Maine Key Demographic Statistics (2024 Estimates)

Key demographic statistics summarized from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS).

Total Population
1,405,012
Median Age
44.9 years
Median Household Income
$76,442
Bachelor's Degree+
37.11%
Uninsured Rate
5.5%
Total Households
615,235
Total Workers
713,799
Citizenship Rate
97.7%
Total Veterans
97,871
Top Veteran Era
Vietnam Era Only
Poverty Rate
6.2%
Families in Poverty
23,100
SNAP Recipients
12.73%
Households w/ SNAP
78,348

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates

Maine 2024 Demographics: Age & Gender Distribution

Bar chart showing the population distribution of Maine by age group and gender, based on 2024 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the total population of Maine is 1,405,012. The median age of the population in Maine is 44.9 years. The median age for males is 43.8 years, and for females it is 46.1 years.

The age distribution of the population in Maine by age group is as follows:

Population Percentage by Age Group in Maine, 2024
Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years 4.16%
5–17 years (children) 13.25%
18–24 years (young adults) 7.86%
25–34 years 12.25%
35–54 years 24.47%
55–64 years 14.52%
65 years and over (seniors) 23.48%

Understanding the Demographic Dependency Ratio in Maine

The total dependency ratio in Maine is 69.20. The youth dependency ratio is 29.46, and the old-age dependency ratio is 39.73. In demographic terms, the dependency ratio measures the size of the population typically not in the labor force (children under 18 and older adults 65+) relative to the working age (18-64) population. A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support the non-working age groups.

For more detailed reports, explore the demographics for each of the most populated counties in Maine, including Cumberland County (305,940), York County (214,731), and Penobscot County (153,571).


What is the Racial and Ethnic Breakdown of Maine?

Race and Ethnicity Distribution Chart for Maine
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

The racial makeup and ethnic composition (racial demographics) of Maine is detailed below, based on the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates.

The Diversity Index for Maine is calculated at 20.23, suggesting a low level of racial and ethnic diversity. This index measures the probability that two people chosen at random will be from different racial or ethnic groups.

The following table provides the breakdown of the population of Maine by race and ethnicity:

Population Percentage by Racial and Ethnic Group in Maine, 2024
Racial/Ethnic Group Percentage
White Alone (Non-Hispanic) 89.13%
Two or More Races 4.54%
Hispanic or Latino (Any Race) 2.34%
Black/African American Alone 1.99%
Asian Alone 1.33%
American Indian and Alaska Native Alone 0.34%
Some Other Race Alone 0.31%
Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone 0.02%

Maine 2024 Demographics: Household Income Distribution

Horizontal bar chart showing household income distribution in Maine.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the median household income in Maine over the past 12 months, adjusted for 2024 inflation, was $76,442. This figure is based on a total of 615,235 households.

The distribution of household income in Maine across various income brackets is as follows:

Household Income Distribution in Maine, 2024
Income Range Percentage of Households
Less than $20,000 11.09%
$20,000 to $34,999 10.16%
$35,000 to $49,999 10.71%
$50,000 to $74,999 17.16%
$75,000 to $149,999 31.16%
$150,000 or more 19.73%

For detailed household income distribution reports on the counties with the highest median household income in Maine, explore the data for: Cumberland County ($92,983), York County ($82,904), and Sagadahoc County ($82,080).


Maine 2024 Demographics: Property Value Distribution

Line chart showing the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in Maine.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the distribution of property values for owner-occupied housing units in Maine is based on a total of 451,090 properties.

The property value distribution in Maine across various value brackets is as follows:

Property Value Distribution in Maine, 2024
Property Value Range Percentage of Properties
Less than $25,000 2.54%
$25,000 to $49,999 2.55%
$50,000 to $99,999 5.18%
$100,000 to $199,999 14.28%
$200,000 to $499,999 48.92%
$500,000 to $999,999 24.65%
$1,000,000 or more 1.89%

Educational Attainment in Maine (2024 Data)

Treemap chart illustrating the educational attainment breakdown for population 25 years and over in Maine.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the educational attainment data covers the population 25 years and older in Maine, totaling 1,049,857 individuals.

