Portland

Has an incredible brewery and culinary scene, a scenic downtown, and a working waterfront.

Welcome to Portland

Is Portland, Maine a Good Place to Live?

The secret is out, Portland is a fantastic place to live. Maine’s largest city has topped many “best of” lists recently, including U.S. News and World Report’s “Best Places to Live on the East Coast.” Portland has an incredible brewery and culinary scene, a scenic downtown, and a working waterfront, and though it’s a small city, it has a cosmopolitan feel.

Fun Fact: Portland has suffered from a few major fires in its history, including the Great Fire of 1866 which destroyed a third of the city, leaving 10,000 people homeless.

Portland, Maine Real Estate

The city offers a mix of housing options from historic homes to modern condos spread across numerous neighborhoods, each with its own character. The West End, for example, is known for its historic architecture, while the Arts District, home to the Maine College of Art and numerous galleries, offers a vibrant cultural atmosphere.

Things to do in Portland, Maine

Restaurants and Breweries

Portland's restaurant scene is a food lover's paradise. Bon Appetit magazine called it “America's Foodiest Small Town” and The Food Network put Portland in its top five “Most Delicious Destinations.” For a cozy dining experience, try Fore Street, a James Beard award-winning restaurant with a wood-fired oven and an ever-changing menu of seasonal dishes. For traditional and delicious Japanese, try Izikaya Minato. If you’re in the mood for some casual pub fare, I recommend Bramhall.

Portland is also renowned for its breweries, with Bissell Brothers, Allagash, and Lone Pine topping many beer-lovers’ lists. Maine Brews Cruise offers a great way to tour many of the town’s best while someone else takes the wheel.

Arts and Culture

Portland boasts a thriving artistic community, with numerous galleries, theaters, and art studios. Art lovers can immerse themselves in creativity at the Portland Museum of Art, which houses an impressive collection of American and European works. For those seeking live music, the State Theatre and Thompson’s Point are top-notch venues for concerts.

Sights and Places to Visit

The Old Port, Portland’s historic downtown district is home to cobblestone streets, charming shops, and many restaurants and bars.

Fort Gorges, which sits prominently in Casco Bay off Portland’s East End, was built in the middle of the 19th century to protect the Portland Harbor. Reachable by boat, the fort is open to the public and is a wonder to explore. Just past Fort Gorges, you’ll find Peaks Island, a laid-back island accessible with a 15-minute ferry ride from downtown Portland. Pack a lunch and explore the island’s beaches, restaurants, and World War II-era military battery by bike in the summer.

Portland’s Eastern Promenade is a stunning urban park. Designed in 1905 by the Olmsted Brothers landscape firm, creators of New York's Central Park and the Boston Commons, the promenade’s 68 acres of cascading fields, trails, gardens, and beach feature unparalleled views of Casco Bay.

Portland, Maine Events

First Friday Art Walk

Portland's First Friday Art Walk is a free self-guided tour of art galleries, art studios, museums, and alternative art venues. It takes place on the first Friday of every month from 5-8 pm and is a great way to experience the city's vibrant arts scene (and to drink some free wine).

Portland Chamber Music Festival

This festival is held in July and features performances by chamber music ensembles from around the world. There are concerts in a variety of venues, including churches, libraries, and museums.

Portland, Maine Schools

The public schools in Portland, Maine are generally ranked above average compared to their peers in the state. According to Niche, a website that ranks schools, Portland is an above-average school district with a student-teacher ratio of 11 to 1. The district's schools have a graduation rate of 90%, and students score above average on standardized tests. Portland is also home to some excellent private schools, including Waynflete, which Niche regards as the best public school in Maine.

Read more about Portland, Maine Neighborhoods

Overview for Portland, ME

68,063 people live in Portland, where the median age is 36.9 and the average individual income is $42,960. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

68,063

Total Population

36.9 years

Median Age

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

$42,960

Average individual Income

Around Portland, ME

There's plenty to do around Portland, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.

