3rd most populous of 16
With 156,840 residents in 2024, Penobscot County ranks 3rd by population among Maine's 16 counties and is home to 11.2% of the state's residents.
Penobscot County is home to 156,840 people (2024 estimate) on 3,397 square miles of land. This page brings together official U.S. Census Bureau population estimates since 2000, the components of change—births, deaths and migration—American Community Survey indicators on income, housing, poverty and education, BEA economic accounts and BLS unemployment.
Key indicators
Population
156,840
July 1, 2024 estimate
2020 Census base
152,199
April 1, 2020
Change since 2020
+3.0%
2020–2024
Land area
3,397 mi²
8,799 km²
Population density
46.2 /mi²
2024 estimate ÷ land area
Births
1,314
Year to July 1, 2024
Deaths
1,959
Year to July 1, 2024
Natural change
−645
Births minus deaths, 2024
Net migration
+1,149
Domestic + international, 2024
Per capita personal income
$56,593
BEA, 2024
Gross domestic product
$9.6 billion
BEA, current dollars, 2024
Median household income
$66,356
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Poverty rate
14.1%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Bachelor’s degree or higher
30.1%
Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Foreign-born residents
3.4%
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Median home value
$214,100
ACS 2020–2024 5-year
Unemployment rate
3.3%
BLS annual average, 2024
Historical data
Pick an indicator to see its long-run evolution.
Population
2000–2024156,840▲ 8%
U.S. Census Bureau: intercensal estimates 2000–2009, Vintage 2020 (2010–2019) and Vintage 2024 (2020–2024), July 1.
Data summary
| Indicator | Value | Year and source |
|---|---|---|
| Population estimate | 156,840 | 2024 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2010 Census | 153,923 | 2010 · U.S. Census Bureau |
| Population, 2000 | 144,937 | July 1, 2000 · Census intercensal |
| Change since 2000 | +8.2% | 2000–2024 · Census |
| International migration | +594 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Domestic migration | +555 | 2024 · Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate | 8.4 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Death rate | 12.5 per 1,000 | 2024 · calculated |
| Population rank in Maine | 3rd of 16 | 2024 · calculated |
| Per capita personal income | $56,593 | BEA, 2024 · official |
| Gross domestic product | $9.6 billion | BEA, current dollars, 2024 · official |
| Median household income | $66,356 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Poverty rate | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 30.1% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Foreign-born residents | 3.4% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median home value | $214,100 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median gross rent | $1,041/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Median age | 42.5 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Households | 65,221 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year · official |
Penobscot County in context
Comparable indicators for Penobscot County, Maine and the United States.
| Indicator | County | Maine | U.S. | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Population change 2020–2024 | +3.0% | +3.1% | +2.6% | Census Vintage 2024 |
| Birth rate (per 1,000) | 8.4 | 8.3 | 10.6 | 2024 |
| Death rate (per 1,000) | 12.5 | 11.9 | 9.1 | 2024 |
| Net migration rate (per 1,000) | 7.3 | 7.5 | 8.2 | 2024 |
| Population density (/mi²) | 46.2 | 45.6 | 96.3 | 2024 |
| Per capita personal income | $56,593 | $68,932 | $73,204 | BEA, 2024 |
| Median household income | $66,356 | $74,733 | $80,734 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Poverty rate | 14.1% | 10.7% | 12.5% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Bachelor’s degree or higher | 30.1% | 36.2% | 35.7% | Age 25+, ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Foreign-born residents | 3.4% | 4.1% | 14.1% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median home value | $214,100 | $296,600 | $332,700 | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median gross rent | $1,041/month | $1,139/month | $1,413/month | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Median age | 42.5 years | 44.8 years | 38.9 years | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
| Owner-occupied homes | 70.5% | 74.3% | 65.2% | ACS 2020–2024 5-year |
Cities & towns
1 city · choose how to order them
Bangor
31,800 residents
Did you know? Penobscot County
A quarter century of change
Its population went from 144,937 in 2000 to 156,840 in 2024, a change of +8.2%, compared with +10.0% for Maine as a whole.
Births and deaths
In the year to July 2024 the county recorded 1,314 births and 1,959 deaths, so deaths outnumbered births by 645.
Record population
Annual Census estimates since 2000 put the county's highest population in 2024, at 156,840.
9th in density
Penobscot County has about 46.2 residents per square mile of land, ranking 9th of 16 counties; Maine averages 45.6.
Household income rank
With a median household income of $66,356 (ACS 2020–2024 5-year), the county ranks 10th of 16 Maine counties; the state median is $74,733.
Size of the economy
Its economy produced $9.6 billion of GDP in 2024 (BEA), 3rd largest among 16 Maine counties.
Latest economic growth
Real GDP grew 3.1% in 2024, adjusted for inflation (BEA, chained 2017 dollars).
Sources and methodology
- U.S. Census Bureau — County population totals and components, Vintage 2024
- U.S. Census Bureau — County estimates 2010–2020
- U.S. Census Bureau — Intercensal estimates 2000–2010
- U.S. Census Bureau — Gazetteer files (land area)
- U.S. Census Bureau — American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year
- U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis — Regional economic accounts
- U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics — LAUS