These Are The 10 Most Successful Cities In Maine

Top 10 Most Successful Cities in Maine (2026)

Success can be defined in numerous ways. Is it about the wealth accumulated in your bank account, the satisfaction of delivering an outstanding presentation, or perhaps the joy of sharing a good laugh with friends? Or is it something more profoundâ€”an abstract concept that is subjective and difficult to quantify?

At Zippia, we prefer metrics we can analyze and discuss. Using data-driven methods, we’ve compiled a list of the top 10 most successful cities in Maine for 2026. Here are the results:

If you’re already questioning the validity of our list, continue reading to understand our methodology.

For more insights on Maine, check out:

How We Determined the Most Successful Cities in Maine

When considering success, many immediately think of financial wealth. While a high income can indicate success, we believe it involves a more holistic view. Therefore, we assessed various criteria from the most recent American Community Survey data available.

1. South Portland

Source: Wikipedia

Population: 25,154 Median Income: $53,614
Poverty Level: 10.3%
Unemployment Rate: 5.2%

2. Saco

Population: 18,757 Median Income: $52,611
Poverty Level: 11.2%
Unemployment Rate: 4.8%

3. Brewer

Population: 9,391 Median Income: $51,216
Poverty Level: 10.1%
Unemployment Rate: 6.4%

4. Gardiner

Population: 5,737 Median Income: $46,400
Poverty Level: 15.3%
Unemployment Rate: 5.6%

5. Rockland

Population: 7,241 Median Income: $41,095
Poverty Level: 14.4%
Unemployment Rate: 4.3%

6. Biddeford

Population: 21,303 Median Income: $45,729
Poverty Level: 18.7%
Unemployment Rate: 6.3%

7. Westbrook

Population: 17,662 Median Income: $45,041
Poverty Level: 13.8%
Unemployment Rate: 8.2%

8. Portland

Population: 66,317 Median Income: $45,865
Poverty Level: 19.9%
Unemployment Rate: 6.9%

9. Ellsworth

Population: 7,804 Median Income: $46,431
Poverty Level: 14.1%
Unemployment Rate: 8.8%

10. Presque Isle

Population: 9,494 Median Income: $36,706
Poverty Level: 17.8%
Unemployment Rate: 5.2%

Measuring Success

If you’re still skeptical about whether these metrics can accurately gauge the success of a city and its residents, you’re likely not alone. However, we believe that our approach provides valuable insights into success as it relates to economic health and community well-being. Congratulations to South Portland and all the recognized cities. For those not on the list, we wish you better luck in the future!

Detailed List of the Most Successful Cities in Maine

Rank	City	Median Income	Poverty Rate	Unemployment Rate
1	South Portland	$53,614	10.3%	5.2%
2	Saco	$52,611	11.2%	4.8%
3	Brewer	$51,216	10.1%	6.4%
4	Gardiner	$46,400	15.3%	5.6%
5	Rockland	$41,095	14.4%	4.3%
6	Biddeford	$45,729	18.7%	6.3%
7	Westbrook	$45,041	13.8%	8.2%
8	Portland	$45,865	19.9%	6.9%
9	Ellsworth	$46,431	14.1%	8.8%
10	Presque Isle	$36,706	17.8%	5.2%
11	Auburn	$45,279	16.2%	8.6%
12	Caribou	$35,764	17.1%	6.4%
13	Augusta	$38,263	18.9%	8.4%
14	Bangor	$36,272	25.9%	8.1%
15	Bath	$41,062	22.0%	9.6%
16	Old Town	$32,964	31.5%	8.1%
17	Lewiston	$36,696	21.3%	10.2%
18	Waterville	$31,995	24.5%	16.4%
19	Belfast	$34,205	28.1%	10.7%

Never miss an opportunity that’s right for you.

Author

Chris Kolmar

Chris Kolmar is a co-founder of Zippia and the editor-in-chief of the Zippia career advice blog. He has hired over 50 people in his career, been hired five times, and wants to help you land your next job. His research has been featured on the New York Times, Thrillist, VOX, The Atlantic, and a host of local news. More recently, he's been quoted on USA Today, BusinessInsider, and CNBC.

Create Resume