Portland-South Portland, ME Metro Area

Portland-South Portland, ME · Metro Area

562,843Population

A metropolitan statistical area of 3 counties (2 central, 1 outlying), part of the Portland-Lewiston-South Portland, ME combined area. The counties are tied together by commuting: people live in one and work in another.

Median household income: $92,175
Median home value: $420,000
Land area: 2,080 sq mi

Market now

Counties in this metro area

Central counties hold the urban core; outlying counties are linked to it by commuting.

County	Role	Population	Median income	Median home value
Cumberland County, ME	Central	308,827	$95,677	$451,200
York County, ME	Central	216,731	$88,333	$395,700
Sagadahoc County, ME	Outlying	37,285	$87,806	$333,300

Largest cities and towns

103 places in our city pages lie in this area; the 25 largest are shown.

Place	Type	Population	Median income
Portland, ME	City	68,854	$79,540
South Portland, ME	City	26,930	$86,838
Scarborough, ME	Town	23,215	$133,558
Biddeford, ME	City	22,498	$72,333
Brunswick, ME	Town	22,336	$74,952
Sanford, ME	City	22,247	$72,524
Saco, ME	City	20,819	$92,241
Westbrook, ME	City	20,775	$85,038
Windham, ME	Town	19,188	$107,934
Gorham, ME	Town	18,300	$112,312
Brunswick (CDP), ME	CDP	17,652	$70,722
York, ME	Town	13,986	$121,250
Falmouth, ME	Town	12,755	$150,919
Kennebunk, ME	Town	11,820	$107,804
Wells, ME	Town	11,713	$88,024
Standish, ME	Town	10,662	$104,593
Kittery, ME	Town	10,473	$93,728
Topsham, ME	Town	9,706	$91,028
Cape Elizabeth, ME	Town	9,606	$145,821
Old Orchard Beach, ME	Town	9,244	$60,050
Old Orchard Beach (CDP), ME	CDP	9,244	$60,050
Yarmouth, ME	Town	9,053	$110,216
Bath, ME	City	8,815	$69,390
Freeport, ME	Town	8,802	$107,326
Cumberland, ME	Town	8,647	$173,894

Also in the Portland-Lewiston-South Portland, ME combined area

Lewiston-Auburn, ME · metro · 113,423

Demographic Rates

Poverty Rate

7.6%

Unemployment

3.3%

College Educated

45.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1701, S2301, S1501

Race & Ethnicity

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B02001, B03003

Income Profile

Median Household Income

$92,175

Mean Household Income

$119,924

Income Distribution

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S1902, S1903, B19013, B19113

Sex Distribution

Male

49.0%

Female

51.0%

Population Split

Male49.0%

Female51.0%

The sex distribution of a population provides insight into the demographic balance of a community. Significant skews in this ratio can be influenced by local industries (e.g., military bases, mining, or tech hubs), educational institutions, or migration patterns. Understanding this balance is essential for planning public health initiatives and social services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Ancestry

English21.5%

Irish18.8%

French9.9%

German8.4%

Italian6.8%

Scottish4.4%

Polish2.7%

African1.5%

Mexican0.7%

Reported ancestry groups representing the cultural heritage of the population. Percentages may not sum to 100% as residents may report multiple ancestries or none.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B04006

Immigration & Nativity

Nativity Status

5.4%Foreign Born

94.6%Native Born

Citizenship Status

Naturalized52.4%

Non-Citizen47.6%

Period of Entry

2010 or Later47.1%

Before 201052.9%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table B05001, B05002

Housing Characteristics

Total Housing Units

287,616

Median Rent

$1,485/mo

Median Home Value

$420,000

Median Year Built

1978

Housing Tenure

Housing Types

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table DP04

Education Enrollment

Total Enrolled

114,304

College Enrollment

22.5%

High School

21.6%

College Educated

45.9%

K-12 Enrollment

Higher Education

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1401, S1501

Transportation & Commute

Mean Commute Time

25.1 min

Drive Alone Rate

67.3%

Public Transit

0.7%

Work From Home

19.6%

Commute Mode

Vehicle Ownership

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0801, B08141

Age Distribution

Under 18

17.9%

18-34 Years

20.8%

35-64 Years

39.9%

65+ Years

21.4%

Population Composition

Under 1817.9%

18-3420.8%

35-6439.9%

65+21.4%

The age distribution of a community impacts local services, school requirements, and the labor market. A higher percentage of youth suggests a need for schools and family services, while a larger senior population may indicate a retirement destination or a need for healthcare services.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S0101

Household Composition

Married Couples

49.8%

Single Parent

4.0%

Living Alone

29.8%

Avg Size

2.29

Household Types

Married Couples49.8%

Single Parent4.0%

Living Alone29.8%

Household composition offers insights into the social fabric of a community. A high percentage of married couples often correlates with stability and higher household incomes, while a significant number of single-person households may indicate a younger transient population or an aging community.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1101

Economic Profile

Per Capita Income

$52,055

SNAP Usage

7.8%

Health Insurance

95.2%

Household Income Breakdown

Under $25k11.5%

$25k - $50k14.7%

$50k - $100k27.9%

$100k+46.0%

Key Industries

Manufacturing

9.6%

Retail Trade

11.8%

Education & Health Care

26.2%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1901, S2201, DP03

Health & Disability

Disability Rate

12.9%With Disability

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with a disability.

Health Insurance Coverage

95.2%With Coverage

Percentage of the civilian noninstitutionalized population with health insurance coverage.

Why this matters: High disability rates may indicate a need for accessible infrastructure and specialized healthcare services. Health insurance coverage is a key indicator of a community's access to preventative care and financial resilience against medical emergencies.

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S1810, S2701

Technology Access

Broadband Internet

92.8%vs ~90% National Avg

Computer Ownership

96.3%vs ~95% National Avg

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, ACS 5-Year Estimates (2020–2024) • Table S2801

Cost of Living & Housing

Cost of Living Scale

Lower is better

101.9

0130

Below average< 97

Near average97 - 103

Above average> 103

Prices compared with the US average (100). 105 means about 5% more expensive than average.

Housing Affordability

Higher is better

109.4

0200

Hard to Afford< 80

Moderate80 - 100

Affordable> 100

100 means a family earning the median family income just qualifies to buy the median-value home (20% down, 30-year loan at 6.72%).

Source: BEA Regional Price Parities · NAR affordability formula with Census ACS 2020–2024 incomes and home values and the Freddie Mac 30-year rate (2024)

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