Moving to Old Town: Pros, Cons & What to Know
Moving to Old Town means moving to a real Penobscot County river city directly adjacent to the University of Maine's Orono campus, weighed honestly against a real, disclosed 2023 setback to the city's historic paper-mill economy.
Exploring the idea of moving?
We can connect you with a local real estate professional who knows the area -- no pressure, just a starting point.
Learn moreA real, historic paper-mill identity with a real, disclosed 2023 setback
Old Town's paper mill traces to an 1860 sawmill and operated under multiple owners over more than a century; ND Paper's most recent operating run (2018-2023) ended when the mill was idled in April 2023 amid rising energy and pulp costs (base record).
Old Town Canoe Company remains headquartered in the city
Founded in 1898 with designs inspired by the Penobscot Nation's own traditional watercraft, Old Town Canoe Company remains real, current, and headquartered in Old Town as of this pass's research, as part of Johnson Outdoors' Paddlesports division (base record).
Indian Island and the Penobscot Nation, a real, sovereign neighbor
Indian Island, the sovereign home of the federally recognized Penobscot Nation, sits immediately adjacent to Old Town, connected by a short bridge, with a 2020 Census population of 758 (base record).
Real adjacency to UMaine Orono and Bangor
Old Town's direct adjacency to the University of Maine's flagship Orono campus and the broader Bangor-area labor market most plausibly explains the city's modest population growth even amid the 2023 mill idling (base record).
Key takeaways
- Old Town's historic paper mill sat idle as of ND Paper's April 2023 shutdown -- confirm current employment status directly.
- Old Town Canoe Company remains headquartered in the city as of this pass's research.
- Indian Island, the Penobscot Nation's sovereign reservation, sits immediately adjacent to Old Town.
- Old Town's population grew modestly (7,431 to approximately 7,551) from 2020 to 2026, likely aided by UMaine Orono/Bangor-area adjacency.
Want to know what your budget actually buys here?
Tell us a bit about what you're looking for and we'll connect you with someone local who can walk you through real numbers.
Get local guidanceRead the full Old Town overview for the complete picture -- housing, taxes, climate, and who this place genuinely fits.
Planning a move?
Tell us what you're looking for and we'll connect you with a local expert who can help you make it happen.
Talk to a local expert