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Living in
South Portland.
About
Life in South Portland
If you're seriously considering South Portland, know that you're looking at a solidly middle-class suburban city with genuine economic diversity—not just a bedroom community. The working waterfront and major industrial operations (oil processing, semiconductors, railroads) mean there are actual jobs here, and the unemployment rate sits at just 2.6%. That said, be honest with yourself about what that means: you'll live near significant industrial activity, including oil storage tanks and pipeline infrastructure.
South Portland at a Glance
Population, income, housing and more
Median Age
40.9 yrs
Poverty Rate
6.9%
Foreign-Born
10.5%
Broadband Internet
91.7%
of households
Population Growth
+1.9%
recent change · Census Bureau
Median household income
Demographics10.5% foreign-born, most often from Somalia
Who lives in South Portland: race and ethnicity, ages, households, languages and countries of origin
In South Portland, the largest foreign-born group is from Somalia (23.4%), and 3.9% of residents speak Other at home.
Under 18
14.7%
of residents
65 and Older
20.7%
of residents
Households with Kids
20.7%
anyone under 18
Living Alone
35.5%
of households
Married Couples
39.9%
of households
Avg Household Size
2.16
people
Race & Ethnicity
Hispanic or Latino of any race; other groups are non-Hispanic
Top countries of origin (foreign-born)
Languages Spoken at Home
Cost of Livingrent 59% above ME average
Rent, home values, and income in South Portland
In South Portland, rent runs 59% above the ME average, and home values are 49% above the ME average.
Median rent (per month)
Median home value
Rent Burdened
53.2%
spending 30%+ of income on rent
Severely Rent Burdened
18.6%
spending 50%+
Cost of Living Index
101.9
metro area (BEA) · US avg = 100
Median Property Tax
$4,359
per year, owner-occupied homes
Homeowners
58.1%
of occupied homes are owned
Typical Home Built
1968
median year built
Vacant Homes
4.9%
of housing units
Home Value Trend
Latest: $518,922 (September 2026)
Jobs & Economyunemployment 0.8 pts below ME average
Unemployment in South Portland
Unemployment in South Portland is 0.8 percentage points lower than the ME average.
Unemployment rate
City-level rate · BLS annual average
Unemployment Rate — 10 Year Trend
City-level (BLS) · Annual averages
What South Portland Residents Do for Work · share of employed residents by industry
City residents, wherever they work
Commute17.1 min avg
How South Portland residents get to work, and the nearest airports
In South Portland, most residents drive alone to work (66%), and 87% get there in under 30 minutes.
How People Get to Work
Commute Time Distribution
Nearest airports · with airline service
- 3 mi
Portland International Jetport (PWM)
Small hub1.3M passengers boarded in 2025
- 96 mi
Boston Logan International Airport (BOS)
Major hub21.0M passengers boarded in 2025
Straight-line distance. Size is the FAA’s hub category, based on passenger traffic: regional airports may have only a few flights a day.
Safetyviolent crime 83% below national average
Crime rates for 2025
Violent crime in South Portland runs 83% below the national average.
Violent Crime Rate
55.4
per 100,000 residents
Below average (329 national, 2025)
Property Crime Rate
1,084.9
per 100,000 residents
Below average (1,552 national, 2025)
South Portland Police Department
Natural DisastersThunderstorm Wind most common — 13 events in 2025
Natural hazard risk, storms and earthquakes
FEMA National Risk Index
Relatively Low
77.0 / 100
Compares expected losses from natural hazards, social vulnerability and community resilience against every US county (higher = more risk).
Cumberland County, county-wide · FEMA NRI December 2025
In Cumberland County, which includes South Portland, the most common type is thunderstorm wind, with 13 recorded events in 2025.
Most common events:
Storm events by year
| Year | Events | Top Type | Property Damage |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2025 | 13 | Winter Storm | $84,000 |
| 2024 | 21 | Thunderstorm Wind | $20.5M |
| 2023 | 17 | Winter Storm | $554,000 |
| 2022 | 21 | Winter Storm | $10.4M |
| 2021 | 7 | Thunderstorm Wind | $145,000 |
| 2020 | 24 | Winter Storm | $67,000 |
| 2019 | 12 | Heavy Snow | $60,000 |
| 2018 | 18 | Heavy Snow | $1.2M |
Property damage is the National Weather Service's estimate filed with each event. “None reported” means the events were logged with $0 damage; “Not estimated” means no estimate was filed. Storms covering several counties aren't counted here, since NOAA doesn't split their damage by county.
0 earthquakes of magnitude 2.5+ within 100 miles in the past year
Cumberland County, county-wide
Air Quality39 median AQI — Good
Days by air quality category (2025)
Air quality in Cumberland County, which includes South Portland, is typically good — 271 good-air days per year.
Median AQI
39
Good Days
271
per year
Moderate Days
89
per year
Unhealthy Days
0
per year
Cumberland County, county-wide
Climate77°F summers, 18°F winters
30-year climate averages (1991–2020) — monthly temperatures and precipitation
South Portland has mild summers (avg high 77°F) and very cold winters (avg low 18°F).
