Portland, ME Demographics

A map of Portland's Population by Race

Portland, Maine has an estimated population of 68,854, a less than 1% change from the 68,408 recorded in the 2020 Census. The population is 77.5% White, 9.1% Black, 5.9% Multiracial, 3.9% Asian, 3.1% Hispanic, and 0.5% Native American/Other. This demographic dot map shows the population of Portland, with one dot drawn for each person counted by the Census, color-coded by race.

Portland has become slightly more racially diverse since the 2020 Census. It is considerably more diverse than Maine overall. Demographers use a diversity index to measure the probability that two randomly selected individuals belong to different racial or ethnic groups. In Portland, that probability was 37.7% in 2020 and 38.5% in the most recent ACS estimates.

Portland is ranked the most populous place in Maine, out of 155 places. This ranking is based on the Census definition of a place, which includes incorporated places like cities, towns, and villages, as well as unincorporated census-designated places (CDPs). Portland was ranked the 1st most populous place in the 2020 Census.

Portland's White Population

53,375 residents of Portland, or 77.5% of the population, identify as White. The share of White residents in Portland is considerably lower than in Maine overall, where 89.9% of the population is White. Portland ranks 153rd statewide in terms of White residents as a share of the population, out of 155 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portland's White population has remained roughly the same. White residents' share of Portland's population has decreased from 78.0% to 77.5%.

Portland is less White than neighboring Falmouth (85.4% White), Falmouth Foreside (84.6% White), South Portland (78.9% White), Cousins Island (94.4% White), and Littlejohn Island (86.3% White).

Portland's Black Population

6,244 residents of Portland, or 9.1% of the population, identify as Black. The share of Black residents in Portland is higher than in Maine overall, where 1.8% of the population is Black. Portland ranks 2nd statewide in terms of Black residents as a share of the population, out of 155 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portland's Black population has declined by an estimated 9.8%. Black residents' share of Portland's population has decreased from 10.1% to 9.1%.

Portland is more Black than neighboring Falmouth (1.8% Black), Falmouth Foreside (0% Black), South Portland (7.1% Black), Cousins Island (0% Black), and Littlejohn Island (0% Black).

Portland's Asian Population

2,689 residents of Portland, or 3.9% of the population, identify as Asian. The share of Asian residents in Portland is slightly higher than in Maine overall, where 1.1% of the population is Asian. Portland ranks 9th statewide in terms of Asian residents as a share of the population, out of 155 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portland's Asian population has grown by an estimated 23.0%. Asian residents' share of Portland's population has increased from 3.2% to 3.9%.

Portland is more Asian than neighboring Falmouth (1.3% Asian), Falmouth Foreside (2.9% Asian), South Portland (3.4% Asian), Cousins Island (0% Asian), and Littlejohn Island (0% Asian).

Portland's Hispanic Population

2,152 residents of Portland, or 3.1% of the population, identify as Hispanic. The share of Hispanic residents in Portland is comparable to the share in Maine overall, where 2.2% of the population is Hispanic. Portland ranks 5th statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population, out of 155 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portland's Hispanic population has declined by an estimated 18.5%. Hispanic residents' share of Portland's population has decreased from 3.9% to 3.1%.

Portland is more Hispanic than neighboring Falmouth Foreside (0.1% Hispanic). Portland is less Hispanic than neighboring Falmouth (3.5% Hispanic), South Portland (4% Hispanic), Cousins Island (4.1% Hispanic), and Littlejohn Island (13.7% Hispanic).

Portland's Native American/Other Population

332 residents of Portland, or 0.5% of the population, identify as American Indian/Alaska Native/Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander/Other. The share of Native American/Other residents in Portland is comparable to the share in Maine overall, where 0.7% of the population is Native American/Other. Portland ranks 70th statewide in terms of Native American/Other residents as a share of the population, out of 155 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portland's Native American/Other population has declined by an estimated 34.5%. Native American/Other residents' share of Portland's population has remained roughly unchanged at 0.5%.

Portland is more Native American/Other than neighboring Falmouth (0% Native American/Other), South Portland (0.3% Native American/Other), and Littlejohn Island (0% Native American/Other). Portland is less Native American/Other than neighboring Falmouth Foreside (1% Native American/Other), and Cousins Island (1.5% Native American/Other).

Portland's Multiracial Population

4,062 residents of Portland, or 5.9% of the population, identify as Multiracial. The share of Multiracial residents in Portland is comparable to the share in Maine overall, where 4.2% of the population is Multiracial. Portland ranks 63rd statewide in terms of Multiracial residents as a share of the population, out of 155 places.

Since the 2020 Census, Portland's Multiracial population has grown by an estimated 45.6%. Multiracial residents' share of Portland's population has increased from 4.1% to 5.9%.

Portland is more Multiracial than neighboring Cousins Island (0% Multiracial), and Littlejohn Island (0% Multiracial). Portland is less Multiracial than neighboring Falmouth (8% Multiracial), Falmouth Foreside (11.3% Multiracial), and South Portland (6.3% Multiracial).

Sources: Most recent population estimates are from the 2020-2024 American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates. 2020 population counts and map data are from 2020 Census State Redistricting Data. Geographic data are from Census TIGER/Line Shapefiles.