Population 12,612 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Orono
Household size in Orono
| Period | Orono | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.24 | 2.37 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.30 | 2.36 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.38 | 2.35 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.28 | 2.30 | 2.65 |
| Change | +0.03 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Orono is a place of small households, averaging 2.28 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Household size has crept up from 2.24 in 2006–10, even as the national average fell. The biggest households, usually families with children, are concentrated in the east.
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 Orono
| Period | Orono | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 28.7 | 42.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 30.0 | 43.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 30.1 | 45.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 29.4 | 45.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.7 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
With a median age of just 29.4, Orono is far younger than the country as a whole (40.1), a population that tilts toward young adults, many of them living alone or as couples. The median age has crept up from 28.7 in 2006–10, a smaller shift than nationally. No other Maine city with 5,000+ people is younger.
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 Orono
| Period | Orono | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.3% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 6.1% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 5.9% | 9.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −2.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head only 4.0% of households in Orono, well below the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 2.3 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only one other Maine city with 5,000+ people has 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 Orono
Renters in Orono
| Period | Orono | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 49.1% | 26.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 51.2% | 28.6% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 46.6% | 27.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 50.5% | 25.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | +1.4 pts | −1.2 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renters far outnumber owners in Orono: 50.5% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% nationally. Among homeowners, 60.6% have no mortgage at all, well above the national share of 39.8%. The renter share is up 1.4 points from 2006–10, as it has nationally. Only one other Maine city with 5,000+ people has a higher share of renters.
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 Orono
| Period | Orono | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.0% | 17.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 7.8% | 18.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 13.1% | 19.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 8.0% | 16.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −1.9 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Vacancy is on the low side in Orono: 8.0% of homes sit empty, against 9.6% nationally, which points to steady demand for housing. Vacancy has fallen 1.9 points since 2006–10, 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 Orono
| Period | Orono | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1975 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1971 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1975 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1978 | 1975 | 1980 |
| Change | +3 | +6 | +6 |
Homes in Orono are about the same age as the nation's housing: the median home was built in 1978, versus 1980 nationally. Newer construction is concentrated in the east, while the south 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 Orono
| Period | Orono | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $812 | $766 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $822 | $831 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $1,078 | $919 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,430 | $1,230 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$618 | +$464 | +$606 |
The median renter in Orono pays $1,430 a month for rent and utilities, below the national median of $1,571. Still, rents here are higher than in Maine as a whole ($1,230). Rents are up $618 a month from 2006–10, a 76% jump, faster than rents rose nationally. The typical renter here spends 34.2% of household income on rent, well over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent, so many renters here are stretched.
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 Orono
Bachelor's degrees in Orono
| Period | Orono | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 58.8% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 55.1% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 60.8% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 69.4% | 36.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +10.6 pts | +9.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Orono is highly educated: about seven in ten adults 25 and older (69.4%) hold at least a bachelor's degree, far above the national share of 35.6%. The share with a degree is up 10.6 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. Of the 56 Maine cities with 5,000+ people, only two have a higher 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 Orono
| Period | Orono | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 95.3% | 89.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 95.3% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 96.5% | 92.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 96.8% | 94.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +1.5 pts | +4.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
High school completion is high in Orono: 96.8% of adults 25 and older have a diploma or equivalent, well above the national rate of 89.3%. The share with a diploma has edged up 1.5 points since 2006–10, in line with the national trend.
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 Orono
| Period | Orono | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 4.9% | 6.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 8.3% | 7.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 8.4% | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 5.1% | 3.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | +0.3 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Orono is close to the national rate: 5.1% of the labor force, against 5.4%. The rate is higher than in Maine overall (3.9%). 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).
Orono 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orono | 2.28 | 29.4 | 4.0% | 50.5% | 8.0% | 1978 | $1,430 | 69.4% | 96.8% | 5.1% |
| Bradley | 2.55 | 42.7 | 7.6% | 15.4% | 9.1% | 1984 | $1,088 | 22.9% | 95.7% | 1.4% |
| Old Town | 2.42 | 39.1 | 9.5% | 39.1% | 13.1% | 1962 | $1,064 | 34.9% | 98.3% | 2.4% |
| Milford | 2.40 | 44.2 | 12.6% | 12.1% | 15.2% | 1986 | $941 | 20.6% | 91.1% | 3.7% |
| East Eddington | 2.15 | 53.5 | 9.4% | 17.4% | 8.0% | 1977 | $1,146 | 27.0% | 94.9% | 2.6% |
| Eddington | 2.32 | 53.8 | 8.8% | 16.3% | 11.6% | 1980 | $1,146 | 29.0% | 90.6% | 1.9% |
| Bangor | 2.12 | 42.0 | 10.6% | 47.8% | 9.3% | 1968 | $1,142 | 35.1% | 96.0% | 3.5% |
| Brewer | 2.32 | 40.7 | 8.4% | 40.3% | 4.7% | 1962 | $991 | 36.7% | 95.4% | 1.8% |
| Glenburn Center | 2.38 | 46.8 | 6.6% | 18.1% | 11.2% | 1990 | $1,202 | 21.1% | 94.6% | 1.6% |
| West Old Town | 2.38 | 48.9 | 6.2% | 13.8% | 7.9% | 1986 | $884 | 20.8% | 89.6% | 1.7% |
| Indian Island Penobscot Indian Reservation | 2.38 | 48.9 | 6.2% | 13.8% | 7.9% | 1986 | $884 | 20.8% | 89.6% | 1.7% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: New Oxford, PA · Montoursville, PA · Morrow, OH · Moulton, AL · Moundsville, WV · Mount Sinai, NY · Mount Vernon, IN · Mountain City, TN · Murphysboro, IL · Nappanee, IN
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 Orono. 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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