Asians in Maine? (Portland, Bangor, China: appointed, schools, college) - (ME) - Page 2 - City-Data Forum

dullnboring · 10-15-2006, 08:20 PM

Maine always jockeys with Vermont for being the nation's whitest state. Both states are around 97% white. Portland is Maine's most diverse city and it is 3% Asian, mostly Southeast Asian (Vietnamese and Cambodian), so in theory, one out of every 33 people you see will be Asian. Not a lot, but enough that I can assume it's not such a foreign sight.

rsavb · 10-17-2006, 05:23 AM

Wow! I guess I can add to that 3%.

chris · 10-17-2006, 11:30 AM

I'd guess it's a lot less than 3% if you include South Portland which has almost none.

dullnboring · 10-17-2006, 05:13 PM

While the recently-released 2005 Census estimates did not give a detailed portrait of Portland, they did profile Cumberland County and assuming the city has followed similar trends and increased it's minority population at an equal rate since the 2000 Census, Portland now is probably 4-5% Asian and around 4% black and 2-3% Latino. Not exactly a beacon of diversity but still, the most diverse place in Maine.

newportbeachsmostwanted · 10-17-2006, 05:38 PM

Why do you care about how many Asians there are in Maine?

I find it funny many are saying lack of diversity is a major problem.

Start realizing what brings people together into communities..

dullnboring · 10-17-2006, 07:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by newportbeachsmostwanted

Why do you care about how many Asians there are in Maine?

I'm guessing because perhaps the original poster is Asian and does not want to feel like an exotic creature while walking around the streets, worthy of stares and ignorant questions and remarks.

Quote:

I find it funny many are saying lack of diversity is a major problem.

Start realizing what brings people together into communities..

I find it funny how many white people on this board justify looking for areas that are mostly white and will state just as such claiming they are just being direct and honest and tiring of political correctness run amok, and then turn around and get offended when others who happen to be of different races do the same.

rsavb · 10-18-2006, 06:32 AM

dullnboring, you are correct! not only that, but also it would be nice to have my kids in a diverse school system. I know how it feels to be THE asian in a class/school/club, etc. That is all.

tkx7 · 10-18-2006, 03:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsavb

dullnboring, you are correct! not only that, but also it would be nice to have my kids in a diverse school system. I know how it feels to be THE asian in a class/school/club, etc. That is all.

I dont think you would feel unwelcome in Maine. Mainers are interested and enjoy people from different backgrounds because they are more uncommon. Portland is a city that does have some diversity though, so you wouldnt feel too out of place.

jenney77 · 12-11-2006, 06:41 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by RaymondGeges

Personally I'm moving to Maine because of its LACK of diversity

Well you found the right place and many like-minded people! The only diversity we had in our town was adopted anyone else was driven out of town. There was actually an active KKK group in the late 80's early 90's in town that targeted french canadians b/c there were no people of color to bother. Personally I got tired of it and felt it was the biggest reason to move away. Where I live now has a good balance of all the races and its great to know so many diverse families. I think my family is better off b/c of it.

jenney77 · 12-11-2006, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rsavb

Is there a large Asian population there? I'm thinking probably a better chance of seeing a couple in the larger cities...portland? The census data doesn't really tell me anything. If you went to the grocery store on a saturday morning, how many would you see there getting their cheerios?

Just from experience... my husband is chinese and was constantly asked if he was an exchange student (despite having a perfect american accent, a US citizen and raised here). Don't move north of portland its white and more white. In portland there is 1 good vietnamese restaurant, a banh mi shop, a few southeast asian markets, but its really limited. I was raised in central maine and thank god my parents dragged us to portland and boston on a regular basis or I would have never seen someone of color. Though its a quick drive from portland to boston (1.5 hrs?). I would definitely move to the portland area. Its a great little city with a little of everything. The people were open-minded and its getting more diverse as time goes on.