Portland, ME

Census Place

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2019 Population

66,595

0.21% 1-year decline

US Senator

Susan Collins

Republican Party

US Senator

Angus King

Independent Party

2019 Median Age

36.8

1.66% 1-year increase

2019 Poverty Rate

14.6%

8.05% 1-year decrease

2019 Median Household Income

$60,467

6.13% 1-year growth

2019 Median Property Value

$289,000

5.71% 1-year growth

2019 Employed Population

39,851

0.393% 1-year growth

About

In 2019, Portland, ME had a population of 66.6k people with a median age of 36.8 and a median household income of $60,467. Between 2018 and 2019 the population of Portland, ME declined from 66,735 to 66,595, a −0.21% decrease and its median household income grew from $56,977 to $60,467, a 6.13% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Portland, ME are White (Non-Hispanic) (82.3%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (8.3%), Asian (Non-Hispanic) (3.47%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.62%), and White (Hispanic) (2.34%). 0% of the households in Portland, ME speak a non-English language at home as their primary language, and 94.6% of the residents in Portland, ME are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Portland, ME are University of Southern Maine (1,735 degrees awarded in 2019), Maine College of Art (131 degrees), and Empire Beauty School-Maine (89 degrees).

In 2019, the median property value in Portland, ME was $289,000, and the homeownership rate was 45.1%. Most people in Portland, ME drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 17.9 minutes. The average car ownership in Portland, ME was 2 cars per household.

About the photo: Above Commercial Street at night

Photo by Corey Templeton

United States Maine Cumberland County, ME Portland-South Portland, ME Portland, South Portland & Westbrook Cities PUMA, ME

COVID-19

Daily New Cases by Date

Showing data at the state level for Maine. Hospitalization data for some states may be delayed or not reported.

Y-Axis

This chart shows the number of COVID-19 daily new cases by date in Maine, as a 7-day rolling average, compared with the four states with the most similar number of confirmed cases.

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Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maine.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Maine (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maine.

Start Year

Y-Axis

8.45%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between May 2020 and May 2021

As of May 2021, there are 145M people employed in Maine. This represents a 8.45% increase in employment when compared to May 2020.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Maine.

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Community Mobility

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maine.

This chart presents movement trends over time in the state of Maine across different categories of places such as retail and recreation, groceries and pharmacies, parks, transit stations, workplaces, and residential.

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Diversity

Portland, ME is home to a population of 66.6k people, from which 94.6% are citizens. As of 2019, 16.8% of Portland, ME residents were born outside of the country (11.2k people).

In 2019, there were 9.91 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (54.8k people) in Portland, ME than any other race or ethnicity. There were 5.53k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 2.31k Asian (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Portland, ME

White (Non-Hispanic)
54.8k ± 724
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
5.53k ± 544
Asian (Non-Hispanic)
2.31k ± 444

2.99%

Hispanic Population

1.99k people

2.99% of the people in Portland, ME are hispanic (1.99k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Portland, ME as a share of the total population.

Heritage

Foreign-Born Population

16.8%

2019 Foreign-Born Population

11.2k people

11.9%

2018 Foreign-Born Population

7.97k people

As of 2019, 16.8% of Portland, ME residents (11.2k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 34%. In 2018, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Portland, ME was 11.9%, meaning that the rate has been increasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Portland, ME compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Age by Nativity

Median Native-Born Age

± 0.8

Median Foreign-Born Age

± 2

In 2019, the median age of all people in Portland, ME was 36.8. Native-born citizens, with a median age of 36, were generally younger than foreign-born citizens, with a median age of 40. But people in Portland, ME are getting getting older. In 2018, the average age of all Portland, ME residents was 36.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Maine.

Most Common Origin

Canada
9,379 ± 2,369 people
Philippines
3,069 ± 1,359 people
Germany
2,577 ± 1,245 people

In 2019, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Maine was Canada, the natal country of 9,379 Maine residents, followed by Philippines with 3,069 and Germany with 2,577.

Citizenship

94.6%

2019 Citizenship

94%

2018 Citizenship

As of 2019, 94.6% of Portland, ME residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2018, the percentage of US citizens in Portland, ME was 94%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Portland, ME compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
898 ± 153
Gulf War (2001-)
484 ± 147
Korea
333 ± 110

Portland, ME has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.86 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

Median household income in Portland, ME is $60,467. In 2019, the place with the highest Median Household Income in Portland, ME was Census Tract 21.01 with a value of $92,500, followed by Census Tract 17 and Census Tract 24, with respective values of $83,457 and $80,966.

Males in Maine have an average income that is 1.25 times higher than the average income of females, which is $48,698. The income inequality in Maine (measured using the Gini index) is 0.439, which is lower than than the national average.

