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Maine
Statistics on children, youth and families in Maine from the Annie E. Casey Foundation and the Maine Children's Alliance
Why This Indicator Matters
Knowing how many children there are in Maine is fundamental to planning for schools and other systems which help children to thrive. Even though there remain concerns about the undercount of young children, the Decennial Census offers the most complete data there is. It is used to determine federal funding for schools and other programs affecting children. Why the decennial Census is important
Comparing 2010 Census in Maine to the 2020 Census, the children in every county grew more diverse. In 2010, 10% of Maine's children were children of color. By 2020, 16.5% or one child in six are Hispanic or Black or American Indian or Asian or Two or More Races/Some Other Race. In both Androscoggin and Cumberland, children of color made up more than 20% of the population of children. The specific group that increased by the greatest percentage was Two or More Races/Some Other Race, which went from 8,861 children to 18,900 children.
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Comparing 2010 Census in Maine to the 2020 Census, the children in every county grew more diverse. In 2010, 10% of Maine's children were children of color. By 2020, 16.5% or one child in six are Hispanic or Black or American Indian or Asian or Two or More Races/Some Other Race. In both Androscoggin and Cumberland, children of color made up more than 20% of the population of children. The specific group that increased by the greatest percentage was Two or More Races/Some Other Race, which went from 8,861 children to 18,900 children.
Definition and Source
PROVIDER
Definition
Census 2020 is a once every 10-year enumeration of the population and replaces other population estimates that are based on small surveys for the year that the census is administered. The population of children under age 18 is computed by subtracting the total population from the voting age (age 18 & over) population. Race and ethnicity are based on replies to the Census questions.
Notes
For the purpose of the Census, Hispanic is defined as an ethnicity, not a race. People were asked if they were of Hispanic or Latino or Spanish origin in one question and in a different question asked their race. If a child is Hispanic they are counted in the ethnicity category. The race category is computed for everyone who identifies as Non-Hispanic. For the purpose of having limited numbers of groups, "Asian alone" and "Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone" are combined into one group. Populations who identify as Non-Hispanic and either two or more races; or Non-Hispanic and some other race have also been combined into one group.
There have been methodology changes to how the race and ethnicity questions were asked in 2010 and in 2020. For this reason, the numbers are not comparable. For more information, see Measuring Racial Change- Count All Kids
There have been methodology changes to how the race and ethnicity questions were asked in 2010 and in 2020. For this reason, the numbers are not comparable. For more information, see Measuring Racial Change- Count All Kids
Last Updated
April 2022