South Portland, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, South Portland, Maine had a total population of 26,930, the 4th largest city in Maine, with a median household income of $86,838, which is 16% higher than the state average. The poverty rate is 6.9%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- South Portland is the 4th largest city in Maine with a population of 26,930.
South Portland Quick Facts
How South 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 | 26,780 | 26,930 | +0.6% |
| Median household income | $84,563 | $86,838 | +2.7% |
| Median home value | $405,800 | $441,200 | +8.7% |
How South 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+)
South Portland Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Cumberland County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Portland | 68,854 | $79,540 | 11.2% | $489,600 |
| 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 South Portland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Auburn | 24,602 | $66,647 | $282,000 | 27.9% | 13.8% |
| Westbrook | 20,775 | $85,038 | $383,300 | 41.3% | 8.0% |
| Biddeford | 22,498 | $72,333 | $396,600 | 32.1% | 15.5% |
| Sanford | 22,247 | $72,524 | $280,200 | 24.8% | 10.3% |
| Saco | 20,819 | $92,241 | $413,100 | 43.5% | 6.4% |
Population Overview
South Portland is a mid-sized community located in Maine, within Cumberland County. The total population is 26,930. It ranks as the 4th most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in South Portland is 40.9 years. This is 9% lower than the state median of 44.8 years. Only 14.7% of residents are under 18, indicating fewer families with children.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in South Portland is $86,838. This is 16% higher than the state median of $74,733. It is also 8% higher than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 6.9%. This is 35% lower than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. The unemployment rate is 2.6%. This is 31% lower than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $441,200. Housing costs are 49% higher than the state median of $296,600. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x. 58.1% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 22% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in South Portland is White (non-Hispanic), making up 78.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 7.1%. The Black or African American population is significantly higher than the state average (7.1% vs 1.8%). The Hispanic or Latino population is significantly higher than the state average (4.0% vs 2.2%). The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (3.4% vs 1.1%).
Education
51.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 43% 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 95.9%. Notably, 19.0% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for South 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.
Free data download: Get all Maine city and county demographics as CSV. Download Cities CSV | Download Counties CSV
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of South Portland, Maine?
South Portland, Maine has a population of 26,930 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in South Portland, ME?
The median household income in South Portland is $86,838, which is 8% higher than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in South Portland, ME?
The poverty rate in South Portland is 6.9%. This means approximately 1,828 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of South Portland, Maine?
South Portland's population is 78.9% White, 7.1% Black, 4.0% Hispanic/Latino, and 3.4% Asian.
What is the median home value in South Portland, ME?
The median home value in South Portland is $441,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 5.1x.
How educated is South Portland, Maine?
51.7% of adults (25+) in South Portland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 19.0% hold a graduate or professional degree.