2023 Penobscot County, Maine Demographics | Data & Analysis
Ready-to-use reports, analytics, and visualizations covering Penobscot County, Maine, including population, race, income, and more. Based on 2023 American Community Survey Estimates.
Penobscot County, Maine Key Demographic Statistics (2023 Estimates)
Key demographic statistics summarized from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 American Community Survey (ACS).
Total Population
153,571
Median Age
42.5 years
Median Household Income
$63,248
Median Property Value
$193,800
Bachelor's Degree+
30.48%
Uninsured Rate
7.2%
Total Households
64,769
Total Workers
74,573
Citizenship Rate
98.5%
Total Veterans
10,413
Top Veteran Era
Vietnam Era Only
Poverty Rate
8.0%
Families in Poverty
3,041
SNAP Recipients
15.05%
Households w/ SNAP
9,746
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2023 American Community Survey (ACS) Estimates
Penobscot County, Maine Demographics: Age & Gender Statistics (2023)
Key Demographic Indicators for Penobscot County, Maine
The following statistics highlight the population structure and median age of Penobscot County, Maine, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Total Population
- 153,571
- Median Age (Total)
- 42.5 years
- Median Age (Male)
- 41.0 years
- Median Age (Female)
- 44.1 years
Penobscot County, Maine Population by Age Group
| Age Cohort | Share of Population |
|---|---|
| Under 5 years | 4.37% |
| 5–17 years (Children) | 13.46% |
| 18–24 years (Young Adults) | 9.99% |
| 25–34 years | 12.75% |
| 35–54 years | 24.64% |
| 55–64 years | 15.03% |
| 65 years and over (Seniors) | 19.76% |
Dependency Ratios Analysis
- Total Dependency Ratio
- 60.24
- Youth Dependency Ratio
- 28.58 Population under 18 relative to working age (18-64).
- Old-Age Dependency Ratio
- 31.66 Population 65+ relative to working age (18-64).
A higher ratio indicates a greater financial and social burden on the working population to support non-working age groups.
What is the Racial and Ethnic Breakdown of Penobscot County, Maine (2023)?
Diversity & Cultural Composition of Penobscot County, Maine
The racial makeup and ethnic composition of Penobscot County, Maine are detailed below, drawing from the U.S. Census Bureau's 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Diversity Index Score
- 16.23
- Diversity Tier
- very low
- Definition
- The probability that two individuals chosen at random from Penobscot County, Maine will be from different racial or ethnic groups.
Penobscot County, Maine Population by Race/Ethnicity
| Racial/Ethnic Group | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White Alone (Non-Hispanic) | 91.43% |
| Two or More Races | 3.16% |
| Hispanic or Latino (Any Race) | 1.93% |
| Asian Alone | 1.08% |
| Black/African American Alone | 0.97% |
| American Indian and Alaska Native Alone | 0.81% |
| Some Other Race Alone | 0.57% |
| Native Hawaiian or Other Pacific Islander Alone | 0.05% |
Penobscot County, Maine Economic Demographics: Household Income Statistics (2023)
Economic Snapshot for Penobscot County, Maine
The following data illustrates the financial landscape of Penobscot County, Maine, based on the latest U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Median Household Income
- $63,248 (Adjusted for inflation)
- Total Households Analyzed
- 64,769
Penobscot County, Maine Household Income Distribution by Income Brackets
| Annual Income Range | Share of Households |
|---|---|
| Less than $20,000 | 13.21% |
| $20,000 to $34,999 | 14.11% |
| $35,000 to $49,999 | 13.14% |
| $50,000 to $74,999 | 17.53% |
| $75,000 to $149,999 | 28.55% |
| $150,000 or more | 13.46% |
Penobscot County, Maine Real Estate Demographics: Property Values (2023)
Real Estate Market Snapshot for Penobscot County, Maine
The following data highlights the distribution of owner-occupied housing values in Penobscot County, Maine, based on the latest U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Median Property Value
- $193,800
- Total Properties Analyzed
- 45,520 (Owner-occupied units)
Penobscot County, Maine Property Value Brackets
| Value Range | Share of Properties |
|---|---|
| Less than $25,000 | 4.38% |
| $25,000 to $49,999 | 4.28% |
| $50,000 to $99,999 | 13.32% |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 30.11% |
| $200,000 to $499,999 | 43.20% |
| $500,000 to $999,999 | 4.44% |
| $1,000,000 or more | 0.26% |
Penobscot County, Maine Educational Attainment Statistics (2023)
Education Snapshot for Penobscot County, Maine
The following statistics represent the educational background of residents aged 25 and older in Penobscot County, Maine, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- High School Graduate or Higher
- 94.53%
- Bachelor's Degree or Higher
- 30.48%
- Total Population Analyzed (25+)
- 110,847
Penobscot County, Maine Education Levels
| Education Level | Share of Population (25+) |
|---|---|
| Less than high school graduate | 5.47% |
| High school graduate (incl. equivalency) | 32.43% |
| Some college or associate's degree | 31.63% |
| Bachelor's Degree | 18.90% |
| Graduate or professional degree | 11.57% |
Penobscot County, Maine Health Insurance Coverage Statistics (2023)
Healthcare Coverage Snapshot for Penobscot County, Maine
The following data illustrates the health coverage landscape of Penobscot County, Maine, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Overall Uninsured Rate
- 7.2%
- Total Uninsured Population
- 10,890
- Total Civilian Population
- 151,601
The uninsured rates vary significantly by demographic group. Children under 18 and seniors aged 65+ generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs like Medicaid/CHIP and Medicare.
