Population 11,942 · Census ACS 2020–24
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Population and households in Sanford
Household size in Sanford
| Period | Sanford | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 2.38 | 2.37 | 2.68 |
| 2010–14 | 2.28 | 2.36 | 2.73 |
| 2015–19 | 2.35 | 2.35 | 2.71 |
| 2020–24 | 2.36 | 2.30 | 2.65 |
| Change | −0.02 | −0.07 | −0.03 |
Sanford is a place of small households, averaging 2.36 people against 2.65 for the U.S., which points to many singles, couples and roommates and relatively few children. Maine as a whole looks much the same. 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 Sanford
| Period | Sanford | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 39.1 | 42.1 | 37.7 |
| 2010–14 | 40.1 | 43.5 | 38.6 |
| 2015–19 | 41.0 | 45.0 | 39.6 |
| 2020–24 | 40.0 | 45.0 | 40.1 |
| Change | +0.9 | +2.9 | +2.3 |
At 40.0, the median age in Sanford is close to the national median of 40.1, so its age mix looks much like the country's. The population here is younger than in Maine as a whole, where the median age is 45.0. The median age has climbed from 39.1 in 2006–10, mirroring the country.
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 Sanford
| Period | Sanford | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 16.0% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2010–14 | 16.4% | 10.1% | 12.3% |
| 2015–19 | 14.9% | 9.4% | 11.6% |
| 2020–24 | 12.7% | 8.8% | 11.6% |
| Change | −3.3 pts | −1.4 pts | −0.6 pts |
Single parents head about one in eight households in Sanford (12.7%), a bit above the national share of 11.6%. Since 2006–10, the single-parent share has fallen 3.3 points, a much bigger shift than nationally. Only four of the 56 Maine cities with 5,000+ people have a higher 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 Sanford
Renters in Sanford
| Period | Sanford | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 45.3% | 26.9% | 33.3% |
| 2010–14 | 43.1% | 28.6% | 35.6% |
| 2015–19 | 49.5% | 27.7% | 36.0% |
| 2020–24 | 38.1% | 25.7% | 34.8% |
| Change | −7.2 pts | −1.2 pts | +1.5 pts |
Renting is a bit more common in Sanford than nationally: 38.1% of households rent their homes, against 34.8% for the U.S. Among homeowners, 26.9% have no mortgage at all, well below the national share of 39.8%. The renter share has fallen 7.2 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 Sanford
| Period | Sanford | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 10.4% | 17.8% | 11.4% |
| 2010–14 | 10.0% | 18.1% | 11.4% |
| 2015–19 | 11.4% | 19.0% | 11.1% |
| 2020–24 | 4.8% | 16.4% | 9.6% |
| Change | −5.6 pts | −1.4 pts | −1.8 pts |
Empty homes are scarce in Sanford: just 4.8% sit vacant, compared with 9.6% nationally, a sign of a tight housing market. Vacancy has fallen 5.6 points since 2006–10, a much bigger shift than nationally. Sanford has a lower vacancy rate than at least four in five Maine cities.
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 Sanford
| Period | Sanford | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 1959 | 1969 | 1974 |
| 2010–14 | 1960 | 1971 | 1975 |
| 2015–19 | 1963 | 1973 | 1977 |
| 2020–24 | 1967 | 1975 | 1980 |
| Change | +9 | +6 | +6 |
Sanford is a place of older homes: half were built before 1967, while the national median is 1980. That means established neighborhoods, and more houses that may need updating. The median year built has moved up from 1959 in 2006–10, a sign of steady new building. The newest homes are mostly in the southeast, 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 Sanford
| Period | Sanford | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | $738 | $766 | $965 |
| 2010–14 | $752 | $831 | $1,040 |
| 2015–19 | $897 | $919 | $1,213 |
| 2020–24 | $1,184 | $1,230 | $1,571 |
| Change | +$446 | +$464 | +$606 |
Rent in Sanford runs $1,184 a month at the median, utilities included, well below the U.S. median of $1,571. Rent has climbed $446 a month since 2006–10, up 61%, roughly in step with the nation. Rent takes 30.5% of the typical renter's income, just over the 30% mark often used to define affordable rent. The priciest rents are in the northeast; the most affordable are in the south.
