Racial/Ethnic Income Equity
In 2019-2023, the average incomes of BIPOC* and Latino or Hispanic Mainers rose 3 percentage points compared to the state average but remained 22% below the state average, dramatically short of full equity.
Favorable movement since the last available data
Benchmark: The average per-capita income of Mainers of color will improve to the state average by 2030.
Overview
The Council strongly believes that Maine needs the contributions of every resident to achieve a vibrant, sustainable economy. Increasing prosperity is not true progress unless it is equitably shared. This will require broad, deep, and long-term systemic change.
From 2019 to 2023, the average per capita income of BIPOC* and Latino or Hispanic Maine residents (about 9% of the population) was $32,676, 78% of the $42,035 statewide average. This is an increase from 75% in 2018-2022 and 59% a decade ago. Still, it means that for every $5 earned by the average Maine household, households of racial and ethnic minority groups earned less than $4.
This stark racial/ethnic income disparity is seen across New England and the United States. To counter it, Maine must improve access to training and education for residents of color, better support their communities and businesses, and address cultural biases and systemic disadvantages.
*Black, Indigenous, People of Color
Fig. A
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Average Per-Capita Income, 2019-2023
Source: U.S. Census Bureau
Fig. B
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Maine Poverty Rate by Race/Ethnicity 2019-2023
Source: U.S. Census Bureau