Maine has 23 cities. The state also has 430 towns and 29 plantations, for 482 municipalities in all, according to Wikipedia’s list based on the 2020 census. Portland is the largest city by a wide margin, followed by Lewiston and Bangor.
In Maine, whether a place is a city or a town depends on how it is governed, not how big it is. That is why Scarborough and Brunswick, each with more than 21,000 people, are towns, while Eastport, with about 1,300, is a city. Below you will find all 23 cities, what each one is like, and the towns that are bigger than many of them.
Maine’s 23 Cities by Population
- Portland (Cumberland County): 68,408
- Lewiston (Androscoggin): 37,121
- Bangor (Penobscot): 31,753
- South Portland (Cumberland): 26,498
- Auburn (Androscoggin): 24,061
- Biddeford (York): 22,552
- Sanford (York): 21,982
- Westbrook (Cumberland): 20,400
- Saco (York): 20,381
- Augusta (Kennebec): 18,899
- Waterville (Kennebec): 15,828
- Brewer (Penobscot): 9,672
- Presque Isle (Aroostook): 8,797
- Bath (Sagadahoc): 8,766
- Ellsworth (Hancock): 8,399
- Old Town (Penobscot): 7,431
- Caribou (Aroostook): 7,396
- Belfast (Waldo): 6,938
- Rockland (Knox): 6,936
- Gardiner (Kennebec): 5,961
- Calais (Washington): 3,079
- Hallowell (Kennebec): 2,570
- Eastport (Washington): 1,288
Populations are from the 2020 U.S. census, as listed in Wikipedia’s list of municipalities in Maine. Newer estimates run slightly higher for some cities.
The Cities, Region by Region
Greater Portland and Southern Maine
Portland. Maine’s largest city and its restaurant and cultural capital, a working port with the Old Port waterfront and ferries to the islands of Casco Bay. See our Portland guide and living in Portland.
South Portland. Across the Fore River from Portland, and home of the Portland International Jetport.
Westbrook. A former paper-mill city just west of Portland.
Biddeford. A historic mill city on the Saco River. See living in Biddeford.
Saco. Across the river from Biddeford, and home of Funtown Splashtown USA. See living in Saco.
Sanford. An inland York County city that grew up around textile mills.
Lewiston-Auburn and Central Maine
Lewiston. Maine’s second-largest city, a former textile-mill city on the Androscoggin River and home of Bates College. See living in Lewiston.
Auburn. Lewiston’s twin city across the Androscoggin River.
Augusta. The state capital, on the Kennebec River. See our Augusta guide and living in Augusta.
Gardiner. A small Kennebec River city just south of Augusta.
Hallowell. A small riverfront city with a historic downtown, just south of Augusta.
Waterville. Home of Colby College. See things to do in Waterville and living in Waterville.
The Midcoast
Bath. The City of Ships, home of Bath Iron Works. See our Bath guide.
Rockland. Home of the Farnsworth Art Museum and the Maine Lobster Festival. See our Rockland guide and living in Rockland.
Belfast. A harbor city on Penobscot Bay with a walkable downtown. See our Belfast guide and living in Belfast.
Bangor, the Penobscot Valley and Downeast
Bangor. Maine’s third-largest city and the commercial hub of eastern and northern Maine, and the city where Stephen King lives. See our Bangor guide, things to do in Bangor and living in Bangor.
Brewer. Across the Penobscot River from Bangor, and home of Eagles Nest, one of our favorite lobster rolls. See our lobster roll guide.
Old Town. On the Penobscot River next to Orono, where the University of Maine is.
Ellsworth. The gateway to Acadia National Park and Mount Desert Island. See our Ellsworth guide and living in Ellsworth.
Calais. On the St. Croix River, across from St. Stephen, New Brunswick. See things to do in Calais.
Eastport. Often described as the easternmost city in the United States. See things to do in Eastport.
Aroostook County
Presque Isle. Aroostook County’s larger city. See our Presque Isle guide and things to do in Presque Isle.
Caribou. In northern Aroostook County. See our Aroostook County guide.
Maine Towns That Are Bigger Than Many Cities
Some of Maine’s most popular places are towns, and several have more people than most of the cities above. These are the 12 largest towns by 2020 population:
- Scarborough (Cumberland County): 22,135
- Brunswick (Cumberland): 21,756
- Windham (Cumberland): 18,434
- Gorham (Cumberland): 18,336
- York (York County): 13,723
- Falmouth (Cumberland): 12,444
- Kennebunk (York): 11,536
- Wells (York): 11,314
- Orono (Penobscot): 11,183
- Standish (Cumberland): 10,244
- Kittery (York): 10,070
- Lisbon (Androscoggin): 9,711
Scarborough has more people than every Maine city except the top six, and Brunswick is bigger than all but seven. Windham and Gorham each have more residents than Waterville, which is a city.
Which Maine City Is Right for You?
If you are thinking of moving, start with our guides to moving to Maine and the cost of living by city, then read the “living in” guide for the places on your short list.
If you are visiting, start with the best places to visit in Maine, and see our Maine destinations page for every area we cover.
Cities in Maine FAQ
How many cities are in Maine?
Maine has 23 cities. It also has 430 towns and 29 plantations, for 482 municipalities in all.
What is the largest city in Maine?
Portland, with 68,408 people in the 2020 census. Lewiston (37,121) and Bangor (31,753) are second and third.
What is the capital of Maine?
Augusta, on the Kennebec River. With 18,899 people it is the tenth-largest city in the state.
What is the smallest city in Maine?
Eastport, with 1,288 people in the 2020 census.
Is Scarborough a city?
No. Scarborough is a town, though with 22,135 people it is larger than all but six of Maine’s cities. Brunswick is also a town.
What is the difference between a city and a town in Maine?
It is generally a matter of how the municipality is organized and governed, not a population cutoff. That is why many Maine towns are larger than Maine cities.
Ready to buy in one of them? Start with our guide to buying a house in Maine.
Exploring the top of the state? See our overview of Northern Maine, with links to every northern guide we have.