94.77% of Maine population has a high school diploma or higher. Furthermore, the percentage of individuals who hold a Bachelor's Degree or a higher professional/graduate degree is 37.11%.

The detailed breakdown by educational level is presented below:

Educational Attainment Distribution in Maine, 2024
Educational Attainment Level Percentage of Population 25+
Less than high school graduate 5.23%
High school graduate (incl. equivalency) 29.49%
Some college or associate's degree 28.17%
Bachelor's Degree 22.48%
Graduate or professional degree 14.63%

What is the Health Insurance Coverage Rate in Maine?

Pyramid chart showing health insurance coverage by age and sex in Maine.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the health insurance coverage data for Maine shows that 5.5% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 76,864 individuals out of a total population of 1,386,357 people.

The uninsured rates vary significantly by age group. Young adults (18-34 years) have uninsured rates of 11.2% for males and 9.4% for females. In the 35-64 age bracket, 8.4% of males and 5.2% of females are uninsured.

Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare. In Maine, uninsured rates for children are 5.4% for males and 3.6% for females, while seniors have rates of 0.4% for males and 0.4% for females.

Uninsured Rates by Age Group and Sex in Maine, 2024
Age Group Male Uninsured % Female Uninsured %
Under 18 5.4% 3.6%
18-34 years 11.2% 9.4%
35-64 years 8.4% 5.2%
65+ years 0.4% 0.4%

Maine 2024 Population by Nativity and Citizenship Status

Treemap showing the population distribution by nativity and citizenship status in Maine based on U.S. Census data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the nativity and citizenship data for Maine shows that 97.7% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes both native-born and naturalized citizens, representing 1,372,357 individuals out of a total population of 1,405,012 people.

The nativity breakdown reveals diverse origins: 94.3% were born in the United States, 0.1% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, and 0.9% were born abroad of American parent(s).

Among the foreign-born population, 2.4% of the total population have become naturalized U.S. citizens (33,160 individuals), while 2.3% are non-citizens (32,655 individuals).

Nativity and Citizenship Distribution in Maine, 2024
Nativity/Citizenship Status Percentage
Born in the United States 94.3%
Born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas 0.1%
Born abroad of American parent(s) 0.9%
U.S. citizen by naturalization 2.4%
Not a U.S. citizen 2.3%
Total U.S. Citizens 97.7%

Maine 2024 Demographics: Means of Transportation to Work

Treemap showing means of transportation to work distribution in Maine.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the commuting patterns for Maine show that 79.5% of workers commute by car, truck, or van. This represents 558,720 workers out of a total workforce of 702,479 people.

Public transportation usage stands at 0.6% (4,114 workers), which includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries, but excludes taxicabs. Active transportation methods include walking (3.5%) and bicycling (0.3%).

14.7% of workers in Maine report working from home. An additional 1.4% use other means such as taxicabs, motorcycles, or other forms of transportation. These alternative commuting patterns reflect changing work arrangements and transportation preferences in the modern workforce.

Commuting Methods Distribution in Maine, 2024
Transportation Method Percentage Number of Workers
Car, truck, or van 79.5% 558,720
Public transportation 0.6% 4,114
Bicycle 0.3% 2,263
Walked 3.5% 24,692
Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means 1.4% 9,620
Worked from home 14.7% 103,070
Total Workers - 702,479

Maine 2024 Demographics: Employment by Class of Worker

Horizontal bar chart showing employment distribution by class of worker and gender in Maine, based on 2024 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, the civilian employed population aged 16 and over in Maine totals 713,799 workers. Of these, 363,384 (50.9%) are male and 350,415 (49.1%) are female.

The employment distribution by class of worker in Maine is as follows:

Employment Distribution by Class of Worker and Sex in Maine, 2024
Employment Class Male Workers Female Workers
Private For-Profit 251,077 (35.2%) 203,762 (28.5%)
Private Non-Profit 32,636 (4.6%) 63,823 (8.9%)
Government (All Levels) 44,059 (6.2%) 59,624 (8.4%)
  • Local Government 19,927 38,123
  • State Government 13,661 13,316
  • Federal Government 10,471 8,185
Self-Employed 34,878 (4.9%) 22,398 (3.1%)

Class of worker categorizes employed civilians by their employment arrangement. Private sector workers are employed by for-profit or non-profit companies. Government workers include those employed at local, state, or federal levels. Self-employed workers operate their own unincorporated businesses. Understanding the class of worker distribution provides insights into the economic structure and employment diversity of Maine.


