City profile · Maine · Census ACS 2023

Portland, ME

Population, income, housing, safety, climate and schools for Portland - drawn straight from Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA, NCES, HUD and FEMA, refreshed on the 2024–2025 release cycle.

68,505
Residents
$76,174
Median income
$452,600
Median home
$1,833
Median rent (state)

Portland - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Portland places in the 57th percentile for household income and the 19th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

57th
percentile, household income
82nd
percentile, home value
77th
percentile, median rent
19th
percentile, safety
📝 How we sourced this

Population, income, and housing-cost figures come from the U.S. Census Bureau American Community Survey 5-year estimates (B-series tables). Crime data uses FBI UCR; climate uses NOAA Climate Normals; school counts come from NCES Common Core of Data; permits use the Census Building Permits Survey (BPS). See our methodology page for the full ETL pipeline and OMB / FIPS join keys.

Data Snapshot: Portland, ME

Portland is a small city in Maine, home to 68,505 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Median household income here is $76,174 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 5.3%. Home values in Portland run a median of $452,600, and the median resident age is 37.5 years. 59.2% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 67.0% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

The Census Building Permit Survey recorded 127 residential units authorized here in 2024 (Construction Slowdown), down 67% from five years earlier. Portland's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 2745.6 in FBI UCR data, above the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Maine tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 puts Maine at 97.1 on a 100-equals-national-average scale (Near Average). Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,833 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Maine's average monthly utility costs around $273 (state average). Workers in Portland report an average commute of 15.6 minutes, with 56.1% driving alone and 21.5% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 77.0 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

68,505 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maine

Median Household Income

$76,174 /yr

Poverty 5.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maine average

How does Portland compare to other US cities?

Here's how Portland stacks up against the full field of US cities (population 1,000+), computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 57% higher than other cities
Home value 82% pricier than other cities
Median rent 77% pricier than other cities
Safety 19% safer than other cities

"Safer than" reflects total crime rate from FBI UCR; the others use Census ACS estimates.

A national percentile can hide a lot of local variation: narrowed to Maine alone, Portland ranks #66 of 73 Maine cities by lowest crime rate - a different, more locally useful comparison than stacking it against the entire country.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Portland against every qualifying US city; each in-state rank narrows that to Maine only. Full formula and direction notes: methodology.

Maine-relative analysis

Bachelor's Degree or Higher is Portland's strongest outlier among Maine cities

Among the 154 Maine cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Portland ranks #12 - the 92nd percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Portland only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#35 of 145
76th percentile in Maine
Median Gross Rent
#1 of 154
86th percentile in Maine
Median Home Value
#18 of 151
88th percentile in Maine
Poverty Rate
#96 of 154
37th percentile in Maine
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#12 of 154
92nd percentile in Maine

Ranked by raw value (highest first); a higher rank is not automatically "better" for every measure, see each metric's own context above. This is a comparison within Maine only, not a livability score. See the methodology for the source and calculation.

57thIncome percentile
19thSafety percentile

57th percentile nationally for median household income · 19th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Portland's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Portland's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown. 3-axis radar comparing 1 series across Income, Affordability, Safety. IncomeAffordabilitySafety 32 Avg. percentile National median
Portland's percentile rank on 3 favorable-direction measures (income, affordability, safety) vs. every tracked US city -- higher on every axis is more favorable. Not a composite quality score, just the arithmetic mean of the axes shown.

How Portland's home value compares nationally

Median home value vs. every US city (population 1,000+)

$452,600 18th percentile more affordable than 18% of 15,600 US cities

$0–$25,000: 5 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $25,000–$50,000: 54 US cities (0%). Below this entry. $50,000–$75,000: 352 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $75,000–$100,000: 1,086 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $100,000–$125,000: 1,516 US cities (10%). Below this entry. $125,000–$150,000: 1,170 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $150,000–$175,000: 1,278 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $175,000–$200,000: 1,229 US cities (8%). Below this entry. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Below this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Below this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Below this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Below this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Below this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). This entry sits in this band. $475,000–$500,000: 250 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $500,000–$525,000: 160 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $525,000–$550,000: 156 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $550,000–$575,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $575,000–$600,000: 172 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $600,000–$625,000: 163 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $625,000–$650,000: 167 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $650,000–$675,000: 135 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $675,000–$700,000: 101 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $700,000–$725,000: 95 US cities (1%). Above this entry. $725,000–$750,000: 71 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $750,000–$775,000: 65 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $775,000–$800,000: 70 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $800,000–$825,000: 57 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $825,000–$850,000: 67 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $850,000–$875,000: 60 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $875,000–$900,000: 58 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $900,000–$925,000: 47 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $925,000–$950,000: 37 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $950,000–$975,000: 31 US cities (0%). Above this entry. $975,000–$1,000,000: 470 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $1,000,000–$1,025,000: 0 US cities (0%). Above this entry. Portland $0 $1,025,000 every US city, bucketed by value

Each bar is a $25K-wide band; taller bars hold more US cities. The dashed line + filled bar mark this entry. Hover or tap any bar for its full count, share, and where it sits relative to this entry.

