Portland is a metro area of 562,843 people. That puts it in the top 1% of US metro areas for household income. At a median age of 43.7, this is an older place than the country as a whole. 46% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. The foreign-born share is 5%. 73% of homes are owner-occupied.
At a glance
Wealthier
median household income $92,328, above the US median
US median: $82,259
Older
median age 43.7
US median: 38.9
More educated
46% hold a bachelor's degree
US average: 36%
Less affordable
home values up 86%, inflation adjusted
US median home: $376,019
Unique to this place
What stands out about Portland
What changed most since 1990
White share97.6% → 87.7%(−9.9 pts)US over the same years: −17.8 pts
Median age33.6 → 43.7(+10.1 years)US over the same years: +6.0 years
Adults with a bachelor's degree23.9% → 46.0%(+22.0 pts)US over the same years: +15.3 pts
Shares are "alone or in combination": a person with both Medicare and Medicaid counts in each, so categories overlap and do not sum to 100%.
Section 09 · Service history
Veterans
Veterans by period of service, 2024
Gulf War (2001 or later)20.9%(7,251)
US avg: 26.4%
Gulf War (1990s)21.3%(7,385)
US avg: 24.3%
Vietnam era38.2%(13,249)
US avg: 33.1%
Korean War4.9%(1,704)
US avg: 4.5%
World War II0.9%(308)
US avg: 1%
Share of the 34,653 veterans here. A veteran who served across eras counts in each, so shares can total more than 100%. Peacetime-only service is included in the total but not shown as an era.
BAR + DOT: THIS PLACE · TICK: US AVERAGE
Over time
Portland, decade by decade
Portland population, inflation-adjusted income and home value, education, and diversity by year
Year
Population
Median household income
Median home value
Bachelor's degree+
Diversity score
1990
441,257
$77,558
$276,172
23.9%
5.8
2000
487,568
$79,667
$226,475
29.2%
9.8
2010
514,098
$79,692
$343,550
33.9%
15.7
2020
551,740
$88,191
$331,686
41.2%
26.1
2024
562,843
$92,328
$422,019
46.0%
28.1
Census years come from the decennial census and the latest year from the American Community Survey, so part of any change between those two rows can reflect the different surveys. Dollar figures are adjusted for inflation to 2024 dollars; a figure ending in "+" was at the Census Bureau's reporting cap that year. The diversity score runs from 0 to 100; see how it's calculated.
How many people live in Portland-South Portland, ME?
Portland-South Portland, ME has about 562,843 residents according to the 2024 American Community Survey.
What is the median household income in Portland-South Portland, ME?
The typical household in Portland-South Portland, ME earns about $92,328 a year. Half of households make more than that, and half make less.
Is Portland-South Portland, ME expensive?
In Portland-South Portland, ME, the median home is worth about $422,019, and the typical rent is about $1,460 a month.
How educated are people in Portland-South Portland, ME?
About 46.0% of adults age 25 and over in Portland-South Portland, ME hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
What is the poverty rate in Portland-South Portland, ME?
About 7.6% of people in Portland-South Portland, ME live below the federal poverty line.
Has Portland-South Portland, ME grown since 1990?
Yes, Portland-South Portland, ME has grown since 1990. The population has added about 121,586 residents, a change of about 28 percent over that period.