Penobscot County, Maine Uninsured Rates by Demographics
| Age Group | Male Uninsured % | Female Uninsured % |
|---|---|---|
| Under 18 | 4.1% | 4.0% |
| 18-34 years | 14.3% | 7.5% |
| 35-64 years | 11.1% | 9.1% |
| 65+ years | 0.1% | 0.1% |
Penobscot County, Maine Nativity & Citizenship Statistics (2023)
Citizenship Snapshot for Penobscot County, Maine
The following data details the citizenship status and nativity of the population in Penobscot County, Maine, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- U.S. Citizenship Rate
- 98.5% (Native-born + Naturalized)
- Naturalized Citizens
- 2,532 (Foreign-born individuals who acquired citizenship)
- Non-Citizen Residents
- 2,361
Penobscot County, Maine Nativity Breakdown
| Nativity/Citizenship Status | Percentage |
|---|---|
| Born in the United States | 95.7% |
| Born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas | 0.0% |
| Born abroad of American parent(s) | 1.1% |
| U.S. citizen by naturalization | 1.6% |
| Not a U.S. citizen | 1.5% |
| Total U.S. Citizens | 98.5% |
Penobscot County, Maine Commuting & Transportation Statistics (2023)
Commuter Snapshot for Penobscot County, Maine
The following data details the commuting habits of the workforce in Penobscot County, Maine, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Drove to Work (Car/Truck/Van)
- 83.7%
- Public Transportation Usage
- 0.5%
- Work From Home Rate
- 10.6%
- Total Workers Analyzed
- 72,714
Penobscot County, Maine Commute Breakdown
| Transportation Method | Percentage | Number of Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Car, truck, or van | 83.7% | 60,883 |
| Public transportation | 0.5% | 336 |
| Bicycle | 0.4% | 286 |
| Walked | 3.6% | 2,611 |
| Taxicab, motorcycle, or other means | 1.2% | 908 |
| Worked from home | 10.6% | 7,690 |
| Total Workers | - | 72,714 |
Penobscot County, Maine Employment by Class of Worker (2023)
Workforce Snapshot for Penobscot County, Maine
The following statistics categorize the civilian employed population aged 16 and over in Penobscot County, Maine by their employment sector, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Total Employed Civilian Population
- 74,573
- Private Sector (Profit & Non-Profit)
- Includes For-Profit and Non-Profit organizations
- Government Workers
- Includes Local, State, and Federal employees
- Self-Employed Workers
- Includes own not incorporated business workers
Penobscot County, Maine Employment Sector Breakdown
| Employment Class | Male Workers | Female Workers |
|---|---|---|
| Private For-Profit | 25,778 (34.6%) | 20,140 (27.0%) |
| Private Non-Profit | 4,199 (5.6%) | 8,241 (11.1%) |
| Government (All Levels) | 5,076 (6.8%) | 6,414 (8.6%) |
| • Local Government | 1,883 | 3,153 |
| • State Government | 2,162 | 2,629 |
| • Federal Government | 1,031 | 632 |
| Self-Employed | 2,710 (3.6%) | 1,952 (2.6%) |
Definitions: "Private sector" includes employees of for-profit and non-profit companies. "Government" includes all local, state, and federal employees. "Self-employed" refers to those operating their own unincorporated businesses.
