Augusta, Maine, Came in Dead Last on a List of State Capitals – Here’s Why That’s Dead Wrong!

Over the nearly ten years that I have been a resident of Augusta, I have really fallen in love with Maine's capital city.

While it is a fraction of the size of my last stop on my radio journey (Erie was a city of 100,000 people), I love the sense of community in Augusta.  The people are great and we have some amazing local businesses.

I really do love this town and that is why I have to disagree with a recent survey that found Augusta was the country's worst state capital.

Wallethub's List of Best & Worst State Capitals

Recently, Wallethub put out their list of the best and worst state capitals in which to live.

When putting the list together, the team at Wallethub looked at several key factors.  These included cost of living, economic well-being, healthcare, K-12 education, and overall quality of life.

Many of the findings from the study make perfect sense, but others make no sense at all!

It was no surprise that Austin, Texas, came in at the top of the list.  A vibrant city with an active music and food scene, selecting them as the best capital to live makes perfect sense.

However, I disagree with the fact that Augusta ranked last.

5 Reasons Why Augusta is Not the Country's Worst State Capital

Education - Although the schools in Augusta may not be the best-funded in the country, the educators there genuinely care about their students. In addition to teaching, many teachers dedicate hours to meetings aimed at finding ways to engage with the community. Besides the strong K-12 schools, the city is also home to the University of Maine at Augusta (UMA), with Colby College, Thomas College, and Kennebec Valley Community College (KVCC) just a short drive away.

A Revitalized Downtown - Over the last decade, local businesspeople have made moves to revitalize Augusta's Water Street.  Once empty storefronts are now home to restaurants, boutiques, bakeries, salons, and offices.  Oh yeah, radio stations, too.  These days, Water Street has really become a destination for people who are looking for a great meal or a unique shopping experience.

The Marketplace at Augusta - This unique shopping mall, located a short drive from the I-95 ramps, is one of the largest in New England.  The outdoor mall is home to dozens of chain stores and amazing restaurants.

Healthcare - Augusta is home to MaineGeneral, one of the largest hospitals in the state.  Additionally, for our veterans, TOGUS is on the city's outskirts.

Festivals & Events - Maine's capital city is home to a variety of annual events.  These include the Summer Fun Concert Series, a month-long Holiday celebration, and an epic Independence Day celebration.

What did we miss?  What else makes Augusta a great place to live?  Let us know by sending us a message inside our app.