The story of this market
The typical home in ZIP 04217 sells for about $329,700, or $179 per square foot.
Prices are up +4.2% from a year ago, so sellers still have some momentum. Homes take about 62 days to sell, which is slow. HUD's fair market rent for a two-bedroom is $880 a month.
ZIP 04217 — Bethel
The housing market in 04217 remains stable with steady demand driven by its status as a year-round recreational hub. While inventory remains tight, price growth has moderated compared to the post-pandemic surge, reflecting a balanced but competitive environment for buyers.
This ZIP is ideal for outdoor enthusiasts, remote workers seeking a mountain lifestyle, and families looking for a tight-knit community, though it is less suited for those requiring proximity to major urban employment centers.
Median prices moved up 4.2% year over year.
Homes spend a median of 62 days on market with 6.5 months of supply — a balanced-paced market.
12% of listings have cut prices · homes sell at 97.5% of asking — demand is running ahead of supply.
no recorded foreclosure-ledger notices (0.0 per 10,000 residents) · unemployment 5.1% · poverty 12.7% — a stable, low-distress profile.
Researched annual trajectory for this ZIP, from published historical series
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 6.6%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
Median annual property tax paid on this ZIP's residential parcels
Solid: researched ten-year history · dotted: 1 / 3 / 5-year projection extended from the historical 5.2%/yr trend — a deterministic estimate, not a published forecast or guarantee.
versus the prior ACS vintage
net influx — more people moved in than out
ZCTA 04217, Oxford County ME
Crime rates in the Bethel area are consistently reported as significantly lower than both the Maine state average and the national average, with property and violent crime remaining rare.
Schools serving the area are part of Maine School Administrative District 44, which generally maintains a positive reputation for small class sizes and community-focused educational outcomes.
The area faces moderate risks related to winter weather and seasonal flooding near the Androscoggin River, with property insurance premiums reflecting standard regional hazard profiles.
Economic momentum is driven primarily by the tourism and outdoor recreation sectors, anchored by the nearby Sunday River Resort and local small-business activity.
Composed from the ARED governance burden registry — tier-native tax structure (state + county + city + special districts), never averaged. State (Maine) — Maine Resident Homestead Property Tax Exemption: Provides a reduction in the valuation of the homestead for property tax purposes. The exemption amount is set by state statute (currently $25,000 of the just value of the property). The formula is: (Just Value - Homestead Exemption) * Local Tax Rate = Tax Due.
Commuting is primarily car-dependent, with residents traveling along US Route 2 toward regional employment hubs in Rumford or toward the Lewiston-Auburn area.
The area is a premier destination for outdoor recreation, featuring immediate access to the White Mountain National Forest, the Androscoggin River for paddling, and extensive hiking and snowmobile trail networks.
The rental market is tight due to high demand for seasonal housing and limited inventory, with many properties utilized for short-term vacation rentals.
The economy is heavily reliant on the tourism and hospitality sectors, supported by seasonal visitors to the White Mountains and Sunday River Resort.
Public transit is extremely limited; the area relies on private vehicle travel via US Route 2 and Maine Route 26.
Development is focused on resort-adjacent hospitality projects and limited residential infill within the village center.
Parcels are subject to MSAD 44 school district taxes and municipal assessments for local services.
Property insurance costs are influenced by wildfire risk in forested areas and winter storm exposure.
Data retrieved from US Census Bureau ZCTA-level tables.
Public schools whose reported address is in this area (NCES). Not attendance boundaries — schools that serve residents may sit outside it. Check the district's address locator for assignment.
- Black Mountain of Maine4.718.4 mi
- Matterhorn Ski Bar4.46.9 mi
- Cafe Nomad4.618.2 mi
- The Gem Theater4.73.9 mi
- Sunday River Resort4.67.2 mi
- Mt Abram Ski Area & Bike Park4.76.8 mi
- Frenchman’s Hole4.710.6 mi
- Maine Mineral and Gem Museum4.93.9 mi
- Historic Sunday River Covered Bridge4.78.6 mi
- Mt. Washington Auto Road4.819.6 mi
- Maine Mineral and Gem Museum4.93.9 mi
- Historic Sunday River Covered Bridge4.78.6 mi
- Historic Lovejoy Covered Bridge4.716.5 mi
- Ink Maine & Gaskyl Printing4.819.3 mi
- Sunday River Resort4.67.2 mi
- Sunday River Golf Club4.18.6 mi
- The Local Hub4.77.3 mi
Theme parks, venues, golf, airports, museums, water and shopping across the area ranked by popularity within the radius shown.
A major year-round destination for skiing, golf, and mountain biking.
Provides vast acreage for hiking, camping, and wilderness exploration.
Features well-preserved 19th-century architecture and local dining.
Key-figure check: no independent anchor retained yet — first-researched cycles establish the anchor baseline this pass.