The 20 Biggest Towns in Maine in 1950 Had Some Surprising Rankings

I don’t know about you, but I love me some good ol’ Maine history. There’s nothing like finding out fun facts, like how donut holes were invented here or that Nazis once invaded our shores...kind of. But whatever it might be, it’s always fun doing the research.

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.

How has Maine's Population Shifted Over Time?

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

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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.

What Were Maine's Most Populated 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.

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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.