City profile · Maine · Census ACS 2023

Orono, ME

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

10,699
Residents
$56,890
Median income
$219,200
Median home
$1,501
Median rent (state)

Orono - the verdict

Orono ranks in the 30th percentile for household income and the 97th percentile for safety nationally, out of every US city with at least 1,000 residents. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

30th
percentile, household income
48th
percentile, home value
60th
percentile, median rent
97th
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: Orono, ME

Maine's Orono is a small town, with 10,699 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. Orono households earn a median of $56,890 annually, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 6.5%. Orono's housing stock carries a median value of $219,200, and the median resident age is 21.7 years. 68.0% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 52.9% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Orono reports a comparatively low crime rate: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 150.3 total incidents per 100,000 residents here, below the national average (agency reporting is voluntary, so this measures reporting activity, not a definitive danger score). NOAA puts Orono's yearly average temperature at 45.1°F.

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. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,501 per month statewide. Monthly utility costs average around $273 across Maine, per EIA 2023 residential energy estimates. Workers in Orono report an average commute of 15.3 minutes, with 59.3% driving alone and 9.8% working from home. FEMA's National Risk Index rates natural-hazard exposure at 55.0 out of 100 (Moderate).

Population

10,699 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maine

Median Household Income

$56,890 /yr

Poverty 6.5%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maine average

How does Orono compare to other US cities?

Where Orono sits among all US cities (population 1,000+) on each measure, computed live from Census and FBI data.

Household income 30% higher than other cities
Home value 48% pricier than other cities
Median rent 60% pricier than other cities
Safety 97% safer than other cities

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

Zoom in to just Maine and the picture shifts: Orono ranks #3 of 73 Maine cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile above.

How we calculate these percentiles & ranks

Each percentile compares Orono 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 Orono's strongest outlier among Maine cities

Among the 154 Maine cities PlainCities tracks with reported bachelor's degree or higher data, Orono ranks #3 - the 98th percentile within the state. This is a different, narrower cut than the nationwide percentiles above: it compares Orono only against its own state's cities, not the full US field.

Median Household Income
#76 of 145
48th percentile in Maine
Median Gross Rent
#60 of 154
55th percentile in Maine
Median Home Value
#70 of 151
54th percentile in Maine
Poverty Rate
#85 of 154
44th percentile in Maine
Bachelor's Degree or Higher
#3 of 154
98th 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.

30thIncome percentile
97thSafety percentile

30th percentile nationally for median household income · 97th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Orono's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Orono'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 58 Avg. percentile National median
Orono'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 Orono's home value compares nationally

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

$219,200 Among the most affordable more affordable than 52% 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. Orono $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 - Orono, ME Orono, ME's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Orono, 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 Orono, ME median $56,890/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%
Orono, 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 Orono, ME. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 68.0%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 6.5%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 52.9%

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

Population
10,699
Median Income
$56,890
Median Home Value
$219,200
Median Age
21.7
Poverty Rate
6.5%
Labor force participation
52.9%
Bachelor's Degree+
68.0%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
150.3
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
47.5
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
102.8
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
45.1°F
Annual Precipitation
N/A
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
3
Public schools in this city

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
15.3 minutes
Drive Alone
59.3%
Carpool
8.8%
Public Transit
0.4%
Walk
19.3%
Work from Home
9.8%
Other
2.4%

Based on 5,132 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 Orono sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,501/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
55.0 / 100
Moderate
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maine

Brewer
9,654 people
Old Orchard Beach
9,150 people
Bath
8,801 people
Presque Isle
8,736 people
Ellsworth
8,550 people
Old
7,439 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Orono's 10,699 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fuller Heights, FL
10,697 people
Kearney, MO
10,696 people
Felida, WA
10,695 people
Lexington, NE
10,693 people
Tarboro, NC
10,705 people
Gages Lake, IL
10,706 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Orono's $56,890 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Bellair-Meadowbrook Terrace, FL
$56,887 median income
New Bern, NC
$56,893 median income
Waite Park, MN
$56,884 median income
Sturgeon Bay, WI
$56,882 median income
The Hideout, PA
$56,901 median income
Madisonville, KY
$56,902 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Orono, 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 Orono, ME - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 87.6% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 4.0% White 87.6% Black or African American 1.6% Asian 4.5% American Indian 0.1% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 1.0% Two or more races 5.2% 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 Orono 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
Orono (this city) 10,699 $56,890
Brewer 9,654 $51,490
Old Orchard Beach 9,150 $65,842
Bath 8,801 $65,565
Census ACS 5-year FIPS ME FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Orono, ME?

What is the population of Orono, ME? +

10,699 people live in Orono, ME according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Orono households earn a median of $56,890 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Orono? +

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

Orono has a total crime rate of 150.3 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 Orono, ME? +

Homes in Orono carry a median value of $219,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Orono? +

The average annual temperature in Orono runs 45.1°F. Source: NOAA Climate Normals.

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