County · Maine
Penobscot County, Maine
Penobscot County, Maine. Penobscot County had 157,967 residents in 2025 by the Census Bureau's estimate, up 3.8% since 2020, in line with Maine (+3.8%). It holds 69 places (3 cities, villages and boroughs, 52 towns and townships and 14 census-designated) and 46 census tracts. GEOID 23019.
Penobscot County is the county of the Bangor, ME metropolitan statistical area (the Census Bureau's July 2023 delineation).
Residents, July 2025 estimate
157,967
Census Bureau estimate (no margin published)
2020 Census count: 152,199 · ACS 2020-2024: 154,710
Median household income
$66,356
±$1,898 (90% margin)
Maine: $74,733
Median home value
$214,100
±$4,463 (90% margin)
Maine: $296,600
Median gross rent
$1,041
±$28 (90% margin)
Maine: $1,139
How many people live in Penobscot County, and is it growing?
The 2020 Census counted 152,199 residents in Penobscot County. The Census Bureau estimates 157,967 for July 1, 2025, up 3.8% since 2020, in line with Maine (+3.8%). The 2020-2024 American Community Survey puts the population at 154,710 over 3,397 square miles of land.
| Measure | Penobscot County | Maine | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Total population | 154,710 | 1,387,817 | +2,936 |
| Households | 65,221±625 | 597,159 | +3,065 |
| Average household size | 2.26±0.02 | 2.26 | −0.07 |
| Housing units | 75,683±107 | 751,876 | no clear change |
Penobscot County's population since 2000
From 144,919 in 2000 to 157,967 in 2025: up 9.0%. The 2000, 2010 and 2020 figures are census counts. The 2005 figure is the Census Bureau's intercensal estimate, revised to fit the 2000 and 2010 counts and drawn on 2010 boundaries; 2015 and 2025 are July 1 estimates made from the census before them.
Source: The 2000, 2010 and 2020 Census counts and the Census Bureau's population estimates (intercensal 2000-2010, Vintage 2020, Vintage 2025) · Census population estimates
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); PEP Vintage 2025 (CO-EST2025); 2020 Census · Check it at data.census.gov
What cities and towns are in Penobscot County?
Penobscot County holds 69 places: 3 cities, villages and boroughs (incorporated places), 52 towns and townships (county subdivisions with their own government) and 14 census-designated places. The largest is Bangor with 32,518 residents (2025 estimate). Places that cross a county line are listed with the share of their 2020 residents who live in this county.
| Bangor | 31,753 | $59,942 |
|---|---|---|
| Orono | 11,183 | $61,528 |
| Orono CDP | 10,185 | $59,784 |
| Brewer | 9,672 | $66,613 |
| Hampden | 7,709 | $111,959 |
| Old Town | 7,431 | $51,585 |
| Hermon | 6,461 | $96,629 |
| Lincoln | 4,853 | $56,089 |
| Glenburn | 4,648 | $97,474 |
| Hampden CDP | 4,516 | $112,228 |
| Millinocket | 4,104 | $50,445 |
| Orrington | 3,812 | $94,556 |
| Dexter | 3,803 | $51,845 |
| Holden | 3,277 | $92,200 |
| Newport | 3,133 | $60,365 |
| Milford | 3,069 | $85,111 |
| Levant | 2,940 | $86,071 |
| Corinth | 2,900 | $64,229 |
| Carmel | 2,867 | $82,188 |
| Lincoln CDP | 2,667 | $49,097 |
| Corinna | 2,221 | $56,547 |
| Milford CDP | 2,211 | $85,052 |
| Eddington | 2,194 | $75,350 |
| Dexter CDP | 2,093 | $53,654 |
| Veazie | 1,814 | $78,229 |
| Newport CDP | 1,690 | $45,127 |
| Newburgh | 1,595 | $76,750 |
| East Millinocket | 1,560 | $42,011 |
| Charleston | 1,551 | $75,250 |
| Bradley | 1,532 | $76,667 |
