According to the U.S. Census, 139,410 Maine residents are civilians over 18 years of age who are veterans of the armed forces. This number (an average from 2005 to 2009) is down from 159,333 in 1990 and 154,590 in 2000. This is consistent with a declining veteran population across the country in these years, as the percent has declined from 14.5% to 12.7% of the 18+ population. In the years 2005-2009, the percent declined still further to 9.8%.
The 2005-2009 percents varied relatively little by county although Lincoln and Sagadahoc were by about 3% above the statewide figure.
Percent and Number of the Maine Civlian Population 18+ Who were Veterans (2005-2009 Average)
| County | Percent | Number |
| Androscoggin | 14.4% | 12,073 |
| Aroostook | 13.7% | 7,891 |
| Cumberland | 11.2% | 24,876 |
| Franklin | 11.5% | 2,855 |
| Hancock | 12.7% | 5,637 |
| Kennebec | 14.2% | 13,780 |
| Knox | 14.2% | 4,565 |
| Lincoln | 16.0% | 4,474 |
| Oxford | 14.3% | 6,506 |
| Penobscot | 11.7% | 14,432 |
| Piscataquis | 15.3% | 2,145 |
| Sagadahoc | 16.6% | 4,636 |
| Somerset | 13.8% | 5,658 |
| Waldo | 13.5% | 4,168 |
| Washington | 14.8% | 3,897 |
| York | 14.0% | 21,817 |
| Maine | 13.2% | 139,410 |
| US | 9.8% | 22,894,578 |
Sources:
State & County QuickFacts at http://quickfacts.census.gov/qfd/states/00000.html (accessed August 30, 2011)
2005-2009 Maine county figures are from U. S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey, 5-Year Estimates. Updated every year. http://factfinder.census.gov (accessed August 30, 2011)
Definitions: Veterans are men and women who have served (even for a short time), but are not currently serving, on active duty in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marine Corps, or the Coast Guard, or who served in the U.S. Merchant Marine during World War II. People who served in the National Guard or Reserves are classified as veterans only if they were ever called or ordered to active duty, not counting the 4-6 months for initial training or yearly summer camps. All other civilians are classified as nonveterans.
Veterans: 2000 Census Brief at http://www.census.gov/prod/2003pubs/c2kbr-22.pdf (accessed August 30, 2011)