Penobscot County, Maine Veteran Population & Service Statistics (2023)
Veteran Community Snapshot for Penobscot County, Maine
The following data details the civilian veteran population aged 18 and over in Penobscot County, Maine, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Total Civilian Veterans
- 10,413
- Primary Service Era
- Vietnam Era Only
3,531 veterans (33.9%)
Penobscot County, Maine Service Period Breakdown
| Period of Service | Number of Veterans | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Vietnam Era Only (August 1964 to April 1975) | 3,531 | 33.9% |
| Between Gulf War and Vietnam Era | 1,385 | 13.3% |
| Post-9/11 Only (September 2001 or later) | 1,315 | 12.6% |
| Post-9/11 and Gulf War (August 1990 to August 2001) | 1,191 | 11.4% |
| Gulf War Only (August 1990 to August 2001) | 1,188 | 11.4% |
| Between Vietnam Era and Korean War | 851 | 8.2% |
| Korean War Only (July 1950 to January 1955) | 444 | 4.3% |
| Gulf War and Vietnam Era | 206 | 2.0% |
| World War II Only (December 1941 to December 1946) | 174 | 1.7% |
| Vietnam Era and Korean War | 54 | 0.5% |
| Post-9/11, Gulf War, and Vietnam Era | 31 | 0.3% |
| Korean War and World War II | 25 | 0.2% |
| Between Korean War and World War II | 18 | 0.2% |
| Total Veterans | 10,413 | 100.0% |
Note: Periods of service include World War II (Dec 1941–Dec 1946), Korean War (Jul 1950–Jan 1955), Vietnam Era (Aug 1964–Apr 1975), Gulf War (Aug 1990–Aug 2001), and Post-9/11 (Sept 2001 or later). Veterans may have served in multiple eras.
Penobscot County, Maine Family Poverty & Income Statistics (2023)
Family Economic Security Snapshot for Penobscot County, Maine
The following data categorizes families in Penobscot County, Maine by their income relative to the federal poverty threshold, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Families Below Poverty Line (<100%)
- 8.0% (3,041 families)
- Families Near Poverty (100-199%)
- 29.1% (11,033 families)
- Families with Secure Income (200%+)
- 62.9% (23,883 families)
Penobscot County, Maine Income-to-Poverty Ratio Breakdown
| Income-to-Poverty Ratio Category | Number of Families | Percentage |
|---|---|---|
| Below 50% of Poverty | 1,246 | 3.3% |
| 50-74% of Poverty | 675 | 1.8% |
| 75-99% of Poverty | 1,120 | 3.0% |
| 100-124% of Poverty | 984 | 2.6% |
| 125-149% of Poverty | 1,243 | 3.3% |
| 150-174% of Poverty | 1,607 | 4.2% |
| 175-184% of Poverty | 400 | 1.1% |
| 185-199% of Poverty | 1,091 | 2.9% |
| 200-299% of Poverty | 5,708 | 15.0% |
| 300-399% of Poverty | 6,145 | 16.2% |
| 400-499% of Poverty | 5,183 | 13.7% |
| 500%+ of Poverty | 12,555 | 33.1% |
| Total Families | 37,957 | 100.0% |
Definition: The "Income-to-Poverty Ratio" measures a family's income against the federal poverty threshold. A ratio below 1.00 means the family is in poverty. Ratios between 1.00 and 1.99 indicate low income ("near poverty"), while ratios of 2.00 or higher suggest greater economic security.
Penobscot County, Maine SNAP/Food Stamps Statistics (2023)
SNAP Participation Snapshot for Penobscot County, Maine
The following data details household participation in the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) in Penobscot County, Maine, based on U.S. Census Bureau 2023 ACS Estimates.
- Total Households Receiving SNAP
- 9,746 (15.05% of all households)
- Recipient Households with Children
- 2,623 (26.91% of recipients)
- Total Households Analyzed
- 64,769
Penobscot County, Maine SNAP Recipient Demographics
| Household Type | With Children Under 18 | No Children Under 18 |
|---|---|---|
| Married-Couple Family | 895 (9.18%) | 884 (9.07%) |
| Male Householder, No Spouse | 446 (4.58%) | 210 (2.15%) |
| Female Householder, No Spouse | 1,261 (12.94%) | 741 (7.60%) |
| Nonfamily Households | 21 (0.22%) | 5,288 (54.26%) |
About this data: The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) provides food assistance to low-income families. Households with children often face higher participation rates due to eligibility guidelines prioritizing child nutrition. "Nonfamily households" typically refer to individuals living alone or with unrelated roommates.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
The age breakdown for Penobscot County, Maine is as follows: Under 5: 4.37%, Ages 5–17: 13.46%, Ages 18–24: 9.99%, Ages 25–34: 12.75%, Ages 35–54: 24.64%, Ages 55–64: 15.03%, and 65 or older: 19.76%.
