Sanford, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Sanford, Maine had a total population of 22,247, the 7th largest city in Maine, with a median household income of $72,524, which is 3% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 10.3%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Sanford Quick Facts
How Sanford 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 | 22,095 | 22,247 | +0.7% |
| Median household income | $70,570 | $72,524 | +2.8% |
| Median home value | $257,200 | $280,200 | +8.9% |
How Sanford 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+)
Sanford 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 |
| Saco | 20,819 | $92,241 | 6.4% | $413,100 |
| 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 Sanford
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Biddeford | 22,498 | $72,333 | $396,600 | 32.1% | 15.5% |
| Auburn | 24,602 | $66,647 | $282,000 | 27.9% | 13.8% |
| Westbrook | 20,775 | $85,038 | $383,300 | 41.3% | 8.0% |
| Saco | 20,819 | $92,241 | $413,100 | 43.5% | 6.4% |
| Brunswick | 17,652 | $70,722 | $363,200 | 51.3% | 8.6% |
Population Overview
Sanford is a small city located in Maine, within York County. The total population is 22,247. It ranks as the 7th most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Sanford is 42.1 years. This is 6% lower than the state median of 44.8 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Sanford is $72,524. This is 3% lower than the state median of $74,733. It is also 10% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 10.3%. This is 4% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 3.7%. This is 2% lower than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $280,200. Housing costs are 6% lower than the state median of $296,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x. 71.2% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 4% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Sanford has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 88.5% of all residents. Hispanic or Latino residents account for 2.5%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.4% vs 1.1%).
Education
24.8% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 31% 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 91.3%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Sanford, 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 Sanford, Maine?
Sanford, Maine has a population of 22,247 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Sanford, ME?
The median household income in Sanford is $72,524, which is 10% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Sanford, ME?
The poverty rate in Sanford is 10.3%. This means approximately 2,264 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Sanford, Maine?
Sanford's population is 88.5% White, 1.3% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in Sanford, ME?
The median home value in Sanford is $280,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.9x.
How educated is Sanford, Maine?
24.8% of adults (25+) in Sanford hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 7.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.