Van Buren, Maine Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Van Buren, Maine had a total population of 1,634, the 79th largest community in Maine, with a median household income of $38,851, which is 48% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 24.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 48% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- Near full employment with an unemployment rate of just 0.4%.
Van Buren Quick Facts
How Van Buren 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 | 1,614 | 1,634 | +1.2% |
| Median household income | $35,200 | $38,851 | +10.4% |
| Median home value | $90,200 | $97,900 | +8.5% |
How Van Buren 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+)
Van Buren Rankings in Maine
Explore Maine Rankings
Other Cities in Aroostook County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Presque Isle | 8,736 | $55,768 | 15.5% | $147,200 |
| Caribou | 7,382 | $53,709 | 15.5% | $134,100 |
| Houlton | 5,082 | $59,236 | 17.4% | $129,600 |
| Madawaska | 3,022 | $55,666 | 15.2% | $158,300 |
| Fort Kent | 2,398 | $50,513 | 11.9% | $152,900 |
| Fort Fairfield | 1,533 | $56,452 | 10.7% | $158,300 |
| Limestone | 1,079 | $52,607 | 13.8% | $97,100 |
| Washburn | 888 | $49,250 | 12.0% | $99,300 |
| Mars Hill | 841 | $51,932 | 13.9% | $125,000 |
| Mapleton | 705 | $81,146 | 12.2% | $137,900 |
Cities Similar to Van Buren
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| East Millinocket | 1,495 | $42,011 | $86,200 | 20.9% | 21.7% |
| Newport | 1,730 | $45,127 | $187,700 | 14.9% | 18.4% |
| Wilton | 1,687 | $48,177 | $166,200 | 31.7% | 10.0% |
| Milo | 1,347 | $39,904 | $86,500 | 23.6% | 16.9% |
| Livermore Falls | 1,409 | $45,326 | $98,100 | 21.9% | 11.5% |
Population Overview
Van Buren is a small community located in Maine, within Aroostook County. The total population is 1,634. It ranks as the 79th most populous out of 155 Census-designated places in Maine.
Age Demographics
The median age in Van Buren is 56.4 years. This is 26% higher than the state median of 44.8 years. 16.0% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Van Buren is $38,851. This is 48% lower than the state median of $74,733. It is also 52% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 24.2%. This is 125% higher than the state poverty rate of 10.8%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 0.4%. This is 89% lower than the state rate of 3.8%. The median home value is $97,900. Housing costs are 67% lower than the state median of $296,600. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.5x, Van Buren is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 61.7% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 17% lower than the state average of 74.3%.
Race & Ethnicity
Van Buren has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 92.9% of all residents. Asian residents account for 2.5%. The Hispanic or Latino population (0.4%) is well below the state average of 2.2%. The Asian population is significantly higher than the state average (2.5% vs 1.1%).
Education
10.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is among the lowest rates in the state, which may correlate with employment and income patterns. This is 72% 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 83.9%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Van Buren, 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 Van Buren, Maine?
Van Buren, Maine has a population of 1,634 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Van Buren, ME?
The median household income in Van Buren is $38,851, which is 52% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Van Buren, ME?
The poverty rate in Van Buren is 24.2%. This means approximately 366 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Van Buren, Maine?
Van Buren's population is 92.9% White, 2.0% Black, 0.4% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.5% Asian.
What is the median home value in Van Buren, ME?
The median home value in Van Buren is $97,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.5x.
How educated is Van Buren, Maine?
10.3% of adults (25+) in Van Buren hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 4.5% hold a graduate or professional degree.