Orono, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Orono, Maine had a total population of 11,151, the 13th largest community in Maine, with a median household income of $59,784, which is 20% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 27.0%.
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 (27.0%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 69.8% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Maine.
Orono Quick Facts
How Orono 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 | 10,699 | 11,151 | +4.2% |
| Median household income | $56,890 | $59,784 | +5.1% |
| Median home value | $219,200 | $262,900 | +19.9% |
How Orono 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+)
Orono 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 |
| 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 |
| Newport | 1,730 | $45,127 | 18.4% | $187,700 |
Cities Similar to Orono
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Old Orchard Beach | 9,244 | $60,050 | $366,600 | 42.8% | 14.9% |
| Brewer | 9,652 | $66,613 | $245,300 | 35.0% | 12.5% |
| Presque Isle | 8,736 | $55,768 | $147,200 | 26.2% | 15.5% |
| Bath | 8,815 | $69,390 | $310,900 | 42.5% | 12.4% |
| Ellsworth | 8,657 | $77,375 | $242,300 | 39.3% | 9.3% |
Population Overview
Orono is a small city located in Maine, within Penobscot County. The total population is 11,151. It ranks as the 13th most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Orono is 21.6 years. This is 52% lower than the state median of 44.8 years. Only 6.8% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Orono is $59,784. This is 20% lower than the state median of $74,733. It is also 26% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 27.0%. This is 151% 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 5.5%. This is 47% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $262,900. Housing costs are 11% lower than the state median of $296,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x. 41.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 44% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Orono has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 86.4% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 4.4%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (4.4% vs 2.2%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.5% vs 1.1%).
Education
69.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Orono in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 93% 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 98.9%. Notably, 41.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Orono, 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 Orono, Maine?
Orono, Maine has a population of 11,151 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Orono, ME?
The median household income in Orono is $59,784, which is 26% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Orono, ME?
The poverty rate in Orono is 27.0%. This means approximately 1,923 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Orono, Maine?
Orono's population is 86.4% White, 1.4% Black, 4.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Orono, ME?
The median home value in Orono is $262,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.4x.
How educated is Orono, Maine?
69.8% of adults (25+) in Orono hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 41.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.