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 Sanford
Bachelor's degrees in Sanford
| Period | Sanford | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 15.1% | 27.0% | 28.4% |
| 2010–14 | 19.0% | 28.7% | 29.6% |
| 2015–19 | 16.9% | 32.0% | 32.1% |
| 2020–24 | 23.3% | 36.5% | 35.6% |
| Change | +8.2 pts | +9.5 pts | +7.2 pts |
Fewer adults in Sanford have a four-year degree than in the country as a whole: 23.3%, against 35.6% nationally. Since 2006–10, the share with a degree has risen 8.2 points, in line with the national trend. Only five of the 56 Maine cities with 5,000+ people 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 Sanford
| Period | Sanford | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 82.6% | 89.9% | 84.9% |
| 2010–14 | 86.0% | 91.4% | 86.1% |
| 2015–19 | 92.0% | 92.6% | 87.7% |
| 2020–24 | 90.4% | 94.8% | 89.3% |
| Change | +7.8 pts | +4.8 pts | +4.3 pts |
About as many adults in Sanford have finished high school as nationally: 90.4%, against 89.3%. The rate is lower than in Maine overall (94.8%). The share with a diploma has risen 7.8 points since 2006–10, 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 Sanford
| Period | Sanford | Maine | U.S. |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2006–10 | 6.8% | 6.6% | 8.1% |
| 2010–14 | 10.3% | 7.6% | 9.4% |
| 2015–19 | 6.3% | 4.2% | 5.6% |
| 2020–24 | 4.0% | 3.9% | 5.4% |
| Change | −2.8 pts | −2.7 pts | −2.7 pts |
Unemployment in Sanford runs below the national rate: 4.0% of the labor force was out of work and looking, against 5.4% nationally. Unemployment is down 2.8 points from 2006–10, in line with the national trend. 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).
Sanford 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sanford | 2.36 | 40.0 | 12.7% | 38.1% | 4.8% | 1967 | $1,184 | 23.3% | 90.4% | 4.0% |
| Springvale | 2.34 | 38.9 | 12.5% | 22.1% | 5.2% | 1966 | $1,289 | 31.3% | 94.6% | 2.6% |
| South Sanford | 2.28 | 50.1 | 3.8% | 14.6% | 11.5% | 1981 | $1,199 | 26.9% | 92.6% | 1.9% |
| East Lebanon | 2.43 | 39.7 | 8.1% | 3.7% | 6.8% | 1988 | $1,255 | 24.4% | 94.6% | 1.4% |
| North Lebanon | 2.50 | 38.6 | 9.1% | 2.9% | 1.7% | 1995 | $1,339 | 17.2% | 92.2% | 0.0% |
| North Alfred | 2.36 | 49.8 | 5.2% | 8.1% | 25.9% | 1988 | $1,235 | 28.3% | 95.8% | 0.0% |
| Alfred Mills | 2.42 | 50.1 | 7.8% | 7.4% | 16.2% | 1982 | $985 | 24.9% | 94.6% | 4.8% |
| Emery Mills | 2.57 | 54.7 | 1.5% | 7.6% | 28.9% | 1969 | $2,529 | 28.1% | 95.3% | 6.3% |
| Tatnic | 2.54 | 41.0 | 5.0% | 6.5% | 5.6% | 1990 | $1,266 | 30.1% | 97.1% | 4.5% |
| Alfred | 2.49 | 49.4 | 8.9% | 10.7% | 13.0% | 1979 | $1,004 | 26.1% | 94.3% | 3.1% |
| Wells Branch | 2.21 | 60.3 | 2.0% | 1.2% | 5.6% | 1989 | $1,627 | 45.6% | 92.7% | 2.2% |
All figures 2020–24.
Cities with similar populations: Lake Morton-Berrydale, WA · San Marino, CA · Saltillo, MS · Salisbury, NY · Rossville, MD · Rogersville, MO · Rodeo, CA · Long Valley, NJ · Little Chute, WI · Linganore, MD
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 Sanford. 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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