Portland
RANK #798 / 996 NAT · POP 303,357
1YR FORECAST: +0.3%
5YR OUTLOOK: +16%
Cumberland County, Maine, is defined by its blend of coastal charm and natural landscapes, with Portland serving as its largest city and county seat. The iconic Portland Head Light at Fort Williams Park in Cape Elizabeth, commissioned by George Washington, stands as a notable landmark. Located on Maine's southwestern coast, the county is about a 30-minute drive from Portland to towns like Cumberland, and roughly two hours north of Boston. The community offers access to Casco Bay and Sebago Lake, the state's second-largest lake, providing opportunities for boating, fishing, and swimming. Numerous parks and preserves, such as Twin Brook Recreation Area and Broad Cove Reserve, offer trails for hiking, biking, and skiing.
Life in Cumberland County offers a mix of urban amenities and quieter residential areas. Commute times average around 23-27 minutes, with many residents driving alone, though public transit options like the Greater Portland Metro bus service are available in some areas. The county is home to several highly-rated public school districts, including Cape Elizabeth, Falmouth, and Yarmouth. The economy is driven by sectors such as healthcare, tourism, and manufacturing, with companies like IDEXX Laboratories and Unum having a corporate presence. Recent economic developments include investments in infrastructure, such as a new playing field for the Portland Sea Dogs, and ongoing efforts in community development.
Below national median (4.7x)
Above national median
Below national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (13x)
Housing is fairly valued at 4.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.
The data is not encouraging — Cumberland County scores just 19/100 on the Boom Town Index, ranking #798 of 996 counties. Job growth at +1.7% and median household income of $87,710 reflect an economy that has been contracting or stagnating relative to the rest of the country.
Cumberland County leans toward the expensive side. A median home value of $372,900 against an income-to-home-value ratio of 0.24 means housing eats a bigger share of local earnings than the national norm. Renters face $1,389/month on average.
Cumberland County is growing on multiple fronts. Population is up +0.9% year-over-year while employers added jobs at a +1.7% clip. Home values shifted +0.7% in the past year.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 2.08% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cumberland County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.