Portland, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Portland, Maine had a total population of 68,854, the 1st largest city in Maine, with a median household income of $79,540, which is 6% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 11.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Portland is the 1st largest city in Maine with a population of 68,854.
- 59.7% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Maine.
Portland Quick Facts
How Portland 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 | 68,505 | 68,854 | +0.5% |
| Median household income | $76,174 | $79,540 | +4.4% |
| Median home value | $452,600 | $489,600 | +8.2% |
How Portland 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+)
Portland Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Cumberland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| South Portland | 26,930 | $86,838 | 6.9% | $441,200 |
| Westbrook | 20,775 | $85,038 | 8.0% | $383,300 |
| Brunswick | 17,652 | $70,722 | 8.6% | $363,200 |
| Gorham | 7,593 | $128,190 | 4.7% | $506,000 |
| Yarmouth | 6,289 | $93,575 | 12.9% | $576,900 |
| Oak Hill | 5,631 | $97,610 | 5.0% | $429,100 |
| North Windham | 5,417 | $88,522 | 6.1% | $342,800 |
| Cumberland Center | 2,790 | $170,125 | 8.6% | $539,500 |
| Dunstan | 2,363 | $91,067 | 13.4% | $539,000 |
| Falmouth Foreside | 2,051 | $177,411 | 1.3% | $855,000 |
Cities Similar to Portland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lewiston | 38,324 | $55,393 | $235,100 | 22.6% | 20.0% |
| Bangor | 31,938 | $59,942 | $219,600 | 35.1% | 17.9% |
| South Portland | 26,930 | $86,838 | $441,200 | 51.7% | 6.9% |
| Auburn | 24,602 | $66,647 | $282,000 | 27.9% | 13.8% |
| Biddeford | 22,498 | $72,333 | $396,600 | 32.1% | 15.5% |
Population Overview
Portland is a mid-sized community located in Maine, within Cumberland County. The total population is 68,854. It ranks as the 1st most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Portland is 37.8 years. This is 16% lower than the state median of 44.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Portland is $79,540. This is 6% higher than the state median of $74,733. It is also 1% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 11.2%. This is 4% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 4.2%. This is 11% higher than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $489,600. Housing costs are 65% higher than the state median of $296,600. The home-value-to-income ratio of 6.2x suggests that housing affordability is a significant concern for many residents. 46.9% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 37% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Portland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 77.5% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 9.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (9.1% vs 1.8%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.9% vs 1.1%).
Education
59.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Portland in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 65% 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 96.5%. Notably, 24.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Portland, 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 Portland, Maine?
Portland, Maine has a population of 68,854 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Portland, ME?
The median household income in Portland is $79,540, which is 1% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Portland, ME?
The poverty rate in Portland is 11.2%. This means approximately 7,553 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Portland, Maine?
Portland's population is 77.5% White, 9.1% Black, 3.1% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Portland, ME?
The median home value in Portland is $489,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 6.2x.
How educated is Portland, Maine?
59.7% of adults (25+) in Portland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 24.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.