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Maine Children's Alliance

Immigrant population in Maine

Change Indicator

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Why This Indicator Matters

Maine has the oldest median age in the United States, so drawing in new residents from other states and other countries is important for the economy. In light of the national and state discussions about immigration, it is helpful to know how many immigrants live in Maine's 16 counties. Maine is 43rd in the nation based on the percentage of their population that is foreign born for 2021. Percent foreign-born by state

What the data show7
Maine's population that is foreign-born has remained completely steady at 3.6% for each of the six different 5-year periods from 2012-2016 to 2017-2021. The most recent population growth in Maine is from out-of-staters moving in, rather than from people from other countries, or from births. 

For 2017-2021, four counties in Maine have 70% of the state's immigrant population. Cumberland County has 37% of the state's foreign-born population, while York has 16% and Penobscot has 9% and Androscoggin 8%. There are six counties where there are less than 1,000 people who are immigrants. 
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Definitions: What this measures
The numerator is the number of people of any age who are legally in the United States and are foreign born. It is based on 5-year estimates of county level populations, the most recent being for 2017-2021. The denominator is the 5-year estimates of total population per the US Census estimated for 2017-2021. 


Data Source: US Census American Community Survey available on data.census.gov Table B05002

Footnotes:  In the census, the term "foreign born" refers to people residing in the United States at the time of the population survey who were not U.S. citizens at birth. The foreign-born population includes naturalized U.S. citizens, lawful permanent immigrants (or green-card holders), refugees and asylees, certain legal non-immigrants (including those on student, work, or some other temporary visas), and persons residing in the country without authorization.

Updated January 2023.