Real Estate Investing in Hampden, Maine (04444)

Penobscot County • Population: 9,322 • Data updated: June 2026

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Should you buy in 04444 (Hampden, ME)? Our answer, based on the numbers below.

🏠 For Homebuyers
GOOD FIT
Grade B (76/100)

Solid choice — values are growing steadily and the market is stable enough to buy with confidence.

📈 For Investors
MIXED
3.0 / 5 (47/100)

A middle-of-the-road market. Workable, but the best opportunities may be nearby ZIPs rather than this one.

⚠️ Risks to Know
CLEAN

No major risk flags on the data we track.

What’s happening in Hampden, ME (04444)?

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3.0/ 5

Investability

Overall investment appeal

3.0/ 5

Appreciation

Long-term value growth

3.0/ 5

Cashflow ROI

Rental yield potential

Avg Home Value $354,924
Avg Monthly Rent $1,204
1% Rule ✗ Does Not Meet
Median Income $94,018
% Renters 14.3%

Market Analysis: 04444 Hampden

This part of Penobscot County is not an easy win. The 04444 ZIP registers softness in key indicators, and the playbook that works in cleaner markets often stalls here.

Rent of $1,204/mo on a $355K basis reads well until vacancy, delinquency, and capex enter the model. The honest cap rate in 04444 sits below the stated 0.0% once reality is priced in.

ZIP 04444's metrics run below Penobscot County's averages on price growth and tenant stability. Investors who ignore that regional gap tend to relearn it the hard way.

Employment concentration in 04444 leans toward sectors with higher volatility. The demographic consequence is income fluctuation that investors need to factor into their pro forma.

The right play in 04444 usually involves deep tenant screening, aggressive delinquency response, and a conservative capex buffer. Anything less, and the discount can turn into a trap.

Explore the Data — Click a Tab Below
🏦 Current 30-yr Fixed Mortgage Rate: 6.49% as of Jun 25 Source: Freddie Mac PMMS

Here's what matters if you're considering buying a home in Hampden:

B Good
Buy Confidence Score: 72/100
Affordability
15/25
Appreciation
25/25
Stability
9/20
Timing
8/15
Rental backup
15/15
Affordability
Moderate
Homes cost 3.8× the median income
Value Trend
Rising (+4.2%)
How home values changed in the past year
Rental Backup
Strong
Could rent for $1,204/mo if you need to move
Market Conditions
BALANCED
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
Bottom Line: Mixed signals in this market. Research specific properties carefully and be prepared to negotiate.
⚖️
BALANCED MARKET
Bangor, ME Metro Area
Even conditions for buyers and sellers
49 days
Average time to sell
Average
9.6%
Listings with price cuts
Few Cuts
0.0%
Sale price vs asking
Below Ask
0.0%
Income needed for mortgage
Affordable
📅 Market conditions as of June 20, 2026 — updated weekly from Bangor, ME metro data
🏠

Property Strategy for 04444

Which property type performs best in this market?

Best for Cash Flow
2BR
4.4% cap rate
Best for Appreciation
4BR
+9.6% 5yr CAGR
Best Overall Value
5BR
$102,373/bedroom
📊 Compare All Property Types →
Type Median Value Est. Rent Cap Rate 5yr CAGR $/Bedroom
2BR $255,233 $1,570 4.4% +9.5% $127,617
3BR $332,982 $2,020 4.4% +9.4% $110,994
4BR $439,320 $2,190 3.6% +9.6% $109,830
5BR $511,865 +9.1% $102,373

Market Trends

Home Value History (with trend line)

$371K$324K$278K$231K$185K$139KFeb 2006Apr 2016May 2026

Rent History (with trend line)

No data available

📊 How Does 04444 Compare?

Metric 04444 Hampden Bangor, ME Maine
Home Value $354,924 $354,924 N/A $401,109
5-Year CAGR 7.8% 7.8% N/A 8.6%
Avg Rent $1,204 $1,204 N/A -
Cap Rate 2.7% 2.7% - -
💡 Why Invest in 04444? Click to expand

With a 3/5 investability rating, this ZIP shows solid fundamentals for buy-and-hold investors.

📊 See where this ZIP ranks in our Best-of lists →
A great house in the wrong ZIP is still a bad deal — screen every market by cash flow & cap rate.
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Landlord Ground Truth

Real numbers from people who own or manage rentals in ZIP 04444 (Hampden, ME). Anonymous, moderated, never written by AI.

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Investability
Good
Cap Rate
2.7%
Low
5yr Growth
+7.8%
Strong

📉 Market Crash Risk Index

Based on Bangor, ME metro

3/10
Moderate Risk
Price YoY
0/3
N/A
Rent YoY
0/2
N/A
Below List
2/3
65%
Days Pending
1/2
49 days

View all metro crash risk rankings →

📊 Market Snapshot

Home Value $354,924
Monthly Rent $1,204
Price-to-Rent 24.6:1
1% Rule ✗ Fails

💰 Return Metrics

Gross Yield 4.1%
Cap Rate 2.7%
5-Year IRR 10.4%

📈 Home Appreciation

1-Year +4.2% ▲
3-Year CAGR +5.2% ▲
5-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲
10-Year CAGR +7.8% ▲

🏠 Rent Trends

1-Year N/A
3-Year CAGR N/A
5-Year CAGR N/A
Negative Leverage — IRR / Tax Play Cap Rate: 2.7%  |  30yr Rate: 6.5%
Leverage reduces cash returns at current rates.

