Living year-round in Old Orchard Beach
~9,000 year-round residents. Off-season is quiet, walkable, and tight-knit. Summer is the biggest revenue moment if you have rental income.
Year-round vs seasonal split
The 2020 census put OOB at 8,960 year-round residents. Peak summer brings the day-and-night population to roughly 75,000 between renters, second-home owners, and day visitors. The town is built for the swing, the year-round footprint is small and walkable; the summer footprint is loud and commercial.
What's open year-round
- Edith Belle Libby Memorial Library, Town Hall, all three RSU 23 schools.
- Hannaford in Saco (5 min), Brunswick Restaurant, Beach Bagels, Joseph's by the Sea.
- Police, Fire, and EMS, full-time year-round force.
- Dunegrass Golf Club with indoor simulators, Eastern Trail, Memorial Park.
What's seasonal
- Pier businesses: Memorial Day to Labor Day.
- Palace Playland and most beach motels.
- Amtrak Downeaster OOB stop: roughly May 18 to mid-October.
- Lifeguards on the public beach: late June to mid-August.
Year-round costs
- Heating: $2,000 to $4,000 depending on fuel and home size.
- Electricity: $1,200 to $2,400.
- Water and sewer: $400 to $800.
- Homeowners insurance: $1,800 to $3,200.
- Flood insurance (if in a SFHA): $700 to $2,500. See flood zones.
For population and household data, see the U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts for Old Orchard Beach.
Why people stay full-time
Effective property tax rate of 1.22% is below the Maine median. The Amtrak Downeaster connects OOB to Boston without a car. Town services, library, schools, police, fire, actually exist year-round. And the off-season community is genuine: people know each other.
Why some don't
Maine winter is real, January and February are dark and cold. Summer downtown is chaotic if you live near the Pier. And the rental income temptation is real: many would-be primary residents end up converting to summer rentals because the math is too good to ignore.
Compiled from Town of Old Orchard Beach, RSU 23, FEMA, Maine Revenue Service, US Census, MLS, and field interviews. Deemed reliable but not guaranteed; verify before any transaction.