Discover the Unexpected Rankings of Maine’s 20 Most Populated Towns in 1950

Who doesn't enjoy exploring Maine's rich history? Thanks to the power of the Internet, I recently discovered a fascinating document to dive into.

I stumbled upon some old census data, which ended up being rather significant. The form is the official 1950 Census preliminary population chart for every county and town in Maine. It’s a fascinating look at where Mainers called home and how different those areas look today.

Maine's Historic Population

A lot has changed in 70+ years, and many of those changes directly affected county and town populations. Whether it was mill closures, the rise of suburbia, revitalization, commercial development, economic recessions, shifts in manufacturing, or military base openings and closures, each has played its part in affecting growth.

I decided to chart the top 20 most populated towns from 1950. I was curious to see how they compare to today.

The first thing that struck me was the number of towns in Aroostook County. Of course, the strong farming, lumber, and manufacturing industries helped, as well as Loring Air Force Base being open.

Maine Most Popular Towns in 1950

You’ll also notice that very few Portland suburbs are listed. The majority of those future residents were either still living in Portland or probably hadn’t even moved to Maine yet.

READ MORE: Look at Maine's 20 Largest Towns by Square Mileage

I included the 2020 population numbers to compare where these towns stand today. While some of the industrial-heavy ones have taken significant hits, others have bounced back well. The best example of this is Saco, which has seen some of the best growth in the state.

You can find the complete Top 20 list below. For more information on the Census, click here.