Caribou, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Caribou, Maine had a total population of 7,382, the 21st largest city in Maine, with a median household income of $53,709, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 15.5%.
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 2.5x.
Caribou Quick Facts
How Caribou 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 | 7,427 | 7,382 | -0.6% |
| Median household income | $54,271 | $53,709 | -1.0% |
| Median home value | $120,300 | $134,100 | +11.5% |
How Caribou 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+)
Caribou Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Aroostook County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presque Isle | 8,736 | $55,768 | 15.5% | $147,200 |
| Houlton | 5,082 | $59,236 | 17.4% | $129,600 |
| Madawaska | 3,022 | $55,666 | 15.2% | $158,300 |
| Fort Kent | 2,398 | $50,513 | 11.9% | $152,900 |
| Van Buren | 1,634 | $38,851 | 24.2% | $97,900 |
| Fort Fairfield | 1,533 | $56,452 | 10.7% | $158,300 |
| Limestone | 1,079 | $52,607 | 13.8% | $97,100 |
| Washburn | 888 | $49,250 | 12.0% | $99,300 |
| Mars Hill | 841 | $51,932 | 13.9% | $125,000 |
| Mapleton | 705 | $81,146 | 12.2% | $137,900 |
Cities Similar to Caribou
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Town | 7,470 | $51,585 | $208,100 | 36.8% | 21.3% |
| Rockland | 7,035 | $56,533 | $245,800 | 35.6% | 10.4% |
| Belfast | 6,986 | $67,679 | $340,900 | 42.9% | 16.1% |
| Skowhegan | 6,662 | $45,388 | $156,400 | 20.1% | 14.8% |
| Presque Isle | 8,736 | $55,768 | $147,200 | 26.2% | 15.5% |
Population Overview
Caribou is a small city located in Maine, within Aroostook County. The total population is 7,382. It ranks as the 21st most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Caribou is 51.3 years. This is 15% higher than the state median of 44.8 years. 13.1% 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 Caribou is $53,709. This is 28% lower than the state median of $74,733. It is also 33% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 15.5%. This is 44% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.5%. This is 8% lower than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $134,100. Housing costs are 55% lower than the state median of $296,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Caribou is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 72.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 3% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Caribou has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 91.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.9%. The Black or African American population (0.1%) is well below the state average of 1.8%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.9%) is well below the state average of 2.2%. The Asian population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.1%.
Education
28.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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 91.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Caribou, 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 Caribou, Maine?
Caribou, Maine has a population of 7,382 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Caribou, ME?
The median household income in Caribou is $53,709, which is 33% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Caribou, ME?
The poverty rate in Caribou is 15.5%. This means approximately 1,111 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Caribou, Maine?
Caribou's population is 91.5% White, 0.1% Black, 0.9% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Caribou, ME?
The median home value in Caribou is $134,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Caribou, Maine?
28.8% of adults (25+) in Caribou hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.