| Greenbush | 1,444 | $60,321 |
| Enfield | 1,435 | $62,667 |
| Hudson | 1,416 | $67,933 |
| Kenduskeag | 1,346 | $79,792 |
| Plymouth | 1,325 | $61,964 |
| Etna | 1,226 | $72,379 |
| Dixmont | 1,211 | $75,952 |
| Medway | 1,187 | $55,982 |
| Stetson | 1,186 | $76,023 |
| Bradford | 1,184 | $82,955 |
| Howland | 1,094 | $49,297 |
| Garland | 1,026 | $51,094 |
| Exeter | 963 | $84,408 |
| Howland CDP | 947 | $53,250 |
| Lee | 916 | $49,886 |
| Patten | 881 | $51,484 |
| Clifton | 840 | $70,313 |
| Alton | 829 | $62,955 |
| Bradley CDP | 765 | $62,813 |
| Corinna CDP | 729 | $51,000 |
| Lagrange | 635 | $58,417 |
| Mattawamkeag | 596 | $45,000 |
| Chester | 549 | $64,500 |
| Patten CDP | 539 | $45,750 |
| Mattawamkeag CDP | 422 | $38,417 |
| Winn | 399 | $36,333 |
| Stacyville | 380 | $54,583 |
| Burlington | 373 | $48,750 |
| Lowell | 368 | $50,833 |
| Passadumkeag | 356 | $55,417 |
| Springfield | 293 | $60,833 |
| WoodvilleGEOID 2301987390 | 201 | $49,722 |
| Mount Chase | 187 | $41,711 |
| Carroll PlantationGEOID 2301910810 | 138 | $24,643 |
| EdinburgGEOID 2301922710 | 134 | $69,583 |
| LakevilleGEOID 2301938005 | 104 | $65,625 |
| MaxfieldGEOID 2301944340 | 89 | $92,500 |
| Webster PlantationGEOID 2301981055 | 68 | not published |
| Seboeis PlantationGEOID 2301967160 | 40 | $32,500 |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026); 2020 place-by-county parts · Check it at data.census.gov
Who lives in Penobscot County?
The median resident of Penobscot County is 42.5 years old; 17.6% are under 18 and 20.1% are 65 or older. The largest group is non-Hispanic white residents at 91.1%, then non-Hispanic residents of two or more races at 3.4%. 3.4% of residents were born outside the United States.
| Measure | Penobscot County | Maine | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 42.5±0.3 | 44.8 | +0.5 |
| Under 18 years | 17.6%±0.1 pts | 18.1% | – |
| 65 years and over | 20.1%±0.1 pts | 22.4% | – |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 2.1% | 2.2% | +0.7 pts |
| White alone, not Hispanic | 91.1%±0.5 pts | 89.9% | −2.5 pts |
| Black or African American alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.1 pts | 1.8% | +0.3 pts |
| Asian alone, not Hispanic | 1.1%±0.2 pts | 1.1% | no clear change |
| American Indian and Alaska Native alone, not Hispanic | 0.7%±0.1 pts | 0.3% | – |
| Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, not Hispanic | 0.1%±0.1 pts | 0.0% | – |
| Two or more races, not Hispanic | 3.4%±0.5 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Some other race alone, not Hispanic | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 0.4% | – |
| Born outside the United States | 3.4%±0.4 pts | 4.1% | no clear change |
| Speak a language other than English at home (age 5+) | 4.9%±0.6 pts | 6.0% | – |
| Civilian veterans (age 18+) | 7.7%±0.5 pts | 8.4% | – |
| With a disability | 18.2%±0.8 pts | 15.8% | – |
| No health insurance coverage | 6.3%±0.7 pts | 6.2% | −2.5 pts |
| High school graduate or higher (age 25+) | 94.8%±0.5 pts | 94.8% | – |
| Bachelor's degree or higher (age 25+) | 30.1%±1.2 pts | 36.2% | +2.4 pts |
| Graduate or professional degree (age 25+) | 11.9%±0.8 pts | 13.7% | – |
| Moved from another state in the past year | 2.7%±0.5 pts | 2.7% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profiles DP02, DP05) · Check it at data.census.gov
What do households in Penobscot County earn?