Maine 2024 Demographics: Veterans by Period of Service

Horizontal bar chart showing veteran distribution by period of military service in Maine, based on 2024 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 97,871 civilian veterans aged 18 and over in Maine.

The largest group of veterans served during Vietnam Era Only, accounting for 34,962 veterans (35.7% of all veterans). The second-largest group served during Between Gulf War & Vietnam, with 16,671 veterans (17.0%).

The complete distribution of veterans by period of military service in Maine is as follows:

Veteran Distribution by Period of Military Service in Maine, 2024
Period of Service Number of Veterans Percentage
Vietnam Era Only (August 1964 to April 1975) 34,962 35.7%
Between Gulf War and Vietnam Era 16,671 17.0%
Gulf War Only (August 1990 to August 2001) 11,770 12.0%
Post-9/11 Only (September 2001 or later) 11,677 11.9%
Post-9/11 and Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001) 7,498 7.7%
Between Vietnam Era and Korean War 6,829 7.0%
Korean War Only (July 1950 to January 1955) 4,741 4.8%
Gulf War and Vietnam Era 1,694 1.7%
World War II Only (December 1941 to December 1946) 1,104 1.1%
Vietnam Era and Korean War 396 0.4%
Post-9/11, Gulf War, and Vietnam Era 232 0.2%
Korean War and World War II 122 0.1%
Between Korean War and World War II 119 0.1%
Vietnam Era, Korean War, and World War II 56 0.1%
Total Veterans 97,871 100.0%

Period of military service categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Veterans may have served during multiple periods, including World War II (December 1941–December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950–January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964–April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990–August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Understanding veteran demographics helps communities provide appropriate services, benefits, and support to those who have served.


Maine 2024 Demographics: Families by Income-to-Poverty Ratio

Horizontal bar chart showing family distribution by income-to-poverty ratio in Maine, based on 2024 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 370,334 families in Maine.

Of these families, 23,100 (6.2%) live below the poverty line (income less than 100% of the federal poverty level). An additional 95,366 families (25.8%) are at or near poverty (100-199% of poverty). Meanwhile, 251,868 families (68.0%) have incomes at least twice the poverty level.

The complete distribution of families by income-to-poverty ratio in Maine is as follows:

Family Distribution by Income-to-Poverty Ratio in Maine, 2024
Income-to-Poverty Ratio Number of Families Percentage
Below 50% of Poverty 10,241 2.8%
50-74% of Poverty 5,311 1.4%
75-99% of Poverty 7,548 2.0%
100-124% of Poverty 8,872 2.4%
125-149% of Poverty 8,457 2.3%
150-174% of Poverty 12,024 3.2%
175-184% of Poverty 3,658 1.0%
185-199% of Poverty 7,041 1.9%
200-299% of Poverty 55,314 14.9%
300-399% of Poverty 57,723 15.6%
400-499% of Poverty 49,230 13.3%
500%+ of Poverty 144,915 39.1%
Total Families 370,334 100.0%

Income-to-poverty ratio measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold, which varies by family size and composition. A ratio below 1.00 (100%) indicates the family lives in poverty. Ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 represent families with low incomes who may still struggle financially despite being technically above the poverty line. Families with ratios of 2.00 (200%) or higher generally have more economic security. Understanding poverty distribution helps communities allocate resources and develop programs to support families in need.


Maine 2024 Demographics: SNAP/Food Stamps Recipients

Stacked bar chart showing SNAP/Food Stamps recipient household composition by presence of children under 18 in Maine, based on 2024 ACS data.
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2024 ACS Estimates

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's 2024 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates, there are 615,235 total households in Maine. Of these, 78,348 households (12.73%) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months.

Among SNAP-recipient households, 25,145 (32.09%) have children under 18 years, while 53,203 (67.91%) do not have children under 18 years.

