Population 8,350 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Belfast
Household size in Belfast
| Period | Belfast | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.21 | 2.37 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.33 | 2.36 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.21 | 2.35 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.09 | 2.30 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.13 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Belfast is a place of small households, averaging 2.09 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Since 2006–10, household size has dropped from 2.21, a much bigger shift than nationally. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the southwest.
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 Belfast
| Period | Belfast | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 46.9 | 42.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 46.5 | 43.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 46.0 | 45.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 55.4 | 45.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +8.5 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
Belfast skews older: half of its residents are older than 55.4, well above the national median of 40.1. That usually means more empty nesters and retirees, and fewer young families. Since 2006–10, the median age has climbed from 46.9, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Maine city with 5,000+ people is older.
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 Belfast
| Period | Belfast | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 11.0% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.0% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 16.9% | 9.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 9.7% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −1.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single-parent households are a bit less common in Belfast than nationally: 9.7%, against 11.6%. Maine as a whole looks much the same. The single-parent share is down 1.3 points from 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Belfast
Renters in Belfast
| Period | Belfast | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 23.6% | 26.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 35.0% | 28.6% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 34.4% | 27.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 28.4% | 25.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +4.8 pts | −1.2 pts | +1.5 pts |
Nearly three in ten households in Belfast rent their homes (28.4%), a little below the national share of 34.8%; the rest own. Among homeowners, 50.5% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. Renting is most common in the southeast and least common in the southwest. The renter share is up 4.8 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally.
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 Belfast
| Period | Belfast | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 18.9% | 17.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 14.6% | 18.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 16.1% | 19.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 21.3% | 16.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | +2.4 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is high in Belfast: 21.3% of homes are empty, 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 has risen 2.4 points since 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 Belfast
| Period | Belfast | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1964 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1970 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1978 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1977 | 1975 | 1980 |
| Change | +13 | +6 | +6 |
The typical home in Belfast was built around 1977, about the same vintage as the country's housing overall (1980). The median year built has moved up from 1964 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. Newer construction is concentrated in the west, while the center has the oldest housing.
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 Belfast
| Period | Belfast | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $677 | $766 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $762 | $831 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $908 | $919 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,115 | $1,230 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$439 | +$464 | +$606 |
Rent in Belfast runs $1,115 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rents are up $439 a month from 2006–10, a 65% jump, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 29.6% of the typical renter's income, just under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. Rents run highest in the west and lowest in the southeast.
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 Belfast
Bachelor's degrees in Belfast
| Period | Belfast | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 24.1% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 35.1% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 42.0% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 38.2% | 36.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +14.0 pts | +9.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
College degrees are about as common in Belfast as nationally: 38.2% of adults 25 and older have a bachelor's or higher, against 35.6%. The share with a degree has risen 14.0 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally. College graduates are most concentrated in the southeast and least in the north.
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 Belfast
| Period | Belfast | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 87.9% | 89.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 89.5% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 94.1% | 92.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 92.1% | 94.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +4.2 pts | +4.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion in Belfast is a bit above the national rate: 92.1% of adults have a diploma or equivalent, against 89.3%. Even so, the rate is lower than in Maine overall (94.8%). Since 2006–10, the share with a diploma has risen 4.2 points, as it has nationally.
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 Belfast
| Period | Belfast | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 6.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.8% | 7.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 7.6% | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 0.9% | 3.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −3.9 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Belfast has been strong: just 0.9% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Only one other Maine city with 5,000+ people has lower unemployment. Unemployment has fallen 3.9 points since 2006–10, as it has nationally.
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).
Belfast compared with nearby cities
| City | Household size | Median age | Single parents | Renters | Vacant homes | Median year built | Median rent | Bachelor's degree | High school diploma | Unemployment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Belfast | 2.09 | 55.4 | 9.7% | 28.4% | 21.3% | 1977 | $1,115 | 38.2% | 92.1% | 0.9% |
| Dog Island Corner | 2.10 | 56.6 | 3.4% | 12.4% | 30.6% | 1981 | $1,088 | 52.4% | 95.2% | 4.8% |
| Waldo | 2.37 | 42.4 | 11.9% | 19.2% | 11.7% | 1987 | $1,137 | 31.4% | 92.4% | 4.2% |
| Searsport | 2.28 | 47.0 | 8.3% | 29.2% | 20.6% | 1980 | $1,154 | 32.7% | 95.3% | 3.2% |
| Morrill | 2.31 | 47.3 | 7.5% | 12.1% | 7.4% | 1990 | $1,010 | 26.1% | 94.4% | 5.3% |
| Swanville | 2.14 | 51.0 | 9.5% | 10.0% | 20.9% | 1990 | $1,194 | 24.6% | 93.7% | 1.5% |
| Lincolnville Center | 2.47 | 40.4 | 8.7% | 14.7% | 5.2% | 1990 | $1,049 | 31.3% | 94.7% | 3.8% |
| Lincolnville | 2.22 | 53.9 | 5.2% | 12.1% | 28.1% | 1985 | $1,036 | 50.4% | 94.7% | 5.9% |
| Slab City | 2.42 | 47.5 | 7.7% | 14.0% | 35.1% | 1986 | $1,182 | 47.7% | 92.4% | 2.2% |
| Fosters Corner | 2.32 | 44.7 | 10.6% | 23.0% | 13.8% | 1988 | $1,095 | 29.0% | 90.3% | 4.3% |
| Stockton Springs | 2.20 | 48.5 | 8.0% | 16.7% | 14.5% | 1988 | $1,375 | 26.8% | 96.2% | 5.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Ocean City, MD · Parkton, NC · Park Ridge, NJ · Palmyra, NJ · Orland Hills, IL · Orefield, PA · Orange, MA · Oradell, NJ · Opp, AL · Olivette, MO
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 Belfast. 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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