The current 30-yr mortgage rate (6.5%) exceeds the estimated cap rate (2.7%). Financing reduces your cash-on-cash return below the cap rate. Markets like this may still make sense as IRR plays — factoring in appreciation, depreciation, and a future refinance when rates drop.

Run an IRR Analysis →

⚠️ Risk Signals

Composite view of factors that can impact a ZIP's stability and your downside risk.

Vacancy
6.1%
Low risk
Landlord Climate
4.0/5
Friendly
Value Trend (5yr)
+7.8%
Growing
Eviction process: Fast Rent control: Moderate

Demographics in 04444

Population: 9,322

💰 Median Household Income
$94,018
This area
$94,018
State
$66,371
USA
$74,580
🏠 Renter Occupied
14.3%
This area
14.3%
State
17.6%
USA
34.0%
💼 Unemployment Rate
2.0%
This area
2.0%
State
-23.6%
USA
3.7%
🎓 College Educated
42.7%
This area
42.7%
State
3.6%
USA
33.7%
👤 Median Age
42.2 years
This area
42.2 years
State
19.6 years
USA
38.9 years
🏚️ Vacancy Rate
6.1%
This area
6.1%
State
32.3%
USA
10.5%
👥 Population by Ethnicity
White 92.7%
Other/Mixed 6.8%
Hispanic/Latino 5.2%
Black/African American 0.5%
👶 Under 18
25.0%
This area
25.0%
USA
22.0%
👴 65 and Over
18.4%
This area
18.4%
USA
17.3%
📊 Poverty Rate
3.9%
This area
3.9%
USA
11.5%

Crime & Safety

🚧

Crime & Safety Data Coming Soon

We're integrating comprehensive crime statistics including violent crime rates, property crime, and safety scores to help you make informed investment decisions.

Expected: Q1 2025

🎓 Schools in 04444

B+ Avg School Grade
5 Schools
14.3:1 Avg Class Size
$15,560 Avg Per Pupil

Schools in This ZIP Code

A Very Good

Hampden Academy

📚 09 – 12 High School
👥
761 Students
👨‍🏫
14.6:1 Class Size
💰
$15,560 Per Student
A Very Good

Reeds Brook Middle School

📚 06 – 08 Middle
👥
335 Students
👨‍🏫
13.9:1 Class Size
💰
$15,560 Per Student
B+ Above Average

Earl C McGraw School

📚 K – 02 Elementary
👥
286 Students
👨‍🏫
13.2:1 Class Size
💰
$15,560 Per Student
B+ Above Average

George B Weatherbee School

📚 03 – 05 Elementary
👥
267 Students
👨‍🏫
13.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,560 Per Student
B Good

Newburgh Elementary School

📚 Grade PK Elementary
👥
51 Students
👨‍🏫
17.0:1 Class Size
💰
$15,560 Per Student
About Repit School Scores

Traditional school ratings rely heavily on standardized test scores, which often reflect family income more than school quality. Repit takes a different approach.

We evaluate schools based on factors that research shows actually impact educational outcomes:

  • Class Size — Smaller classes mean more individual attention
  • School Funding — Resources available for programs, staff, and facilities
  • Community Factors — Neighborhood characteristics that influence student success
  • School Environment — Size, type, and structure

Scores are updated annually using federal education data.

🎓 Nearby Colleges & Universities

3 Nearby 723 Off-Campus Students
D
Beal University
520 students · 8.9 mi
C
Husson University
3,133 students · 10.4 mi
C
Eastern Maine Community College
2,531 students · 12.1 mi

Investor Insight: With 723 students living off-campus nearby, this area has strong rental demand from the college population.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are tenants stable in Hampden, ME?

Hampden, ME draws a measured base of working renters. Demand at the $1,204/mo rent level is reasonable for standard single-family and small multi rentals.

Are landlord laws favorable in Hampden, ME?

Rental owners in Hampden, ME deal with a landlord-friendly legal framework. Most standard eviction processes run on reasonable timelines.

What are home prices like in Hampden, ME?

The median home value in Hampden, ME is roughly $355K. That puts it reasonable relative to the ME statewide average.

Can I house hack in Hampden, ME?

Hampden, ME offers a challenging house-hacking opportunity. Small multifamily or rent-by-the-room plays can pair well with the $1,204/mo rent level.

How strong is Hampden, ME for real estate investors?

Hampden, ME scores 3.0/5 for investability. Home values sit at $355K and rents near $1,204/mo, which keeps the rent-to-price ratio in reasonable territory for buy-and-hold investors.

See what 04444 really looks like for investors

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