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Top 10 Cities in Maine with the Lowest Unemployment Rates in 2026
If you’re feeling unfulfilled in your job but love your hometown, you may be on the lookout for new employment opportunities within your community. Understanding the job market strength in your area is crucial, especially as more individuals consider remote and hybrid work models. In this article, we explore the cities in Maine with the most favorable job markets, assessed by their unemployment rates.
Many residents are drawn to their locations by career opportunities, but if you’re contemplating a move to Maine or seeking a fresh start, knowing where the strongest job markets are can guide your decision-making process.
To determine the cities with the lowest unemployment, we utilized demographic data from the Census and applied a population threshold. After analyzing the data for all cities in the Pine Tree State, we identified the top contenders:
- Saco(Jobs)
- Presque Isle(Jobs)
- Brewer(Jobs)
- Biddeford(Jobs)
- Caribou(Jobs)
- Gardiner(Jobs)
- South Portland(Jobs)
- Rockland(Jobs)
- Bath(Jobs)
- Auburn(Jobs)
For employers seeking vibrant communities to relocate to, a robust employment rate is a significant indicator of local economic health. In this regard, Saco stands out as Maine’s city with the lowest unemployment rate.
Continue reading to discover how we identified the cities in Maine with the strongest job markets.
Additionally, for more insights on job opportunities in Maine, check out:
How We Determined the Cities in Maine with the Lowest Unemployment Rates
To identify Maine’s most employed cities, we focused on areas with a population exceeding 2,000 residents and accessible data for our analysis.
This approach narrowed our list to 21 cities across Maine.
We evaluated unemployment rates to highlight the cities with the lowest joblessness, sourcing our data from the latest American Community Survey conducted by the Census Bureau.
We believe that the unemployment rate reflects each city’s job market dynamics and the likelihood of finding employment, whether through intrastate, interstate, or intercity job transitions.
The cities were ranked from one to 21, with one representing the “most employed city in Maine.” In case of ties, preference was given to the larger city.
If your town doesn’t appear in the top ten, scroll to the end of the article for a comprehensive chart. Otherwise, learn more about how the leading cities achieved their employment success.
1. Saco
Population: 18,757
Unemployment Rate: 3.2%
Saco tops our list with an impressive unemployment rate of just 3.2%, showcasing a strong job market.
2. Presque Isle
Population: 9,494
Unemployment Rate: 5.2%
Presque Isle, with its unemployment rate of 5.2%, comes in at a solid second place, proving to be an attractive option for job seekers.
3. Brewer
Population: 9,391
Unemployment Rate: 5.2%
Brewer shares the second place unemployment rate of 5.2% and ranks third due to its slightly lower population.
4. Biddeford
Population: 21,303
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%
Biddeford ranks fourth, with a population of 21,303 and a promising unemployment rate of 5.6%, making it a strong contender for new residents.
5. Caribou
Population: 8,025
Unemployment Rate: 5.7%
Caribou claims the fifth spot with a population of 8,025 and an unemployment rate of 5.7%, reflecting a stable job market.
6. Gardiner
Population: 5,737
Unemployment Rate: 5.8%
Gardiner comes in at number six, with an unemployment rate of 5.8%, making it a viable option for job seekers.
7. South Portland
Population: 25,154
Unemployment Rate: 5.9%
South Portland holds the seventh position, boasting an unemployment rate of 5.9%, indicative of a vibrant job market.
8. Rockland
Population: 7,241
Unemployment Rate: 6.2%
Rockland ranks eighth, with its strong job market reflected in a 6.2% unemployment rate.
9. Bath
Population: 8,396
Unemployment Rate: 6.3%
Bath finishes at number nine, with an unemployment rate of 6.3% that suggests a healthy employment landscape.
10. Auburn
Population: 22,960
Unemployment Rate: 6.6%
Auburn rounds out the top ten with an unemployment rate of 6.6%, demonstrating that even the last entry on this list is a strong candidate for those seeking jobs.
Summary of Unemployment Across Maine
These are the ten cities with the lowest unemployment rates in Maine, backed by solid job numbers. If you’re considering a move to the Pine Tree State with the intention of finding a job after relocating, these cities represent the best opportunities.
For further information on various cities and states throughout the U.S., visit www.zippia.com for comprehensive career insights. If you’re a recent college graduate thinking about relocation, check out which states college grads tend to stay in and which they leave.
Here’s a brief look at places in Maine with the highest unemployment rates:
- Waterville
- Belfast
- Bangor
Detailed List of Cities with the Lowest Unemployment in Maine
| City | Rank | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|
| Saco | 1 | 3.2% |
| Presque Isle | 2 | 5.2% |
| Brewer | 3 | 5.2% |
| Biddeford | 4 | 5.6% |
| Caribou | 5 | 5.7% |
| Gardiner | 6 | 5.8% |
| South Portland | 7 | 5.9% |
| Rockland | 8 | 6.2% |
| Bath | 9 | 6.3% |
| Auburn | 10 | 6.6% |
| Portland | 11 | 6.7% |
| Hallowell | 12 | 7.5% |
| Westbrook | 13 | 7.6% |
| Augusta | 14 | 7.7% |
| Lewiston | 15 | 7.8% |
| Ellsworth | 16 | 7.9% |
| Calais | 17 | 7.9% |
| Old Town | 18 | 9.2% |
| Bangor | 19 | 9.3% |
| Belfast | 20 | 9.9% |
| Waterville | 21 | 13.2% |
Author
Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.
