Calais, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Calais, Maine had a total population of 3,097, the 48th largest city in Maine, with a median household income of $64,096, which is 14% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 21.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Housing is very affordable with a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x.
Calais Quick Facts
How Calais 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 | 3,087 | 3,097 | +0.3% |
| Median household income | $48,654 | $64,096 | +31.7% |
| Median home value | $111,800 | $111,100 | -0.6% |
How Calais 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+)
Calais Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Machias | 1,316 | $27,926 | 32.3% | $136,300 |
| Eastport | 1,263 | $45,573 | 15.2% | $179,800 |
| Woodland | 932 | $56,765 | 13.4% | $105,400 |
| Jonesport | 571 | $68,750 | 15.2% | $176,600 |
| Danforth | 452 | $42,264 | 11.9% | $85,200 |
| Milbridge | 326 | N/A | 24.1% | $231,800 |
| Lubec | 277 | $51,429 | 11.9% | $216,800 |
| Vanceboro | 122 | N/A | 10.7% | $113,500 |
Cities Similar to Calais
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bucksport | 3,105 | $62,011 | $214,300 | 29.1% | 6.7% |
| Pittsfield | 3,084 | $61,458 | $162,100 | 26.5% | 18.1% |
| Winthrop | 3,108 | $61,058 | $244,900 | 40.8% | 21.3% |
| Madawaska | 3,022 | $55,666 | $158,300 | 23.9% | 15.2% |
| Madison | 2,676 | $61,698 | $163,900 | 18.6% | 13.0% |
Population Overview
Calais is a small community located in Maine, within Washington County. The total population is 3,097. It ranks as the 48th most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Calais is 43.8 years. This is 2% lower than the state median of 44.8 years. 12.8% 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 is $64,096. This is 14% lower than the state median of $74,733. It is also 21% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 21.4%. This is 99% 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 5.8%. This is 54% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $111,100. Housing costs are 63% lower than the state median of $296,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 1.7x, Calais is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 73.4% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 1% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Calais has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.1% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 2.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (2.8% vs 1.8%). The Asian population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 1.1%.
Education
25.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 30% 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 87.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Calais, 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 Calais, Maine?
Calais, Maine has a population of 3,097 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Calais, ME?
The median household income in Calais is $64,096, which is 21% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Calais, ME?
The poverty rate in Calais is 21.4%. This means approximately 626 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Calais, Maine?
Calais's population is 94.1% White, 2.8% Black, 1.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Calais, ME?
The median home value in Calais is $111,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 1.7x.
How educated is Calais, Maine?
25.3% of adults (25+) in Calais hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.