housing needs assessment the median gross rent in the county was $949 per month according to American Community Survey census data.
Regarding styles of housing, the top needs according to respondents are modern move-in ready single-family homes, rehabilitated single-family homes, and single-floor plan units. Apartments and modular homes with pre-approved designs were also expressed as needed.
Other Thoughts on Housing Needs by Survey Respondents
Survey participants also had the option to submit any open-ended thoughts about housing in Hancock County. Responses were wide-ranged. Concerns of short-term rental growth and the need for housing that is affordable for employees and families were among the more common responses. Other topics addressed include the desire to affordably age in place, the need for housing with shared community space; small or tiny homes for seniors and those making their first purchase; the need for lower property taxes; the need for housing to be created to serve all income levels; and the overall need to
increase the supply of housing in the county.