Hancock County, Maine Demographics 2026
Hancock County, Maine has a population of 56,460, the 8th most populous county in Maine. The median household income is $72,744 and the median home value is $310,400. The poverty rate is 9.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Hancock County Quick Facts
How Hancock County 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 | 56,084 | 56,460 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $69,630 | $72,744 | +4.5% |
| Median home value | $278,400 | $310,400 | +11.5% |
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+)
Cities & Places in Hancock County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ellsworth | 8,657 | $77,375 | 9.3% | $242,300 |
| Bucksport | 3,105 | $62,011 | 6.7% | $214,300 |
| Bar Harbor | 2,296 | $67,701 | 14.4% | $626,900 |
| Castine | 996 | $168,516 | 0.7% | $798,800 |
| Blue Hill | 799 | N/A | 12.2% | $384,800 |
| Southwest Harbor | 566 | $33,958 | 15.2% | $277,100 |
| Northeast Harbor | 419 | $92,415 | 12.7% | $729,700 |
| Winter Harbor | 371 | $86,667 | 2.2% | $240,300 |
Explore Maine Rankings
Population Overview
Hancock County is located in Maine with a total population of 56,460. It is the 8th most populous county out of 16 in Maine. The county encompasses 8 Census-designated places.
Age Demographics
The median age in Hancock County is 49.0 years. This is 9% higher than the state median of 44.8 years. 10.5% 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 Hancock County is $72,744. This is 3% lower than the state median of $74,733. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 9.9%. This is 8% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.6%. This is 22% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $310,400. Housing costs are 5% higher than the state median of $296,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.3x. 78.5% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 6% higher than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Hancock County has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.6% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.9%.
Education
40.1% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 11% 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 95.6%. Notably, 15.2% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All figures for Hancock County come from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates, with comparisons drawn against Maine and national averages from the same dataset. See our methodology page for how each metric is defined, or data.census.gov for official tables with margins of error.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Hancock County, Maine?
Hancock County has a population of 56,460, making it the 8th most populous county in Maine.
What is the median income in Hancock County?
The median household income in Hancock County is $72,744 with a poverty rate of 9.9%.
How many cities are in Hancock County, Maine?
Hancock County contains 8 Census-designated places.