Portland city, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
As of 2026, Portland city, Maine has a total population of 68,505, the 1st largest city in Maine, with a median household income of $76,174, which is 6% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.3%.
Key Takeaways
- Portland city is the 1st largest city in Maine with a population of 68,505.
- 59.2% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Maine.
Portland city Quick Facts
How Portland city Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
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: 17 | National average: 60
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Portland city Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Cumberland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland city | 26,780 | $84,563 | 6.0% | $405,800 |
| Westbrook city | 20,484 | $85,868 | 9.1% | $341,800 |
Cities Similar to Portland city
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston city | 37,886 | $56,558 | $214,200 | 21.7% | 17.7% |
| Bangor city | 31,663 | $58,096 | $206,300 | 36.3% | 14.9% |
| South Portland city | 26,780 | $84,563 | $405,800 | 49.3% | 6.0% |
| Auburn city | 24,294 | $66,552 | $254,600 | 28.9% | 12.6% |
| Biddeford city | 22,463 | $69,794 | $349,300 | 30.4% | 15.3% |
Population Overview
Portland city is a mid-sized community located in Maine, within Cumberland County. The total population is 68,505. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 155 cities and towns in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portland city is 37.5 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 44.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portland city is $76,174. This is 6% higher than the state median of $71,773. Compared to the national median of $78,538, household income here is 3% lower. The poverty rate stands at 11.3%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.4%. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 3.9%. The median home value is $452,600. Housing costs are 70% higher than the state median of $266,400. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x. 46.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 74.0%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Portland city is White (non-Hispanic), making up 79.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 8.8%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (8.8% vs 1.6%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.2% vs 1.1%).
Education
59.2% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Portland city in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 68% higher than the state rate of 35.3%. Nationally, 35.0% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 95.7%. Notably, 23.8% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portland city, Maine is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 5-Year Estimates (2019-2023). The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually, providing reliable estimates for communities of all sizes. 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. For official data, visit data.census.gov.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Portland city, Maine?
Portland city, Maine has a population of 68,505 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portland city, ME?
The median household income in Portland city is $76,174, which is 3% lower the national median of $78,538.
What is the poverty rate in Portland city, ME?
The poverty rate in Portland city is 11.3%. This means approximately 7,542 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portland city, Maine?
Portland city's population is 79.5% White, 8.8% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portland city, ME?
The median home value in Portland city is $452,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.9x.
How educated is Portland city, Maine?
59.2% of adults (25+) in Portland city hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 23.8% hold a graduate or professional degree.