Why is Maine a poor state? (Lewiston, Bangor: camps, median income, tax)

[sfw1979]

I keep being told that Maine is a poor state, is this true? I just moved here a few months ago ( we are military) and had never been here before. We like it, it's nice but wondering why everyone says is a poor state?

[Elcarim]

It all depends on your definition of "wealth"....

[DavidoftheNorth]

Originally Posted by sfw1979

I keep being told that Maine is a poor state, is this true? I just moved here a few months ago ( we are military) and had never been here before. We like it, it's nice but wondering why everyone says is a poor state?

Maine is considered a poor state by some because we have had trouble establishing a sustainable economy. Pulp and paper, the backbone of the economy for the last 100 years or so appears to be deconstructing and in its wake is leaving uncertainty and anxiety. We don't have a replacement for it yet. In the meantime, Maine seems to be tilting toward liberal political solutions which many of us believe, for the long-term, are unsustainable.

[DavidoftheNorth]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

It all depends on your definition of "wealth"....

Elcarim's point is valid, also. Maine is a wealthy state assuming a person doesn't have to earn a living here.

[AlisonL]

Maine's largest concentration of population is in the southern part of the state. There are more job opportunities there.
We lived in Bangor area for a long time but ended up moving closer to Lewiston for hubby's work. Which in the long run, led to an even better job with a better employer.

[DavidoftheNorth]

And frankly, most of us ain't too swift. But we mean well.

[mainebrokerman]

Originally Posted by DavidoftheNorth

And frankly, most of us ain't too swift. But we mean well.

lol, good quote!

[mainebrokerman]

the median income outside of portland is probly well below national average,
and maine gets a bad rap,,for being a high tax state, and high per capita welfare state.
what is maines' largest employer?? i believe it is the state itself

maine also gets a bad rap about being business friendly,

[forest beekeeper]

However in terms of being able to live comfortably on that lower income, doing it in wonderful surroundings, and having fun; Maine has great!

I have been amazed that so many folks are so active outdoors. Fishing, hunting, skiing, boating, hiking, birding, ...

In our township more lots are owned by non-residents [who use their properties for 'camps'] then folks who live here year-around. Most of them are all Maine residents, they just live down South in 'Northern Mass'.

So while Mainer's may statistically have lower incomes, a very high percentage of them own vacation properties, and actively use the outdoors.

[irishmom]

Originally Posted by sfw1979

I keep being told that Maine is a poor state, is this true? I just moved here a few months ago ( we are military) and had never been here before. We like it, it's nice but wondering why everyone says is a poor state?

This is one of the articles I read which lays out reasons for and where the poverty in Maine is: http://www.umaine.edu/mcsc/Research/...v06_state.html

I thought it was interesting at least.