City profile · Maine · Census ACS 2023

Rockland, ME

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

6,991
Residents
$55,276
Median income
$234,400
Median home
$1,526
Median rent (state)

Rockland - the verdict

Out of every US city with 1,000+ residents, Rockland places in the 28th percentile for household income and the 33rd percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

28th
percentile, household income
52nd
percentile, home value
60th
percentile, median rent
33rd
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: Rockland, ME

Maine's Rockland is a small town, with 6,991 residents per the latest Census Bureau ACS figures. The typical household in Rockland brings in $55,276 a year, below the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 1.3%. Home values in Rockland run a median of $234,400, and the median resident age is 45.8 years. 35.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 63.3% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

In 2024, 70 residential building permits were authorized in Rockland (Building Boom), up 400% from five years earlier, per Census BPS data. Crime here tracks close to the national norm: per-100,000 total crime stands at 1955.0 in FBI UCR data, near 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: on BEA's 100-equals-national-average cost index, Maine scores 97.1 (Near Average), per the 2024 Regional Price Parities release. A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,526 per month statewide. EIA 2023 residential energy data puts Maine's average monthly utility costs around $273 (state average). Workers in Rockland report an average commute of 10.1 minutes, with 60.9% driving alone and 18.8% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 28.6 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (Very Low).

Population

6,991 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maine

Median Household Income

$55,276 /yr

Poverty 1.3%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maine average

How does Rockland compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 28% higher than other cities
Home value 52% pricier than other cities
Median rent 60% pricier than other cities
Safety 33% 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: Rockland ranks #58 of 73 Maine cities by lowest crime rate, a different read than the national percentile 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 Rockland'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.

28thIncome percentile
33rdSafety percentile

28th percentile nationally for median household income · 33rd percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Rockland's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Rockland'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 35 Avg. percentile National median
Rockland'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 Rockland's home value compares nationally

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

$234,400 48th percentile more affordable than 48% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Rockland $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 - Rockland, ME Rockland, ME's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Rockland, 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 Rockland, ME median $55,276/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%
Rockland, 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 Rockland, ME. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 35.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 1.3%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.3%

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

Population
6,991
Median Income
$55,276
Median Home Value
$234,400
Median Age
45.8
Poverty Rate
1.3%
Labor force participation
63.3%
Bachelor's Degree+
35.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
1955.0
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
85.0
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
1870.0
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
2
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
6,900 residents7,000 residents7,100 residents7,200 residents 202020212022202320242025 6,952 residents 7,142 residents ▲ +2.7%
Rockland's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
70
housing units authorized
Single-Family
12
detached homes
Multifamily
58
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
10
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 14
2020 16
2021 0
2022 73
2023 52
2024 70

Permit volume increased 400% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
10.1 minutes
Drive Alone
60.9%
Carpool
10.8%
Public Transit
0.0%
Walk
9.6%
Work from Home
18.8%

Based on 3,633 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 Rockland sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,526/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
28.6 / 100
Very Low
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maine

Belfast
6,985 people
Topsham
6,962 people
Skowhegan
6,638 people
Gorham
7,365 people
Caribou
7,427 people
Old
7,439 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Rockland's 6,991 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Fair Plain, MI
6,992 people
Plymouth Meeting, PA
6,990 people
Kosciusko, MS
6,994 people
Milltown, NJ
6,994 people
Midland Park, NJ
6,996 people
Robertsdale, AL
6,985 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Rockland's $55,276 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Burlington, IA
$55,274 median income
Hancock, MI
$55,278 median income
Dawn, MO
$55,278 median income
Avery, TX
$55,278 median income
St. Louis, MO
$55,279 median income
Slippery Rock, PA
$55,272 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Rockland, 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 Rockland, ME - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 97.0% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 0.8% White 97.0% Black or African American 0.1% Asian 0.0% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.0% Two or more races 2.9% 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 Rockland 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
Rockland (this city) 6,991 $55,276
Belfast 6,985 $61,322
Topsham 6,962 $80,545
Skowhegan 6,638 $46,625
Census ACS 5-year FIPS ME FBI UCR NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Rockland, ME?

What is the population of Rockland, ME? +

The population of Rockland, ME stands at 6,991 according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Median annual household income in Rockland runs $55,276, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Rockland? +

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

Rockland has a total crime rate of 1955.0 per 100,000 residents, which is near 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 Rockland, ME? +

Rockland's median home value sits at $234,400, 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.