Dexter, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Dexter, Maine had a total population of 1,852, the 72nd largest community in Maine, with a median household income of $53,654, which is 28% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.7%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Dexter Quick Facts
How Dexter 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 | 1,840 | 1,852 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $51,667 | $53,654 | +3.8% |
| Median home value | $153,200 | $138,200 | -9.8% |
How Dexter 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+)
Dexter Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Penobscot County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bangor | 31,938 | $59,942 | 17.9% | $219,600 |
| Orono | 11,151 | $59,784 | 27.0% | $262,900 |
| Brewer | 9,652 | $66,613 | 12.5% | $245,300 |
| Old Town | 7,470 | $51,585 | 21.3% | $208,100 |
| Hampden | 5,161 | $112,228 | 7.7% | $285,900 |
| Millinocket | 3,779 | $50,445 | 18.7% | $99,800 |
| Lincoln | 2,954 | $49,097 | 21.0% | $142,100 |
| Milford | 2,269 | $85,052 | 0.0% | $154,900 |
| Veazie | 1,847 | $78,229 | 7.5% | $293,100 |
| Newport | 1,730 | $45,127 | 18.4% | $187,700 |
Cities Similar to Dexter
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bridgton | 1,756 | $55,428 | $263,800 | 44.8% | 22.1% |
| Thomaston | 2,055 | $52,133 | $269,500 | 28.7% | 8.9% |
| Mechanic Falls | 1,991 | $46,384 | $244,300 | 15.3% | 13.0% |
| Wilton | 1,687 | $48,177 | $166,200 | 31.7% | 10.0% |
| Newport | 1,730 | $45,127 | $187,700 | 14.9% | 18.4% |
Population Overview
Dexter is a small community located in Maine, within Penobscot County. The total population is 1,852. It ranks as the 72nd most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Dexter is 51.2 years. This is 14% higher than the state median of 44.8 years. 10.3% 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 Dexter is $53,654. This is 28% lower than the state median of $74,733. It is also 34% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.7%. This is 65% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.2%. This is 15% lower than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $138,200. Housing costs are 53% lower than the state median of $296,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Dexter is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 50.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 32% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Dexter has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 95.8% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 0.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.5%) is well below the state average of 2.2%.
Education
25.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 90.4%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Dexter, 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 Dexter, Maine?
Dexter, Maine has a population of 1,852 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Dexter, ME?
The median household income in Dexter is $53,654, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Dexter, ME?
The poverty rate in Dexter is 17.7%. This means approximately 328 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Dexter, Maine?
Dexter's population is 95.8% White, 0.0% Black, 0.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Dexter, ME?
The median home value in Dexter is $138,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Dexter, Maine?
25.1% of adults (25+) in Dexter hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 12.3% hold a graduate or professional degree.