Poverty in Maine
What is the poverty rate in Maine?
The poverty rate in Maine is 12.9%. One out of every 7.8 residents of Maine lives in poverty.
How many people in Maine live in poverty?
166,904 of 1,294,998 residents reported income levels below the poverty line in the last year.
How does the Poverty Rate in Maine compare to the national average?
Maine ranks 21st in Poverty Rate at 12.9%(poverty rankings by state).The Poverty Rate of Maine is moderately lower than the national average of 14.6%.
Maine Poverty Rate County Map
Maine Poverty Rate By Sex
What is the poverty rate for men vs women living in Maine?
Male
The Poverty Rate for men who live in Maine is 11.9%.
Female
The Poverty Rate for women who live in Maine is 13.8%.
Poverty Rate Disparity for Male vs Female Residents of Maine
Female residents of Maine are moderately(15%) more likely to live in poverty than males.
75,323 of 632,122 males in Maine live below the poverty line.
91,581 of 662,876 females in Maine live below the poverty line.
Maine Poverty Rate By Age
What's the Poverty Rate in Maine By Age?
Breakdown of Maine Poverty Rate By Age
- Children Under 6 in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 20.1%.
- Children 6 to 11 Years Old in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 17.2%.
- Adolescents 12 to 17 Years Old in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 13.4%.
- Adults 18 to 59 Years Old in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 13.4%.
- Adults 60 to 74 Years Old in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 8.6%.
- 75 to 84 Years Old in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 10.0%.
- Over 85 Years Old in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 11.0%.
Historical Maine Poverty Rate
| Year | Poverty Rate | YoY % Change | National |
|---|---|---|---|
2010 |
12.9% | 15.3% | |
2011 |
14.1% | 9.0% | 15.9% |
2012 |
14.7% | 3.0% | 15.9% |
2013 |
14.0% | 5.0% | 15.8% |
2014 |
14.1% | 1.0% | 15.5% |
2015 |
13.4% | 5.0% | 14.7% |
2016 |
12.5% | 6.0% | 14.0% |
2017 |
11.1% | 12.0% | 13.4% |
Maine Poverty Rate By Race
| Race | Population | Poverty Rate | National Poverty Rate | Population |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Black |
15,575 |
42.5% | 25.2% | 1.2% |
American Indian |
7,852 |
33.6% | 26.8% | 0.6% |
Asian |
13,865 |
13.3% | 11.9% | 1.0% |
Other |
2,766 |
12.9% | 23.8% | 0.2% |
Two Or More Races |
26,496 |
25.3% | 18.4% | 2.0% |
White |
1,214,806 |
12.0% | 10.3% | 91.3% |
Hispanic |
19,290 |
19.9% | 22.2% | 1.5% |
What's the Poverty Rate in Maine By Race?
42.5% of Black residents of Maine live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of black residents in Maine is dramatically higher than the national average of 25.2%. 6,622 of 15,575 black Mainers live below the poverty line. Approximately 1.2% of the total population of Maine is black.
13.3% of Asian residents of Maine live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of asian residents in Maine is the same as than the national average. 1,848 of 13,865 asian Mainers live below the poverty line. Approximately 1.0% of the total population of Maine is asian.
12.0% of White residents of Maine live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of white residents in Maine is the same as than the national average. 146,139 of 1,214,806 white Mainers live below the poverty line. Approximately 91.3% of the total population of Maine are white.
19.9% of Hispanic residents of Maine live below the poverty line.
The Poverty Rate of hispanic residents in Maine is the same as than the national average. 3,830 of 19,290 hispanic Mainers live below the poverty line. Approximately 1.5% of the total population of Maine is hispanic.
Maine Poverty Rate By School Enrollment
Understanding where poverty hits hardest in Maine can be better understood by segmenting poverty by whether or not the resident is in school or not.
- Enrolled in School in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 17.1%.
- Not Enrolled in School in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 11.5%.
The Poverty Rate of Maine residents enrolled in school is moderately lower than the national average of 20.1%. This translates to 46,355 of 271,282 Mainers enrolled in school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 20.4% of the total population of Maine are currently enrolled in school.
The Poverty Rate of Maine residents not enrolled in school is slightly lower than the national average of 12.2%. This translates to 113,036 of 987,078 Mainers not enrolled in school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 74.2% of the total population of Maine are currently not enrolled in school.
Poverty for younger ages in Maine is seen as the most undesirable for the future of the community.
- Enrolled in Nursery School in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 15.3%.
- Enrolled in Elementary School(Grades 1-4) in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 18.1%.
The Poverty Rate of Maine residents enrolled in nursery school is moderately lower than the national average of 18.0%. This translates to 2,241 of 14,684 Mainers enrolled in nursery school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 1.1% of the total population of Maine is currently enrolled in nursery school.
