Heron Neck Light is a lighthouse on Green's Island in Vinalhaven, Maine at the south end of Penobscot Bay. It was established in 1854 as an aid to navigation for Vinalhaven's main port, and for the Hurricane Channel extending northwest from Heron's Neck.

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11 on the National Register · #25 in MEHistoric places →

Know Vinalhaven

The town at a glance, and the guide to how things work

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About Vinalhaven

Town in Maine, United States

1789Established

1,279Population

168.7 sq miArea

39 ftElevation

Vinalhaven is a town in Knox County, Maine, United States. Its town limits include the island of Vinalhaven, the largest of the Fox Islands, and smaller islands, some accessible from Vinalhaven Island by bridge or causeway. The population was 1,279 at the 2020 census. It is home to a thriving lobster fishery and hosts a summer colony. Since there is no bridge to the island, Vinalhaven is primarily accessible from Rockland via an approximately 75-minute state ferry ride across West Penobscot Bay, or by air taxi from Knox County Regional Airport via Penobscot Island Air.

From Wikipedia, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0 · facts via Wikidata (CC0)

Town numbers

ZIP code04863

Area code207

Living in Vinalhaven

Housing in Vinalhaven

$469K▲ 1.6% in a year Typical home value · Zillow

The typical Vinalhaven home is worth about $469,000, up 1.6% in a year, 13% above the Maine typical home.

Zillow Home Value Index · Redfin Data CenterHousing market →

Work & commute in Vinalhaven

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41% of Vinalhaven’s working residents work right in town. The top destinations are North Haven (19%), Rockland (4%) and Portland (3%). Half commute less than 7 miles.

North Haven

19%

Rockland

Portland

South Portland

41%Work in townlive and work in Vinalhaven 7 miWhere do people commute?the commute map 300Jobs based herebalanced

Census LEHD 2023 · ACSWork & commute in Vinalhaven →

Health in Vinalhaven

Health Grade A

Healthier than 92% of U.S. towns on seven CDC estimates.

Compared with Maine

16better than ME

of 32 measures CDC estimates. The other 16 are too close to call.

Conditions 5▲ 7 close Habits 2▲ 2 close Care 2▲ 5 close Mind 3▲ 2 close Everyday needs 4▲ 0 close

BetterToo close to callWorse

What stands out

6.5%Fewer adults facing food insecurityME 10.7% · better 9.9%Fewer older adults who have lost all their teethME 14.8% · better

Care nearby

Mainehealth Pen Bay HospitalRockport · 16.7 mi · ER

Islands Community Medical Center AnnexVinalhaven · 2.5 mi · sliding-scale fees

Primary careNo shortage

DentalNo shortage

Mental healthNo shortage

CDC PLACES 2025 · modeled estimates for adults · ZIP code 04863 · CMS · HRSAHealth in Vinalhaven →

Natural hazards in Vinalhaven

Moderate

Expected storm and flood damage is higher than in 47% of U.S. communities.

🌊 Coastal flooding🌀 Hurricanes🌊 Inland flooding

4Does Vinalhaven flood?paid flood claims since 1984 10Disasters that paid out herefederal disasters sent FEMA money to Vinalhaven MapVinalhaven vs. its neighborsnearby towns shaded by rating

FEMA National Risk Index December 2025 · OpenFEMANatural hazards in Vinalhaven →

Climate in Vinalhaven

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Vinalhaven has cold, snowy winters and cool summers, with plenty of rain. A typical July afternoon reaches 75°, a January night drops to 15°, and about 53 inches of snow falls in a normal winter.

33° / 18°Winter

50° / 34°Spring

73° / 56°Summer

57° / 42°Fall

How much snow does Vinalhaven get?About 53 inches a winter.Rain & snow →When is the first frost?Around Oct 25, with the last in spring around Apr 27.Frost dates →Is it warmer than it used to be?+1.6° vs. the 20th century.Then & now →

NOAA U.S. Climate Normals, 1991–2020Climate in Vinalhaven →

Schools in Vinalhaven

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School Grade D

The public schools Vinalhaven’s kids attend trail 91% of Maine’s districts on state tests. Among towns with similar incomes, they rank near the bottom.

DistrictRSU 08/MSAD 08Schools1

Vinalhaven School C-Other · Grades PK–12 · 143 students

School data from the U.S. Department of Education (NCES, EDFacts). The School Grade is our own summary of state test results, graded within ME. Ratings are from neighbors.