As of the 2000 census, Rockland, Maine's city population was 7,609.  Its nearly 8,000 residents live at the heart of Midcoast Maine, known for its rocky shore, hundreds of harbors and inlets, some of the best sailing and boating for pleasure or sport, and as one of the finest shipping and recreational boating harbors on the East Coast of the United States.The City of Rockland is about four hours northeast of Boston and less than two hours from Portland. Since the early 1990s, Rockland has seen a large increase in tourism and the downtown now consists of unique shops, boutiques, fine dining and art galleries. Rockland is home to The Farnsworth Art Museum and Wyeth Center, a nationally recognized collection of American art, and the historic Strand Theatre and its downtown has been designated a National Historic District.

REAL ESTATE
Like other communities in area like Rockport and Camden, ME, the real estate market in this area is not showing the down market trends shown in the rest of the country. Click here to see all Rockland ME real estate listings!

EDUCATION
Rockland has both public and private schools available from elementary to high school levels and is known as the home of the Penobscot School, a non-profit, well-known language school and center for international knowledge. Post-secondary education is not too far away with the University of Main and the University of Sourther Maine within 90 miles, and the University of New Hampshire-Main Campus approximately 150 miles from Rockland.

RECREATION
Situated on the western shore of Penobscot Bay, there are always summertime activities on the water: yachting, kayaking, swimming and fishing. In the winter, Lake Chickawakee has ice fishing, ice boating and skating, or its a quick drive to Camden ME and it's alpine activies. If you're looking for well-known tourist attractions in the area,  Rockland ME is known as the "Lobster Capital of the World" as it has been the host of the Maine Lobster Festival, held the first weekend of August, for over 60 years. People come from all over the world to eat 25,000 pounds of lobster! Visit the Maine Lighthouse Museum which displays the largest collection of lighthouse lenses, and one of the most important landmark collections of lighthouse artifacts and Coast Guard memorabilia in the United States. Go to see the Apprenticeshop, one of the oldest and finest traditional boat building schools in the country, and the Coast Guard Station Rockland - the current coast guard station for the area located in downtown Rockland.