Houlton, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Houlton, Maine had a total population of 5,082, the 34th largest community in Maine, with a median household income of $59,236, which is 21% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 17.4%.
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 2.2x.
- Unemployment rate of 13.4% is notably above the national average.
Houlton Quick Facts
How Houlton 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 | 4,958 | 5,082 | +2.5% |
| Median household income | $52,227 | $59,236 | +13.4% |
| Median home value | $121,700 | $129,600 | +6.5% |
How Houlton 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+)
Houlton 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 |
| Caribou | 7,382 | $53,709 | 15.5% | $134,100 |
| 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 Houlton
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Winslow | 5,873 | $59,547 | $217,900 | 27.6% | 11.3% |
| Kittery | 5,110 | $84,730 | $461,400 | 47.3% | 4.0% |
| Farmington | 4,705 | $41,033 | $169,900 | 41.3% | 20.5% |
| North Windham | 5,417 | $88,522 | $342,800 | 37.0% | 6.1% |
| Lisbon Falls | 4,267 | $72,344 | $245,700 | 24.1% | 5.9% |
Population Overview
Houlton is a small city located in Maine, within Aroostook County. The total population is 5,082. It ranks as the 34th most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Houlton is 45.0 years. This is about the same as the state median of 44.8 years. 10.8% 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 Houlton is $59,236. This is 21% lower than the state median of $74,733. It is also 27% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 17.4%. This is 62% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 13.4%. This is 256% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $129,600. Housing costs are 56% lower than the state median of $296,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.2x, Houlton is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 64.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 14% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Houlton has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 94.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.6%. The Black or African American population (0.6%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
26.0% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 28% 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 90.8%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Houlton, 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 Houlton, Maine?
Houlton, Maine has a population of 5,082 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Houlton, ME?
The median household income in Houlton is $59,236, which is 27% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Houlton, ME?
The poverty rate in Houlton is 17.4%. This means approximately 828 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Houlton, Maine?
Houlton's population is 94.3% White, 0.6% Black, 2.6% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Houlton, ME?
The median home value in Houlton is $129,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.2x.
How educated is Houlton, Maine?
26.0% of adults (25+) in Houlton hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.7% hold a graduate or professional degree.