List of Cities Maine: What Most People Get Wrong About the Pine Tree State

Maine is weird. Not in a "Portland, Oregon" kind of way, but in a "how do we actually define a city" kind of way. If you’re looking for a list of cities Maine residents actually recognize as urban hubs, you’re going to run into some confusing technicalities.

Honestly, the state only has 23 officially incorporated cities. That’s it. Everything else—from the sprawling shopping district of Freeport to the gorgeous coastal hills of Camden—is technically a "town." It’s a distinction that matters a lot to local tax assessors but probably won't change where you decide to grab a lobster roll.

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The Big Three: Portland, Lewiston, and Bangor

When people talk about Maine cities, they usually start with Portland. It’s the heavyweight. With a population hovering around 68,400 in early 2026, it’s the closest thing we have to a "big city" vibe. You’ve got the Old Port with its cobblestones that will absolutely ruin your ankles if you wear the wrong shoes, and a food scene that is, frankly, punching way above its weight class.

Then there’s Lewiston. It’s the second-largest, often grouped with its sister city Auburn (the "L/A" area). These are old mill cities. They have grit. Lately, they’ve seen a massive cultural resurgence, partly due to a growing immigrant population that has breathed new life into the downtown storefronts. It’s less "tourist-chic" than Portland, but arguably more authentic.

Bangor rounds out the top tier. Known as the "Queen City," it’s the gateway to the North Woods. If you're heading to Baxter State Park or want to see Stephen King’s house (the one with the bat-wing gates), this is your hub. It feels different here—colder, sturdier, and very much the last stop for civilization before the trees take over.

Why the "City" Label is Kinda Tricky

You might see Scarborough or Brunswick on a population list and wonder why they aren't called cities. Scarborough actually has more people than Augusta, the state capital! But because they maintain a town meeting form of government, they stay "towns."

Maine’s 23 official cities:

1. Portland
2. Lewiston
3. Bangor
4. South Portland
5. Auburn
6. Biddeford
7. Sanford
8. Saco
9. Westbrook
10. Augusta (The Capital)
11. Waterville
12. Brewer
13. Bath
14. Presque Isle
15. Old Town
16. Caribou
17. Ellsworth
18. Belfast
19. Rockland
20. Gardiner
21. Calais
22. Eastport
23. Hallowell

The Smallest City in America?

Basically, if you want a fun trivia fact, look at Hallowell. It’s an official city, but it only has about 2,600 people. It’s tiny. It’s essentially a few blocks of incredibly cool antique shops, bars, and historic brick buildings right on the Kennebec River.

Then there’s Eastport. It’s the easternmost city in the United States. During certain times of the year, it’s the first place in the country to see the sunrise. It feels like the edge of the world because, well, it kind of is.

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The Shift: Where People Are Actually Moving

The 2026 data shows a weird trend. While the "list of cities Maine" provides the names, the growth is happening in the suburbs. York County and Cumberland County are exploding. People are moving to places like Gorham and Windham—again, towns, not cities—because they want the space but need to commute into Portland for work.

Northern Maine is a different story. Presque Isle and Caribou in Aroostook County (or just "The County" to locals) are struggling with a shrinking population. It’s beautiful up there, but the winters are brutal and the jobs are harder to find. It's a land of potato fields and moose, and if you're looking for peace, it's the jackpot.

The Coastal Heavyweights

If you are visiting, you probably don't care about the legal status of a municipality. You want the vibe.

• Rockland: The "Pie Town" of Maine. Great art, even better food.
• Bath: "The City of Ships." You’ll see the massive cranes of Bath Iron Works looming over the historic downtown.
• Belfast: It’s quirky. It’s a mix of old-school sailors and new-age back-to-the-landers.

What You Should Actually Do Next

If you're planning a move or a long-term trip, don't just look at the population numbers. A "city" of 18,000 like Augusta feels very different from a "town" of 18,000 like Brunswick. Augusta is the seat of power—lots of concrete, government buildings, and a very busy daytime population that disappears at 5:00 PM. Brunswick, home to Bowdoin College, has that perpetual "college town" energy with a bustling Maine Street (yes, they spell it that way) and a high concentration of bookstores.

Actionable steps for your Maine search:

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1. Check the Government Type: If you want to get involved in local politics, find out if the place has a City Council or a Town Meeting. The latter is pure democracy—everyone shows up to a gym once a year to vote on the budget.
2. Verify the Region: Maine is divided into "The Coast," "The Highlands," "Down East," and "The County." A city in one feels like a different state than a city in another.
3. Look Beyond the List: Some of the most vibrant "urban" experiences in Maine happen in places like Freeport or Bar Harbor, which will never appear on a formal list of cities because they value their town status.

Focus on the Midcoast if you want a blend of culture and ocean access, or stick to the Greater Portland area if you can't live without a 24-hour gym and high-speed fiber internet.