City profile · Maine · Census ACS 2023

Lewiston, ME

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

37,886
Residents
$56,558
Median income
$214,200
Median home
$1,586
Median rent (state)

Lewiston - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Lewiston places in the 30th percentile for household income and the 37th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

30th
percentile, household income
47th
percentile, home value
63rd
percentile, median rent
37th
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: Lewiston, ME

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 37,886 residents in Lewiston, a small city within Maine. Lewiston households earn a median of $56,558 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 12.6%. Typical homes in Lewiston are valued around $214,200, and the median resident age is 37.8 years. Educational attainment runs 21.7% of adults with a bachelor's degree or higher. Separately, 57.4% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 32 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 68% from five years earlier. Lewiston reports a comparatively low crime rate: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1773.5 in FBI UCR data, below the national average (a voluntary reporting program, read this as reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 46.3°F with 45.2 inches of precipitation per year and 65.1 inches of snowfall.

Maine tracks close to the national cost-of-living baseline: the state registers 97.1 on a 100-equals-national-average index (Near Average) per BEA Regional Price Parities 2024. HUD Fair Market Rent for a typical two-bedroom in this state is $1,586 per month. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Maine run around $273, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. Commute times here average 18.4 minutes, with 68.7% driving alone and 11.2% working from home, per Census ACS commuting data. On FEMA's National Risk Index, this area rates 59.1 out of 100 for natural-hazard exposure (Moderate).

Population

37,886 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maine

Median Household Income

$56,558 /yr

Poverty 12.6%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maine average

How does Lewiston compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 30% higher than other cities
Home value 47% pricier than other cities
Median rent 63% pricier than other cities
Safety 37% 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, Lewiston ranks #55 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

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 Lewiston'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.

30thIncome percentile
37thSafety percentile

30th percentile nationally for median household income · 37th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Lewiston's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Lewiston'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 37 Avg. percentile National median
Lewiston'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 Lewiston's home value compares nationally

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

$214,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 53% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Lewiston $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 - Lewiston, ME Lewiston, ME's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, ME median $56,558/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%
Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, ME. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 21.7%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 12.6%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 57.4%

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

Population
37,886
Median Income
$56,558
Median Home Value
$214,200
Median Age
37.8
Poverty Rate
12.6%
Labor force participation
57.4%
Bachelor's Degree+
21.7%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1773.5
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
244.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1529.0
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.

Climate

Avg Temperature
46.3°F
Annual Precipitation
45.2"
Annual Snowfall
65.1"

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 →
36,000 residents37,000 residents38,000 residents39,000 residents40,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 37,110 residents 38,866 residents ▲ +4.7%
Lewiston's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
32
housing units authorized
Single-Family
32
detached homes
Multifamily
0
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
0.8
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 19
2020 35
2021 65
2022 27
2023 20
2024 32

Permit volume increased 68% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
18.4 minutes
Drive Alone
68.7%
Carpool
10.9%
Public Transit
0.8%
Walk
7.0%
Work from Home
11.2%
Other
1.4%

Based on 17,192 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 Lewiston sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,586/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
59.1 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maine

Bangor
31,663 people
South Portland
26,780 people
Auburn
24,294 people
Biddeford
22,463 people
Sanford
22,095 people
Saco
20,636 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Lewiston's 37,886 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Longview, WA
37,836 people
Tupelo, MS
37,825 people
Holyoke, MA
37,949 people
Portage, IN
37,951 people
Northglenn, CO
37,953 people
Montclair, CA
37,809 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Lewiston's $56,558 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Boston, VA
$56,557 median income
Togiak, AK
$56,563 median income
White Mountain, AK
$56,563 median income
Cocoa, FL
$56,553 median income
Cisne, IL
$56,563 median income
Garwin, IA
$56,563 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Lewiston, 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 Lewiston, ME - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 80.9% 11.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 3.0% White 80.9% Black or African American 11.0% Asian 1.7% American Indian 0.5% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.4% Two or more races 5.5% 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 Lewiston 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
Lewiston (this city) 37,886 $56,558
Bangor 31,663 $58,096
South Portland 26,780 $84,563
Auburn 24,294 $66,552
Census ACS 5-year FIPS ME FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Lewiston, ME?

What is the population of Lewiston, ME? +

Lewiston, ME has a population of 37,886 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Lewiston households earn a median of $56,558 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Lewiston? +

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

Lewiston has a total crime rate of 1773.5 per 100,000 residents, which is below 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 Lewiston, ME? +

A typical home in Lewiston is worth $214,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Lewiston? +

Lewiston has an average annual temperature of 46.3°F, 45.2 inches of precipitation, and 65.1 inches of snowfall per year. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-Year 2023, FBI UCR, NOAA Climate Normals, 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 Editorial

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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.