Camden

Camden is known as “where the mountains meet the sea.”

Welcome to Camden

Is Camden, Maine a Good Place to Live?

Nestled along the rugged western shore of Penobscot Bay, Camden is “where the mountains meet the sea.” Camden is a picturesque town that exudes classic Maine charm and captivates visitors with its natural beauty. Its quaint downtown and harbor, bustling summer scene, and abundant outdoor activities make it an ideal destination for travelers of all stripes as well as people looking to move to a quiet, scenic place with a strong community feel.

Fun Fact: Camden boasts the only ocean-view ski mountain on the East Coast - the Camden Snow Bowl.

Camden, Maine Real Estate

Camden's picturesque harbor and village, as well as its strong sense of community, excellent schools, and proximity to nature, make it a sought-after location for both primary residences and vacation homes.

Real estate is more expensive in Camden than most of the MidCoast, but there are a number of neighborhoods offering reasonably priced houses. For those looking for higher-end properties, there are stunning ocean and lakefront estates, as well as mountainous terrain offering exceptional viewscapes.

Read more about Camden, Maine Neighborhoods.

Camden, Maine School Quality

The public schools in Camden, Maine are excellent. Niche gives them a rating of A, while U.S. News and World Report gives Camden Hills Regional High School the sixth highest marks amongst high schools in Maine.

Things to do in Camden, Maine

Camden Maine’s Best Hikes

Camden Hills State Park offers a treasure trove of hiking trails suitable for all levels of outdoor enthusiasts. Mount Battie Trail rewards hikers with breathtaking panoramic views of the sparkling Atlantic Ocean and the charming town below. The Megunticook Trail, winding through lush forests, is another favorite among hikers seeking a challenging ascent to the summit of Mount Megunticook. My own personal favorite is the quick Maiden’s Cliff trail, the summit of which overlooks Megunticook Lake.

Sailing in Camden, Maine

With its stunning harbor, Camden is renowned as a sailing and boating paradise. Those looking for a day sail or adventure should check out the beautiful Schooner Appledore for day and sunset sails, or Camden Harbor Cruises for an educational tour of the surrounding coast aboard a traditional lobster boat. For the more adventurous looking for a multi-day adventure, I’d recommend Windjammer Angelique which offers 3, 4, and 6 day/night cruises.

For sailors looking to moor or dock their vessel in Camden, I would recommend Lyman Morse Marina. The Camden Yacht Club is a great resource for residents looking to join the sailing community in Camden.

Arts and Culture

Camden boasts a thriving artist community, with galleries, boutiques, and studios showcasing the works of talented local artists. Check out Page Gallery to see the work of two of my personal favorite local artists, Jessica Lee Ives and Simon van der Ven.

The Camden Opera House, a historic venue, hosts a variety of concerts, plays, and other performances and events throughout the year, catering to a variety of tastes.

Sights and Places to Visit

The Camden Public Library sits at the top of Main St. overlooking extensive grounds and the Camden Amphitheatre, together designated a National Historic Landmark. Across the street, Olmstead Brothers designed Harbor Park offers a peaceful respite from the bustle of town and lovely views of the harbor.

Curtis Island is a small island designated as a public park at the mouth of Camden Harbor, featuring the picturesque Curtis Island Lighthouse.

Gorgeous Megunticook Lake is a popular destination for swimmers and boaters alike. A peninsula in the lake is home to Fernald’s Neck Preserve, with 285 acres of wooded walking trails. Nearby Hodson Reserve and Rheault Trail feature a lovely wooded trail that ascends up to a stunning blueberry barren.

Food

If you’ve read anything about Camden’s food scene, you’ve already heard about Long Grain, a Thai/pan-Asian restaurant. It lives up to the hype! Other great spots include Zoot Coffee for a morning perk up, 40 Paper for an eclectic upscale dinner menu, and Barren’s Distillery and Restaurant for a casual meal with unbeatable scenery. And don’t forget the Camden Cone for dessert!

Camden, Maine Events

Camden International Film Festival

Film enthusiasts shouldn't miss the Camden International Film Festival, one of the most highly regarded documentary film festivals in the US. This annual event celebrates the art of non-fiction filmmaking, drawing documentary enthusiasts and filmmakers from far and wide.

