Machias, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Machias, Maine had a total population of 1,316, the 92nd largest community in Maine, with a median household income of $27,926, which is 63% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 32.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 63% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (32.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- Unemployment rate of 8.5% is notably above the national average.
Machias Quick Facts
How Machias 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 | 1,395 | 1,316 | -5.7% |
| Median household income | $28,047 | $27,926 | -0.4% |
| Median home value | $117,800 | $136,300 | +15.7% |
How Machias 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+)
Machias Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Washington County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Calais | 3,097 | $64,096 | 21.4% | $111,100 |
| Eastport | 1,263 | $45,573 | 15.2% | $179,800 |
| Woodland | 932 | $56,765 | 13.4% | $105,400 |
| Jonesport | 571 | $68,750 | 15.2% | $176,600 |
| Danforth | 452 | $42,264 | 11.9% | $85,200 |
| Milbridge | 326 | N/A | 24.1% | $231,800 |
| Lubec | 277 | $51,429 | 11.9% | $216,800 |
| Vanceboro | 122 | N/A | 10.7% | $113,500 |
Cities Similar to Machias
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milo | 1,347 | $39,904 | $86,500 | 23.6% | 16.9% |
| Eastport | 1,263 | $45,573 | $179,800 | 36.2% | 15.2% |
| Livermore Falls | 1,409 | $45,326 | $98,100 | 21.9% | 11.5% |
| East Millinocket | 1,495 | $42,011 | $86,200 | 20.9% | 21.7% |
| Van Buren | 1,634 | $38,851 | $97,900 | 10.3% | 24.2% |
Population Overview
Machias is a small community located in Maine, within Washington County. The total population is 1,316. It ranks as the 92nd most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Machias is 45.9 years. This is 2% higher than the state median of 44.8 years. Only 9.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children. 14.0% 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 Machias is $27,926. This is 63% lower than the state median of $74,733. It is also 65% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 32.3%. This is 200% 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 8.5%. This is 126% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $136,300. Housing costs are 54% lower than the state median of $296,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x. 36.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 51% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Machias has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.3% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.4%.
Education
16.6% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 54% 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 78.5%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Machias, 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 Machias, Maine?
Machias, Maine has a population of 1,316 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Machias, ME?
The median household income in Machias is $27,926, which is 65% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Machias, ME?
The poverty rate in Machias is 32.3%. This means approximately 320 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Machias, Maine?
Machias's population is 89.3% White, 0.0% Black, 2.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Machias, ME?
The median home value in Machias is $136,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.9x.
How educated is Machias, Maine?
16.6% of adults (25+) in Machias hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.