Saco, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Saco, Maine had a total population of 20,819, the 8th largest city in Maine, with a median household income of $92,241, which is 23% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.4%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 2.1%.
Saco Quick Facts
How Saco 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 | 20,636 | 20,819 | +0.9% |
| Median household income | $84,328 | $92,241 | +9.4% |
| Median home value | $370,300 | $413,100 | +11.6% |
How Saco 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+)
Saco Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in York County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biddeford | 22,498 | $72,333 | 15.5% | $396,600 |
| Sanford | 22,247 | $72,524 | 10.3% | $280,200 |
| Old Orchard Beach | 9,244 | $60,050 | 14.9% | $366,600 |
| Kennebunk | 6,221 | $95,169 | 11.2% | $452,800 |
| Kittery | 5,110 | $84,730 | 4.0% | $461,400 |
| York Harbor | 4,240 | $100,625 | 5.3% | $627,700 |
| South Eliot | 4,203 | $99,299 | 5.5% | $475,600 |
| South Berwick | 3,381 | $90,972 | 4.8% | $396,700 |
| Lake Arrowhead | 3,322 | $98,654 | 2.5% | $267,300 |
| Cape Neddick | 2,453 | $108,412 | 12.0% | $684,400 |
Cities Similar to Saco
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Westbrook | 20,775 | $85,038 | $383,300 | 41.3% | 8.0% |
| Sanford | 22,247 | $72,524 | $280,200 | 24.8% | 10.3% |
| Biddeford | 22,498 | $72,333 | $396,600 | 32.1% | 15.5% |
| South Portland | 26,930 | $86,838 | $441,200 | 51.7% | 6.9% |
| Brunswick | 17,652 | $70,722 | $363,200 | 51.3% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Saco is a small city located in Maine, within York County. The total population is 20,819. It ranks as the 8th most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Saco is 44.9 years. This is about the same as the state median of 44.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Saco is $92,241. This is 23% higher than the state median of $74,733. It is also 14% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.4%. This is 41% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.1%. This is 43% lower than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $413,100. Housing costs are 39% higher than the state median of $296,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x. 72.8% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 2% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Saco is White (non-Hispanic), making up 83.5% of the population. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 3.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (3.5% vs 2.2%).
Education
43.5% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 20% 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%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Saco, 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 Saco, Maine?
Saco, Maine has a population of 20,819 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Saco, ME?
The median household income in Saco is $92,241, which is 14% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Saco, ME?
The poverty rate in Saco is 6.4%. This means approximately 1,319 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Saco, Maine?
Saco's population is 83.5% White, 1.9% Black, 3.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 1.2% Asian.
What is the median home value in Saco, ME?
The median home value in Saco is $413,100. The home-value-to-income ratio is 4.5x.
How educated is Saco, Maine?
43.5% of adults (25+) in Saco hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 14.9% hold a graduate or professional degree.