Additional information about Cumberland, Maryland
As of the census of 2000, there were 21,518 people, 9,538 households, and 5,436 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,372.7 people per square mile (916.0/km
2). There were 11,143 housing units at an average density of 1,228.7/sq mi (474.3/km
2). The racial makeup of the city was 92.54% White, 5.06% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.70% of the population.
There were 9,538 households out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.0% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 2.90.
City residents have an older demographic profile than the U.S. 22.7% is under the age of 18, 8.2% is from 18 to 24, 25.1% is from 25 to 44, 23.3% is from 45 to 64, and 20.7% is 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years compared to a U.S. average of 35.3. Females outnumber males. For every 100 females there are 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,142, and the median income for a family was $34,500. Males had a median income of $29,484 versus $20,004 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,813. About 15.3% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.4% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over. The Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area ranked 305th out of 318 metropolitan areas in per capita income.
In 2007,
Forbes ranks the Cumberland Metro as having the 6th lowest cost of living in the country based on an index of cost of housing, utilities, transportation and other expenditures
In 2007, The
Baltimore Sun newspaper citing the National Association of Realtors figures on home prices stated that while most areas currently stagnant, Cumberland home prices are rising by more than 17%, the highest in the country. (
The Sun, 06/29/07)
In July 2007,
Washington Post writer Stephanie Cavanaugh wrote that the great quality of living in Cumberland has attracted many urbanities to the area. (07/14/2007, Real Estate Section)
According to the 2000 Census, educational achievement levels of the city residents lag behind those of Allegany County and the state of Maryland. High school diploma attainment figures for residents 25 years of age and older are lower than the state average (83.8%), with Allegany County at 79.9% and Cumberland at 79.3%. Furthermore, only 13.0% of city residents 25 years of age and older hold at least an undergraduate degree. The comparable figures for Allegany County and Maryland residents are 14.1% and 31.4% respectively.
Ancestries are:
- 27.7% German
- 14.5% Irish
- 12.3% American
- 9.7% English
- 4.7% Italian
- 2.6% Dutch
- Population trends
Population decline from 1950-1990 was due to a string of industrial plant closures. The 1987 closure of the Kelly Springfield Tire Plant marks a turning point, as the last major manufacturing plant in the city limits to close its doors.
The year 2004 marked the first year in several decades where the population of Cumberland actually increased year-over-year by 0.61 percent. Today, the population of the Cumberland area has stabilized with a 0.02% change in the County's population from 1990 to 2000. A small decline in city's population occurred between 1990 and 2000 and again between 2000 and 2005.
References:
- For 1870-1960: Allegany County data Historical Census Browser
- For 1930-2000: See Geostat Center Collection: County and City Data Books (1930-2000)
- For 1830-1873: See Lowdermilk
- For 1900-1920: See Maryland Manual, 1928, Volume 144, page 202
