Population 67,058 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Aroostook County
Household size in Aroostook County
| Period | Aroostook County | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.31 | 2.37 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.25 | 2.36 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.22 | 2.35 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.20 | 2.30 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.11 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Aroostook County is a place of small households, averaging 2.20 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has dropped from 2.31 in 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the south.
Household size: the average number of people living in each occupied home. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25010).
Median age in Aroostook County
| Period | Aroostook County | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 44.3 | 42.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.0 | 43.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 47.9 | 45.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 48.2 | 45.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +3.9 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 48.2, Aroostook County is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 44.3, mirroring the country. Residents skew youngest in the east and oldest in the north.
Median age: the age that splits residents into two equal halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B01002).
Single-parent households in Aroostook County
| Period | Aroostook County | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.1% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.0% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 8.5% | 9.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 8.0% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.2 pts | −1.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 8.0% of households in Aroostook County, well below the national share of 11.6%. Maine as a whole looks much the same. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has edged down 1.2 points, in line with the national trend.
Single-parent households: households where one adult with no spouse present lives with children under 18. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B11003).
Housing in Aroostook County
Renters in Aroostook County
| Period | Aroostook County | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 27.9% | 26.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 28.9% | 28.6% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 28.0% | 27.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 25.5% | 25.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −2.4 pts | −1.2 pts | +1.5 pts |
About a quarter of households in Aroostook County rent their homes (25.5%), below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among homeowners, 50.4% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the northeast and least common in the south. The renter share has fallen 2.4 points since 2006–10, even as the national share rose.
Renters: occupied homes that are rented rather than owned. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25003).
Vacant homes in Aroostook County
| Period | Aroostook County | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.4% | 17.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.7% | 18.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 21.4% | 19.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 20.0% | 16.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +1.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacant homes make up 20.0% of the housing in Aroostook County, far above the national rate of 9.6%. In resort and lake areas that usually means seasonal and vacation homes; elsewhere it can point to weak demand. Vacancy is up 1.6 points from 2006–10, even as the national rate fell.
Vacant homes: homes with no one living in them, including vacation homes and homes for sale or rent. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25002).
Age of homes in Aroostook County
| Period | Aroostook County | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1963 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1967 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1968 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1970 | 1975 | 1980 |
| Change | +7 | +6 | +6 |
Aroostook County is a place of older homes: half were built before 1970, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The newest homes are mostly in the northwest, the oldest in the northeast. Only one other Maine county has older homes.
Age of homes: the year that splits the housing stock into older and newer halves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25035).
Rent in Aroostook County
| Period | Aroostook County | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $501 | $766 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $550 | $831 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $581 | $919 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $736 | $1,230 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$235 | +$464 | +$606 |
The median renter in Aroostook County pays $736 a month for rent and utilities, well below the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $235 a month since 2006–10, up 47%, a slower climb than the nation's. The typical renter here spends 28.1% of household income on rent, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. No other Maine county has lower rents.
Rent: monthly rent plus the utilities renters pay themselves. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B25064).
Education in Aroostook County
Bachelor's degrees in Aroostook County
| Period | Aroostook County | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.4% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 17.1% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 19.3% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.2% | 36.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +6.8 pts | +9.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are relatively uncommon in Aroostook County: 23.2% of adults 25 and older hold a bachelor's or higher, well below the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 6.8 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Of Maine's 16 counties, only two have a lower share of college graduates.
Bachelor's degrees: adults 25 and older with a bachelor's degree or higher. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
High school graduates in Aroostook County
| Period | Aroostook County | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 84.2% | 89.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.3% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 88.5% | 92.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 91.1% | 94.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +6.9 pts | +4.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Aroostook County is a bit above the national rate: 91.1% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Still, the rate is lower than in Maine overall (94.8%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 6.9 points, mirroring the country.
High school graduates: adults 25 and older with a high school diploma, GED or more. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B15003).
Jobs in Aroostook County
| Period | Aroostook County | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 5.9% | 6.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 7.4% | 7.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 5.0% | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.4% | 3.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −0.5 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
At 5.4%, unemployment in Aroostook County is the same as the national rate. The rate is higher than in Maine as a whole (3.9%). Only one other Maine county has higher unemployment.
Unemployment: people looking for work as a share of everyone working or looking. Source: BestNeighborhood calculations from U.S. Census Bureau ACS 5-year block-group estimates (table B23025).
Aroostook County compared with nearby counties
| County | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aroostook County | 2.20 | 48.2 | 8.0% | 25.5% | 20.0% | 1970 | $736 | 23.2% | 91.1% | 5.4% |
| Chippewa County | 2.40 | 42.6 | 10.9% | 25.0% | 20.9% | 1973 | $782 | 23.4% | 92.9% | 6.1% |
| Luce County | 2.13 | 45.6 | 10.4% | 17.4% | 31.2% | 1972 | $655 | 17.8% | 93.0% | 8.6% |
| Alger County | 2.20 | 49.8 | 5.7% | 13.7% | 41.9% | 1973 | $625 | 20.9% | 93.8% | 5.9% |
| Marquette County | 2.26 | 40.5 | 6.9% | 30.4% | 13.2% | 1967 | $1,022 | 37.2% | 95.7% | 4.7% |
| Baraga County | 2.10 | 47.2 | 7.7% | 21.5% | 27.2% | 1971 | $617 | 15.3% | 92.0% | 5.0% |
| Houghton County | 2.39 | 36.4 | 7.1% | 28.2% | 21.0% | 1962 | $995 | 41.4% | 94.1% | 5.9% |
| Ontonagon County | 1.84 | 58.6 | 4.2% | 12.9% | 37.0% | 1961 | $555 | 18.4% | 94.5% | 5.3% |
| Gogebic County | 2.04 | 49.4 | 8.1% | 19.0% | 29.4% | 1953 | $652 | 22.2% | 95.8% | 6.8% |
| Iron County | 1.97 | 54.1 | 7.9% | 11.5% | 38.7% | 1968 | $673 | 25.9% | 95.1% | 2.4% |
| Ashland County | 2.31 | 43.3 | 8.0% | 26.6% | 22.4% | 1969 | $742 | 25.4% | 95.7% | 3.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Counties with similar populations: Oxford County, ME · Coos County, OR · Eddy County, NM · Georgetown County, SC · Grays Harbor County, WA · Kauai County, HI · Klamath County, OR · Chaves County, NM · Lake County, CA · Mason County, WA
About these numbers
Every figure on this page is a BestNeighborhood calculation from the Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS), built up from the Census block groups that make up Aroostook County. Each ACS 5-year release pools five years of responses; this page shows the last 15 releases, 2006–10 through 2020–24. Neighboring releases share four of their five years, so they move gradually and small changes between them are within the survey's margin of error; in small places the lines can jump from one release to the next for the same reason. The maps show the same measures for each neighborhood, ranked against the whole country.
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