Belfast, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Belfast, Maine had a total population of 6,986, the 24th largest city in Maine, with a median household income of $67,679, which is 9% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 16.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.6%.
Belfast Quick Facts
How Belfast 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 | 6,985 | 6,986 | +0.0% |
| Median household income | $61,322 | $67,679 | +10.4% |
| Median home value | $307,700 | $340,900 | +10.8% |
How Belfast 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+)
Belfast Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Waldo County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Searsport | 1,218 | $92,578 | 19.9% | $363,200 |
| Winterport | 1,057 | $75,694 | 9.0% | $302,800 |
| Unity | 333 | N/A | 24.3% | $177,600 |
Cities Similar to Belfast
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rockland | 7,035 | $56,533 | $245,800 | 35.6% | 10.4% |
| Gardiner | 6,088 | $71,782 | $221,600 | 29.8% | 10.4% |
| Caribou | 7,382 | $53,709 | $134,100 | 28.8% | 15.5% |
| Old Town | 7,470 | $51,585 | $208,100 | 36.8% | 21.3% |
| Topsham | 7,271 | $100,024 | $388,500 | 51.9% | 5.7% |
Population Overview
Belfast is a small city located in Maine, within Waldo County. The total population is 6,986. It ranks as the 24th most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Belfast is 60.6 years. This is 35% higher than the state median of 44.8 years. Only 14.2% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 13.0% 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 Belfast is $67,679. 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 16.1%. This is 49% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 0.6%. This is 84% lower than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $340,900. Housing costs are 15% higher than the state median of $296,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x. 68.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Belfast has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.0%. The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 1.1%.
Education
42.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 19% 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 92.6%. Notably, 21.4% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Belfast, 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.
Free data download: Get all Maine city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Belfast, Maine?
Belfast, Maine has a population of 6,986 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Belfast, ME?
The median household income in Belfast is $67,679, which is 16% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Belfast, ME?
The poverty rate in Belfast is 16.1%. This means approximately 1,092 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Belfast, Maine?
Belfast's population is 89.8% White, 0.0% Black, 2.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Belfast, ME?
The median home value in Belfast is $340,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.0x.
How educated is Belfast, Maine?
42.9% of adults (25+) in Belfast hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 21.4% hold a graduate or professional degree.