The racial and ethnic composition of Penobscot County, Maine is dominated by: White Alone (Non-Hispanic): 91.43%, Two or More Races: 3.16%, Hispanic or Latino (Any Race): 1.93%. The complete breakdown includes 8 distinct racial and ethnic categories.
The median household income in Penobscot County, Maine is $63,248. This represents the midpoint of all household incomes in the area, meaning half of households earn more than this amount and half earn less.
The household income distribution in Penobscot County, Maine is: Very Low Income (under $20,000): 13.21%, Low Income ($20,000-$34,999): 14.11%, Lower Middle Income ($35,000-$49,999): 13.14%, Middle Income ($50,000-$74,999): 17.53%, Upper Middle Income ($75,000-$149,999): 28.55%, High Income ($150,000+): 13.46%.
Approximately 29.55% of households in Penobscot County, Maine earn over $100,000 annually. This includes households earning between $100,000 and $124,999, $125,000 and $149,999, $150,000 and $199,999, and $200,000 or more.
The median property value for owner-occupied housing units in Penobscot County, Maine is $193,800. This represents the midpoint of all property values in the area, meaning half of homes are valued above this amount and half are valued below. The median is a better indicator of typical home values than the average because it is not skewed by extremely high or low property values.
The property value distribution for owner-occupied housing units in Penobscot County, Maine is: Less than $25,000: 4.38%, $25,000-$49,999: 4.28%, $50,000-$99,999: 13.32%, $100,000-$199,999: 30.11%, $200,000-$499,999: 43.20%, $500,000-$999,999: 4.44%, $1,000,000 or more: 0.26%.
There are 45,520 owner-occupied housing units in Penobscot County, Maine. This represents homes that are owned by the people living in them, as opposed to rental properties or vacant units.
Approximately 4.70% of owner-occupied housing units in Penobscot County, Maine are valued over $500,000. This includes properties valued between $500,000 and $749,999, $750,000 and $999,999, $1,000,000 and $1,499,999, $1,500,000 and $1,999,999, and $2,000,000 or more.
In Penobscot County, Maine, 30.48% of the population aged 25 and older holds a bachelor's degree or higher. This includes those with bachelor's degrees as well as those with graduate or professional degrees.
The educational attainment breakdown for Penobscot County, Maine (population 25+) is: Less than high school graduate: 5.47%, High school graduate (including equivalency): 32.43%, Some college or associate's degree: 31.63%, Bachelor's degree: 18.90%, Graduate or professional degree: 11.57%.
In Penobscot County, Maine, 94.53% of the population aged 25 and older has completed at least a high school education. This includes high school graduates, those with some college, associate's degrees, bachelor's degrees, and graduate degrees.
In Penobscot County, Maine, 7.2% of the population lacks health insurance coverage. This represents 10,890 individuals out of a total population of 151,601 people.
The uninsured rates vary by age group in Penobscot County, Maine. For young adults (18-34 years), 14.3% of males and 7.5% of females lack coverage. In the 35-64 age group, 11.1% of males and 9.1% of females are uninsured. These working-age populations typically face different coverage challenges than children or seniors.
Children under 18 in Penobscot County, Maine have uninsured rates of 4.1% for males and 4.0% for females. Seniors aged 65 and older, who are typically covered by Medicare, have uninsured rates of 0.1% for males and 0.1% for females. These age groups generally have higher coverage rates due to public programs.
In Penobscot County, Maine, 98.5% of the population are U.S. citizens. This includes native-born citizens and naturalized citizens. Out of a total population of 153,571 people, 151,210 are U.S. citizens.
Penobscot County, Maine has 2,532 naturalized U.S. citizens, representing 1.6% of the total population. These are foreign-born individuals who have gone through the naturalization process to become U.S. citizens.
The nativity and citizenship breakdown for Penobscot County, Maine is: 95.7% were born in the United States, 0.0% were born in Puerto Rico or U.S. Island Areas, 1.1% were born abroad of American parent(s), 1.6% are foreign-born naturalized U.S. citizens, and 1.5% are foreign-born non-citizens.
In Penobscot County, Maine, 83.7% of workers commute by car, truck, or van, making it the most common means of transportation to work. Out of 72,714 total workers, 60,883 use personal vehicles for their commute.
336 workers in Penobscot County, Maine use public transportation (excluding taxicabs) to commute to work, representing 0.5% of all workers. This includes buses, subways, light rail, commuter trains, and ferries.
Alternative commute methods in Penobscot County, Maine include: 10.6% work from home, 3.6% walk to work, 0.4% bicycle, and 1.2% use other means such as taxicabs or motorcycles. These alternatives to driving alone help reduce traffic congestion and environmental impact.
