Chinese-Americans in Portland, Maine refers to the Chinese-American residents and businesses of Portland, Maine, USA. An informal and small Chinatown once existed around Monument Square. The first Chinese person arrived in 1858 with the Chinatown forming around 1916, mainly lasting until around 1953. The last vestiges of Chinatown lingered until 1997 when the last Chinese laundry closed. By that time, urban renewal already claimed all of the remaining buildings.[1]
The Portland area has a small Chinese community, at around one percent. While there are no facets of a Chinatown, there are several Asian/Chinese stores. Asians, including some Chinese, have presence in South Portland, and Scarborough, and businesses that target Asian and Chinese patrons are found in those cities, especially Costco in Scarborough, the first location established in Maine. The Asian population is only 3.4% as of 2023.[2] Aside from Chinese, ethnic Cambodians/Khmer have a community in Portland, Maine; over 1,000 Cambodian Americans live in Maine.