Welcome to Scarborough

Welcome to the Town of Scarborough, a vibrant place to live, work, and explore for all ages. Whether for vacation or to put down roots, we’re glad you’re here. Scarborough is a largely residential community conveniently located approximately 7 miles south of the Portland metropolitan area. The landscape varies from farmland, to marsh, coastline, neighborhoods, and forest. Route One is a centralized commuting zone for direct access to amenities and the neighboring cities of Portland, South Portland, and Saco.

Scarborough spans over 50 square miles, geographically divided into thirteen neighborhood areas: North Scarborough, West Scarborough, Eight Corners, Payne/Scottow, Dunstan, Oak Hill, Blue Point, Pine Point, Black Point, Prouts Neck, Higgins Beach, Spurwink, and Pleasant Hill.

Throughout Scarborough, you’ll find natural areas preserved by local nonprofit organizations as well as Town-maintained parks, athletic courts, fields, and facilities. Experience for yourself why Scarborough is a special place to visit or call home.

History

Scarborough was one of the earliest settlements along the New England coast, establishing the foundation for the villages and preservation of the natural landscapes we know today. Prior to European settlement in the 1600s, the Sokokis tribe lived here and called it Owascoag, “land of much grass”, because of the salt marsh.

After early European settlements became established in Prouts Neck and Blue Point, Scarborough was formally incorporated as a town in 1658. Because of its geographical expanse, residents largely referred to the area by its neighborhoods even into the mid-twentieth century. In 1802, the first turnpike in New England, the Cumberland Turnpike, was built. It followed the path of modern day Route 1 and was soon followed by the construction of what is now Payne Road. The twentieth century saw the continued development of roadways and transportation, and with it, tourists from Boston, New York, and Montreal.

A population boom came in the 1950s after veterans returned home and settled in Scarborough. The Maine Turnpike opened in 1948 and brought more business to Scarborough, leading to a population growth to fill the new jobs. It continued to grow for decades with new housing developments and large retailers. Meanwhile, residents sought to protect the natural resources that first drew people to town. The Scarborough Land Trust (1977) and Friends of the Scarborough Marsh (2000) were formed (the FOSM merged with the SLT in 2023).

Today, Scarborough is an established suburban community as its population continued to grow into the 21st century. It is now one of the fastest growing communities in the state.

Source: Scarborough at 350: Linking the Past to the Present

Demographics

Like surrounding towns, Scarborough has experienced a growth in population over the past decade as more new residents choose to settle in our community. Scarborough is the sixth largest and one of the fastest growing communities in Maine with a population of over 22,000. The 2020 Census also identified the median age as 48 and an older population than in 2010, with adults 65 and older making up nearly 21% of the total population.

Additional census demographics information available on the Scarborough Economic Development Corporation website.

Schools

Scarborough Public Schools provide services to students from kindergarten to adult education, practicing its philosophy of offering quality education for all eligible members of the community.

The district is made up of three primary schools: Blue Point, Eight Corners, and Pleasant Hill, which serve grades K-2. Wentworth School has a student population of approximately 700 students in grades 3-5. Along with Wentworth, Scarborough Middle School and Scarborough High School are both located on the school/municipal campus in close proximity to each other and the Scarborough Public Library.

At these six schools, students learn in a positive atmosphere where dedicated educators strive to meet individual student needs throughout the school year and beyond.

Learn more

Beaches

Scarborough is home to four picturesque beaches: Higgins Beach, Pine Point, Ferry, and Scarborough Beach State Park. All except the State Park are Town-maintained with seasonal facilities. See more on Beaches to start planning your visit.

Tip! Purchase a beach pass to save on parking. The Town Clerk’s office has summer beach passes available for purchase beginning in May to use for free parking at all Town-operated beaches. They are valid from Memorial Day to Labor Day.

Get Involved

Local Government

There are several ways to play an active role in your local government, whether it is following along on issues you care about or holding a seat at the table.

Attend a Public Meeting:

Town Council meetings are open to the public (held on the first and third Wednesdays of each month; third only in July/August) and public comments are welcome (limited to 3 minutes).

View upcoming meetings on the Town Calendar.

Join a Board/Committee:

The Town of Scarborough has a number of boards and committees working to enhance our community, guided by the expertise of citizen volunteers. If you have expertise or interest related to one of the committees, consider applying to participate. Applications are available online on the Boards & Committees page and are reviewed on an ongoing basis as vacancies become available.

Connect with the Town Council:

The Town Council encourages public engagement to support their work and offers ample opportunities to connect.

Contact the council via email at towncouncil@scarboroughmaine.org. A response is not guaranteed, but emails are read and councilors may use their discretion to respond.
Look for councilors tabling at community events or elections. They'd love to hear from you!
Attend Council Corner Live or Budget Roundtables, informal discussions hosted throughout the year by councilors.

Community

A great way to get involved in the community is by attending one of the many events or programs organized by our Community Services department. Be sure to check out their other seasonal offerings too, like open skating at the municipal ponds in the winter or summer camp for grades K-6.

Scarborough is also home to several organizations contributing to our community. For an extensive list, see the Community Resources Directory on the Scarborough Public Library website.