USDA eligibility map: Maine
About 99.4% of Maine's area is in USDA-eligible rural areas, by HeritageDeed's estimate from USDA Rural Development's published eligibility map, the 7th highest share among the 50 states, DC and Puerto Rico. 13 of 16 counties have no ineligible area at all. 6 Census places in Maine lie mostly inside ineligible areas, including Auburn city, Portland city and Bangor city.
Check a Maine address
USDA eligible area by county
The share of each county's area that is USDA eligible, and the places (cities, towns and census-designated places) at least half inside ineligible areas. These are estimates; check any single property with the lookup.
| county | Area eligible | Mostly ineligible places |
|---|---|---|
| Androscoggin County | 79.6% | Auburn city, Lewiston city |
| Aroostook County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Cumberland County | 94.2% | Portland city, Westbrook city, South Portland city |
| Franklin County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Hancock County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Kennebec County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Knox County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Lincoln County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Oxford County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Penobscot County | 99.0% | Bangor city |
| Piscataquis County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Sagadahoc County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Somerset County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Waldo County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| Washington County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
| York County | 100% | None: the whole county is eligible |
How USDA decides what is rural
The rural-area definition is section 520 of the Housing Act of 1949 (42 U.S.C. 1490): open country and places not part of or associated with an urban area with up to 2,500 people, up to 10,000 if rural in character, or up to 20,000 outside a metropolitan statistical area with a serious lack of mortgage credit for lower and moderate-income families. Areas that lost rural status in the 1990 to 2020 censuses stay rural until 2030 census data arrive if they have 10,000 to 35,000 people and meet the same conditions. Income is a separate test, applied to the household by the lender and USDA.
For other address-level designations in Maine, the free census tract lookup shows the income level and QCT and DDA status, and Maine has 32 designated Opportunity Zone tracts (Opportunity Zone lookup).
Questions
Is Maine eligible for USDA loans?
Much of it is. About 99.4% of the state's area is outside USDA's ineligible areas (191 of about 32,699 square miles are ineligible). 13 counties are entirely eligible. Most people live in the larger towns, which are often ineligible, so check the specific address.
Which Maine counties have the least USDA eligible area?
Androscoggin County (79.6% eligible), Cumberland County (94.2% eligible), Penobscot County (99.0% eligible). The share is of land area, by HeritageDeed's estimate from USDA's map; eligibility is decided for each property.
Which Maine towns are not eligible for USDA loans?
Places USDA's map shows as mostly inside an ineligible area include Auburn city, Portland city and Bangor city. The county table on this page lists every place that is mostly ineligible. Edges matter: part of a town, or land just outside it, can be on the other side of the line, so check the address.
How do I check a Maine address for USDA eligibility?
Enter the street address in the lookup on this page. It locates the address and checks it against USDA's published rural eligibility map. It is a screening: Rural Development makes the final determination on a complete application, and household income is a separate test (USDA's income eligibility tool).
When was the USDA eligibility map for Maine last updated?
The ineligible areas on USDA's map for Maine carry an effective date of July 25, 2023. USDA updates the map from ineligible-area changes sent in by its state offices. The statute keeps formerly rural areas of 10,000 to 35,000 people rural until data from the 2030 census arrive, if they still meet its conditions.
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Legal references
- 42 U.S.C. 1490, definition of rural area (Housing Act of 1949, section 520)
Areas are computed by HeritageDeed: estimates, not USDA figures. USDA's map is not a final determination; Rural Development decides on a complete application. HeritageDeed is not affiliated with USDA.
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