How Rural Is Maine? More Than You Might Think

It’s always surreal to look at a map of Maine. It’s astonishing to see how much of the state remains incredibly remote.

I’ve lived in the Portland suburbs my entire life and have watched the area continually expand. It’s no bustling metropolis, but it sure isn’t rural either. Sure, there are pockets of farmland and undeveloped land, but there’s also new construction as far as the eye can see.

Maine Is a Wonderfully State for Those Looking for Quiet and Remote Living

Still, Greater Portland, Lewiston/Auburn, Bangor, and other populous areas make up just a small slice of Maine’s pie. The majority of the state is basically just pine trees and wildlife. I mean, we still have territories named T2R9, you’re not going to find that in every state.

Maine is still a very rural place. From acres of farmland to small communities where everyone knows your name, the state has managed to maintain its roots over the decades.

How Rural is Maine Compared to the Rest of the Country?

So, just how rural is Maine? According to World Population Review, it’s very rural. In fact, the site claims Maine is the second most rural state, only trailing Vermont. World Population Review based its findings on metrics from the U.S. Census. You can read more about the methodology here.

The rankings weren’t based on remote land area (otherwise Alaska would dominate), but rather on the number of citizens living outside major population centers. Since Maine has very few major cities, it’s easy to see why the state ranks so high in rurality.

The rest of the top five is not surprising: West Virginia, Mississippi, and Montana are all states you’d expect to see on the list. Though personally, I would’ve expected Wyoming and the Dakotas to be strong contenders as well.

READ MORE: When to Visit Maine’s Acadia National Park for Best Experience

And the least rural state? That title goes to California. While the state does have vast remote areas, the majority of its population lives in and around major metropolitan regions.

You can view the full map here.