Augusta is a city located in Kennebec County Maine. Augusta has a 2024 population of 19,163. It is also the county seat of Kennebec County. Augusta is currently growing at a rate of 0.32% annually and its population has increased by 1.3% since the most recent census, which recorded a population of 18,917 in 2020.
The average household income in Augusta is $65,585 with a poverty rate of 22.83%. The median age in Augusta is 44.9 years: 43.3 years for males, and 46.6 years for females.
The city was first settled in the 18th century and was incorporated as a city in the 19th century. Augusta is the third least-populous capital city in the U.S.
In its early population history, Augusta saw relatively steady growth according to past census data. The population exceeded 5,000 by 1940 before dropping off a bit in 1860. However, it rebounded by the end of the century, recording over 10,000 residents at the time of the 1890 census. The city’s population slowly grew through the 20th century until it began to post losses starting with the 1980 census. A much larger population decline was recorded during the censuses of 1990 and 2,000, bringing the population down to under 20,000, a number it had initially exceeded in 1950. The 2010 census saw growth again, but recent estimates show that the population is down over 3% since that census was taken. The city is continuing efforts to revive its main areas to bring in more residents, but only time will tell if these efforts will be successful.
The Canibas Indians first inhabited the region that is now the city of Augusta. Augusta was explored in the early 17th century by the Europeans. Over 20 years later, it was settled as a trading post and was known as Cushnoc. During its earliest history, it was a site for fur trading - known as the Popham Colony, although uprisings by the Native Americans, severe freezing winter conditions that stalled farming efforts, and a decline in revenues led the Europeans to leave the area, where it remained unsettled for 75 years.
In the mid 18th century, a blockhouse was constructed and came to be known as Fort Western. A few years later, it was incorporated with Hallowell. By the end of the 18th century, however, it was organized by the Massachusetts General Court and was known as Harrington. That name changed later that year to Augusta. In 1799, Augusta was designated as the county seat for Kennebec County.
After Maine was incorporated into the U.S. as a state, Augusta was designated as the state capital in 1827. It achieved city status in 1849. It was during this time that the city became quite prosperous. In the mid-1800s, the city had one of the highest populations in the country. However, it was soon overtaken as other metro areas in the Midwest flourished.
The city’s economy was based around agriculture, and then many sawmills were constructed, making Augusta a prominent mill city. This growth continued through the 19th century with the addition of cotton mills, paper and pulp plant, and other mills and factories that produced everything from lumber to doors, shutters, furniture and even headstones. In more recent years, the city has become known as a center for publishing and shipping.
It was during the 19th century that the railroad and steamboat arrived in Augusta. Gas lights were installed, a hospital was built, and telephone service was made available to residents furthering population growth. The central business district over the years, however, has suffered. As the city grew, many businesses moved away from the central location, while a fire in 1865 also destroyed many buildings. In the 20th century, the construction of highways led to more businesses moving to other areas of Augusta.
The city has been trying to revitalize its downtown area since the 1980s. The dam across the Kennebec that was constructed in 1837 was removed in 1999, and a park was constructed in the area. Old mills and factories have been converted to housing, and the local government is making additional efforts to improve the city and attract new residents.
According to the most recent ACS, the racial composition of Augusta was:
Race | Population | Percentage (of total) |
---|---|---|
White | 17,651 | 93.2% |
Two or more races | 517 | 2.73% |
Black or African American | 328 | 1.73% |
Asian | 208 | 1.1% |
Other race | 129 | 0.68% |
Native American | 105 | 0.55% |
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander | 0 | 0% |
White
Two or more races
Black or African American
Asian
Other race
Native American
Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander
Household Type | Count | Average Size | Owner | Renter |
---|---|---|---|---|
All | 9,249 | 1.95 | 52.8 | 47.2 |
Non Family | 5,136 | 1.17 | 46.7 | 53.3 |
Married | 2,417 | 2.56 | 79.9 | 20.1 |
Female | 1,404 | 3.52 | 33.3 | 66.7 |
Male | 292 | 2.91 | 30.5 | 69.5 |
2.7
Average Family Size
1.95
Average Household Size
52.8%
Rate of Home Ownership
Married
Male
Female
NonFamily
owner
renter
Male
Female
Education Attained | Count | Percentage |
---|---|---|
9th to 12th Grade | 639 | 4.4% |
Associates Degree | 1,022 | 7.04% |
Bachelors Degree | 2,364 | 16.29% |
Graduate Degree | 1,367 | 9.42% |
High School Graduate | 6,020 | 41.49% |
Less Than 9th Grade | 218 | 1.5% |
Some College | 2,880 | 19.85% |
Less Than 9th Grade
9th to 12th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Associates Degree
Bachelors Degree
Graduate Degree
High School Graduation Rate
Bachelors Rate
Race | Total | High School | Bachelors |
---|---|---|---|
White | 13,421 | 12,612 | 3,282 |
Hispanic | 321 | 296 | 147 |
2+ Races | 320 | 308 | 119 |
Black | 262 | 251 | 162 |
Asian | 192 | 192 | 80 |
Native American | 105 | 105 | 0 |
Other Race | 55 | 30 | 0 |
The highest rate of high school graduation is among native american people with a rate of 100%.
The highest rate of bachelors degrees is among black people with a rate of 61.83%.
