Before Suburbs Took Over: Maine’s Most Populated Cities in 1920

I can never get too much Maine history.

I absolutely love this state, and it’s always a joy to discover little tidbits that have helped make Maine what it is today.

What Did Maine Look like Over 100 Years Ago?

So imagine my excitement when I stumbled across old census data that turned out to be rather significant. The document is the official 1920 Census Bulletin for every county and town in Maine. It offers a fascinating look at where Mainers called home, and how different those places look today.

A lot has changed over the last 106 years, and many of those changes directly affected county and town populations. Whether it was mill closures, the birth of suburbia, revitalization efforts, commercial development, economic recessions, shifts in manufacturing, or military base openings and closures, all have played a role in shaping growth.

What Were the Largest Cities in Maine 100 Years Ago?

I decided to chart the top 20 most populated towns from 1920. I was curious to see how different the list would be compared to today.

The first thing that struck me was the number of Aroostook County towns included. Of course, healthy farming, lumber, and manufacturing industries played a major role.

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Also, you’ll notice very few Portland suburbs listed. The majority of those future residents were either still living in Portland or probably not even in Maine yet.

I included the 2020 population numbers to better compare where these towns are today. While some of the industrial-heavy communities have taken significant hits, others have bounced back well. A great example is Saco, which has experienced some of the strongest growth in the state. South Portland and Westbrook have also absolutely blown up over the last century, it’s fun to be a suburb.

You can find the complete Top 20 below. For more information on the census, click here.