Community Information

Welcome. The City of Bangor, in the heart of Maine, offers residents and visitors alike the best of both worlds: a friendly city that's filled with excitement, opportunity and activity, and a gateway to the natural beauty of this great state.

 Whether you're buying a home, selling your home or relocating to Bangor, the following information, resources and tools will help to guide your decision.

Community Reports

A quick and easy way to find useful information about your community, nearby schools and local businesses.

 

Having lived in the Greater Bangor community for over 20 years I am proud of everything our community has to offer.  This old lumber town is pack full of history, culture and exciting things to do as well as being a gateway to other wonderful Maine locations.

History:   Back in the 1850’s, Bangor was considered the lumber capital of the world, was one of the busiest ports on the East Coast, and was heavily engaged in shipbuilding and commerce. By the twentieth century, however, the shipbuilding industry had been transformed by the advent of the age of steam and steel, and Bangor’s sawmills and shipyards gave way to today’s dominant forest industry – pulp and paper.

Today, Bangor remains the commercial and social center of Northern, Central, and Eastern Maine. It has become the region’s largest center of retail and service businesses, and a center for government, education, and employment. Offering a widely diversified economy, Bangor has transcended its traditional roots in forest products and shipbuilding and today maintains its position as one of Maine’s major urban centers.

Centrally located in the banks of the mighty Penobscot River, the Bangor region is surrounded by some of the most spectacular destinations in America for camping, hiking, recreational boating and more. Acadia National Park on the coast and Baxter State Park in the North Woods are both only 90 minutes away. Enjoy a sunset on Cadillac Mountain overlooking Frenchmen’s Bay or hike to the top of Katahdin, Maine’s highest peak and the fabled end of the Appalachian Trail. Fish the Penobscot River or the many lakes and streams in the area. When winter rolls around, you couldn't be in a better place. Perfect destinations for cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, ice skating and even ice fishing are right in or near the city. Downhill skiers can find some of the best peaks in the Northeast just a short drive away.

The Greater Bangor region offers the liveliest arts scene in Maine. Whether your interests are classical music, great art, live theater, or country and western, you can find it in or near Bangor.

Downtown Bangor is the regional arts and cultural center with the University of Maine’s Museum of Art, the Bangor Museum and Center for History, the Maine Discovery Museum, New England’s second largest Children’s Museum, the Penobscot Theatre, and the Bangor Public Library all within walking distance. Galleries and art studios are located throughout downtown. An annual downtown highlight is a summer sidewalk art festival.