39

Somewhat Bikeable

Bike Score

Points of Interest

Explore popular things to do in the area, including Gorgeous Gelato - Fort Williams Park, Matcha Mood, and Oun Lido’s.

Name	Category	Distance	Reviews	Ratings by Yelp
Visit the Gorgeous Gelato - Fort Williams Park page on Yelp Search Captain Strout Cir on Google Maps	Dining	2.64 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Matcha Mood page on Yelp Search 654 Congress St on Google Maps	Dining	4.88 miles	20 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Oun Lido’s page on Yelp Search 30 Market St on Google Maps	Dining	4.3 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Captain Mowatt's page on Yelp Search 64 Eastern Promenade on Google Maps	Dining	3.89 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Grippy Tannins page on Yelp Search 16 Middle St on Google Maps	Dining	4.16 miles	20 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Portland Twist page on Yelp	Dining	4.57 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Corey & Co page on Yelp Search 19 Pleasant St on Google Maps	Shopping	4.51 miles	10 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Waterlily page on Yelp Search 26 Milk St on Google Maps	Shopping	4.31 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Casco Bay Adventures page on Yelp Search 1 Spring Point Dr on Google Maps	Active	3.18 miles	10 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Calendar Islands Sailing Company page on Yelp Search 58 Fore St on Google Maps	Active	4.02 miles	19 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Portland Yoga Collective page on Yelp Search 98 Cross St N on Google Maps	Active	4.5 miles	12 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Lighthouse Bikes page on Yelp Search 72 Ocean St on Google Maps	Active	4.3 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Pure Barre page on Yelp Search 477 Fore St on Google Maps	Active	4.42 miles	9 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Nautilus Sailing Company page on Yelp Search 1 Marina Way on Google Maps	Active	3.89 miles	11 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Styling by Stoja page on Yelp Search 15 Pleasant St on Google Maps	Beauty	4.51 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Beauty Mark Spa page on Yelp Search 250 Commercial St on Google Maps	Beauty	4.33 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Dye Hard page on Yelp Search 613 Congress St on Google Maps	Beauty	4.81 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Kutz page on Yelp Search 52 Pleasant St on Google Maps	Beauty	4.54 miles	7 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Heart & Mane page on Yelp Search 28 Maple St on Google Maps	Beauty	4.5 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Brass & Briar Studios page on Yelp Search 85 India St on Google Maps	Beauty	4.26 miles	6 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Opus Hair Studio page on Yelp Search 145 Newbury St on Google Maps	Beauty	4.26 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Beehive page on Yelp Search 79 Oak St on Google Maps	Beauty	4.74 miles	5 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Fortune Teller Tattoo - Portland page on Yelp Search 82 Hanover St on Google Maps	Beauty	4.92 miles	10 reviews	5/5 stars
Visit the Parks McKinney Facials & Waxing page on Yelp Search 19 South St on Google Maps	Beauty	4.56 miles	14 reviews	5/5 stars

Demographics and Employment Data for Portland, ME

Population Households Employment

Portland has 31,237 households, with an average household size of 2.12. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. Here’s what the people living in Portland do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau. 68,063 people call Portland home. The population density is 3,159.41 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

68,063

Total Population

High

Population Density Population Density This is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.

36.9

Median Age

48.85 / 51.15%

Men vs Women

Population by Age Group

0-9:

0-9 Years

10-17:

10-17 Years

18-24:

18-24 Years

25-64:

25-64 Years

65-74:

65-74 Years

75+:

75+ Years

Education Level

Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree

31,237

Total Households

2.12

Average Household Size

$42,960

Average individual Income

Households with Children

With Children:

Without Children:

Marital Status

Married

Single

Divorced

Separated

Blue vs White Collar Workers

Blue Collar:

White Collar:

Commute Time

0 to 14 Minutes

15 to 29 Minutes

30 to 59 Minutes

60+ Minutes

Schools in Portland, ME

All ()

Primary Schools ()

Middle Schools ()

High Schools ()

Mixed Schools ()

The following schools are within or nearby Portland. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.

Type

Name