Household Composition of SNAP Recipients

SNAP Recipient Household Composition in Maine, 2024
Household Type With Children Under 18 No Children Under 18
Married-Couple Family 8,797 (11.23%) 6,824 (8.71%)
Male Householder, No Spouse 3,292 (4.20%) 2,159 (2.76%)
Female Householder, No Spouse 11,837 (15.11%) 4,818 (6.15%)
Nonfamily Households 1,219 (1.56%) 39,402 (50.29%)

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. The program aims to help eligible households purchase nutritious food. SNAP participation rates and household composition patterns provide important insights into economic hardship and food security challenges in Maine. Households with children under 18 often face greater nutritional needs, while households without children may include seniors, disabled individuals, or working adults facing economic challenges.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The age breakdown for the population of Maine is detailed below, showing the percentage of the total population for each group:

Age Group Percentage
Under 5 years4.16%
5–17 years (children)13.25%
18–24 years (young adults)7.86%
25–34 years12.25%
35–54 years24.47%
55–64 years14.52%
65 years and over (seniors)23.48%

The racial and ethnic composition of Maine is dominated by: White Alone (Non-Hispanic): 89.13%, Two or More Races: 4.54%, Hispanic or Latino (Any Race): 2.34%. The complete breakdown includes 8 distinct racial and ethnic categories.

The median household income in Maine is $76,442. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the area, meaning half of households earn more than this amount and half earn less.

The household income distribution in Maine is: Very Low Income (under $20,000): 11.09%, Low Income ($20,000-$34,999): 10.16%, Lower Middle Income ($35,000-$49,999): 10.71%, Middle Income ($50,000-$74,999): 17.16%, Upper Middle Income ($75,000-$149,999): 31.16%, High Income ($150,000+): 19.73%.

Approximately 37.84% of households in Maine earn over $100,000 annually. This includes households earning between $100,000 and $124,999, $125,000 and $149,999, $150,000 and $199,999, and $200,000 or more.

The property value distribution for owner-occupied housing units in Maine is: Less than $25,000: 2.54%, $25,000-$49,999: 2.55%, $50,000-$99,999: 5.18%, $100,000-$199,999: 14.28%, $200,000-$499,999: 48.92%, $500,000-$999,999: 24.65%, $1,000,000 or more: 1.89%.

There are 451,090 owner-occupied housing units in Maine. This represents homes that are owned by the people living in them, as opposed to rental properties or vacant units.

Approximately 26.53% of owner-occupied housing units in Maine are valued over $500,000. This includes properties valued between $500,000 and $749,999, $750,000 and $999,999, $1,000,000 and $1,499,999, $1,500,000 and $1,999,999, and $2,000,000 or more.

In Maine, 37.11% of the population aged 25 and older holds a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes those with bachelor's degrees as well as those with graduate or professional degrees.

The educational attainment breakdown for Maine (population 25+) is: Less than high school graduate: 5.23%, High school graduate (including equivalency): 29.49%, Some college or associate's degree: 28.17%, Bachelor's degree: 22.48%, Graduate or professional degree: 14.63%.

In Maine, 94.77% of the population aged 25 and older has completed at least a high school education. This includes high school graduates, those with some college, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees.

In Maine, 5.5% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 76,864 individuals out of a total population of 1,386,357 people.

The uninsured rates vary by age group in Maine. For young adults (18-34 years), 11.2% of males and 9.4% of females lack coverage. In the 35-64 age group, 8.4% of males and 5.2% of females are uninsured. These working-age populations typically face different coverage challenges than children or seniors.

Children under 18 in Maine have uninsured rates of 5.4% for males and 3.6% for females. Seniors aged 65 and older, who are typically covered by Medicare, have uninsured rates of 0.4% for males and 0.4% for females. These age groups generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs.

In Maine, 97.7% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes native-born citizens and naturalized citizens. Out of a total population of 1,405,012 people, 1,372,357 are U.S. citizens.

Maine has 33,160 naturalized U.S. citizens, representing 2.4% of the total population. These are foreign-born individuals who have gone through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.

The nativity and citizenship breakdown for Maine is: 94.3% were born in the United States, 0.1% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, 0.9% were born abroad of American parent(s), 2.4% are foreign-born naturalized U.S. citizens, and 2.3% are foreign-born non-citizens.

In Maine, 79.5% of workers commute by car, truck, or van, making it the most common means of transportation to work. Out of 702,479 total workers, 558,720 use personal vehicles for their commute.

