Portland, ME
Demographics And Statistics

We take you around Portland to find out what it's like to call it home.

Living in Portland, Maine

Life in Portland research summary. HomeSnacks has been using Saturday Night Science to research the quality of life in Portland over the past nine years using Census, FBI, Zillow, and other primary data sources. Here's a snapshot of Portland based on the most recently available data.

68,854 Population
$557,760 Median home value
$79,540 Median income
120 Cost of living +20% vs US
$1,577 Median rent
4.2% Unemployment
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Portland SnackAbility

7.5
Overall SnackAbility
Jobs 8/10
Housing 8.5/10
Affordability 4/10
Diversity 8/10
Safety 6/10
Amenities 9.5/10
Education 8.5/10
Commute 8.5/10

Crime in Portland summary. We use data from the FBI to determine the crime rates in Portland. Key points include:

  • There were 1,903 total crimes in Portland in the last reporting year.

  • The overall crime rate per 100,000 people in Portland is 2,745.6 / 100k people.

  • The violent crime rate per 100,000 people in Portland is 266.9 / 100k people.

  • The property crime rate per 100,000 people in Portland is 2,478.7 / 100k people.

  • Overall, crime in Portland is 29.56% above the national average.

1,903
Total Crimes
29.56%
Above National Average
Portland
US

Crime In Portland Comparison Table

Statistic Count
Raw
Portland
/ 100k People
Maine
/ 100k People
National
/ 100k People
Total Crimes Per 100K 1,903 2,745.6 1,242.2 2,119.2
Violent Crime 185 266.9 100.1 359.0
Murder 5 7.2 2.3 5.0
Robbery 35 50.5 11.0 61.0
Aggravated Assault 116 167.4 55.0 256.0
Property Crime 1,718 2,478.7 1,142.1 1,760.0
Burglary 101 145.7 100.1 229.0
Larceny 1,509 2,177.2 961.0 1,272.0
Car Theft 108 155.8 81.1 259.0
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Source: FBI Uniform Crime Reporting (2024)

Cost of living in Portland summary. We use data on the cost of living to determine how expensive it is to live in Portland. Real estate prices drive most of the variance in cost of living around Maine. Key points include:

  • The cost of living in Portland is 120 with 100 being average.

  • The cost of living in Portland is 1.2x higher than the national average.

  • The median home value in Portland is $557,760.

  • The median income in Portland is $79,540.

120
Portland's Overall Cost Of Living
1.2x
Higher Than The National Average
Portland
US

Cost Of Living In Portland Comparison Table

Living Expense Portland Maine National Average
Overall 120 99 100
Services 105 101 100
Groceries 103 100 100
Health 156 92 100
Housing 103 103 100
Transportation 109 109 100
Utilities 106 105 100
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Source: Cost of living index, normalized to US average = 100

Portland, ME Weather

  • The average high in Portland is 55.0° and the average low is 38.1°.

  • There are 79.5 days of precipitation each year.

  • Expect an average of 47.3 inches of precipitation each year with 66.6 inches of snow.

StatPortland
Average Annual High55.0
Average Annual Low38.1
Annual Precipitation Days79.5
Average Annual Precipitation47.3
Average Annual Snowfall66.6
55.0°
Average High
79.5
Days of Rain

Source: NOAA climate normals (30-year)

Portland, ME Photos

Portlandc Maine Montage
Source: Wikipedia User Karmos | CC BY-SA 3.0
Deering Oaks Park And Fountainc Portlandc Me Img
Source: Wikipedia User Billy Hathorn | CC BY 3.0
Ferry Boats
Source: Wikipedia User Motionhero | CC BY-SA 3.0
Kites Bug Light Park
Source: Wikipedia User Motionhero | CC BY-SA 3.0
Mngrr
Source: Public Domain
Old Casco Bank
Source: Wikipedia User Bd2media | CC BY-SA 4.0
Portland Maine Custom House
Source: Public Domain
Park Street
Source: Wikipedia User Motionhero | CC BY-SA 3.0
Tv Station
Source: Wikipedia User Motionhero | CC BY-SA 3.0

2 Reviews & Comments About Portland

Just fishin · None
rating star

i live in maine and augusta is not at all the worst. the worst would be south portland or portland

HomeSnacks User · 2018-07-13 22:54:41.063624
rating starrating starrating starrating starrating star

I feel very safe in the town. It has a very small town feel to it. It has excellent restaurants and some of the best Lobster Rolls anywhere in the country. I love the cobblestone streets and the old town look.

The downtown is full of bars and restaurants. Fresh seafood all around the city.

Rankings & Articles For Portland

Locations Around Portland

Map Of Portland, ME

Best Places Around Portland

1

Yarmouth, ME
Population 6,289

$753,763+35% vs Portland
2

Gorham, ME
Population 7,593

$535,255-4% vs Portland
3

South Portland, ME
Population 26,930

$517,131-7% vs Portland
4

Saco, ME
Population 20,819

$520,612-7% vs Portland
5

Westbrook, ME
Population 20,775

$449,009-19% vs Portland
6

Old Orchard Beach, ME
Population 9,244

$501,228-10% vs Portland

Portland Demographics And Statistics

Population over time in Portland

The current population in Portland is 68,854. The population has increased 4.1% from 2010.