All
Male
Female
Name | Average | Male | Female |
---|---|---|---|
Bachelors Degree | $48,156 | $46,912 | $48,491 |
Graduate Degree | $77,744 | $82,978 | $70,673 |
High School Graduate | $31,663 | $30,775 | $33,877 |
Less Than 9th Grade | $28,191 | $36,900 | $0 |
Overall | $39,936 | $38,331 | $40,995 |
Some College | $40,710 | $44,770 | $39,109 |
$39,936
Average Earnings
$38,331
Average Male
$40,995
Average Female
Only English
Spanish
Other Indo-European Languages
Asian and Pacific Island Languages
Other Languages
93.19% of Augusta residents speak only English, while 6.81% speak other languages. The non-English language spoken by the largest group is Other Indo-European, which is spoken by 5.49% of the population.
rate
Name | Total | In Poverty | Poverty Rate |
---|---|---|---|
White | 16,649 | 3,961 | 23.79% |
Multiple | 512 | 84 | 16.41% |
Black | 297 | 56 | 18.86% |
Asian | 198 | 28 | 14.14% |
Hispanic | 451 | 21 | 4.66% |
22.83%
Overall Poverty Rate
17.57%
Male Poverty Rate
27.42%
Female Poverty Rate
The race most likely to be in poverty in Augusta is White, with 23.79% below the poverty level.
The race least likely to be in poverty in Augusta is Hispanic, with 4.66% below the poverty level.
The poverty rate among those that worked full-time for the past 12 months was 1.39%. Among those working part-time, it was 28.47%, and for those that did not work, the poverty rate was 30.96%.
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
Less Than 9th Grade | 35.96% |
High School | 28.71% |
Some College | 11.2% |
Bachelors or Greater | 8.09% |
rate
Rate | Poverty |
---|---|
Female Unemployed | 96.09% |
Male Unemployed | 76.1% |
Female Employed | 7.98% |
Male Employed | 5.44% |
Households
Families
MarriedFamilies
NonFamilies
Name | Median | Mean |
---|---|---|
Families | $63,675 | $85,225 |
Households | $45,006 | $65,585 |
Married Families | $100,125 | $-999,999,999 |
Non Families | $34,729 | $45,820 |
mean
median
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
30.9%
Overall Marriage Rate
32.3%
Male Marriage Rate
29.6%
Female Marriage Rate
male
female
The age group where males are most likely to be married is 45-54, while the female age group most likely to be married is 55-64.
Married
Widowed
Divorced
Separated
NeverMarried
Second Gulf War
First Gulf War
Vietnam
Korea
World War II
1,619
Number of Veterans
1,504
Male Veterans
115
Female Veterans
War | Veterans |
---|---|
Vietnam | 523 |
Second Gulf War | 266 |
First Gulf War | 202 |
Korea | 96 |
World War II | 55 |
count
Age Group | Veterans |
---|---|
75+ | 508 |
55 to 64 | 443 |
35 to 54 | 341 |
65 to 74 | 289 |
18 to 34 | 38 |
count
Name | Veterans | % of Total |
---|---|---|
White | 1,588 | 10.91% |
2+ Races | 31 | 8.45% |
Hispanic | 10 | 2.54% |
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Graduate
Some College
Bachelors or Greater
5.47%
Veteran Poverty Rate
32.09%
Veteran Disability Rate
LaborForceParticipation
58.9%
Labor Force Participation
54.2%
Employment Rate
7.7%
Unemployment Rate
LaborForceParticipation
LaborForceParticipation
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
Non citizens include legal permanent residents (green card holders), international students, temporary workers, humanitarian migrants, and illegal immigrants.
Europe
Asia
Africa
Oceania
Latin America
North America
68.56%
Born in Augusta
97.26%
Native Born
2.74%
Foreign Born
0.8%
Non Citizen
1.94%
Naturalized
97.26% of Augusta residents were born in the United States, with 68.56% having been born in Maine. 0.8% of residents are not US citizens. Of those not born in the United States, the largest percentage are from Europe.
Year | Population | Growth | Change |
---|---|---|---|
2029 | 19,472 | 62 | 0.32% |
2028 | 19,410 | 62 | 0.32% |
2027 | 19,348 | 61 | 0.32% |
2026 | 19,287 | 62 | 0.32% |
2025 | 19,225 | 62 | 0.32% |
2024 | 19,163 | 61 | 0.32% |
2023 | 19,102 | 52 | 0.27% |
2022 | 19,050 | 9 | 0.05% |
2021 | 19,041 | 124 | 0.66% |
2020 | 18,917 | 217 | 1.16% |
2019 | 18,700 | 59 | 0.32% |
2018 | 18,641 | 9 | 0.05% |
2017 | 18,632 | 53 | 0.29% |
2016 | 18,579 | 62 | 0.33% |
2015 | 18,517 | -217 | -1.16% |
2014 | 18,734 | -38 | -0.2% |
2013 | 18,772 | -145 | -0.77% |
2012 | 18,917 | -75 | -0.39% |
2011 | 18,992 | -104 | -0.54% |
2010 | 19,096 | 0 | 0% |
2000 | 18,560 | -2,765 | -12.97% |
1990 | 21,325 | -494 | -2.26% |
1980 | 21,819 | -126 | -0.57% |
1970 | 21,945 | 265 | 1.22% |
1960 | 21,680 | 767 | 3.67% |
1950 | 20,913 | 1,553 | 8.02% |
1940 | 19,360 | 2,162 | 12.57% |
1930 | 17,198 | 3,084 | 21.85% |
1920 | 14,114 | 903 | 6.84% |
1910 | 13,211 | 1,528 | 13.08% |
1900 | 11,683 | 1,156 | 10.98% |
1890 | 10,527 | 1,862 | 21.49% |
1880 | 8,665 | 857 | 10.98% |
1870 | 7,808 | 199 | 2.62% |
1860 | 7,609 | -616 | -7.49% |
1850 | 8,225 | 2,911 | 54.78% |
1840 | 5,314 | -14,158 | -72.71% |