City profile · Maine · Census ACS 2023

Augusta, ME

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

18,999
Residents
$48,756
Median income
$188,900
Median home
$1,416
Median rent (state)

Augusta - the verdict

Nationally, Augusta sits in the 18th percentile for household income and the 6th percentile for safety among US cities with a population of 1,000 or more. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

18th
percentile, household income
39th
percentile, home value
56th
percentile, median rent
6th
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: Augusta, ME

Augusta is a small town in Maine, home to 18,999 residents per U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates. Augusta households earn a median of $48,756 annually, in the lower quartile of U.S. cities for household income, with a poverty rate of 14.8%. Home values in Augusta run a median of $188,900, and the median resident age is 44.1 years. Educational attainment runs 28.0% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 53.5% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 28 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 65% from five years earlier. Augusta's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 4341.5 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, above the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score).

Maine tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Maine scores 97.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. Statewide, HUD pegs Fair Market Rent for a two-bedroom unit at $1,416 monthly. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Maine's average monthly utility costs around $273 (state average). Commute times here average 14.1 minutes, with 69.1% driving alone and 14.0% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. Natural-hazard exposure scores 75.2 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

18,999 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maine

Median Household Income

$48,756 /yr

Poverty 14.8%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maine average

How does Augusta compare to other US cities?

Augusta measured against every US city with 1,000+ residents, computed live from the same Census and FBI data shown throughout this page.

Household income 18% higher than other cities
Home value 39% pricier than other cities
Median rent 56% pricier than other cities
Safety 6% safer than other cities

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

National percentiles can mask local variation. Looking only at Maine, Augusta ranks #72 of 73 Maine cities by lowest crime rate - a narrower, more locally useful cut than the national comparison above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

For each metric we count every US city with population 1,000+ and a non-null value, then compute what share of them fall below Augusta's value: round(cities-below ÷ total × 100). Safety is inverted (percentile = share of cities with a higher crime rate) so a higher number always means safer. The in-state rank narrows that same crime-rate comparison to only the cities PlainCities tracks in Maine, breaking ties alphabetically. See the methodology page for the full source-to-figure lineage.

18thIncome percentile
6thSafety percentile

18th percentile nationally for median household income · 6th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Augusta's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Augusta'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 26 Avg. percentile National median
Augusta'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 Augusta's home value compares nationally

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

$188,900 Among the most affordable more affordable than 61% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $200,000–$225,000: 1,035 US cities (7%). Above this entry. $225,000–$250,000: 976 US cities (6%). Above this entry. $250,000–$275,000: 754 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $275,000–$300,000: 712 US cities (5%). Above this entry. $300,000–$325,000: 521 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $325,000–$350,000: 526 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $350,000–$375,000: 465 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $375,000–$400,000: 393 US cities (3%). Above this entry. $400,000–$425,000: 317 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $425,000–$450,000: 300 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $450,000–$475,000: 307 US cities (2%). Above this entry. $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. Augusta $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 - Augusta, ME Augusta, ME's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Augusta, 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 Augusta, ME median $48,756/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%
Augusta, 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 Augusta, ME. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 28.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 14.8%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 53.5%

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

Population
18,999
Median Income
$48,756
Median Home Value
$188,900
Median Age
44.1
Poverty Rate
14.8%
Labor force participation
53.5%
Bachelor's Degree+
28.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
4341.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
250.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
4091.0
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
8
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
18,900 residents19,000 residents19,100 residents19,200 residents19,300 residents 202020212022202320242025 18,932 residents 19,155 residents ▲ +1.2%
Augusta's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
28
housing units authorized
Single-Family
28
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
1.5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 17
2020 23
2021 21
2022 59
2023 27
2024 28

Permit volume increased 65% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
14.1 minutes
Drive Alone
69.1%
Carpool
12.7%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
3.3%
Work from Home
14.0%
Other
0.9%

Based on 8,501 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 Augusta sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,416/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
75.2 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maine

Westbrook
20,484 people
Saco
20,636 people
Brunswick
16,928 people
Waterville
16,704 people
Sanford
22,095 people
Biddeford
22,463 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Augusta's 18,999 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Crowley, TX
19,007 people
Ashland, OH
19,008 people
Springfield, TN
18,985 people
Terrell, TX
19,019 people
Lebanon, OR
18,978 people
Redland, MD
18,976 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Augusta's $48,756 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Lakeview, AL
$48,750 median income
Providence, AL
$48,750 median income
Gambell, AK
$48,750 median income
Ak-Chin, AZ
$48,750 median income
Blanca, CO
$48,750 median income
Avalon, GA
$48,750 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Augusta, 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 Augusta, ME - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 90.8% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.8% White 90.8% Black or African American 1.9% Asian 1.4% American Indian 0.4% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.0% Two or more races 4.5% 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 Augusta 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
Augusta (this city) 18,999 $48,756
Westbrook 20,484 $85,868
Saco 20,636 $84,328
Brunswick 16,928 $68,190
Census ACS 5-year FIPS ME FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Augusta, ME?

What is the population of Augusta, ME? +

Augusta, ME counts 18,999 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Augusta runs $48,756, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Augusta? +

BEA does not publish a city-level cost-of-living figure for Augusta; 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 Augusta, ME safe? +

Augusta has a total crime rate of 4341.5 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 Augusta, ME? +

Homes in Augusta carry a median value of $188,900, 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.