Source U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year Estimates · 2023

Income distribution context

Household income distribution - Portland, ME Portland, ME's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Portland, ME-specific quintile data). The Lorenz curve traces the national cumulative income share against cumulative population share, perfect equality is the diagonal; observed inequality bows below. $ Household Income Distribution Portland, ME median $76,174/yr, vs. U.S. national quintile pattern QUINTILE SHARE OF AGGREGATE INCOME Lowest 20% 3.4% Second 20% 9.2% Middle 20% 15.1% Fourth 20% 23.2% Top 20% 49.1% LORENZ CURVE cumulative income vs. population 100% 0% 100% pop. 0%
Portland, ME's median household income (Census ACS 5-year estimate) plotted against the U.S. national income-quintile distribution pattern for context; the quintile shares and Lorenz curve are national figures, not computed specifically for Portland, ME. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 59.2%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 5.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 67.0%

Census ACS S2301, share of working-age residents in the labor force

Population
68,505
Median Income
$76,174
Median Home Value
$452,600
Median Age
37.5
Poverty Rate
5.3%
Labor force participation
67.0%
Bachelor's Degree+
59.2%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2745.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
266.9
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2478.7
per 100,000 residents

Reflects incidents reported to the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program — agency participation is voluntary and reporting completeness varies by jurisdiction and year, so this reflects reporting activity, not a definitive danger score. Not adjusted for tourism, commuter, or daytime population.

Schools

Total Schools
15
Public schools in this city

Population Change

Annual U.S. Census Bureau Population Estimates Program (PEP) estimates, 2020–2025

See the fastest-growing cities →
68,000 residents68,500 residents69,000 residents69,500 residents70,000 residents70,500 residents 202020212022202320242025 68,487 residents 69,911 residents ▲ +2.1%
Portland's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

Census Bureau Building Permits Survey (BPS) - annual residential permits authorized

📉 Construction Slowdown
Total Permits (2024)
127
housing units authorized
Single-Family
26
detached homes
Multifamily
101
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.9
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 385
2020 102
2021 283
2022 721
2023 150
2024 127

Permit volume decreased 67% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.6 minutes
Drive Alone
56.1%
Carpool
5.9%
Public Transit
2.7%
Walk
11.5%
Work from Home
21.5%
Other
2.3%

Based on 39,146 workers 16 and over.

Monthly Utility Costs

State-average estimates for Maine - EIA 2023 residential energy data

Electricity
$130
avg/month
Natural Gas
$95
avg/month
Water & Sewer
$48
avg/month
Total Utilities
$273
estimated/month

Estimates reflect Maine state averages. Actual costs vary by home size, usage, and local rates. Source: U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023.

Living Costs & Risk

Cost of living is a Maine state average from BEA; rent and hazard risk are county-level figures from HUD and FEMA for the county Portland sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,833/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
77.0 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maine

Lewiston
37,886 people
Bangor
31,663 people
South Portland
26,780 people
Auburn
24,294 people
Biddeford
22,463 people
Sanford
22,095 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Portland's 68,505 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Schenectady, NY
68,521 people
Gary, IN
68,604 people
Shawnee, KS
68,175 people
South Hill, WA
68,161 people
Eagan, MN
68,158 people
Union City, CA
68,141 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Portland's $76,174 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Orchard Mesa, CO
$76,173 median income
Somerset, WI
$76,176 median income
Essexville, MI
$76,182 median income
Lenox, TN
$76,164 median income
Southaven, MS
$76,159 median income
Livingston, CA
$76,158 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Portland, ME Race categories sum to one hundred percent per Census methodology. Hispanic or Latino is shown separately as an ethnicity overlay; it cuts across all race categories per OMB Directive 15. Race & Ethnicity Composition Portland, ME - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 80.1% 9.0% 6.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.1% White 80.1% Black or African American 9.0% Asian 3.2% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.4% Two or more races 6.2% Per OMB Directive 15: Hispanic/Latino ethnicity is reported separately from the race categories.
Race categories sum to 100%. Hispanic or Latino ethnicity is reported separately and cuts across race per Census/OMB methodology.

City-level race and ethnicity, Census ACS 5-year 2023 (tables B02001, B03001), OMB Directive 15 categories.

How Portland compares to nearby Maine cities

Population + median household income, sourced from Census Bureau ACS 5-year B01001 (population) and B19013 (median household income).

City Population Median Household Income
Portland (this city) 68,505 $76,174
Lewiston 37,886 $56,558
Bangor 31,663 $58,096
South Portland 26,780 $84,563
Census ACS 5-year FIPS ME FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Portland, ME?

What is the population of Portland, ME? +

68,505 people live in Portland, ME according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the median household income in Portland, ME? +

Median annual household income in Portland runs $76,174, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Portland? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Portland; the closest available measure is the Maine state average, a cost of living index of 97.1 (U.S. average = 100), rated "Near Average" based on BEA Regional Price Parities 2024 data. Costs within Maine vary by metro area.

Is Portland, ME safe? +

Portland has a total crime rate of 2745.6 per 100,000 residents, which is above the national average. This reflects incidents reported to the FBI UCR program, not a definitive safety score -- agency reporting is voluntary and completeness varies by jurisdiction.

What is the median home value in Portland, ME? +

Homes in Portland carry a median value of $452,600, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NCES CCD, Census BPS 2024, Census ACS B08301/B08136, U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) 2023, BEA Regional Price Parities 2024, HUD Fair Market Rents 2026, FEMA National Risk Index.

Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.

Primary sources: Census ACS, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, NCES.

Citation & verification links Data sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau. See our methodology for details. Retrieved and formatted by PlainCities

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Every figure on PlainCities is rendered directly from Census ACS source data, no number is typed in by an editor. This page draws directly on Census ACS source data, no figure is typed in by an editor. See our editorial standards & corrections policy, the methodology behind these numbers, or report a data error.