Norway, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Norway, Maine had a total population of 3,173, the 45th largest community in Maine, with a median household income of $43,432, which is 42% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 30.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 42% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (30.3%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Norway Quick Facts
How Norway 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 | 3,145 | 3,173 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $41,370 | $43,432 | +5.0% |
| Median home value | $121,200 | $162,000 | +33.7% |
How Norway 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+)
Norway Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Oxford County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rumford | 4,067 | $29,230 | 30.0% | $123,200 |
| South Paris | 2,210 | $55,074 | 26.5% | $219,700 |
| Mexico | 2,142 | $50,972 | 24.8% | $108,700 |
| Dixfield | 1,738 | $70,608 | 14.3% | $171,500 |
| Fryeburg | 1,484 | $57,083 | 12.6% | $264,700 |
| Oxford | 1,106 | $56,111 | 25.9% | $183,400 |
| Bethel | 537 | N/A | 22.4% | $379,500 |
Cities Similar to Norway
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lincoln | 2,954 | $49,097 | $142,100 | 20.5% | 21.0% |
| Madawaska | 3,022 | $55,666 | $158,300 | 23.9% | 15.2% |
| Oakland | 2,710 | $44,848 | $167,000 | 20.9% | 13.7% |
| Winthrop | 3,108 | $61,058 | $244,900 | 40.8% | 21.3% |
| Bucksport | 3,105 | $62,011 | $214,300 | 29.1% | 6.7% |
Population Overview
Norway is a small community located in Maine, within Oxford County. The total population is 3,173. It ranks as the 45th most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Norway is 45.6 years. This is 2% higher than 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 Norway is $43,432. This is 42% lower than the state median of $74,733. It is also 46% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 30.3%. This is 182% 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 6.5%. This is 71% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $162,000. Housing costs are 45% lower than the state median of $296,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x. 59.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 19% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Norway has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 89.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 1.1%. The Black or African American population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 1.8%.
Education
19.9% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 45% 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 85.2%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Norway, 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 Norway, Maine?
Norway, Maine has a population of 3,173 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Norway, ME?
The median household income in Norway is $43,432, which is 46% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Norway, ME?
The poverty rate in Norway is 30.3%. This means approximately 929 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Norway, Maine?
Norway's population is 89.5% White, 0.4% Black, 1.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.0% Asian.
What is the median home value in Norway, ME?
The median home value in Norway is $162,000. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.7x.
How educated is Norway, Maine?
19.9% of adults (25+) in Norway hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.