City profile · Maine · Census ACS 2023

Sanford, ME

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

22,095
Residents
$70,570
Median income
$257,200
Median home
$1,716
Median rent (state)

Sanford - the verdict

Measured against every US city with at least 1,000 residents, Sanford lands in the 50th percentile for household income and the 18th percentile for safety. Source: Census ACS + FBI UCR.

50th
percentile, household income
57th
percentile, home value
69th
percentile, median rent
18th
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: Sanford, ME

Census ACS 2023 estimates count 22,095 residents in Sanford, a small city within Maine. Median household income here is $70,570 per year, above the median for U.S. cities on this measure, with a poverty rate of 7.7%. Home values in Sanford run a median of $257,200, and the median resident age is 40.4 years. 23.6% of adults here have a bachelor's degree or higher; 63.2% of working-age residents are in the labor force.

Housing supply pressure shows in Census Building Permit Survey data: 111 residential units were authorized in 2024 (Building Boom), up 484% from five years earlier. Sanford's reported crime rate runs above the national norm: the FBI's Uniform Crime Reporting program logs 2783.6 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). The annual average temperature per NOAA climate normals runs 45.5°F with 51.3 inches of precipitation per year.

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). A typical two-bedroom carries a HUD Fair Market Rent of $1,716 per month statewide. Statewide, average monthly utility bills in Maine run around $273, per EIA 2023 residential energy data. The average commute for Sanford workers runs 24.8 minutes, with 79.3% driving alone and 9.3% working from home. Natural-hazard exposure scores 81.5 out of 100 on FEMA's National Risk Index (High).

Population

22,095 residents

Census ACS 2023 - Maine

Median Household Income

$70,570 /yr

Poverty 7.7%

Cost of Living Index (state)

97.1 (US=100)

Near Average - BEA RPP 2024, Maine average

How does Sanford compare to other US cities?

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

Household income 50% higher than other cities
Home value 57% pricier than other cities
Median rent 69% pricier than other cities
Safety 18% 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, Sanford ranks #67 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 Sanford'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.

50thIncome percentile
18thSafety percentile

50th percentile nationally for median household income · 18th percentile for safety (lower crime rate). Source: Census ACS 2023 / FBI UCR 2023.

Sanford's profile vs. every US city

Income, affordability, and safety percentile

Sanford'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
Sanford'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 Sanford's home value compares nationally

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

$257,200 43rd percentile more affordable than 43% 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%). This entry sits in this band. $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. Sanford $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 - Sanford, ME Sanford, ME's reported median household income shown against the U.S. national quintile-share pattern (not Sanford, 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 Sanford, ME median $70,570/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%
Sanford, 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 Sanford, ME. Diagonal = perfect equality.

Key socioeconomic indicators

Bachelor's degree or higher (adults 25+) 23.6%

Census ACS S1501, educational attainment

Poverty rate (households below FPL) 7.7%

Census ACS S1701, poverty status

Labor force participation (adults 16+) 63.2%

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

Population
22,095
Median Income
$70,570
Median Home Value
$257,200
Median Age
40.4
Poverty Rate
7.7%
Labor force participation
63.2%
Bachelor's Degree+
23.6%

Safety & Crime

Total Crime Rate
2783.6
per 100,000 residents
Violent Crime
156.6
per 100,000 residents
Property Crime
2627.0
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
45.5°F
Annual Precipitation
51.3"
Annual Snowfall
N/A

Schools

Total Schools
4
Public schools in this city

Population Change

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

See the fastest-growing cities →
21,500 residents22,000 residents22,500 residents23,000 residents 202020212022202320242025 21,957 residents 22,663 residents ▲ +3.2%
Sanford's Census PEP population estimates, 2020–2025.

Housing Supply

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

📈 Building Boom
Total Permits (2024)
111
housing units authorized
Single-Family
70
detached homes
Multifamily
41
apartments & condos
Supply Intensity
5
permits per 1,000 residents

5-Year Permit Trend (2019–2024)

Year Total
2019 19
2020 60
2021 95
2022 66
2023 147
2024 111

Permit volume increased 484% from 2019 to 2024.

Commute Patterns

How workers travel to work, Census ACS 2023

Average Commute Time
24.8 minutes
Drive Alone
79.3%
Carpool
8.2%
Public Transit
1.4%
Walk
0.8%
Work from Home
9.3%
Other
1.0%

Based on 10,938 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 Sanford sits in

Cost of Living Index
97.1
Near Average
US average = 100 · BEA RPP 2024
Typical 2-BR Rent
$1,716/mo
HUD Fair Market Rent
County-level FMR estimate
Natural Hazard Risk
81.5 / 100
High
FEMA NRI composite score (county)

Similar Cities in Maine

Biddeford
22,463 people
Saco
20,636 people
Westbrook
20,484 people
Auburn
24,294 people
Augusta
18,999 people
South Portland
26,780 people

Cities of a Similar Size Nationwide

Population-matched peers from other states, closest to Sanford's 22,095 residents (Census ACS 5-Year 2023).

Allison Park, PA
22,108 people
Clarksville, IN
22,121 people
Oxford, OH
22,069 people
Sunny Isles Beach, FL
22,125 people
La Porte, IN
22,125 people
Oxford, AL
22,063 people

Cities with a Similar Household Income Nationwide

Median-household-income-matched peers from other states, closest to Sanford's $70,570 (Census ACS 5-Year 2023, table B19013).

Williams Bay, WI
$70,568 median income
Brentwood, MD
$70,573 median income
Pixley, CA
$70,574 median income
Waukegan, IL
$70,578 median income
Stockbridge, GA
$70,579 median income
Hawkins, TX
$70,580 median income

Race & Ethnicity Composition

Race and ethnicity - Sanford, 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 Sanford, ME - Census ACS, OMB race + ethnicity categories RACE, sums to 100% 89.6% 6.2% ETHNICITY, Hispanic or Latino (any race) 2.5% White 89.6% Black or African American 1.7% Asian 2.1% American Indian 0.0% Native Hawaiian 0.0% Some other race 0.3% 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 Sanford 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
Sanford (this city) 22,095 $70,570
Biddeford 22,463 $69,794
Saco 20,636 $84,328
Westbrook 20,484 $85,868
Census ACS 5-year FIPS ME FBI UCR NOAA Normals NCES CCD Census BPS 2024 OMB Bulletin 23-01

What do people ask about Sanford, ME?

What is the population of Sanford, ME? +

Sanford, ME counts 22,095 residents according to U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2023 estimates.

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

Sanford households earn a median of $70,570 annually, based on Census ACS 2023 data.

What is the cost of living in Sanford? +

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

Sanford has a total crime rate of 2783.6 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 Sanford, ME? +

Sanford's median home value sits at $257,200, according to Census ACS 2023 estimates.

What is the climate like in Sanford? +

The average annual temperature in Sanford runs 45.5°F, 51.3 inches of precipitation. 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.