Bangor Fun Facts: Pine-tree-state trivia
Think you really know Bangor? It's a city with Paul Bunyan statue that could bench press a moose, Stephen King house that you'll have to gawk at to believe, and Kenduskeag canoe race that are hilarious whitewater mayhem in April. Let's run through the facts, stats, and moose math that showcase what makes Bangor's Paul Bunyan sized swagger pop.
Greg, Our Local Expert Guiding Your Move
Greg moved to Maine before it was trendy, stayed when it got crowded, and 28 years later still loves it. He grew up here, went to UMaine, tried Connecticut, and survived eight years in Virginia before eventually packing up and moving back home. He is a former newspaper copy editor, pizza lover (Portland Pie, OTTO, & Cargo regular), and family man. At Snappy Scout, Greg helps newcomers decode Maine, a place that plays by its own rules and usually keeps them to itself.
Read moreWritten with local insight from Snappy Scout relocation experts
What Makes Bangor Bangor?
The weird, useful, and surprisingly relevant facts that shape everyday life here.
Common nicknames for Bangor
Queen City, Gateway to the North, BGR
Local Reality Check
Yes, Stephen King. But also hospitals, major concerts, busy airport, thriving downtown.
You're most likely moving from
Boston 'burbs, Southern Maine, New Hampshire, military families via BGR
Strangely large concentration of
military challenge coins at the Maine Troop Greeters Museum, youth baseball tournaments in summer
Music scene
Maine Savings Amphitheater blowout shows, plus the 1896 Bangor Symphony Orchestra.
You'll have to see it to believe it
Stephen King’s bat and spider gate at 47 West Broadway, Dysart's Truck Stop
Unique Geography
Head of tide on the Penobscot, with Kenduskeag Stream slicing downtown.
Bangor is home to
Bangor International Airport, the Maine Troop Greeters Museum, and the aforementioned Monsieur King
Well known for its
31 foot Paul Bunyan statue guarding Bass Park.
Fun history fact
The Great Fire of 1911 leveled downtown and transformed its architecture.
Celebrity sightings
Stephen King, touring headliners on the Waterfront, presidents and troops refueling at BGR.
Noteworthy Census stat
2020 Census counted 31,753 residents.
Most interesting sub-culture within Bangor
Horror landmark pilgrims mapping every King location and movie reference.
Population
3rd largest city in ME, not top 200 nationwide
Bangor is roughly the same geographic size as
Bismarck, North Dakota
A Local Event Worth Experiencing Once
Between the blitz of summer camps, June through mid-July, and the August lull before the school-year storm of activity, we never miss family time at the Bangor State Fair. It’s a classic summer fair (rides, exhibits, and live music) but with a distinct Bangor feel. We're talking regional pro wrestling matches, lumberjack competitions, pedal tractor pulls, and an old-time demolition derby. You're not in Kansas anymore, Toto.
— Greg Reid
Maine Local Expert
Ready to See If Bangor Fits You?
Compare cities, check the routes, or head back to the full Bangor guide for the bigger picture.