Counties with the shortest life expectancy in Maine
Life expectancy can be affected by a variety of factors. About 25% of your lifespan is determined by genetics, according to the National Library of Medicine. Health and wellness habits—like following a balanced, nutrient-rich diet; not smoking; drinking minimal alcohol; maintaining a healthy weight; and staying physically active—can add more than a decade to your life, research from the National Institutes of Health shows. While these factors are significant, another important element that you might not have considered is your environment and community.
While life expectancy generally increases annually in the United States—jumping from about 70.8 years old to 77.5 between 1970 and 2022, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention—this particular metric can vary from state to state or even county to county. In some parts of the country, the average lifespan is getting shorter based on a variety of risk factors on top of health, including socioeconomic factors like poverty, unemployment, income, and education.
According to a 2020 study from researchers at Penn State, West Virginia, and Michigan State Universities, communities with a higher population density, more fast food restaurants, and a high number of extraction industry-based jobs tend to have shorter life expectancies.
To find out how life expectancy varies within Maine, Stacker used 2024 County Health Rankings & Roadmaps from the University of Wisconsin Population Health Institute to identify the counties with the shortest life expectancy. Life expectancy measures the average number of years from birth a person can expect to live and is calculated based on the number of deaths in a given time period and the average number of people at risk of dying during that period. Counties with unreliable or insufficient data were excluded from the analysis. Mortality data came from the National Vital Statistics System.
Read on to see if your county is on the list.
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#8. Kennebec County
– Life expectancy: 76.8 years
— 1.0 years lower than the state average
About
Kennebec County offers a rich mix of history, civic tradition, and natural beauty, with rivers, forests, and classic New England towns shaping its identity. The region balances government, education, and small-town charm, fostering a strong sense of community and public service. Its heritage is reflected in architecture, local institutions, and long-standing traditions.
Residents enjoy outdoor recreation, local markets, and cultural events that highlight both history and seasonal life. The area supports a steady, grounded lifestyle with deep ties to place and community. Kennebec County represents a thoughtful blend of legacy, nature, and enduring New England character.
Where is Kennebec County?
Kennebec County is located in central Maine, stretching along the Kennebec River and positioned inland from the Atlantic coast. It is approximately 55 miles northeast of Portland and 90 miles southwest of Bangor. The county spans about 35 miles from north to south and 30 miles from east to west.
Augusta, the county seat and state capital, is around 35 miles west of Rockland and 20 miles southeast of Waterville. Hallowell, a nearby historic town, is located just 2 miles south of Augusta. Kennebec County is known for its government institutions, riverside towns, and access to lakes and forested landscapes.
#7. Oxford County
– Life expectancy: 76.7 years
— 1.1 years lower than the state average
About
Oxford County is defined by its mountainous landscapes, forested beauty, and a lifestyle rooted in tradition and outdoor living. The region reflects a strong sense of independence, with communities built on logging, farming, and deep local pride. Its towns carry a rustic charm where nature and heritage shape the everyday pace.
Residents enjoy year-round recreation, from skiing and hiking to fairs and seasonal festivals that bring neighbors together. Life here emphasizes self-reliance, family ties, and appreciation for the land. Oxford County embodies the spirit of rural Maine—resilient, welcoming, and naturally grounded.
Where is Oxford County?
Oxford County is located in western Maine, bordering New Hampshire to the west and lying within the foothills of the White Mountains. It is approximately 60 miles northwest of Portland and 75 miles southwest of Augusta. The county spans about 70 miles from north to south and 50 miles from east to west.
South Paris, one of its key towns, is around 25 miles west of Lewiston and 45 miles northeast of North Conway, New Hampshire. Rumford, another major town, is about 30 miles north of South Paris. Oxford County is known for its mountains, lakes, outdoor recreation, and rural New England charm.
#6. Aroostook County
– Life expectancy: 76.6 years
— 1.2 years lower than the state average
About
Aroostook County is known for its vast open landscapes, agricultural strength, and a deep-rooted sense of community and heritage. The region thrives on potato farming, forestry, and generations of hardworking families who value tradition and resilience. Its small towns and rural charm reflect a lifestyle grounded in self-reliance and pride.
Residents embrace a slower, purposeful pace of life enriched by seasonal rhythms and strong neighborly ties. Outdoor recreation, local festivals, and cultural traditions strengthen the sense of belonging. Aroostook County represents the heart of rural Maine—steadfast, humble, and deeply connected to land and legacy.
Where is Aroostook County?
Aroostook County is located in northern Maine, forming the largest county in the state and bordering Canada to the north and east. It is approximately 160 miles north of Bangor and 290 miles northeast of Portland. The county spans about 170 miles from north to south and 90 miles from east to west.
Presque Isle, one of its major cities, is around 40 miles southeast of Fort Kent and 30 miles northwest of Houlton. Caribou, another key city, is located about 10 miles northeast of Presque Isle. Aroostook County is known for its vast forests, potato farming, and close cultural and economic ties with neighboring Canadian provinces.
#5. Penobscot County
– Life expectancy: 76.1 years
— 1.7 years lower than the state average
About
Penobscot County blends historic character, natural beauty, and a strong connection to education, culture, and commerce. The region features a mix of forested landscapes, lively towns, and a spirit of innovation rooted in deep local pride. Its communities balance progress with tradition, fostering a welcoming and engaged way of life.
Residents enjoy access to rivers, trails, arts venues, and seasonal festivals that bring people together. A sense of resilience, creativity, and shared heritage shapes the area’s identity. Penobscot County reflects a vibrant, grounded lifestyle where nature, knowledge, and community thrive side by side.
