York County is the first thing you hit when you cross the bridge from New Hampshire into Maine. Most people just keep driving, headed for the lighthouse gift shops of Portland or the rocky cliffs of Acadia. They’re missing out. Honestly, York County has some of the weirdest, coolest, and most rapidly changing zip codes in New England right now.
It’s not all lobster rolls and buoys.
As we head into 2026, the vibe in places like Biddeford and Saco has shifted. Hard. What used to be sleepy mill towns or strictly seasonal beach stops are turning into year-round hubs for people who realized they can work from a laptop while looking at the Saco River.
York County Maine Cities: The Big Three and the Coastal Shift
When you talk about york county maine cities, you’re technically only talking about three places: Biddeford, Saco, and Sanford. Everything else is a town. That might seem like a nitpicky distinction, but in Maine, it matters for everything from how the schools are run to who plows your snow.
Biddeford is the heavyweight. It’s the largest city in the county and, for a long time, it carried a reputation for being a bit "gritty." That’s dead and buried.
Walk down Main Street today and you’ll see the massive brick textile mills—the ones that sat empty for decades—buzzing with life. They’ve been carved up into luxury lofts, breweries like Banded Brewing, and the kind of restaurants that get written up in national magazines. It’s got this industrial-chic energy that feels more like a mini-Brooklyn than a coastal Maine town.
Saco: The Twin City Across the River
Right across the water is Saco. People usually lump them together as "Biddeford-Saco," but they have totally different personalities.
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Saco feels a bit more "classic New England." The houses are grander, the streets are wider, and it’s home to Ferry Beach State Park, which is a local secret for dodging the massive crowds at Old Orchard.
Recent news out of Saco in early 2026 has been focused on the beach management plans. The coastline is changing—fast—and the city is currently working on sand replenishment and dune restoration to keep the ocean from reclaiming the front yards of those multimillion-dollar summer cottages.
Sanford: The Sleeping Giant
Then there’s Sanford. It’s inland, so it doesn't get the tourist glory, but it’s arguably undergoing the biggest transformation of all.
Back in 2022, Sanford landed a massive $25 million federal RAISE grant. If you drive through downtown Sanford today, you’ll see the fruits of that: a total overhaul of the streets, sidewalks, and utility lines. It’s all about making the city walkable and "complete."
They’re basically betting the farm that people priced out of the coast will realize Sanford is only 20 minutes from the beach and has a fraction of the traffic.
The Seasonal Paradox of Old Orchard Beach
You can’t talk about York County without mentioning Old Orchard Beach (OOB). It’s not a city, but it acts like one for four months of the year.
OOB is loud. It’s bright. It has the Pier, the fries at Pier Fries (yes, they really are better with vinegar), and the only beachfront amusement park in New England.
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But here’s what most people get wrong: OOB isn't just a tourist trap anymore.
The real estate market here has gone haywire. Investors are snapping up everything within walking distance of the water. In 2025 and moving into 2026, we’ve seen a trend where these "seasonal" rentals are becoming "workation" spots. People stay for a month in October or April because the high-speed fiber internet is better than what they had in Boston, and the rent is cheaper once the Ferris wheel stops spinning.
Why the "Towns" Still Dominate the Conversation
Even though the cities are the economic engines, the towns are where the "Maine Brand" lives.
- Kittery: Most people know it for the outlets. Forget the outlets. Head to Kittery Foreside. It’s a tiny neighborhood with some of the best food in the state (look for Anju Noodle Bar or The Black Birch). It feels like a secret club for people who know where to park.
- York: This is home to Nubble Light, the most photographed lighthouse in the world. It’s also got Mount Agamenticus. On a clear day in 2026, you can still hike to the top and see the Boston skyline. It’s a weird reminder of how close—and yet how far away—you are from the "real world."
- Kennebunkport: Still the gold standard for luxury. You’ll see Secret Service agents occasionally (the Bush family estate is at Walker's Point), and the shopping in Dock Square is peak "Coastal Grandmother" aesthetic.
The Realities of Living Here in 2026
Is it all perfect? No.
The housing market in York County is tight. According to recent 2026 data, the county is seeing the largest population growth in the state, around 6%. That’s putting a massive strain on inventory.
Median household incomes are hovering around $83,000, which sounds decent until you realize a "starter" home in a place like Wells or Eliot is pushing well past $500,000.
There’s also the "Silver Tsunami." Maine has one of the oldest populations in the US. In York County, the 65-plus age group is projected to grow by nearly 40% over this decade. This is changing the landscape of the cities; you’ll see more "Age Friendly" initiatives in Biddeford and Saco, focusing on things like sidewalk safety and transit for seniors who want to stay in their homes.
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The "Gritty" vs. "Gentry" Debate
There’s a tension in the air in the downtowns.
Long-time residents who remember the mills being the only source of jobs sometimes feel alienated by the $18 cocktails and the "chamber folk" music scenes popping up in Biddeford.
On the flip side, the revitalization has saved these cities. Without the influx of remote workers and new businesses, the infrastructure in places like Sanford would still be crumbling.
The city planners are walking a tightrope. They want the growth—and the tax revenue—but they don't want to lose the soul of a place that was built on hard, manual labor.
Actionable Insights for Visiting or Moving to York County
If you’re looking at york county maine cities for a trip or a relocation, keep these things in mind:
- Don’t ignore the inland side. Everyone wants the coast, but North Berwick and Waterboro offer way more house for your money, and you’re still within a half-hour drive of the ocean.
- Check the "off-season" dates. Many of the best restaurants in Kennebunkport and OOB close from January to March. However, Biddeford and Saco stay open year-round because they serve locals, not just tourists.
- Watch the development in Sanford. With the RAISE grant projects hitting their stride in late 2026, the downtown is going to be a construction zone for a while. If you’re buying property, look for the "fringe" neighborhoods that will benefit from the new multi-use pathways.
- Embrace the Saco River. It’s the lifeblood of the county. Whether you’re kayaking the upper reaches or watching the power of the falls in the middle of Biddeford, it’s the most underrated natural feature in the region.
York County isn't just a gateway to the rest of Maine. It's becoming the destination itself. Whether you're there for the industrial revitalization of the mill cities or the rugged history of the coastal towns, the "Way Life Should Be" is currently undergoing a very modern, very interesting update.
To make the most of a visit, start in Kittery for breakfast, hit the beaches in York or Wells by midday, and end your night in downtown Biddeford for a meal that would cost twice as much in any other city. The logistics of the county are easy if you avoid Route 1 on Saturday afternoons during July—otherwise, you'll be spending more time looking at license plates than the scenery.
For those looking at real estate, keep an eye on the "Age Friendly" certifications of various towns; these locations are often the first to receive state funding for infrastructure and walkability improvements that benefit everyone, not just the retirees. The growth isn't slowing down, so the best time to explore these cities was yesterday, but today is a close second.