According to anycountyprivateschools.com, Cumberland County, Maine is located in the southern portion of the state and is home to over 280,000 people. It is the most populous county in the state and is made up of several cities and towns including Portland, Westbrook, South Portland, Falmouth, Yarmouth, and Freeport. The county seat is located in Portland.
The racial makeup of Cumberland County is predominantly White (87%), with African American (6%), Hispanic or Latino (2%), Asian (2%) and Native American populations making up the remaining 5%. In terms of age groups, Cumberland County has a fairly even spread with 28% of people being under 18 years old while 29% are between 18-34 years old and 27% are between 35-54 years old.
The median household income for Cumberland County is around $60,000 which is slightly higher than both the state average ($53,000) and national average ($58,500). Additionally, approximately 10% of residents live below the poverty line which is lower than both state and national averages.
Cumberland County has a thriving economy with several major industries such as healthcare services, education services, manufacturing companies such as Bath Iron Works Corporation (BIW), retail stores such as L.L Bean Inc., tourism companies such as The Maine Mall Shopping Center & Cinemas Inc., and many more. The unemployment rate within Cumberland County stands at 3%, which is lower than both state and national averages.
History of Cumberland County, Maine
Cumberland County, Maine has a long and storied history. The area was originally inhabited by the Abenaki people, who were part of the larger Algonquian language family. In 1630, the first European settlers arrived in what would become Cumberland County, led by Captain John Smith and Robert Gorges.
In 1658, the area was granted to Sir Ferdinando Gorges and John Mason as part of their grant from the British Crown. The area was then divided into two separate provinces: York and Massachusetts Bay. In 1760, Cumberland County was officially formed out of parts of York and Massachusetts Bay Province, becoming the third county in Maine.
During this time period, Cumberland County saw significant economic growth due to its advantageous location on Casco Bay. This allowed for trade with other areas of Maine as well as Canada and Europe. Additionally, agriculture began to take root in the county with dairy farming being one of the most popular forms of farming during this time period.
Throughout the 19th century, Cumberland County continued to grow economically and population-wise due to its strong agricultural industry as well as its booming lumber industry which provided jobs for many local residents. Additionally, shipbuilding became an important industry in Portland Harbor during this time period as well as numerous other industries such as textiles and manufacturing which helped drive economic growth in the county throughout this century.
Today, Cumberland County continues to be a major economic hub within Maine with several major industries such as healthcare services, education services, manufacturing companies such as Bath Iron Works Corporation (BIW), retail stores such as L.L Bean Inc., tourism companies such as The Maine Mall Shopping Center & Cinemas Inc., and many more driving its economy.
Major cities and towns in Cumberland County, Maine
According to abbreviationfinder, Cumberland County, Maine is home to a variety of cities and towns, each with its own unique character and history. The largest city in the county is Portland, which is also the county seat. Portland is the cultural and economic hub of the area and is known for its vibrant arts scene, numerous restaurants, shops, music venues, and museums. It also serves as the main port of entry for goods entering Maine from other states or countries.
South Portland is another major city in Cumberland County. It is located just south of Portland along Casco Bay and offers a variety of recreational activities such as sailing, biking, kayaking, fishing, and more. South Portland also has several parks such as Willard Beach Park and Bug Light Park which are popular attractions for locals and visitors alike.
Falmouth lies to the west of Portland on Casco Bay’s western shoreline. Falmouth offers plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking trails at Bradbury Mountain State Park or canoeing on Sebago Lake. The town also features a number of historic sites such as Falmouth Historical Society Museum or Fiddlehead Center for Arts & Culture which provide insight into the area’s past.
In addition to these larger cities there are numerous smaller towns in Cumberland County including Brunswick which lies along the Androscoggin River; Freeport which lies north of Brunswick; Yarmouth which lies along Royal River; Gray which lies near Sebago Lake; Windham which lies near Sebago Lake State Park; Standish which lies near Little Ossipee Pond; North Yarmouth which lies near Royal River; Cape Elizabeth with its scenic beaches along Casco Bay; Scarborough with its popular beaches along Higgins Beach; Gorham with its bustling downtown area; Westbrook with its historic district that includes brick factories from the 1800s; Falmouth Foreside with its picturesque harbor views; Buxton with its many farms and agricultural fields; Pownal with its rolling hillsides dotted by apple orchards and vegetable gardens; New Gloucester whose economy was built around a thriving lumber industry during colonial times plus many more towns throughout Cumberland County that each offer their own unique character to explore.
Population in Cumberland County, Maine
Cumberland County, Maine is home to a diverse population of approximately 283,921 people. Located in the southern part of Maine, the county is largely rural and boasts a variety of landscapes including forests, rivers, lakes and mountains. The county is made up of several small towns and cities including Portland, South Portland, Falmouth, Brunswick, Freeport and Yarmouth.
The population of Cumberland County is largely Caucasian (91.2%), with African American (3.5%), Asian (2.1%), Native American (0.7%) and Hispanic or Latino (2%) making up the remainder of the population according to 2019 census estimates. The median age in Cumberland County is 42 years old; slightly higher than the national median age of 38 years old.
The median household income for Cumberland County is $70,851 while the poverty rate stands at 11%. Education levels are slightly higher than those found throughout Maine with 28% having attained a Bachelor’s degree or higher compared to 24% statewide. The unemployment rate in Cumberland County stands at 3%, which is lower than both state and national averages.
The largest city in Cumberland County is Portland; it has a population of 66,215 people as per 2019 census estimates and serves as an economic hub for the region with numerous restaurants, shops, music venues and museums located within its boundaries. South Portland has a population of 25,219 people; it lies just south of Portland along Casco Bay and offers plenty of recreational activities such as sailing, biking and kayaking for visitors to enjoy year-round. Falmouth lies on Casco Bay’s western shoreline with a population estimated at 10,907 people; it offers plenty of outdoor activities such as hiking trails at Bradbury Mountain State Park or canoeing on Sebago Lake plus historic sites such as Falmouth Historical Society Museum or Fiddlehead Center for Arts & Culture that provide insight into its past.
In addition to these larger cities, there are numerous smaller towns throughout Cumberland County that offer their own unique character to explore including Brunswick which lies along the Androscoggin River; Freeport which lies north of Brunswick; Yarmouth which lies along Royal River; Gray which lies near Sebago Lake; Windham which lies near Sebago Lake State Park; Standish which lies near Little Ossipee Pond; North Yarmouth which lies near Royal River; Cape Elizabeth with its scenic beaches along Casco Bay; Scarborough with its popular beaches along Higgins Beach; Gorham with its bustling downtown area; Westbrook with its historic district that includes brick factories from the 1800s plus many more.