Where is Penobscot County?
Penobscot County is located in central and east-central Maine, stretching from the edge of the coast inland toward the state’s northern wilderness. It is approximately 130 miles northeast of Portland and 75 miles north of Augusta. The county spans about 90 miles from north to south and 60 miles from east to west.
Bangor, the county seat and largest city, is around 60 miles northeast of Waterville and 55 miles west of Calais. Millinocket, in the northern part of the county, is about 70 miles north of Bangor. Penobscot County is known for its forests, rivers, and access to outdoor recreation including nearby Baxter State Park and Mount Katahdin.
#4. Piscataquis County
– Life expectancy: 76.0 years
— 1.8 years lower than the state average
About
Piscataquis County is characterized by its rugged wilderness, quiet towns, and a deep connection to nature and tradition. The region reflects a lifestyle centered around forestry, outdoor recreation, and a strong sense of self-sufficiency. Its wide-open spaces and peaceful pace attract those who value solitude and natural beauty.
Residents embrace a way of life grounded in simplicity, neighborly support, and seasonal rhythms. Hiking, hunting, and community gatherings shape the fabric of daily experience. Piscataquis County represents Maine’s untamed heart—resilient, remote, and rich in natural heritage.
Where is Piscataquis County?
Piscataquis County is located in central Maine and is the state’s second-largest county by area but one of the least populated. It is approximately 110 miles north of Augusta and 60 miles northwest of Bangor. The county spans about 90 miles from north to south and 60 miles from east to west.
Dover-Foxcroft, the county seat, is around 35 miles northwest of Bangor and 65 miles northeast of Skowhegan. Greenville, near Moosehead Lake, is located about 30 miles north of Dover-Foxcroft. Piscataquis County is known for its forests, lakes, and remote wilderness, including access to the Appalachian Trail and Maine’s North Woods.
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#3. Androscoggin County
– Life expectancy: 75.5 years
— 2.3 years lower than the state average
About
Androscoggin County blends industrial heritage, cultural diversity, and a strong sense of renewal shaped by its working-class roots. The region features revitalized downtowns, historic mill buildings, and vibrant neighborhoods that reflect both resilience and growth. Education, the arts, and entrepreneurship play a growing role in its evolving identity.
Residents enjoy local festivals, green spaces, and a community spirit that values inclusion and progress. The area balances tradition with innovation, fostering connection across generations. Androscoggin County represents a dynamic, forward-moving lifestyle grounded in history, hard work, and community pride.
Where is Androscoggin County?
Androscoggin County is located in south-central Maine, within the interior section of the state. It is approximately 35 miles north of Portland and 30 miles southwest of Augusta. The county spans about 25 miles from north to south and 30 miles from east to west.
Lewiston, the county seat and largest city, is around 20 miles west of Augusta and 20 miles east of Norway. Auburn, directly across the river from Lewiston, lies just 1 mile away. Androscoggin County is known for its mill history, central location, and mix of urban, suburban, and rural communities.
#2. Somerset County
– Life expectancy: 75.3 years
— 2.5 years lower than the state average
About
Somerset County is known for its scenic rivers, forested landscapes, and a heritage rooted in logging, farming, and outdoor tradition. The region reflects a quiet strength, where small towns and rural communities thrive on hard work and neighborly bonds. Its natural beauty and slower pace support a grounded and resilient way of life.
Residents enjoy year-round recreation, seasonal fairs, and a strong sense of local identity built on generations of shared experience. Community ties and a connection to the land shape everyday rhythms. Somerset County embodies the spirit of rural Maine—steady, resourceful, and deeply connected to place.
Where is Somerset County?
Somerset County is located in west-central Maine, stretching north to the Canadian border and west to the New Hampshire state line. It is approximately 70 miles north of Augusta and 90 miles northwest of Bangor. The county spans about 100 miles from north to south and 60 miles from east to west.
Skowhegan, the county seat, is around 25 miles northwest of Waterville and 45 miles northeast of Farmington. Jackman, near the northern border, is located about 70 miles north of Skowhegan. Somerset County is known for its forests, rivers, and outdoor recreation, including access to the Kennebec River and Moosehead Lake region.
#1. Washington County
– Life expectancy: 74.3 years
— 3.5 years lower than the state average
About
Washington County offers a rugged coastal charm, rich cultural heritage, and a lifestyle deeply tied to the rhythms of land and sea. The region is shaped by fishing, blueberry farming, and generations of families rooted in resilience and tradition. Its quiet towns and wild beauty reflect a deep connection to nature and history.
Residents value hard work, independence, and the strength of close-knit communities. Seasonal harvests, coastal festivals, and scenic landscapes define everyday life. Washington County represents the enduring spirit of Down East Maine—authentic, hardworking, and closely tied to its natural surroundings.
Where is Washington County?
Washington County is located in the easternmost part of Maine, bordering Canada and the Atlantic Ocean. It is approximately 100 miles east of Bangor and 180 miles northeast of Portland. The county spans about 80 miles from north to south and 70 miles from east to west.
Machias, the county seat, is around 40 miles east of Ellsworth and 70 miles southeast of Calais, which lies along the Canadian border. Eastport, one of its coastal towns, is about 50 miles northeast of Machias. Washington County is known for its rugged coastline, blueberry barrens, and early sunrise views as the first place in the U.S. to see daylight.
This story features data reporting by Karim Noorani, writing by Kiersten Hickman, and is part of a series utilizing data automation across 49 states.
By Stacker