4,114 workers in Maine use public transportation (excluding taxicabs) to commute to work, representing 0.6% of all workers. This includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries.

Alternative commute methods in Maine include: 14.7% work from home, 3.5% walk to work, 0.3% bicycle, and 1.4% use other means such as taxicabs or motorcycles. These alternatives to driving alone help reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.

"Class of worker" refers to the type of employer or work arrangement for employed civilians aged 16 and over in Maine. It categorizes workers into private sector (for-profit and non-profit), government (local, state, and federal), self-employed, and unpaid family workers. This classification helps understand the employment structure and economic composition of the workforce.

According to the American Community Survey, Maine has 713,799 employed civilians aged 16 and over. The private for-profit sector employs the largest share of workers, with 35.2% of male workers and 28.5% of female workers in this category.

In Maine, there are 44,059 male government workers and 59,624 female government workers. Government employment includes local, state, and federal positions. This represents 6.2% of male workers and 8.4% of female workers.

Self-employment in Maine includes 34,878 males (4.9%) and 22,398 females (3.1%). Self-employed workers operate their own businesses that are not legally incorporated.

In Maine, 78,348 households (12.73% of all households) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months. Out of 615,235 total households, these families rely on this federal nutrition assistance program to help purchase food.

Of the SNAP-receiving households in Maine, 25,145 (32.09%) have children under 18 years. These families face additional nutritional needs and food security challenges as they work to provide adequate nutrition for growing children.

SNAP recipients in Maine include diverse household types. Among households with children, 11,837 (15.11%) are headed by a female householder with no spouse present, while 8,797 (11.23%) are married-couple families. The program also serves households without children, including seniors, disabled individuals, and working adults facing economic challenges.

The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is based on household income, resources, and size. In Maine, SNAP helps eligible households purchase nutritious food at authorized retailers. The program aims to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, there are 97,871 civilian veterans aged 18 and over living in Maine. These individuals have served on active duty in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. This number does not include those with only National Guard or Reserves training without active duty service.

The most common period of military service for veterans in Maine is Vietnam Era Only, with 34,962 veterans (35.7% of all veterans) who served during this period. The second most common period is Between Gulf War & Vietnam, with 16,671 veterans (17.0%).

"Period of service" categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Major periods include World War II (December 1941-December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950-January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964-April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990-August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Veterans may have served during multiple periods. Understanding the distribution of service periods helps communities in Maine provide appropriate services and support to their veteran population.

Veterans who served during the Gulf War era (1990-2001) and Post-9/11 era (2001-present) represent approximately 50.6% of all veterans in Maine. These more recent-era veterans, totaling around 49,542 individuals, often have different service experiences and support needs compared to veterans of earlier conflicts. They may benefit from targeted programs addressing issues such as transition to civilian life, employment assistance, and access to VA healthcare services.

In Maine, 23,100 families (6.2% of all families) live below the federal poverty line. This means their household income is less than 100% of the poverty threshold established by the U.S. Census Bureau, which varies by family size and composition. Out of 370,334 total families, these households face significant economic challenges meeting basic needs.

"Income-to-poverty ratio" measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold. A ratio of 1.00 (100%) means the family's income equals the poverty line. Below 1.00 indicates poverty, while ratios above 1.00 show income levels relative to poverty. For example, a ratio of 2.00 (200%) means the family earns twice the poverty threshold. In Maine, this data helps identify not just families in poverty, but also those who are economically vulnerable despite being above the official poverty line.

Beyond families living in poverty, Maine has 95,366 families (25.8%) with incomes between 100% and 199% of the poverty level. These families are often called 'near poverty' or low-income households. Specifically, 29,353 families (7.9%) have incomes between 100% and 149% of poverty. While technically above the poverty line, these families often struggle with housing costs, healthcare, childcare, and other expenses, making them economically vulnerable.

In Maine, 10,241 families (2.8%) live in extreme poverty, with incomes below 50% of the federal poverty threshold. These families face severe economic hardship and often require comprehensive assistance programs. On the other end of the spectrum, 251,868 families (68.0%) have incomes at least 200% above the poverty level, indicating greater financial stability and economic security.