Maine · 20 places of 5,000+
Fastest-growing cities in Maine, 2020 to 2024
Short answer
- Fastest
- +4.8%
- Growing
- 16
- Shrinking
- 4
The 20 fastest-growing
Ellsworth grew fastest, from 8,415 in July 2020 to 8,822 in July 2024, +4.8%. It is the 13th largest of the 20 places ranked. 16 places grew and 4 shrank or held flat; the median change was +1.6%.
By raw numbers the biggest gain was in Lewiston, +1,662 people. At the other end, Caribou changed by -1.0%. Growth is measured between the July 2020 and July 2024 estimates for places with 5,000 or more residents in 2024, so fast growth from a small base can outrank larger absolute gains.
- 01Ellsworth+4.8%
- 02Westbrook+4.7%
- 03Auburn+4.6%
- 04Lewiston+4.5%
- 05Waterville+3.8%
- 06Saco+3.2%
- 07Gardiner+3.1%
- 08Sanford+2.4%
- 09Bangor+2.3%
- 10Rockland+1.6%
- 11Portland+1.6%
- 12South Portland+1.6%
- 13Augusta+1.3%
- 14Old Town+1.1%
- 15Belfast+0.6%
- 16Bath+0.6%
- 17Brewer-0.4%
- 18Presque Isle-0.5%
- 19Biddeford-0.8%
- 20Caribou-1.0%
Dots: the 20 places in the chart. Orange pin: Ellsworth, ranked first.
All 20 places of 5,000+ ranked
| # | Place | 2024 | Since 2020 | County |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Ellsworth | 8,822 | +4.8% | Hancock County |
| 2 | Westbrook | 21,386 | +4.7% | Cumberland County |
| 3 | Auburn | 25,200 | +4.6% | Androscoggin County |
| 4 | Lewiston | 38,772 | +4.5% | Androscoggin County |
| 5 | Waterville | 17,336 | +3.8% | Kennebec County |
| 6 | Saco | 21,064 | +3.2% | York County |
| 7 | Gardiner | 6,160 | +3.1% | Kennebec County |
| 8 | Sanford | 22,497 | +2.4% | York County |
| 9 | Bangor | 32,446 | +2.3% | Penobscot County |
| 10 | Rockland | 7,060 | +1.6% | Knox County |
| 11 | Portland | 69,568 | +1.6% | Cumberland County |
| 12 | South Portland | 26,994 | +1.6% | Cumberland County |
| 13 | Augusta | 19,168 | +1.3% | Kennebec County |
| 14 | Old Town | 7,511 | +1.1% | Penobscot County |
| 15 | Belfast | 6,993 | +0.6% | Waldo County |
| 16 | Bath | 8,817 | +0.6% | Sagadahoc County |
| 17 | Brewer | 9,629 | -0.4% | Penobscot County |
| 18 | Presque Isle | 8,728 | -0.5% | Aroostook County |
| 19 | Biddeford | 22,370 | -0.8% | York County |
| 20 | Caribou | 7,328 | -1.0% | Aroostook County |
Questions people ask
What is the fastest-growing city in Maine?
Ellsworth, up 4.8% from July 2020 to July 2024 among places of 5,000+, to 8,822 residents.
Which Maine city added the most people?
Lewiston, which gained 1,662 residents from July 2020 to July 2024.
How many Maine cities are shrinking?
4 of 20 places of 5,000+ had the same or fewer residents in July 2024 than in July 2020.
Why use places of 5,000 or more?
Small towns can swing by double-digit percentages from a few new homes, and Census estimates for them carry more uncertainty. The 5,000 floor keeps the ranking to places where a percentage means something.
Sources and data as of
Data as of: Census Vintage 2024 population estimates, 2024 Gazetteer land area and internal points, SAIPE 2023 median household income.
How every number is computed: methodology. Spotted a wrong figure? Report an error.