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Cumberland County, ME

RANK #705 / 996  ·  POP 303,357  ·  ME

PROJECTED GROWTH: -0.0%

Cumberland County ranks in the bottom tier of U.S. counties on economic momentum.

[01] Why Cumberland County?

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.

[02] Market Snapshot

Housing Ratio
4.1x

Below national median (4.7x)

GDP Growth
+3.0%

Above national median

Home Prices
+0.7%

Below national median

Climate & Terrain
1.1

Moderate climate & terrain

Price/Rent
13x

Below national median (13x)

Housing is fairly valued at 4.1x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.

[03] Signal Profile

[04] Home Value Growth vs National

Cumberland County U.S. National

The Numbers

DEMOGRAPHICS
Population
303,357
+0.86% YoY
Median Household Income
$87,710
Median Home Value
$372,900
+0.69% 12mo
Median Rent
$1,389
Average Annual Pay
$71,351
+3.7% YoY
Employment
192,475
+1.7% YoY
Income-to-Home-Value
0.2352
Near national average
Migration Inflow
2.08%
of pop. from another state

Market Activity

REAL ESTATE
Median Sale Price
$501,000
Days on Market
44
Moderate pace
Months of Supply
2.6
Seller's market
Sale-to-List Ratio
98.8%
Near asking price
Sold Above List
28.3%
Listings w/ Price Drops
15.0%
Building Permits (2024)
1,385
Single-Family Permits
798

Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →

[06] Score Breakdown

GDP Growth +3.0% 57 percentile
Population Growth +0.9% 67 percentile
Income Growth +8.7% 55 percentile
Vacancy Rate 0.8% 78 percentile
Home Price Change +0.7% 40 percentile
Rent Growth +3.0% 50 percentile
Price/Rent 13x 51 percentile

Bars show percentile rank among all 996 counties.

[07] Frequently Asked Questions

Is Cumberland County, ME a good place to move to?

Cumberland County has a Boom Town Index score of 29/100, ranking #705 among 996 U.S. counties. With job growth at +1.7% and a median household income of $87,710, it faces some economic headwinds compared to faster-growing counties.

Is Cumberland County affordable?

The median home value in Cumberland County is $372,900 with median rent at $1,389/month. The income-to-home-value ratio is 0.2352, which is less affordable than the national average.

Is Cumberland County growing or shrinking?

Population growth: +0.9% year-over-year. Job growth: +1.7%. Home values changed +0.7% in the past 12 months.

Are people moving to Cumberland County?

Yes — 2.08% of Cumberland County's population moved from another state, which is above the national average and indicates strong in-migration.

[08] Similar Metros

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