Howland, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Howland, Maine had a total population of 1,235, the 95th largest community in Maine, with a median household income of $53,250, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.0%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 11.3% is notably above the national average.
Howland Quick Facts
How Howland 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 | 1,208 | 1,235 | +2.2% |
| Median household income | $48,021 | $53,250 | +10.9% |
| Median home value | $101,900 | $152,100 | +49.3% |
How Howland 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+)
Howland 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 |
| Dexter | 1,852 | $53,654 | 17.7% | $138,200 |
| Veazie | 1,847 | $78,229 | 7.5% | $293,100 |
Cities Similar to Howland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Eastport | 1,263 | $45,573 | $179,800 | 36.2% | 15.2% |
| Oxford | 1,106 | $56,111 | $183,400 | 26.8% | 25.9% |
| Limestone | 1,079 | $52,607 | $97,100 | 18.6% | 13.8% |
| Boothbay Harbor | 1,047 | $49,861 | $327,800 | 42.8% | 25.6% |
| Freeport | 1,441 | $59,455 | $421,000 | 52.8% | 21.5% |
Population Overview
Howland is a small community located in Maine, within Penobscot County. The total population is 1,235. It ranks as the 95th most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Howland is 47.9 years. This is 7% higher than the state median of 44.8 years. 15.0% 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 Howland is $53,250. This is 29% 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 28.0%. This is 161% 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 11.3%. This is 200% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $152,100. Housing costs are 49% lower than the state median of $296,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.9x, Howland is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 75.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% higher than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Every resident counted in Howland was recorded as White (non-Hispanic). A figure of exactly 99.6% reflects a survey sample too small to capture the community's full composition rather than a precise measurement.
Education
12.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 64% 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 90.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Howland, 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 Howland, Maine?
Howland, Maine has a population of 1,235 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Howland, ME?
The median household income in Howland is $53,250, which is 34% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Howland, ME?
The poverty rate in Howland is 28.0%. This means approximately 332 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Howland, Maine?
Howland's population is 99.6% White, 0.0% Black, 0.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Howland, ME?
The median home value in Howland is $152,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.9x.
How educated is Howland, Maine?
12.9% of adults (25+) in Howland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.2% hold a graduate or professional degree.