Calais city, Maine Demographics & Population 2026

Population Overview

Calais city is a small community located in Maine, within Washington County. The total population is 3,087. It ranks as the 47th most populous out of 155 cities and towns in Maine.

Age Demographics

The median age in Calais city is 43.8 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 44.8 years. 12.3% 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 Calais city is $48,654. This is 32% lower than the state median of $71,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 38% lower. The poverty rate stands at 22.2%. This is 106% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 7.4%. This is 88% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $111,800. Housing costs are 58% lower than the state median of $266,400. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.3x, Calais city is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 67.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 8% lower than the state average of 74.0%.

Race & Ethnicity

Calais city has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.9%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (2.9% vs 1.6%). The Asian population (0.3%) is well below the state average of 1.1%.

Education

26.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 26% lower than the state rate of 35.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 87.2%.

Data Sources & Methodology

All demographic data for Calais city, Maine is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.