The Poverty Rate of Maine residents enrolled in elementary school(grades 1-4) is moderately lower than the national average of 21.2%. This translates to 10,184 of 56,117 Mainers enrolled in elementary school(grades 1-4) living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 4.2% of the total population of Maine are currently enrolled in elementary school(grades 1-4).
Poverty for developing children and young adults in Maine can have drastic impacts on graduation and college attendance rates.
- Enrolled in Middle School(Grade 5-8) in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 13.7%.
- Enrolled in High School (Grades 9-12) in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 14.1%.
The Poverty Rate of Maine residents enrolled in middle school(grade 5-8) is significantly lower than the national average of 19.0%. This translates to 7,713 of 56,359 Mainers enrolled in middle school(grade 5-8) living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 4.2% of the total population of Maine are currently enrolled in middle school(grade 5-8).
The Poverty Rate of Maine residents enrolled in high school (grades 9-12) is meaningfully lower than the national average of 17.7%. This translates to 8,993 of 63,767 Mainers enrolled in high school (grades 9-12) living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 4.8% of the total population of Maine are currently enrolled in high school (grades 9-12).
Adult students in college, graduate or professional schools generally bring employers, revenue and higher living wages post-graduation and are seen as a positive to the community.
- Enrolled in Undergraduate School in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 24.2%.
- Enrolled in Graduate or Professional School in Maine have a Poverty Rate of 13.5%.
The Poverty Rate of Maine residents enrolled in undergraduate school is slightly higher than the national average of 23.4%. This translates to 12,667 of 52,265 Mainers enrolled in undergraduate school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 3.9% of the total population of Maine are currently enrolled in undergraduate school.
The Poverty Rate of Maine residents enrolled in graduate or professional school is meaningfully lower than the national average of 17.2%. This translates to 1,920 of 14,250 Mainers enrolled in graduate or professional school living below the poverty line within the past year. Approximately 1.1% of the total population of Maine is currently enrolled in graduate or professional school.
Maine Poverty Rate By Place of Birth
What is the poverty rate for residents of Maine born US Citizens vs Foreign-Born?
12.6%
The Poverty Rate for residents of Maine who were born citizens of the United States is 12.6%.
20.4%
The Poverty Rate for residents of Maine who were born citizens of a country other than the US is 20.4%.
Poverty Rate for residents of Maine born US Citizens vs Foreign-Born
Foreign-born residents of Maine have a higher poverty rate than those who were born US citizens.
Of the 1,249,048 residents of Maine who were born citizens of the United States, 157,546 (12.6%) had income levels below the poverty line within the past year.
Conversely, 9,358 (20.4%) of 45,950 residents of Maine who were born citizens of a country other than the US reported income levels below the poverty line within the past year.
Maine Poverty Rate By City
| City | Rank | Poverty Rate | Population |
|---|---|---|---|
Auburn |
49th |
15.2% | 22,941 |
Augusta |
75th |
21.0% | 18,626 |
Bangor |
83rd |
22.6% | 32,237 |
Bar Harbor |
43rd |
13.2% | 2,354 |
Bath |
76th |
21.1% | 8,314 |
Belfast |
48th |
15.1% | 6,680 |
Berwick |
2nd |
0.4% | 2,190 |
Biddeford |
54th |
17.0% | 21,413 |
Blue Hill |
80th |
22.3% | 1,070 |
Brewer |
28th |
8.9% | 9,167 |
Bridgton |
45th |
13.3% | 2,245 |
Brunswick |
36th |
11.6% | 15,425 |
Bucksport |
