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Sanford, ME

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Sanford, ME

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Demographics

Predominantly WhiteSimpson's Diversity Index: 22
Population22,095
Foreign Born1.6%
Population Density462people per mi²
Median Age40.4 yrs
Demographics Trajectory
GrowingSince 2010, this city's population has grown with relatively minor shifts in racial composition.
Current Race / Ethnicity Breakdown
Population Trends

Quality of Life

Overall Quality Of Life
A-
Great

A high quality of life with strong walkability, manageable living costs, healthy neighborhood signals, and solid amenity access.

Quality of Life blends cost of living, nearby amenities, socioeconomic signals, and neighborhood character. City-level scores represent the whole municipality; individual neighborhoods can differ.

Cost of Living

96/100

4% below national average

A

The Real Cost of Living in Sanford, Maine

TierIndividualFamily (4)
Survival $18k$35k
Comfortable $50k$73k
Luxury $108k+$167k+
Elite (Top 5%) $127k+$197k+
Affordability Ratio

96%

The Hood Index™

A metric tracking the socioeconomic signals of the area.

A+
Hood Index scan area
Luxury Lean90%
RisksNeutralGrowth
Premium
40
Positive
21
Poor
4
Negative
3

Groceries

1 within 10 miles

4.6mi

Gas

0 within 10 miles

Hospital

3 within 20 miles

13.5mi

Airport

PDX — Portland International Jetport

27.5mi

Post Office

USPS — Dover, NH

17.6mi

Critical Amenities

Country Clubs

1 private club within 10 miles.

Golf1Nearest 6.5 mi
Camping20Nearest 13.1 mi
Marina3Nearest 8.5 mi
Winery0 
Ice Rink0Nearest 26.3 mi
Gun Range1Nearest 7.7 mi

Affluence Level

Overall Affluence Grade
D+
Soft

A below-average socioeconomic profile. Incomes, home values, and educational attainment trail the U.S., with higher poverty and unemployment.

Median HHI
$71k-1.8%
6% below US avg
Est. Avg Net Worth
$777k
18% above US avg
College Educated
23.6%
33% below US avg
WFH
9.3%
35% below US avg
Homeownership
69.5%
6% above US avg
Median Home
$257k
9% below US avg

Crime

Overall Crime Grade
B+
Safe

Generally safer than 73% of comparable U.S. locations.

Crime Rate
25.1
Incidents per 1,000 residents
5yr Trend
−1.3%
Overall crime change since 2020

Violent Crime

5yr+1.2%
Homicide
0.00 / 1k Residents100% below state avg
Robbery
0.27 / 1k Residents152% above state avg
Aggravated Assault
0.93 / 1k Residents84% above state avg

Property Crime

5yr−3.7%
Burglary
1.81 / 1k Residents156% above state avg
Larceny-Theft
20.11 / 1k Residents168% above state avg
Motor Vehicle Theft
1.06 / 1k Residents90% above state avg
Source: FBI Crime Data · 2025

Political Climate

Cook PVI: D+11Leans Liberal

District shown is the primary district for this city’s centroid. Cities may span multiple districts.

Presidential Voting Trends for Sanford, Maine
Dem Rep
30%40%50%60%70%2000200420082012201620202024

Personal Sovereignty

Personal Sovereignty measures your capacity for self-reliance and independence with minimal government friction. Higher scores mean fewer barriers between you and the way you want to live... but it assumes you have the space you need and good neighbors.

Overall Sovereignty Grade
B
Self-Reliant

Viable for self-reliance. Generally workable, though some barriers may limit total independence.

State Policy

Tax Burden
F
Poor12.4% of income
Property Rights
D-
WeakIJ Grade D-
Firearm Rights
A-
GreatFPC Grade A-
Homeschooling
C+
WeakModerate regulation

Energy independence: Importer (30% of energy produced in-state)

Personal Liberty

Raw Milk
A+
Fully OpenRetail sales legal
Gambling Laws
A
Broadly OpenCasinos · Poker · Sportsbetting
Marijuana Laws
A+
Fully LegalRecreational

Homesteading

Growing Season195 days233 frost-free
Annual Rainfall49.4"
Elevation312 ft

Strategic Assessment

Strategic Assessment grades tactical survivability using Joel Skousen's Strategic Relocation framework. Major population centers, blast zones, natural disasters, and border exposure all drive risk — lower exposure means a more defensible position in a crisis.

Learn more about Strategic Relocation ($)
Overall Strategic Grade
D+
Vulnerable

Multiple tactical vulnerabilities. Population density, target proximity, or disaster risk are likely compounding. A retreat property and exit planning is required.

Strategic Pillars

City Proximity
D-
Poor251 mi to nearest major city
Pop. Density
B-
Fair462/sq mi
Fallout Danger
B+
Good5 within ~30 mi
Natural Disaster
F
PoorInland Flooding
Border / Coast
D
Poorborder 126 mi · coast 16 mi
FEMA Expected Loss$55.7M/yrfor the county

* Values derived from national, state, county, city and local statistics and may differ in a specific area. Last updated: 2026-04-19T06:21:20.000Z

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