Facts and Figures
Maine and Portland Demographics
Socioeconomic Profile
Portland is Maine’s largest service center and home to the largest public housing stock in the state. Those who need services, jobs and housing flock to Portland only to discover that the cost of living is beyond most families reach. Those who are able to find housing find it difficult to make ends meet because of the high housing costs.
Portland is a mid-sized city situated along the rocky coast of Maine. According to the 2010 Census, 66,194 people reside in Portland, Maine’s largest city. The Greater Portland Area is home to 243,537 residents making up nearly one fifth of the state’s population. Almost half of the state’s population resides within forty miles of Portland so Portland does not model the state. The Greater Portland area is the business, cultural and services center for the other half of the state.
Portland is Maine’s largest service center and home to the largest public housing stock in the state. Those who need services, jobs and housing flock to Portland only to discover that the cost of living is beyond most families reach. Those who are able to find housing find it difficult to make ends meet because of the high housing costs.
Portland is a mid-sized city situated along the rocky coast of Maine. According to the 2010 Census, 66,194 people reside in Portland, Maine’s largest city. The Greater Portland Area is home to 243,537 residents making up nearly one fifth of the state’s population. Almost half of the state’s population resides within forty miles of Portland so Portland does not model the state. The Greater Portland area is the business, cultural and services center for the other half of the state.
Portland Housing Authority Demographics
The Portland Housing Authority is Maine’s largest public housing authority with 1,000 public housing units. While the city of Portland makes up 5% of the state of Maine’s population, it houses 25% of the state’s public housing residents. As of July 2012, PHA provides affordable housing and services to 5982 low-income residents. The gross average income of a PHA resident is $16,885.95
39% of Portland public housing residents are under the age of 20 years old (936 youth). The almost 800 hundred school-age youth who live in public housing and attend both public and private schools in Portland account for about 11% of the total student population in Portland, Maine.
39% of Portland public housing residents are under the age of 20 years old (936 youth). The almost 800 hundred school-age youth who live in public housing and attend both public and private schools in Portland account for about 11% of the total student population in Portland, Maine.
45.8% of all Portland Public Housing residents are born in the United States and 45.8% of the head-of-households claim other countries of origin most notably Somalia (15.4% down from 17% last year), Cambodia (4.9%, no change), Vietnam (7.3% down from 8% last year), Sudan (8%, no change), and Iraq (3.9% up from 2% in 2011 and 0% in 2010). Approximately seventy-two percent of the school age youth currently residing in public housing have a head of household with a country of origin other than the United States.
This indicates that a large number of children living in public housing come from multilingual households. The adult residents need survival, basic, and intermediate ESL classes along with job skills training. Their children need homework support and help with post-secondary education planning because of language barriers, education barriers, jobs, etc. that prevent them from assisting their students.
NOTE: many youth in Public Housing were born in the USA, Kenya, and Uganda but Identify with other countries.
This indicates that a large number of children living in public housing come from multilingual households. The adult residents need survival, basic, and intermediate ESL classes along with job skills training. Their children need homework support and help with post-secondary education planning because of language barriers, education barriers, jobs, etc. that prevent them from assisting their students.
NOTE: many youth in Public Housing were born in the USA, Kenya, and Uganda but Identify with other countries.
Riverton Park (family housing) Demographics
The people of Riverton Park make up one of the most tightly-knit communities Portland has to offer. As of September 2018, there were 601 people residing in Riverton, 59% of which are under 20 years old. The Somali, Sudanese, Iraqi, Vietnamese, and Cambodian communities are strongly represented in the Riverton neighborhood, with many Congolese as well.
Riverton Park was built in 1972 and reflects the common philosophies of community development and urban planning of that era. Riverton Park is comprised of 150 housing units (including those reserved for services), home to mainly large families. The Study Center opened in Fall of 1992 and is located at 61 Riverton Drive.
Riverton Park was built in 1972 and reflects the common philosophies of community development and urban planning of that era. Riverton Park is comprised of 150 housing units (including those reserved for services), home to mainly large families. The Study Center opened in Fall of 1992 and is located at 61 Riverton Drive.
Kennedy Park (family housing) Demographics
While a large portion of Kennedy Park residents were born in the United States, there are large Somali, Sudanese, and Cambodian communities in Kennedy Park. As of September 2018, there are 575 people residing in Kennedy Park and the surrounding Public Housing in 174 Public Housing units, 262 of which are under 20 years old (45%). Kennedy Park is comprised of several adjacent sites including Kennedy Park, Bayside East, Bayside Terrace, Dermot Court, Peninsula Housing, and a few scattered sites. Formerly known as Bayside Park, renovations to transform the area into Kennedy Park were completed in 1965.
Sagamore Village (elderly/disabled & family housing) Demographics
The people of Sagamore Village are very diverse in age and culture. There are 500 residents in Sagamore Village, 200 of which are under 20 years old (40%). Sagamore is comprised of both elderly and family housing units which creates a unique community dynamic.
Sagamore is home to predominantly American born families with many Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Somalian residents as well. Construction of Sagamore Village began in 1941 as a war housing project under the control of the Federal Government. The Sagamore Study Center opened in February of 1993 with small scale, pre-K-5, educational activities and adult education classes.
Sagamore is home to predominantly American born families with many Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Somalian residents as well. Construction of Sagamore Village began in 1941 as a war housing project under the control of the Federal Government. The Sagamore Study Center opened in February of 1993 with small scale, pre-K-5, educational activities and adult education classes.
Front Street (family housing) Demographics
Front Street is comprised of 50 apartments nestled between Washington Avenue and Baxter Boulevard just north of the bay. It is the smallest of our family communities but is very densely populated. There are 195 individuals living in the neighborhood, 60% of which are under the age of 20, with an average household size of 4.11. 51% are Black/African American, 7% are Asian, and 42% are White (the statistics are a bit off as there are errors in how race and ethnicity are entered by staff, especially with individuals from the Middle East). Families represent cultures from around the world, most predominantly Central and East African cultures as well as many Middle Eastern Families. Youth in the community primarily attend Presumpscot Elementary School and Lyman Moore Middle School with their choice of the three Portland High Schools.
Washington Gardens (elderly/disabled housing) Demographics
Washington Gardens is an elderly/disabled community located off of Washington Avenue. It is home to 106 residents between the ages of 1 and 100.
Harbor Terrace (elderly/disabled housing) Demographics
Harbor Terrace is an elderly/disabled apartment building located on Danforth Street. It is home to 131 residents between the ages of 21 and 100.
Franklin Towers (elderly/disabled housing) Demographics
Franklin Towers is the tallest apartment building in Portland with 198 apartments for elderly/disabled residents located on the corner of Franklin Street and Cumberland Avenue. It is home to 224 residents between the ages of 11 and 90.