"Class of worker" refers to the type of employer or work arrangement for employed civilians aged 16 and over in Penobscot County, Maine. It categorizes workers into private sector (for-profit and non-profit), government (local, state, and federal), self-employed, and unpaid family workers. This classification helps understand the employment structure and economic composition of the workforce.
According to the American Community Survey, Penobscot County, Maine has 74,573 employed civilians aged 16 and over. The private for-profit sector employs the largest share of workers, with 34.6% of male workers and 27.0% of female workers in this category.
In Penobscot County, Maine, there are 5,076 male government workers and 6,414 female government workers. Government employment includes local, state, and federal positions. This represents 6.8% of male workers and 8.6% of female workers.
Self-employment in Penobscot County, Maine includes 2,710 males (3.6%) and 1,952 females (2.6%). Self-employed workers operate their own businesses that are not legally incorporated.
In Penobscot County, Maine, 9,746 households (15.05% of all households) received SNAP/Food Stamps benefits in the past 12 months. Out of 64,769 total households, these families rely on this federal nutrition assistance program to help purchase food.
Of the SNAP-receiving households in Penobscot County, Maine, 2,623 (26.91%) have children under 18 years. These families face additional nutritional needs and food security challenges as they work to provide adequate nutrition for growing children.
SNAP recipients in Penobscot County, Maine include diverse household types. Among households with children, 1,261 (12.94%) are headed by a female householder with no spouse present, while 895 (9.18%) are married-couple families. The program also serves households without children, including seniors, disabled individuals, and working adults facing economic challenges.
The Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP), formerly known as Food Stamps, is a federal program that provides nutrition assistance to low-income individuals and families. Eligibility is based on household income, resources, and size. In Penobscot County, Maine, SNAP helps eligible households purchase nutritious food at authorized retailers. The program aims to alleviate hunger and improve nutrition and health outcomes for vulnerable populations.
According to the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey, there are 10,413 civilian veterans aged 18 and over living in Penobscot County, Maine. These individuals have served on active duty in the U.S. Army, Air Force, Navy, Marine Corps, or Coast Guard. This number does not include those with only National Guard or Reserves training without active duty service.
The most common period of military service for veterans in Penobscot County, Maine is Vietnam Era Only, with 3,531 veterans (33.9% of all veterans) who served during this period. The second most common period is Between Gulf War & Vietnam, with 1,385 veterans (13.3%).
"Period of service" categorizes veterans based on when they served on active duty in the U.S. Armed Forces. Major periods include World War II (December 1941-December 1946), the Korean War (July 1950-January 1955), the Vietnam Era (August 1964-April 1975), the Gulf War (August 1990-August 2001), and Post-9/11 (September 2001 or later). Veterans may have served during multiple periods. Understanding the distribution of service periods helps communities in Penobscot County, Maine provide appropriate services and support to their veteran population.
Veterans who served during the Gulf War era (1990-2001) and Post-9/11 era (2001-present) represent approximately 51.1% of all veterans in Penobscot County, Maine. These more recent-era veterans, totaling around 5,316 individuals, often have different service experiences and support needs compared to veterans of earlier conflicts. They may benefit from targeted programs addressing issues such as transition to civilian life, employment assistance, and access to VA healthcare services.
In Penobscot County, Maine, 3,041 families (8.0% of all families) live below the federal poverty line. This means their household income is less than 100% of the poverty threshold established by the U.S. Census Bureau, which varies by family size and composition. Out of 37,957 total families, these households face significant economic challenges meeting basic needs.
"Income-to-poverty ratio" measures how a family's income compares to the federal poverty threshold. A ratio of 1.00 (100%) means the family's income equals the poverty line. Below 1.00 indicates poverty, while ratios above 1.00 show income levels relative to poverty. For example, a ratio of 2.00 (200%) means the family earns twice the poverty threshold. In Penobscot County, Maine, this data helps identify not just families in poverty, but also those who are economically vulnerable despite being above the official poverty line.
Beyond families living in poverty, Penobscot County, Maine has 11,033 families (29.1%) with incomes between 100% and 199% of the poverty level. These families are often called 'near poverty' or low-income households. Specifically, 3,834 families (10.1%) have incomes between 100% and 149% of poverty. While technically above the poverty line, these families often struggle with housing costs, healthcare, childcare, and other expenses, making them economically vulnerable.
In Penobscot County, Maine, 1,246 families (3.3%) live in extreme poverty, with incomes below 50% of the federal poverty threshold. These families face severe economic hardship and often require comprehensive assistance programs. On the other end of the spectrum, 23,883 families (62.9%) have incomes at least 200% above the poverty level, indicating greater financial stability and economic security.