Mainers are more likely to be less educated and make less money than the average American, according to recent estimates from the Census Bureau.
The information comes from the ''Census 2000 Supplemental Survey,'' which was distributed to 700,000 households in 1,203 counties nationwide at the same time the 2000 head count was administered.
Among the findings was that Maine's estimated average household income is $36,400 — the lowest of the six New England states.
In comparison, Connecticut had the highest for the region and the second highest in the nation, at $53,108. New Hampshire had $49,509, Massachusetts $49,505, Rhode Island $43,185 and Vermont $39,317.
The national average is $41,343.
The survey also found that Maine had the least number of degree-holding residents in New England, with just 22.8 percent of residents at least 25 years old holding a bachelor's degree and 7.88 percent of people 25 years or older holding a master's, professional or doctoral degree.
For bachelor's degrees, Massachusetts had the highest percentage with 34.9 percent. Connecticut has 33.3 percent, followed by New Hampshire with 30 percent, Vermont with 28.3 percent and Rhode Island with 25.4 percent. Nationally, the figure is 25.1 percent.
Massachusetts has the highest percentage of residents with advanced degrees in New England at 14.4 percent. Connecticut has 14 percent, Vermont 10.8 percent, New Hampshire 10.3 percent and Rhode Island 10.1 percent. Nationally, the figure is 8.97 percent.
One factor behind Maine's figures is proximity to urban areas, which is related to local economies and educational aspirations, according to Richard Sherwood, a demographer with the State Planning Office.
People who live closer to metropolitan areas are more likely to make their livelihoods there and likely need more education, he said.
''When you look at northern and eastern Maine, you're talking about economies that have been heavily dependent on natural resources — logging, fishing, farming,'' Sherwood said. ''You cannot live in Aroostook County and work in Boston.''
Sherwood said one reason Maine lags behind the rest of northern New England is because the southern parts of New Hampshire and Vermont are oriented more toward the Boston and New York metropolitan areas than central and northern Maine.
Meanwhile, the study also found that Maine has the region's highest figure — 67.8 percent — for people who were born in-state, meaning they were born in Maine and either stayed or returned to Maine.
Maine was followed by Massachusetts with 65.5 percent and Rhode Island with 62.6 percent. Connecticut has 57.1 percent, Vermont 55.3 percent and New Hampshire the lowest, 43.4 percent. Nationally, 59.7 percent of people are estimated to live in their state of birth.
Participants in the survey were asked questions on subjects ranging from ethnicity to finances, plumbing to marital status.
Demographic trends reported from the survey are stated as estimates of answers to questions asked on the long form that were mailed to about one in six U.S. households.
However, it is not designed as a substitute for the 2000 long-form data. The Census Bureau discourages comparing the survey results to 1990 census numbers because of differences in methods and the wording of questions.l=16Richard Sherwood, demographer, State Planning Office
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