Bar Harbor, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Bar Harbor, Maine had a total population of 2,296, the 61st largest community in Maine, with a median household income of $67,701, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 14.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- 63.4% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Maine.
- Housing affordability is a challenge — homes cost 9.3x the median household income.
- Unemployment rate of 10.7% is notably above the national average.
Bar Harbor Quick Facts
How Bar Harbor 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 | 2,311 | 2,296 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $72,750 | $67,701 | -6.9% |
| Median home value | $479,600 | $626,900 | +30.7% |
How Bar Harbor 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+)
Bar Harbor Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Hancock County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellsworth | 8,657 | $77,375 | 9.3% | $242,300 |
| Bucksport | 3,105 | $62,011 | 6.7% | $214,300 |
| Castine | 996 | $168,516 | 0.7% | $798,800 |
| Blue Hill | 799 | N/A | 12.2% | $384,800 |
| Southwest Harbor | 566 | $33,958 | 15.2% | $277,100 |
| Northeast Harbor | 419 | $92,415 | 12.7% | $729,700 |
| Winter Harbor | 371 | $86,667 | 2.2% | $240,300 |
Cities Similar to Bar Harbor
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milford | 2,269 | $85,052 | $154,900 | 14.6% | 0.0% |
| Hallowell | 2,592 | $68,398 | $295,300 | 52.5% | 7.8% |
| Richmond | 2,089 | $73,014 | $221,100 | 34.8% | 7.1% |
| South Paris | 2,210 | $55,074 | $219,700 | 18.7% | 26.5% |
| Farmingdale | 2,064 | $62,006 | $239,200 | 50.4% | 16.8% |
Population Overview
Bar Harbor is a small community located in Maine, within Hancock County. The total population is 2,296. It ranks as the 61st most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Bar Harbor is 46.8 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 44.8 years. Only 10.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 12.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Bar Harbor is $67,701. This is 9% lower than the state median of $74,733. It is also 16% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 14.4%. This is 34% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 10.7%. This is 184% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $626,900. Housing costs are 111% higher than the state median of $296,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 9.3x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 45.6% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 39% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Bar Harbor is White (non-Hispanic), making up 84.8% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.0%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (6.0% vs 1.8%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.5% vs 1.1%).
Education
63.4% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Bar Harbor in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 75% higher 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 97.9%. Notably, 17.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Bar Harbor, 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 Bar Harbor, Maine?
Bar Harbor, Maine has a population of 2,296 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Bar Harbor, ME?
The median household income in Bar Harbor is $67,701, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Bar Harbor, ME?
The poverty rate in Bar Harbor is 14.4%. This means approximately 288 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Bar Harbor, Maine?
Bar Harbor's population is 84.8% White, 6.0% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Bar Harbor, ME?
The median home value in Bar Harbor is $626,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 9.3x.
How educated is Bar Harbor, Maine?
63.4% of adults (25+) in Bar Harbor hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 17.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.