V O L . X X X I N O. X I X
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Fact Book / Doing Business in Maine
WO R K F O R C E
S O U R C E : Bureau of Labor Statistics
2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025
26.7K 27.5K 28.2K 29.3K 30K 29.9K 31.6K 32.6K 34K 35.1K 34.4K
25K
26K
27K
30K
29K
28K
33K
32K
31K
36K
35K
34K
Preliminary
numbers
Filling the need for multifamily housing
B y P e t e r V a n A l l e n
Maine still needs an estimated 80,000 housing units, according to MaineHousing, and every bit makes a difference. Looking through
the U.S. Census data on building permits issued in Maine, there are a couple interesting trends. At least through May, the number of
building permits issued for single family homes is continuing at the brisk pace set during the pandemic. At the current rate, Maine
would have 4,384 single-family units in development — on par with the 2023 number. But the real growth has been in development of
projects with five or more units. Through May, permits have been issued for 1,342 units — which even through five months is more
than any recent year but 2022, when 1,866 units were approved over 12 months.
CONSTRUCTION JOBS IN MAINE (MEASURED IN JUNE)
1 unit
2 units 3–4 units
5+ units
N O T E : 2025 numbers through May S O U R C E : U.S. Census Bureau
BUILDING PERMITS FOR NEW, PRIVATELY OWNED HOUSING UNITS IN MAINE
7.5K
7.0K
6.5K
6.0K
5.5K
5.0K
4.5K
4.0K
3.5K
3.0K
2.5K
2.0K
1.5K
1.0K
0.5K
0
3,249 3,249 3,699 3,699 4,010 4,010 4,358 4,358 4,697 4,697 4,760 4,760 5,304 5,304 6,530 6,530 7,105 7,105 5,824 5,824 5,991 5,991 3,298 3,298
2014 2015 2016 2017 2018 2019 2020 2021 2022 2023 2024 2025