Camden Conference

The mission of this annual conference is to foster “informed discourse on world issues.” With a new topic each year, the Camden Conference brings together renowned speakers and thought leaders to take participants on deep dives into pertinent issues.

U.S. National Toboggan Championships

If you have a need for speed and a desire to hurtle uncontrollably down an ice luge while in costume, then this tongue-in-cheek “championship” hosted at the Snow Bowl every February is calling your name.

Overview for Camden, ME

3,713 people live in Camden, where the median age is 49.3 and the average individual income is $45,446. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

3,713

Total Population

49.3 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$45,446

Average individual Income

Around Camden, ME

There's plenty to do around Camden, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

71

Very Walkable

Walking Score

45

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including RAYR - The Wine Shop, Rosalie Joy's Bakery, and Uncle Willy's Candy Shoppe.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the RAYR - The Wine Shop page on Yelp Search 67 Pascal Ave on Google Maps	Dining · $$	2.09 miles	10 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Rosalie Joy's Bakery page on Yelp Search 35 Limerock St on Google Maps	Dining	0.72 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Uncle Willy's Candy Shoppe page on Yelp Search 57 Bay View St on Google Maps	Dining · $$	0.44 miles	22 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the The Red Barn Marketplace page on Yelp Search 2060 Atlantic Hwy on Google Maps	Dining · $$	3.47 miles	18 reviews	4.9/5 stars
Visit the Freya’s Ice Cream page on Yelp Search 7 Main St on Google Maps	Dining	1.81 miles	17 reviews	4.9/5 stars
Visit the Aster & Rose Restaurant at The Youngtown Inn page on Yelp Search 581 Youngtown Rd on Google Maps	Dining · $$$	4.14 miles	40 reviews	4.8/5 stars
Visit the Rockport Lobster page on Yelp Search 175 Park St on Google Maps	Dining	2.27 miles	4 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Mosaic page on Yelp Search 31 Elm St on Google Maps	Dining	0.3 miles	24 reviews	4.8/5 stars
Visit the Ducktrap Kayak page on Yelp Search 2175 Atlantic Hwy on Google Maps	Active	4.01 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Equinox Guiding Service page on Yelp	Active	0.21 miles	11 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Ten Mile Guide Service page on Yelp Search 15 Red Oak Dr on Google Maps	Active	3.76 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Beech Hill Preserve page on Yelp Search 316 Beech Hill Rd on Google Maps	Active	3.59 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Sail Camden page on Yelp Search 1 Public Lndg on Google Maps	Active	0.5 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Schooner Olad page on Yelp Search 1 Bayview Lndg on Google Maps	Active	0.33 miles	95 reviews	4.9/5 stars
Visit the Schooner Lewis R French page on Yelp Search Atlantic Ave on Google Maps	Active	0.25 miles	18 reviews	4.9/5 stars
Visit the Camden Harbor Cruises page on Yelp Search Public Lndg on Google Maps	Active	0.33 miles	21 reviews	4.9/5 stars
Visit the Oakland Park Bowling Lanes page on Yelp Search 714 Commercial St on Google Maps	Active	4.19 miles	10 reviews	4.8/5 stars
Visit the Schooner Lazy Jack II page on Yelp Search 15 Public Lndg on Google Maps	Active	0.33 miles	19 reviews	4.8/5 stars
Visit the CJ Strength & Conditioning page on Yelp Search 321 Commercial St on Google Maps	Active	2.43 miles	4 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Schooner Surprise page on Yelp Search 1 Bay View St on Google Maps	Active	0.33 miles	54 reviews	4.7/5 stars
Visit the Glendarragh Lavender page on Yelp Search 22 Main St on Google Maps	Beauty	0.24 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Chasse Permanent Makeup page on Yelp Search 823 Commercial St on Google Maps	Beauty	4.66 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Camden, ME

Population Households Employment

Camden has 1,685 households, with an average household size of 2.17. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Camden do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 3,713 people call Camden home. The population density is 986.32 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

3,713

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

49.3

Median Age

48.1 / 51.9%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

1,685

Total Households

2.17

Average Household Size

$45,446

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Schools in Camden, ME

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Camden. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name