Maine’s Population Growth in 2024 – Key Insights and Trends

Maine, located at the northeastern tip of the United States, is known for its rugged coastline, mountainous landscapes, and the iconic Maine lobster.

It is also famously the home state of celebrated author Stephen King.

Despite its scenic beauty and cultural significance, Maine is the 41st most populated state in the country.

The state’s diverse terrain contributes to its sparse population distribution.

Current estimates for 2024 indicate a population of 1,402,110, reflecting gradual growth over the years. However, Maine has one of the slowest population growth rates in the U.S., at just 0.03%, ranking 48th out of all 50 states.

Maine shares its borders with New Hampshire to the southwest and the Canadian provinces of Quebec and New Brunswick to the northwest and northeast, respectively. Its strategic location and natural beauty make it a unique and significant part of the United States.

Population Density

Back to population density maps with one of Maine.#rayshader adventures, an #rstats tale pic.twitter.com/72f0Hx2EDy

— terence (@researchremora) December 5, 2021

Maine has a population density of just 43.1 people per square mile across its 35,380 square miles, making it the least densely populated state in New England, the American Northeast, and along the eastern seaboard. It also holds this distinction among states with an Atlantic coastline and those located east of the Mississippi River.

The Greater Portland metropolitan area is the most densely populated region in the state, accounting for 40% of Maine’s total population. In contrast, much of Maine consists of remote, uninhabited lands, particularly in its vast interior.

Cumberland County is the largest county in Maine by population, while Portland is the state’s most populous city, home to over 67,000 residents.

Age Structure

The median age in Maine is 44.8, according to the 2018-2022 ACS 5-Year Estimates, reflecting the state’s older population profile. A significant portion of the population, 14.97%, is under the age of 15, while those aged 15 to 29 make up 17.31% of the total.

The largest age group in Maine consists of individuals aged 30 to 64, who account for 46.26% of the population, indicating a strong working-age presence. However, the state also has a considerable proportion of older adults, with 18.99% falling within the 65 to 84 age range and 2.48% being 85 years or older.

Economy Stats

Maine’s economy has shown moderate growth, with a GSP increasing at 2.9% over the past five years, placing it 10th nationally as noted by IBISWORLD.

The population grew at an annualized rate of 0.9% (ranked 13th), though employment experienced a slight contraction at -0.1%. Unemployment stood at 3.6%, reflecting a relatively stable labor market.

Maine’s Largest Industries by Revenue (2024)

Maine’s economy is heavily reliant on Navigational Instrument Manufacturing, which dominates state revenue at $78.8 billion. Other key industries include Life Insurance & Annuities and Public Schools, demonstrating a mix of manufacturing, healthcare, and service-driven economic activities.

Top Companies Headquartered in Maine by Employment (2024)

The largest employers in Maine include MaineHealth Services and the State of Maine, which collectively account for 5.7% of statewide employment. Other significant employers include Hannaford Bros. and major national corporations like Walmart and Home Depot.

Maine GDP by Sector (2024)

The largest sectors contributing to Maine’s GDP include Real Estate and Rental Leasing (12.1B), Healthcare (8.5B), and Retail Trade (6.7B). While Manufacturing contracted in 2024 (-0.6%), sectors like Professional and Technical Services showed strong growth.

Maine Employment by Sector (2024)

The Manufacturing sector employs the largest number of people in Maine, but it has seen an overall decline of -1.5% over the past five years. Growth sectors include Professional Services (2.0%) and Arts and Recreation, which expanded significantly at 5.6% annualized growth.

Immigration Patterns

Immigrants make up 4.1% of Maine’s population and contribute significantly to the state’s economy.

American Immigration Council notes that their combined spending power of $1.7 billion and tax contributions of $625.1 million highlight their economic influence as both consumers and taxpayers.

Demographics: Age Distribution

Immigrants in Maine are more likely to be of working age (16-64), with 68.3% falling in this category compared to 61.6% of U.S.-born residents. This age distribution underscores the vital role immigrants play in the labor force, contributing to economic growth and funding programs like Social Security and Medicare.

Immigrant Gender and Language Proficiency

The immigrant population in Maine is nearly evenly split between women (51.6%) and men (48.4%). Additionally, 91.3% of foreign-born residents are proficient in English, highlighting their integration into Maine’s communities. About 1.2% of the population consists of U.S.-born residents with at least one immigrant parent.

Taxes and Contributions to Social Programs

Immigrant households in Maine contribute significantly to public finances, paying over $625.1 million in taxes, including $215.5 million to state and local governments. Additionally, they contribute $205.5 million to Social Security, further supporting critical social programs.

Top Country of Origin

Canada is the leading country of origin for immigrants in Maine, accounting for 15.1% of the foreign-born population. This reflects Maine’s geographic proximity and strong historical ties to Canada.

Health Overview

CDC notes that Maine’s fertility rate is relatively low at 49.7 births per 1,000 women of childbearing age, while the teen birth rate is even lower at 8.4 per 1,000, reflecting trends of delayed childbirth and reduced teen pregnancies. However, the infant mortality rate of 6.37 per 1,000 live births remains a concern compared to national averages.

The state’s life expectancy at birth is 76.7 years, which is slightly below the national average, influenced by health challenges such as heart disease, the leading cause of death, and a high drug overdose death rate of 54.3 per 100,000.

Other Birth Data (Maine, 2022)

Regarding births, 36% of deliveries were to unmarried mothers, and 31.7% were cesarean deliveries. Additionally, the preterm birth rate of 9.54% and the low birthweight rate of 8.18% highlight areas requiring focused maternal and infant healthcare interventions.

Housing Market

In November 2024, the median sale price of homes in Maine rose to $403,200, marking an 8.3% increase year-over-year according to Redfin.

This growth signals continued appreciation in home values despite economic uncertainties. The number of homes sold also increased by 2.8%, reflecting sustained buyer demand.

However, homes stayed on the market for longer, with the median days on market increasing to 44 days (+14 days), suggesting a slight cooling in the market pace.

Fastest Growing Home Prices by Metro Area

The fastest-growing metro area in Maine is Windham, with an impressive 32.2% increase in sales prices year-over-year. Other areas, such as Saco (+9.9%) and Bangor (+7.1%), also experienced solid price growth.

In contrast, some markets, including Portland (-1.6%), Biddeford (-3.4%), and South Portland (-12.8%), saw price declines, indicating localized market corrections or weaker demand in those areas.

Housing Supply Trends

Maine’s housing supply expanded significantly in November 2024, with 6,433 homes for sale, reflecting a 35.3% increase year-over-year.

Additionally, 1,370 new listings entered the market, up 10.8%, indicating that more sellers are entering the market to capitalize on rising home prices.

Despite this, the months of supply remained steady at 3 months, suggesting a market still leaning towards sellers but showing gradual improvement in inventory levels.