Half of Penobscot County's 65,221 households earn less than $66,356 a year (±$1,898), against $74,733 in Maine. In 2015-2019 the median was $62,529 in 2024 dollars, so it rose by $3,827 after inflation. 14.1% of residents live below the poverty line.
| Measure | Penobscot County | Maine | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median household income | $66,356±$1,898 | $74,733 | +$3,827 |
| Mean household income | $88,290±$2,382 | $100,102 | – |
| Per capita income | $37,915±$990 | $43,742 | +$2,812 |
| People below the poverty line | 14.1%±1.0 pts | 10.7% | no clear change |
| Children under 18 below the poverty line | 15.6%±2.5 pts | 13.1% | no clear change |
| Households receiving SNAP | 15.6%±1.2 pts | 12.0% | – |
| Households with a broadband subscription | 88.8%±0.8 pts | 90.3% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What does housing cost in Penobscot County?
Owners occupy 70.5% of Penobscot County's occupied homes and renters 29.5%. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $214,100 by its owner (±$4,463). The median renter pays $1,041 a month including utilities, and 40.3% of renters pay 35% or more of their income on rent.
| Measure | Penobscot County | Maine | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median home value (owner-occupied) | $214,100±$4,463 | $296,600 | +$36,019 |
| Median gross rent | $1,041±$28 | $1,139 | +$58 |
| Renters paying 35% or more of income on rent | 40.3%±3.4 pts | 37.9% | no clear change |
| Median monthly owner costs, with a mortgage | $1,562±$36 | $1,729 | – |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.5%±1.4 pts | 74.3% | no clear change |
| Housing units | 75,683±107 | 751,876 | no clear change |
| Homeowner vacancy rate | 0.5%±0.3 pts | 0.7% | – |
| Rental vacancy rate | 5.8%±1.6 pts | 4.2% | – |
| Single-family detached homes | 64.2%±1.3 pts | 70.0% | – |
| Mobile homes | 11.1%±0.7 pts | 8.2% | – |
| Built 2020 or later | 1.0%±0.3 pts | 1.4% | – |
| Built 1939 or earlier | 21.9%±1.1 pts | 22.9% | – |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP04) · Check it at data.census.gov
How many new homes is Penobscot County building?
Builders took permits for 486 new housing units across Penobscot County in 2025 (316 single-family), 3.1 per 1,000 residents.
Source: Building Permits Survey, annual county files 2019-2025, U.S. Census Bureau · Census Building Permits Survey
How do people in Penobscot County get to work?
75.6% of Penobscot County's workers drive alone and 11.3% work from home. The average trip to work takes 22.7 minutes. The unemployment rate in 2020-2024 averaged 3.6%.
| Measure | Penobscot County | Maine | Change since 2015-2019 |
|---|---|---|---|
| In the labor force (age 16+) | 59.6%±1.0 pts | 61.7% | – |
| Unemployment rate | 3.6%±0.5 pts | 3.8% | −1.4 pts |
| Drove alone to work | 75.6%±1.5 pts | 70.8% | – |
| Carpooled | 7.3%±0.8 pts | 7.9% | – |
| Public transportation | 0.4%±0.2 pts | 0.5% | – |
| Walked | 3.7%±0.7 pts | 3.4% | – |
| Worked from home | 11.3%±1.2 pts | 15.9% | +6.7 pts |
| Mean travel time to work | 22.7 min±0.7 | 24.6 min | no clear change |
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) (Data Profile DP03) · Check it at data.census.gov
What are Penobscot County's census tracts?
Penobscot County is divided into 46 census tracts. Among those with a reliable estimate, median household income runs from $24,353 (Tract 2) to $111,959 (Tract 20).
All 46 census tracts of Penobscot County, with their figures
Source: American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) · Check it at data.census.gov
How does Penobscot County compare with Maine's other counties?
| Measure | Rank |
|---|---|
| Population | 3rd of 16 |
| Growth 2020-2025 | 7th of 16 |
| Residents per square mile | 9th of 16 |
| Median household income | 10th of 16 |
| Median home value | 11th of 16 |
| Median gross rent | 7th of 16 |
| Poverty rate | 6th of 16 |
| Bachelor's degree or higher | 10th of 16 |
| Median age | 14th of 16 |
Source: PlainCities ranks from the American Community Survey 2020-2024 5-year estimates, U.S. Census Bureau (released January 2026) and PEP Vintage 2025 · How ranks are computed
How these figures are made: methodology and release checks · reading a margin of error · every state · corrections
Not on this page: crime, weather and schools for Penobscot County are other agencies' records. Crime: the FBI's Crime Data Explorer · climate: NOAA's U.S. Climate Normals · schools: the National Center for Education Statistics' school search.