Year Population % Change
2024 68,854 0.5%
2023 68,505 0.3%
2022 68,280 0.3%
2021 68,063 2.0%
2020 66,706 0.2%
2019 66,595 -0.2%
2018 66,735 0.0%
2017 66,715 0.1%
2016 66,649 0.2%
2015 66,490 0.3%
2014 66,317 0.1%
2013 66,227 -0.0%
2012 66,235 -0.0%
2011 66,240 0.2%
2010 66,138 -

Race / Ethnicity in Portland

White 77.5% (53,375)
African American 9.1% (6,244)
American Indian 0.1% (42)
Asian 3.9% (2,689)
Hawaiian 0.0% (12)
Other 0.4% (278)
Two Or More 5.9% (4,062)
Hispanic 3.1% (2,152)
See the full breakdown

Portland is:

  • 77.5% White with 53,375 White residents.

  • 9.1% African American with 6,244 African American residents.

  • 0.1% American Indian with 42 American Indian residents.

  • 3.9% Asian with 2,689 Asian residents.

  • 0.0% Hawaiian with 12 Hawaiian residents.

  • 0.4% Other with 278 Other residents.

  • 5.9% Two Or More with 4,062 Two Or More residents.

  • 3.1% Hispanic with 2,152 Hispanic residents.

Race Portland ME USA
White 77.5% 89.9% 57.4%
African American 9.1% 1.8% 11.9%
American Indian 0.1% 0.3% 0.5%
Asian 3.9% 1.1% 5.9%
Hawaiian 0.0% 0.0% 0.2%
Other 0.4% 0.4% 0.6%
Two Or More 5.9% 4.2% 4.3%
Hispanic 3.1% 2.2% 19.3%

Gender in Portland

Female 51.6% (35,524)
Male 48.4% (33,330)
See the full breakdown
  • Portland is 51.6% female with 35,524 female residents.

  • Portland is 48.4% male with 33,330 male residents.

Gender Portland ME USA
Female 51.6% 50.7% 50.5%
Male 48.4% 49.3% 49.5%

Highest level of educational attainment in Portland for adults over 25

< 9th Grade 1.0% (688)
9-12th Grade 2.0% (1,377)
High School / GED 15.0% (10,328)
Some College 14.0% (9,639)
Associate's Degree 8.0% (5,508)
Bachelor's Degree 36.0% (24,787)
Master's Degree 17.0% (11,705)
Professional Degree 5.0% (3,442)
Doctorate Degree 2.0% (1,377)
See the full breakdown
  • 1.0% of adults in Portland completed < 9th grade.

  • 2.0% of adults in Portland completed 9-12th grade.

  • 15.0% of adults in Portland completed high school / ged.

  • 14.0% of adults in Portland completed some college.

  • 8.0% of adults in Portland completed associate's degree.

  • 36.0% of adults in Portland completed bachelor's degree.

  • 17.0% of adults in Portland completed master's degree.

  • 5.0% of adults in Portland completed professional degree.

  • 2.0% of adults in Portland completed doctorate degree.

Education Portland ME USA
< 9th Grade 1.0% 2.0% 4.0%
9-12th Grade 2.0% 4.0% 6.0%
High School / GED 15.0% 30.0% 26.0%
Some College 14.0% 18.0% 19.0%
Associate's Degree 8.0% 10.0% 9.0%
Bachelor's Degree 36.0% 22.0% 22.0%
Master's Degree 17.0% 10.0% 10.0%
Professional Degree 5.0% 2.0% 2.0%
Doctorate Degree 2.0% 2.0% 2.0%

Household Income For Portland, Maine

Less than $10,000 4.4% (300,146)
$10,000 to $14,999 3.8% (260,878)
$15,000 to $24,999 5.8% (401,030)
$25,000 to $34,999 6.8% (471,001)
$35,000 to $49,999 10.5% (722,272)
$50,000 to $74,999 16.7% (1,146,696)
$75,000 to $99,999 11.5% (791,617)
$100,000 to $149,999 18.8% (1,291,861)
$150,000 to $199,999 10.0% (689,062)
$200,000 or more 11.8% (810,833)
See the full breakdown
  • 4.4% of households in Portland earn Less than $10,000.

  • 3.8% of households in Portland earn $10,000 to $14,999.

  • 5.8% of households in Portland earn $15,000 to $24,999.

  • 6.8% of households in Portland earn $25,000 to $34,999.

  • 10.5% of households in Portland earn $35,000 to $49,999.

  • 16.7% of households in Portland earn $50,000 to $74,999.

  • 11.5% of households in Portland earn $75,000 to $99,999.

  • 18.8% of households in Portland earn $100,000 to $149,999.

  • 10.0% of households in Portland earn $150,000 to $199,999.

  • 11.8% of households in Portland earn $200,000 or more.

Income Portland ME USA
Less than $10,000 4.4% 4.1% 5.0%
$10,000 to $14,999 3.8% 3.8% 3.4%
$15,000 to $24,999 5.8% 7.2% 6.3%
$25,000 to $34,999 6.8% 7.2% 6.6%
$35,000 to $49,999 10.5% 11.2% 10.1%
$50,000 to $74,999 16.7% 16.8% 15.5%
$75,000 to $99,999 11.5% 13.0% 12.6%
$100,000 to $149,999 18.8% 18.4% 17.5%
$150,000 to $199,999 10.0% 9.1% 9.6%
$200,000 or more 11.8% 9.4% 13.4%

Source: U.S. Census ACS 5-year estimates (2024)