The economy of Portland, ME employs 39.9k people. The largest industries in Portland, ME are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,987 people), Educational Services (4,514 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (4,385 people), and the highest paying industries are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($113,333), Utilities ($75,962), and Wholesale Trade ($65,391).

Wages

Median Household Income

$60,467

2019 value

± $2,236

6.13%

1 Year Growth

± 5%

Households in Portland, ME have a median annual income of $60,467, which is less than the median annual income of $65,712 across the entire United States. This is in comparison to a median income of $56,977 in 2018, which represents a 6.13% annual growth.

The following chart shows how the median household income in Portland, ME compares to that of its neighboring and parent geographies.

Wage by Gender in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Maine.

$60,757

Average Male Salary in Maine

± $2,655

$48,698

Average Female Salary in Maine

± $2,118

In 2019, full-time male employees in Maine made 1.25 times more than female employees.

This chart shows the gender-based wage disparity in the 5 most common occupations in Maine by number of full-time employees.

Wage by Race and Ethnicity in Common Jobs

The PUMS dataset is not available at the Place level, so we are showing data for Maine.

Highest Average Salaries by Race & Ethnicity in Maine

Asian
$52,638 ± $17,823
White
$47,033 ± $1,536
American Indian and Alaska Native tribes specified; or American Indian or Alaska Native, not specified and no other races
$36,945 ± $33,395

In 2019 the highest paid race/ethnicity of Maine workers was Asian. These workers were paid 1.12 times more than White workers, who made the second highest salary of any race/ethnicity in Maine.

This chart shows the race- and ethnicity-based wage disparities in the 5 most common occupations in Maine by number of full-time employees.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Portland, ME is from Maine.

0.439

2019 Wage GINI in Maine

0.442

2018 Wage GINI in Maine

In 2019, the income inequality in Maine was 0.439 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.718% decline from 2018 to 2019, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat more even. The GINI for Maine was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Maine in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Maine across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 21.01
Census Tract 17
Census Tract 24

In 2019, the place with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Portland, ME was Census Tract 21.01 with a value of $92,500, followed by Census Tract 17 and Census Tract 24, with respective values of $83,457 and $80,966.

The following map shows all of the places in Portland, ME colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Poverty by Age and Gender

Females 25 - 34

Largest Demographic Living in Poverty

14.6% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Portland, ME (9.56k out of 65.3k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is higher than the national average of 12.3%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Males 55 - 64 and then Males 25 - 34.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Poverty by Race and Ethnicity

Largest Race or Ethnicity Living in Poverty

White
6,133 ± 517
Black
2,275 ± 381
Asian
568 ± 200

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Portland, ME is White, followed by Black and Asian.

Occupations

Employment by Occupations

39.9k

2019 Value

± 1,328

0.393%

1 Year growth

± 4.72%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Portland, ME grew at a rate of 0.393%, from 39.7k employees to 39.9k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Portland, ME, are Management Occupations (4,472 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,385 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (3,731 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Portland, ME.

Most Common

The most common jobs held by residents of Portland, ME, by number of employees, are Management Occupations (4,472 people), Office & Administrative Support Occupations (4,385 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (3,731 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Portland, ME has an unusually high number of residents working as Arts, Design, Entertainment, Sports, & Media Occupations (1.88 times higher than expected), Community & Social Service Occupations (1.8 times), and Food Preparation & Serving Related Occupations (1.49 times).

Highest Paid

The highest paid jobs held by residents of Portland, ME, by median earnings, are Legal Occupations ($76,977), Architecture & Engineering Occupations ($73,438), and Computer & Mathematical Occupations ($64,550).

Industries

Employment by Industries

39.9k

2019 Value

± 1,328

0.393%

1 Year growth

± 4.72%

From 2018 to 2019, employment in Portland, ME grew at a rate of 0.393%, from 39.7k employees to 39.9k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Portland, ME, are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,987 people), Educational Services (4,514 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (4,385 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Portland, ME, though some of these residents may live in Portland, ME and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Most Common

The most common industries in Portland, ME, by number of employees, are Health Care & Social Assistance (6,987 people), Educational Services (4,514 people), and Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (4,385 people).

Most Specialized

Compared to other places, Portland, ME has an unusually high number of Professional, Scientific, & Technical Services (1.52 times higher than expected), Finance & Insurance (1.43 times), and Accommodation & Food Services (1.33 times) industries.

Highest Paying

The highest paying industries in Portland, ME, by median earnings, are Management of Companies & Enterprises ($113,333), Utilities ($75,962), and Wholesale Trade ($65,391).