67th |
19.5% | 2,682 |
Calais |
68th |
19.9% | 3,018 |
Camden |
44th |
13.3% | 3,470 |
Cape Neddick |
31st |
9.7% | 2,367 |
Caribou |
55th |
17.1% | 7,827 |
Chisholm |
27th |
8.8% | 1,468 |
Cumberland Center |
4th |
2.7% | 2,492 |
Damariscotta |
42nd |
12.9% | 1,222 |
Dexter |
65th |
18.7% | 2,167 |
Dixfield |
90th |
26.7% | 1,001 |
Dover-Foxcroft |
72nd |
20.5% | 2,299 |
East Millinocket |
69th |
20.2% | 1,670 |
Eastport |
74th |
21.0% | 1,399 |
Ellsworth |
37th |
11.7% | 7,916 |
Fairfield |
99th |
35.6% | 3,221 |
Falmouth Foreside |
5th |
3.0% | 1,542 |
Falmouth |
15th |
5.3% | 1,994 |
Farmingdale |
59th |
17.7% | 1,974 |
Farmington |
77th |
21.4% | 4,144 |
Fort Fairfield |
52nd |
16.9% | 1,769 |
Fort Kent |
82nd |
22.5% | 2,248 |
Freeport |
3rd |
2.0% | 1,249 |
Fryeburg |
20th |
7.0% | 1,639 |
Gardiner |
81st |
22.4% | 5,672 |
Gorham |
14th |
5.3% | 6,607 |
Greenville |
85th |
23.8% | 1,224 |
Hallowell |
39th |
11.9% | 2,453 |
Hampden |
6th |
3.1% | 4,191 |
Houlton |
60th |
17.8% | 4,746 |
Kennebunk |
9th |
4.7% | 5,647 |
Kennebunkport |
8th |
4.5% | 1,178 |
Kittery Point |
1st |
0.0% | 1,030 |
Kittery |
12th |
5.0% | 4,733 |
Lake Arrowhead |
35th |
11.3% | 2,558 |
Lewiston |
78th |
21.4% | 36,211 |
Limestone |
88th |
24.8% | 1,397 |
Lincoln |
30th |
9.5% | 2,583 |
Lisbon Falls |
11th |
5.0% | 4,093 |
Livermore Falls |
63rd |
18.4% | 1,464 |
Machias |
96th |
31.7% | 1,097 |
Madawaska |
19th |
6.5% | 2,816 |
Madison |
86th |
24.4% | 2,691 |
Mechanic Falls |
41st |
12.5% | 1,903 |
Mexico |
73rd |
20.7% | 1,614 |
Milford |
46th |
13.6% | 2,191 |
Millinocket |
33rd |
10.1% | 4,346 |
Milo |
94th |
30.7% | 2,121 |
Newport |
92nd |
26.9% | 1,619 |
Norridgewock |
26th |
8.7% | 1,195 |
North Berwick |
21st |
7.1% | 1,564 |
North Windham |
13th |
5.2% | 5,819 |
Norway |
91st |
26.8% | 2,673 |
Oakland |
64th |
18.5% | 2,611 |
Old Orchard Beach |
24th |
8.1% | 8,745 |
Old Town |
89th |
25.0% | 7,594 |
Orono |
100th |
37.5% | 9,667 |
Oxford |
7th |
3.9% | 1,168 |
Pittsfield |
58th |
17.4% | 2,841 |
Portland |
61st |
18.3% | 66,715 |
Presque Isle |
84th |
23.2% | 9,246 |
Randolph |
47th |
14.9% | 2,011 |
Richmond |
29th |
9.1% | 1,544 |
Rockland |
50th |
15.4% | 7,204 |
Rumford |
79th |
21.7% | 3,979 |
Saco |
23rd |
7.9% | 19,127 |
Sanford |
57th |
17.2% | 20,920 |
Scarborough |
38th |
11.7% | 4,876 |
Searsport |
66th |
19.3% | 1,117 |
Skowhegan |
71st |
20.3% | 6,476 |
South Eliot |
25th |
8.3% | 3,547 |
South Paris |
87th |
24.8% | 2,615 |
South Portland |
40th |
12.4% | 25,431 |
South Windham |
22nd |
7.4% | 1,176 |
Steep Falls |
32nd |
9.8% | 1,786 |
Thomaston |
93rd |
27.9% | 1,994 |
Topsham |
34th |
11.0% | 6,463 |
Van Buren |
98th |
34.5% | 1,660 |
Waldoboro |
97th |
32.5% | 1,091 |
Washburn |
56th |
17.2% | 1,096 |
Waterville |
70th |
20.2% | 16,374 |
Westbrook |
53rd |
17.0% | 18,156 |
Wilton |
62nd |
18.4% | 1,989 |
Winslow |
51st |
15.6% | 7,608 |
Winterport |
17th |
5.9% | 1,221 |
Winthrop |
10th |
4.7% | 2,720 |
Wiscasset |
95th |
31.4% | 1,092 |
Yarmouth |
18th |
5.9% | 5,664 |
York Harbor |
16th |
5.4% | 2,877 |
Research & Reports
National Poverty Statistics
Where are the most poverty-stricken areas in your state? We breakdown over 3,000 counties nationwide and show the rank the best and worst communities by poverty rate in your area.
See Poverty Statistics
Social Security Payments in Maine
How are the Social Security Payments distributed throughout Maine? We breakdown social security benefits by city and county statewide and rank communities with the most and least social security income per capita.
Maine Social Security
Food Stamp Recipients in Maine
Which areas receive the most food stamp public assistance in Maine? We breakdown food stamps by city and county statewide and rank communities with the most and least food and nutrional supplements given to residents.
Maine Food Stamps