Bangor, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bangor, Maine had a total population of 31,938, the 3rd largest city in Maine, with a median household income of $59,942, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Bangor is the 3rd largest city in Maine with a population of 31,938.
Bangor Quick Facts
How Bangor Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 31,663 | 31,938 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $58,096 | $59,942 | +3.2% |
| Median home value | $206,300 | $219,600 | +6.4% |
How Bangor Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 19 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Bangor Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Penobscot County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orono | 11,151 | $59,784 | 27.0% | $262,900 |
| Brewer | 9,652 | $66,613 | 12.5% | $245,300 |
| Old Town | 7,470 | $51,585 | 21.3% | $208,100 |
| Hampden | 5,161 | $112,228 | 7.7% | $285,900 |
| Millinocket | 3,779 | $50,445 | 18.7% | $99,800 |
| Lincoln | 2,954 | $49,097 | 21.0% | $142,100 |
| Milford | 2,269 | $85,052 | 0.0% | $154,900 |
| Dexter | 1,852 | $53,654 | 17.7% | $138,200 |
| Veazie | 1,847 | $78,229 | 7.5% | $293,100 |
| Newport | 1,730 | $45,127 | 18.4% | $187,700 |
Cities Similar to Bangor
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | 38,324 | $55,393 | $235,100 | 22.6% | 20.0% |
| Auburn | 24,602 | $66,647 | $282,000 | 27.9% | 13.8% |
| South Portland | 26,930 | $86,838 | $441,200 | 51.7% | 6.9% |
| Biddeford | 22,498 | $72,333 | $396,600 | 32.1% | 15.5% |
| Sanford | 22,247 | $72,524 | $280,200 | 24.8% | 10.3% |
Population Overview
Bangor is a mid-sized community located in Maine, within Penobscot County. The total population is 31,938. It ranks as the 3rd most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bangor is 41.0 years. This is 8% lower than the state median of 44.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bangor is $59,942. This is 20% lower than the state median of $74,733. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.9%. This is 66% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.1%. This is 8% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $219,600. Housing costs are 26% lower than the state median of $296,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 47.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 36% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Bangor has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 87.7% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (2.9% vs 1.8%).
Education
35.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 3% lower than the state rate of 36.2%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 96.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bangor, Maine is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Maine state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 155 Census-designated places in Maine. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Bangor, Maine?
Bangor, Maine has a population of 31,938 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bangor, ME?
The median household income in Bangor is $59,942, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bangor, ME?
The poverty rate in Bangor is 17.9%. This means approximately 5,310 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bangor, Maine?
Bangor's population is 87.7% White, 2.9% Black, 3.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bangor, ME?
The median home value in Bangor is $219,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Bangor, Maine?
35.1% of adults (25+) in Bangor hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.