Population 9,035 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Cape Elizabeth
Household size in Cape Elizabeth
| Period | Cape Elizabeth | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.49 | 2.37 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.48 | 2.36 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.47 | 2.35 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.56 | 2.30 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.06 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
The average household in Cape Elizabeth has 2.56 people, a bit under the U.S. average of 2.65. Even so, the typical household here is bigger than in Maine overall, where it has 2.30 people. Since 2006–10, household size has crept up from 2.49, even as the national average fell.
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 Cape Elizabeth
| Period | Cape Elizabeth | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.6 | 42.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 49.5 | 43.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 50.3 | 45.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 47.4 | 45.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +1.8 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
With a median age of 47.4, Cape Elizabeth is noticeably older than the country as a whole (40.1), an age mix that tilts toward empty nesters and retirees. The median age has climbed from 45.6 in 2006–10, in line with the national trend. The youngest areas are in the center, the 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 Cape Elizabeth
| Period | Cape Elizabeth | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 7.9% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 9.1% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 4.9% | 9.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.0% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −1.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 5.0% of households in Cape Elizabeth, well below the national share of 11.6%. The single-parent share is down 2.8 points from 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Of the 56 Maine cities with 5,000+ people, only four have a lower share of single-parent households.
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 Cape Elizabeth
Renters in Cape Elizabeth
| Period | Cape Elizabeth | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 14.9% | 26.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 11.3% | 28.6% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 11.0% | 27.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 11.5% | 25.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −1.2 pts | +1.5 pts |
Only 11.5% of households in Cape Elizabeth rent their homes, far below the national share of 34.8%, so most residents are owners who tend to stay put. More than a third of owners (36.8%) have paid off their mortgages, below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 3.3 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 Cape Elizabeth
| Period | Cape Elizabeth | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 9.8% | 17.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 8.3% | 18.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.3% | 19.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 7.9% | 16.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Fewer homes sit empty in Cape Elizabeth than nationally: 7.9%, against 9.6% for the U.S. Since 2006–10, vacancy has fallen 1.9 points, mirroring the country.
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 Cape Elizabeth
| Period | Cape Elizabeth | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1962 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1965 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1966 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1967 | 1975 | 1980 |
| Change | +5 | +6 | +6 |
The housing in Cape Elizabeth is old by national standards: the median home dates to 1967, against 1980 for the U.S., so buyers will find more older houses, some of them due for updates. The median year built has moved up from 1962 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southwest, the oldest in the north.
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 Cape Elizabeth
| Period | Cape Elizabeth | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $1,241 | $766 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $1,003 | $831 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,188 | $919 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $2,005 | $1,230 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$764 | +$464 | +$606 |
The median renter in Cape Elizabeth pays $2,005 a month for rent and utilities, well above the national median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $764 a month since 2006–10, up 62%, roughly in step with the nation. The typical renter here spends 24.8% of household income on rent, comfortably under the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, and a smaller share than renters pay nationally. The priciest rents are in the southeast; the most affordable are in the center.
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 Cape Elizabeth
Bachelor's degrees in Cape Elizabeth
| Period | Cape Elizabeth | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 62.0% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 62.9% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 73.0% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 74.1% | 36.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +12.2 pts | +9.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Cape Elizabeth is highly educated: about three-quarters of adults 25 and older (74.1%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 12.2 points, as it has nationally. Cape Elizabeth has the highest share of college graduates of any Maine city with 5,000+ people.
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 Cape Elizabeth
| Period | Cape Elizabeth | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 98.9% | 89.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 98.7% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 99.6% | 92.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 99.2% | 94.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | +4.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
Finishing high school is nearly universal in Cape Elizabeth: 99.2% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. Only one other Maine city with 5,000+ people has a higher share of high school graduates.
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 Cape Elizabeth
| Period | Cape Elizabeth | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.8% | 6.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 3.4% | 7.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 0.6% | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 2.5% | 3.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
The job market in Cape Elizabeth has been strong: just 2.5% of the labor force was out of work and looking, well below the national rate of 5.4%. Unemployment has fallen 2.3 points since 2006–10, mirroring the country. Because the Census pools five years of responses (2020–24), these rates smooth over short swings and lag the current job market.
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).
Cape Elizabeth 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cape Elizabeth | 2.56 | 47.4 | 5.0% | 11.5% | 7.9% | 1967 | $2,005 | 74.1% | 99.2% | 2.5% |
| Cash Corner | 2.66 | 48.1 | 7.9% | 19.7% | 2.4% | 1966 | $2,004 | 58.0% | 99.7% | 6.2% |
| South Portland | 2.21 | 42.2 | 5.9% | 41.8% | 5.8% | 1964 | $1,760 | 50.6% | 95.5% | 2.7% |
| Peaks Island | 2.03 | 62.0 | 4.4% | 11.1% | 59.3% | 1938 | $1,502 | 71.9% | 97.2% | 1.9% |
| Portland | 2.10 | 39.0 | 7.3% | 53.7% | 8.4% | 1955 | $1,590 | 59.6% | 96.5% | 4.0% |
| Scarborough | 2.32 | 50.4 | 7.3% | 22.5% | 10.9% | 1990 | $2,102 | 57.3% | 98.8% | 2.5% |
| Long Island | 2.15 | 48.8 | 2.6% | 18.9% | 71.2% | 1938 | $1,938 | 51.5% | 97.8% | 0.6% |
| Cliff Island | 2.15 | 48.8 | 2.6% | 18.9% | 71.2% | 1938 | $1,938 | 51.5% | 97.8% | 0.6% |
| Westbrook | 2.33 | 40.2 | 9.5% | 36.2% | 6.5% | 1971 | $1,529 | 40.6% | 96.4% | 2.4% |
| Falmouth | 2.58 | 47.6 | 6.1% | 15.6% | 6.8% | 1986 | $2,431 | 72.9% | 98.1% | 2.5% |
| Old Orchard Beach | 1.76 | 57.4 | 4.7% | 31.8% | 25.8% | 1978 | $1,190 | 43.3% | 97.4% | 7.8% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Vandalia, IL · Country Club Estates, GA · Cowpens, SC · Crestwood Village, NJ · Crittenden, KY · Crossville, AL · Crozet, VA · Curtis Bay, MD · Cusseta, GA · Economy, PA
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 Cape Elizabeth. 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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