The Fastest Growing City in Maine, According to the U.S. Census, Will Shock You

The migration of people around the United States never ceases.

In most cases, we are always following jobs.  Whenever a town's major employer closes, you can be sure that a significant chunk of people will leave the municipality.  They'll move to cities and towns where they can find work in their career field.

For example, at one point, Berlin, New Hampshire was one of the biggest cities in New England.  In the early 1900s, it was even larger than Manchester, New Hampshire.

The town's mills employed thousands of people.  Additionally, the city was home to a research & development facility that looked for new ways to use wood fibers.

However, as the mill scaled back operations, people began to leave the town.  While it is still a great town, Berlin is a shadow of what it once was.

At one point, Lewiston was facing a similar situation.  A former mill town that was on a downward trend.

However, it looks like that is turning around.

The Population of Lewiston, Maine, is Growing

According to data recently released by the U.S. Census Bureau, Lewiston is the fastest-growing city in Maine.

Even though many young adults dream of moving to Maine's largest city, only a few hundred people have made that move in the last few years.

Instead, it is Lewiston that takes the top spot for population growth in the 2020s.

Between April 1st, 2020, and July 1st, 2023 the population of the city increased from 37,124 to 38, 404.  That's a population increase of just under 3.5%.

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While still the state's largest city, the population of Portland increased by significantly less.  Portland's population increased from 68,405 to 69,104.  That's an increase of about 1%.

What is So Appealing About Lewiston, Maine?

Both Lewiston and Auburn are cities that are bouncing back.

In recent years, developers have worked tirelessly on redeveloping the city's old mill buildings.  These historic buildings are now being turned into restaurant spaces, retail spaces, breweries, light manufacturing factories, and apartments/condos.

The city also has more than its fair share of great, locally-owned, restaurants and bars.

And, Lewiston is home to Bates College, one of the most respected higher learning institutions in the country.

It really is great to see how the city has started to come back.