Is Hampden Possibly the Best Place in Maine to Raise a Family?

I grew up in Hampden, so I might be biased.

I don't really have anything bad to say at all about growing up in Hampden. Sure, I had some regular childhood issues, like any other kid. But by and large, it was pretty awesome. It's a community-driven town, so there were tons of kids my age. It's not a very big town either, so I could get just about everywhere on my bike.

As a teenager, it was even close enough to Bangor ro ride my bike in town, or hop the public bus and head for the mall. Because we know that's where all the kids went if they could in the 80's. But is it the best place in all of Maine to raise a family? that might be a subjective question. But not according to OnlyInYourState.com. They say Hampden is the tops.

Hampden beat our several other great spots around the state.

Hampden took down the likes of Gorham, Winthrop, and Scarborough. Hampden even beat Yarmouth and Bar Harbor. And also from the same website, Hampden has appeared in their best-of lists of great Maine towns to live in, in general. Anyone who lives there would likely agree.

The basic criteria were based on graduation rates and how many of those kids went onto college, among other things. Hampden boasts a graduation rate of some 98%, and 75% of those kids continue on to some kind of secondary education. Those are impressive numbers.

Sure, some people will look at this list and ask themselves, "Wtf?!" But those folks have obviously never lived there. Is Hampden a tourist town? No. But that's not what makes a place great to raise a family. Giving kids opportunities is how you determine that... Hampden seems to have that by the pound.

I wonder how many people moved to Hampden?