Machias has been named the poorest town in Maine with the lowest median household income and the highest poverty rate as of 2025.
Income and Poverty Statistics
Machias has a median household income of just $25,278, while the poverty rate in the town stands at 36.3%—both figures significantly below the state averages for Maine. These data make Machias the town most often cited as the poorest in various recent reports.
Comparison With Other Towns
Reports also mention several other Maine towns with high poverty rates and low incomes, such as Waterville, Augusta, and Old Town, but none match Machias in terms of combined low income and high poverty rate.
Factors and Context
The designation of “poorest town” often relies primarily on household income and poverty rate data, though these measures don’t capture every aspect of community well-being. Several Maine towns are actively pursuing redevelopment and support programs to address economic challenges and improve residents’ quality of life.
- Machias is most frequently referenced as the poorest town based on 2025 data, with clear income and poverty disadvantages relative to other Maine towns.
Sources
(https://92moose.fm/is-this-maines-poorest-town/)
(https://247wallst.com/income/2025/01/17/the-poorest-town-in-every-state-in-america/)
(https://www.roadsnacks.net/poorest-places-in-maine/)
(https://www.homestratosphere.com/worst-towns-for-retirement-in-maine-2025/)
(https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Maine_locations_by_per_capita_income)