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Maine to other states, or from other states to Maine.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2018, the top outbound Maine product (by dollars) was Mixed freight with $8.2B, followed by Gasoline ($5.03B) and Newsprint/paper ($4.23B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Maine products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Maine.

$56.2B

2018 Value in Maine

$103B

Projected 2045 Value in Maine

83.9% growth

In 2018, total outbound Maine trade was $56.2B. This is expected to increase 83.9% to $103B by 2045.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Maine trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Maine to other states, or from other states to Maine.

Most Common Trade Partners

In 2018, the top outbound Maine domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was New Hampshire with $5.75B, followed by Massachusetts with $5.7B and New York and $3.33B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Maine shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Cumberland County, ME went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 59.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (33.6%), followed by Other (6.48%). The most partisan county was Cumberland County, ME with 59.9% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

Susan Collins and Angus King are the senators currently representing the state of Maine. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Maine is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

Voting results are not available for Portland, ME. Showing the available data for Cumberland County, ME.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

2016 Election Results

Hillary Rodham Clinton (59.9%)
Democratic Party
Donald J. Trump (33.6%)
Republican Party
Other (6.48%)
Other Party

In the 2016 presidential election, the popular vote in Maine went to Hillary Rodham Clinton with 59.9% of the vote. The runner-up was Donald J. Trump (33.6%), followed by Other (6.48%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Maine for each registered party from 1976 to 2016.

Presidential Popular Vote by County

Presidential voting results are only available at the county level. Showing data for the counties inside of Maine.

Showing data up to the 2016 election. Updated election results are currently being processed, and will be released in the coming months.

Hillary Rodham Clinton

Popular Vote for Cumberland County, ME

59.9% for the Democratic Party

Most Partisan Counties in Maine

Cumberland County, ME
59.9% for Hillary Rodham Clinton (Democratic Party)
Piscataquis County, ME
58.9% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)
Somerset County, ME
57.6% for Donald J. Trump (Republican Party)

In the 2016 presidential election, the most partisan county in Maine was Cumberland County, ME with 59.9% of the vote going to Hillary Rodham Clinton running for the Democratic Party.

The following map shows the counties in Maine colored by their party leaning.

US Senators from Maine

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Maine.

Susan Collins

Senator from Maine

Assumed office on January 3, 1997

Angus King

Senator from Maine

Assumed office on January 3, 2013

Susan Collins and Angus King are the senators currently representing Maine.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Maine over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representatives from Maine

Maine is currently represented by 2 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Maine have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2019, universities in Portland, ME awarded 1,966 degrees. The student population of Portland, ME is skewed towards women, with 3,494 male students and 5,654 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Portland, ME are White (1,604 and 82.6%), followed by Unknown (103 and 5.31%), Black or African American (66 and 3.4%), and Hispanic or Latino (55 and 2.83%).

The largest universities in Portland, ME by number of degrees awarded are University of Southern Maine (1,735 and 88.3%), Maine College of Art (131 and 6.66%), and Empire Beauty School-Maine (89 and 4.53%).

The most popular majors in Portland, ME are Registered Nursing (143 and 7.27%), General Business Administration & Management (135 and 6.87%), and General Cosmetology (84 and 4.27%).

The median tuition costs in Portland, ME are $35,694 for private four year colleges, and $7,868 and $20,692 respectively, for public four year colleges for in-state students and out-of-state students.

Concentrations

Most Common

Other Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, & Treatment Professions
68 degree-majorss awarded
Registered Nursing
143 degree-majorss awarded
General Business Administration & Management
113 degree-majorss awarded

In 2018, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Portland, ME was Other Allied Health Diagnostic, Intervention, & Treatment Professions with 68 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Portland, ME according to their major.

Universities

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

University of Southern Maine
1,735 degrees awarded
Maine College of Art
131 degrees awarded
Empire Beauty School-Maine
89 degrees awarded

$7,868

Median In-State Public

$35,694

Median Private

In 2019, the Portland, ME institution with the largest number of graduating students was University of Southern Maine with 1,735 degrees awarded.

Student Gender for Common Institutions

662

Degrees Awarded to Men

1,304

Degrees Awarded to Women

In 2019, 662 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Portland, ME, which is 0.508 times less than the 1,304 female students who received degrees in the same year.

This chart displays the gender disparity between the institutions in Portland, ME by degrees awarded.