Spring (Mar–May)
53°/36°F
avg high / low
Summer (Jun–Aug)
77°/59°F
avg high / low
Fall (Sep–Nov)
60°/42°F
avg high / low
Winter (Dec–Feb)
35°/18°F
avg high / low
Annual Precipitation
48.1"
Annual Snowfall
68.7"
Hot Days/Year
5
days above 90°F
Freeze Days/Year
144
days below 32°F
Rainy Days/Year
131
Average month
Show month-by-month table ↓Hide table ↑
| Month | High | Low | Precip |
|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 32°F | 16°F | 3.50" |
| Feb | 35°F | 17°F | 3.54" |
| Mar | 42°F | 26°F | 4.08" |
| Apr | 54°F | 35°F | 4.41" |
| May | 64°F | 46°F | 3.67" |
| Jun | 74°F | 55°F | 4.15" |
| Jul | 80°F | 61°F | 3.43" |
| Aug | 79°F | 60°F | 3.57" |
| Sep | 71°F | 52°F | 3.77" |
| Oct | 60°F | 41°F | 5.25" |
| Nov | 48°F | 32°F | 4.25" |
| Dec | 38°F | 22°F | 4.50" |
Healthcare
Hospitals, ratings, and health insurance in South Portland
Uninsured
6.3%
of residents
No hospitals inside South Portland's limits — nearest hospitals · within 15 miles
Mainehealth Maine Medical Center
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 1.6 mi away · Portland
Northern Light Mercy Hospital
Acute Care Hospitals · ER available · 1.7 mi away · Portland
Mainehealth Behavioral Health at Spring Harbor
Psychiatric · ER available · 3.1 mi away · Westbrook
Adult Health · vs. the typical US place
Share of adults. Modeled estimates, not counted cases. “US” = the typical US place.
Medicare-certified hospitals only. Doesn’t include clinics, urgent care, or freestanding ERs.
Education10.1:1 student/teacher ratio
Schools and degree attainment in South Portland
South Portland's student/teacher ratio is 10.1:1 (lower than the national average of 16:1), and 51.7% of adults 25+ hold a bachelor's degree or higher.
Public Schools
8
within city limits
Private Schools
3
within city limits
College Degree Rate
51.7%
adults 25+ with bachelor's or higher
Student/Teacher Ratio
10.1:1
National avg 16:1
Schools located within city limits (2023) — school-level metrics change slowly year to year
Colleges & Universities in South Portland
Southern Maine Community College
Public · 2-year · 5,675 students · in-state tuition $4,156 · 28% graduate · median earnings $48,636 (10 yrs after entry)
Nearby Colleges (within 15 miles)
Public · 4-year · 4,222 students · in-state tuition $12,630 · 53% graduate · median earnings $57,989 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 2,135 students · in-state tuition $45,900 · 64% graduate · median earnings $68,670 (10 yrs after entry)
Private nonprofit · 4-year · 415 students · in-state tuition $44,358 · 52% graduate · median earnings $38,062 (10 yrs after entry)
Degree-granting colleges with 100+ students, placed by campus location (main campuses only — branch campuses are reported under their parent school)
Parks & Recreationclosest: Frances Perkins National Monument, 45 mi
Nearby national parks, recreation areas and public libraries for South Portland
South Portland has 8 nearby national parks or recreation areas, closest being Frances Perkins National Monument (45 mi away).
Nearby National Parks & Recreation Areas
Frances Perkins National Monument
National Monument
45 mi awaySalem Maritime National Historical Park
National Historical Park
83 mi awayLowell National Historical Park
National Historical Park
86 mi awaySaugus Iron Works National Historic Site
National Historic Site
88 mi awayBoston National Historical Park
National Historical Park
95 mi awayBoston African American National Historic Site
National Historic Site
96 mi awayMinute Man National Historical Park
National Historical Park
96 mi awayBoston Harbor Islands National Recreation Area
National Recreation Area
97 mi awayPublic Libraries in South Portland
South Portland Public Library
482 Broadway, South Portland
South Portland - Memorial Branch Library
155 Wescott Road, South Portland
Cities Near South Portland
The closest cities within 60 miles
Planning a move to South Portland?
Read our full moving guide — what it's really like to live here.
South Portland FAQ
Is South Portland, Maine affordable?⌄
South Portland's median rent is $1,812/month, which is above the national average. The median household income is $86,838/year. Median home value is $441,200.
Is South Portland, Maine safe?⌄
South Portland's violent crime rate was 55 per 100,000 residents in 2025, which is well below the national average — one of the safer cities in the country of 329/100k that year. Property crime rate is 1085 per 100,000. As with any city, crime rates vary by neighborhood.
What is the job market like in South Portland, Maine?⌄
South Portland has an unemployment rate of 2.6%, which is strong — well below the national average of 4.3%.
What is the cost of living in South Portland, Maine?⌄
The cost of living in South Portland is primarily driven by housing. Median rent is $1,812/month and median household income is $86,838/year. The median home value is $441,200. About 53% of renters spend more than 30% of their income on housing.
How is the commute in South Portland, Maine?⌄
The average commute in South Portland is 17 minutes, which is shorter than average compared to the national average of 26 minutes.
Data from the US Census Bureau, BLS, FBI, NOAA, EPA, Zillow Research and other public sources. Where our data comes from