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CITY · 2020 ACS

Sanford

Maine · 21,982 residents · 47.79 sq mi
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The short version

Sanford has lower-than-average household income, with a median household income of $58,294. The city has more than doubled in size since 2000, adding 11,849 residents. 21% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher, below the national rate of 33%. Median home value has more than doubled since 2000, reaching $193,100.

At a glance
Lower income
below the US median
US median: $66,278
Older
median age 41.3
US median: 38.8
Less educated
21% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 33%
Less affordable
home values up 45%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $265,253
Section 01

Population & growth

Total population
21,982
+117%since 2000
from 10,133 in 2000
1990 – 2025
Population density
460 / sq mi
+117%since 2000
from 212 / sq mi in 2000
US average: 280
Median age
41.3
+14%since 2000
from 36.2 in 2000
US average: 38.8
Population, 1990 – 2024
8K12K16K20K24K1990201020202024Sanford
202422K
1990201020202024
Section 02

Income & economy

Median household income
$58,294
+30%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $29,881 in 2000
US average: $66,278
1990 – 2024
Per capita income
$30,386
+90%since 2000
from $16,002 in 2000
US average: $35,364
Households earning $100K+
39.7%
+18.8 ptssince 2009
from 20.9% in 2009
US average: 43.9%
Poverty rate
11.2%
−6.6 ptssince 2000
from 17.8% in 2000
US average: 12.8%
Workforce by industry, 2020
Retail trade16.4%
US avg: 10%
Information15.8%
US avg: 11.1%
Other services6.9%
US avg: 6.6%
Public administration5.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Wholesale trade5.7%
US avg: 6.7%
Finance & insurance4.2%
US avg: 5.5%
Professional, scientific, technical3.9%
US avg: 4.7%
Transportation & warehousing2.1%
US avg: 2.5%
Arts, entertainment, food1%
US avg: 2%
Education & health services0.3%
US avg: 0.8%
Agriculture, forestry, fishing0.3%
US avg: 1.7%
Construction0.3%
US avg: 1.2%
Manufacturing0%
US avg: 0.5%
BARS: THIS PLACE · TICKS: US AVERAGE
Section 03

Housing

Median home value
$193,100
+45%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $88,500 in 2000
US average: $265,253
1990 – 2024
Median gross rent
$907
+21%inflation adjusted, since 2000
from $497 in 2000
US average: $1,124
Owner-occupied
62.4%
+9.8 ptssince 2000
from 52.6% in 2000
37.6% rent
Afford Score
3.3
+12%since 2000
from 3.0 in 2000
1990 – 2024
RELATED:See current rent listings in Sanford on RentDataNow
Section 04

Race & ethnicity

2000
White, non-Hispanic94.9%(9,619)
Black0.5%(52)
Hispanic / Latino1.3%(130)
Asian1.9%(195)
Other0%
Diversity Score9.2%(930)
2020
White, non-Hispanic89.6%(19,697)
Black1.3%(278)
Hispanic / Latino2.1%(459)
Asian1.8%(391)
Other1.9%(415)
Diversity Score17.3%(3,811)
Diversity Score
17
+89%since 2000
from 9 in 2000
1990 – 2024
Section 05

Education

Bachelor's degree or higher
20.9%
+11.1 ptssince 2000
from 9.8% in 2000
US average: 32.9%
High school or higher
91.3%
+15.5 ptssince 2000
from 75.8% in 2000
US average: 88.5%
Graduate degree
6.1%
+3.6 ptssince 2000
from 2.4% in 2000
US average: 12.7%
Section 06

Commute & transportation

Average commute
28.3 min
+76%since 2000
from 16.1 min in 2000
US average: 26.9
Drive alone to work
84.3%
+7.2 ptssince 2009
from 77.1% in 2009
US average: 75.1%
No vehicle available
7.5%
−5.7 ptssince 2009
from 13.2% in 2009
US average: 8.4%
Section 07

Work & employment

Unemployment rate
5.4%
−2.7 ptssince 2011
from 8.1% in 2011
US average: 5.4%
Labor force participation
67.1%
+3.9 ptssince 2011
from 63.2% in 2011
US average: 63.4%
Management & professional
31.6%
−27.6 ptssince 2009
from 59.2% in 2009
US average: 39.3%
Section 08

People & community

Male
47.4%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 47.4% in 2009
Female
52.6%
Unchangedsince 2009
from 52.6% in 2009
Foreign born
3.4%
+0.9 ptssince 2009
from 2.5% in 2009
US average: 13.5%
Uninsured
8.5%
−81.0 ptssince 2013
from 89.5% in 2013
US average: 8.8%
Drill deeper

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Compare Sanford to nearby cities

SANFORD VS
Somersworth
Income$74,504+28%
Home value$318,400+65%
Population12,171−46%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANFORD VS
Rochester
Income$80,836+39%
Home value$279,100+45%
Population33,716+49%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANFORD VS
Dover
Income$94,829+63%
Home value$436,700+126%
Population34,623+53%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
SANFORD VS
Biddeford
Income$72,333+24%
Home value$396,600+105%
Population22,399−1%
SEE FULL COMPARISON →
Frequently asked

How many people live in Sanford, Maine?

Sanford, Maine has about 21,982 residents according to the 2020 American Community Survey.

What is the median household income in Sanford, Maine?

The typical household in Sanford, Maine earns about $58,294 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.

Is Sanford, Maine expensive?

In Sanford, Maine, the median home is worth about $193,100, and the typical rent is about $907 a month.

How educated are people in Sanford, Maine?

About 20.9% of adults age 25 and over in Sanford, Maine hold a bachelor's degree or higher.

What is the poverty rate in Sanford, Maine?

About 11.2% of people in Sanford, Maine live below the federal poverty line.

Has Sanford, Maine grown since 1990?

Yes, Sanford, Maine has grown since 1990. The population has added about 11,686 residents, a change of about 114 percent over that period.

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DATA: US CENSUS BUREAU ACS 5-YEAR + DECENNIAL CENSUS · UPDATED 2024

How we source and harmonize this data →