Student Race and Ethnicity

Most Common Student Race or Ethnicity

White
1,604 degrees awarded
Unknown
103 degrees awarded
Black or African American
66 degrees awarded

In 2019 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions in Portland, ME was White students. These 1,604 degrees mean that there were 15.6 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Unknown, with 103 degrees awarded.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Portland, ME was $289,000 in 2019, which is 1.2 times larger than the national average of $240,500. Between 2018 and 2019 the median property value increased from $273,400 to $289,000, a 5.71% increase. The homeownership rate in Portland, ME is 45.1%, which is lower than the national average of 64.1%. People in Portland, ME have an average commute time of 17.9 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Portland, ME is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Housing

Property Value

$289,000

2019 Median

± $7,746

$273,400

2018 Median

± $6,937

In 2019, the median property value in Portland, ME grew to to $289,000 from the previous year's value of $273,400.

The following charts display, first, the property values in Portland, ME compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies and, second, owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property value buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Portland, ME the largest share of households have a property value in the $300k - $400k range.

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$60,467

Median Household Income

± $2,236

30.4k

Number of Households

± 1,046

In 2019, the median household income of the 30.4k households in Portland, ME grew to $60,467 from the previous year's value of $56,977.

The following chart displays the households in Portland, ME distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Property Taxes

$3k+

Average Range

This chart shows the households in Portland, ME distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Portland, ME the largest share of households pay taxes in the $3k+ range.

Rent vs Own

45.1%

2019 Homeownership

44.3%

2018 Homeownership

In 2019, 45.1% of the housing units in Portland, ME were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 44.3%.

This percentage of owner-occupation is lower than the national average of 64.1%. This chart shows the ownership percentage in Portland, ME compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Commute Time

17.9 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Portland, ME have a shorter commute time (17.9 minutes) than the normal US worker (25.5 minutes). Additionally, 0.977% of the workforce in Portland, ME have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Portland, ME compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2019

Drove Alone (65.6%)
Walked (13.1%)
Carpooled (8.39%)

In 2019, 65.6% of workers in Portland, ME drove alone to work, followed by those who walked to work (13.1%) and those who carpooled to work (8.39%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Transportation

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Portland, ME distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Portland, ME have 2 cars, followed by 1 car.

Health

93.2% of the population of Portland, ME has health coverage, with 54% on employee plans, 15.3% on Medicaid, 10.3% on Medicare, 12.5% on non-group plans, and 0.966% on military or VA plans.

Per capita personal health care spending in Maine was $9,531 in 2014. This is a 4.36% increase from the previous year ($9,133).

Primary care physicians in Cumberland County, ME see 597 patients per year on average, which represents a 0.831% decrease from the previous year (602 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 964 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 137 patients per year.

Comparing across all counties in the state, Aroostook County has the highest prevalence of diabetes (15%). Additionally, Aroostook County has the highest prevalence of adult obesity (37.7%)

Patient to Clinician Ratios

Data is only available at the country level. Showing data for Cumberland County, ME.

597 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Cumberland County, ME

Primary care physicians in Cumberland County, ME see an average of 597 patients per year. This represents a 0.831% decrease from the previous year (602 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Cumberland County, ME in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Behavioral Health Conditions

Data only available at the state level.

State with the Highest Prevalence

West Virginia
8.26% of the population affected
Arkansas
8.13% of the population affected
New Hampshire
7.98% of the population affected

In 2016, West Virginia had the highest prevalence of adults with major depressive episode, with 8.26% of the population affected. The second highest is Arkansas (8.13%), followed by New Hampshire (7.98%).

The following map shows the percent of individuals with major depressive episode by state over multiple years.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Access and Quality

Data only available at state level.

Most prevalent states

Mississippi
19.2% of adults
Texas
17.9% of adults
Louisiana
17.6% of adults

In 2016, Mississippi had the highest prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost, at 19.2%. It is followed by Texas (17.9%) and Louisiana (17.6%).

The following map shows the prevalence of adults who haven't seen a doctor in the past 12 months due to cost by state over multiple years.

Health Care Spending

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Maine.

$9,531

Total Per Capita Spending on Personal Health Care in Maine

$5,015

Per Enrollee Private Health Insurance Spending on Personal Health Care

$7,504

Per Enrollee Medicaid Spending on Personal Health Care

$9,325

Per Enrollee Medicare Spending on Personal Health Care

Between 2013 and 2014, all personal health care spending per capita in Maine (including private, Medicare, and Medicaid) grew 4.36%, from $9,133 to $9,531.

The following chart shows how this spending changed over time in comparison to Medicaid, Medicare, and private insurance spending, per enrollee.

Health Care Coverage

6.85%

Uninsured

54%

Employer Coverage

15.3%

Medicaid

10.3%

Medicare

12.5%

Non-Group

0.966%

Military or VA

Between 2018 and 2019, the percent of uninsured citizens in Portland, ME declined by 13.7% from 7.93% to 6.85%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Portland, ME changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.