 |
|
|
Gorham's
future as an area of economic development
will be shaped by many regional and statewide
demographic trends. Population growth in
the Town and the Portland MSA have created
many opportunities for new business ventures.
|
|
| |
Population
Change
Both Gorham and the Portland region have experienced
significant and steady growth since 1970 as
a result of a positive net in-migration and
the increased ability to commute to work.
Gorham's growth in the last two decades has
outpaced the Portland MSA and Cumberland County
as a whole. The continued suburbanization
of the Town will help it to develop into an
important regional population center and an
attractive location to establish a business
or place of work. The MSA was changed in 2000 to include the Biddeford/Saco area. |
| |
| Population
Change - 1970-2010 |
| Municipality |
1970 |
1980 |
1990 |
2000 |
2010 |
| Cumberland County |
192,528 |
215,789 |
243,135 |
265,612 |
281,674 |
| Gorham |
7,839 |
10,101 |
11,856 |
14,141 |
16,381 |
| Source:
U.S. Census1970,1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 |
|
| |
 |
The
2010 population of Gorham was 16,381. This is the largest net increase of any town in both Cumberland and York Counties. Gorham will continue
to be one of the fastest growing towns in
the MSA and the state of Maine. |
|
|
Population
Characteristics
The population characteristics of Gorham and Cumberland County are comparable and exhibit
a healthy age distribution composed primarily
of young employed persons. Gorham showed a
lower median resident age compared to the county and the state, which only lends
to Gorham's strength as an active and mobile
workforce. |
| |
| Age
Distribution - 2010 |
| |
Gorham
|
Cumberland Cty
|
State
of Maine
|
| Under
18 years old |
22.3%
|
22.0%
|
22.6%
|
| 18-49 years
old |
43.6%
|
45.0%
|
43.4%
|
| over 50
years old |
34.1%
|
33.0%
|
34.0%
|
| Median
Age |
34.3
years
|
37.5
years
|
38.6
years
|
| Source:
U.S. Census 2010 |
|
| |
Educational
Attainment
Gorham's level of educational attainment is
well above the state percentages, as is Cumberland County. These figures depict Gorham
as an ideal setting to locate skilled or professional
business opportunities demanding educated
and committed employees. |
| |
| Educational
Attainment for Persons 25 Years and
Older - 2010 |
| |
Gorham
|
Cumberland County
|
State
of Maine
|
| Less
than High School |
8.5%
|
9.8%
|
14.7%
|
| High School
degree or higher |
60.1%
|
56.6%
|
62.5%
|
| Bachelor's
Degree or higher |
31.6%
|
33.5%
|
22.8%
|
| Source:
U.S. Census 2010 |
|
|
|
Household
Change
Over the last three decades, the number of
households in both Gorham and the Portland
region have increased dramatically in accordance
with trends experienced nationwide. Between
1990 and 2000, the number of households in
the Gorham community increased substantially
compared to Cumberland County. The following
decade showed steady growth which is likely
to continue in the future. |
| |
| Household
Change - 1980-2010 |
| |
1980
|
1990
|
%
change 1980-90
|
2000
|
%
change 1990-2000
|
2010
|
%
change 2000-2010
|
| State of
Maine |
395,474
|
465,312
|
17.7
|
518,200
|
11.4
|
542,617
|
11.4
|
| Cumberland Cty |
71,266
|
87,766
|
23.2
|
99,706
|
13.6
|
114,142
|
13.6
|
| Gorham |
3,217
|
3,950
|
22.7
|
4,875
|
23.1
|
5,492
|
| Source:
U.S. Census 1980, 1990, 2000, 2010 |
|
| |
Household
Characteristics
The 1970s saw a dramatic change in the composition
of households in Gorham and surrounding areas
caused primarily by lower birth rates, increased
longevity and higher divorce rates. This trend
has continued over the past two decades in
Gorham and Cumberland County. The average household
in Gorham dropped from 2.77 people to 2.67
between 1990 and 2000. This decline in household
size is supported by a decrease in family
households and an increase in the number of
people living alone. Household size is expected
to continue shrinking through the 2010s. |
| |
| Household
Composition - 2000-2010 |
| |
Average
Size Household
|
Family
Households
|
Single
Person Households
|
| |
2000
|
2010
|
1990
|
2000
|
1990
|
2000
|
| Cumberland County |
2.38
|
2.34
|
63.6%
|
62.1%
|
24.5%
|
28.6%
|
| Gorham |
2.67
|
2.78
|
76.3%
|
72.4%
|
17.8%
|
20.5%
|
| Source:
U.S. Census 1990, 2000 |
|
|
|
Occupational
Profile
Gorham's occupational profile is indicative
of Cumberland County in that it is comprised
primarily of professional and administrative
types of employment. Only a small percentage
of the area is engaged in agricultural or
natural resource activities. |
| |
| Occupation
Profile of Gorham and Cumberland County
for 2009 |
| Occupation |
Cumberland County
|
Gorham
|
| Professional,
Admin., Manager |
40.1%
|
35.6%
|
| Sales,
Admin., Support |
26.0%
|
32.0.%
|
| Services |
16.1%
|
16.3%
|
| Construction |
7.7%
|
6.2%
|
| Operative
Labor |
9.3%
|
9.0%
|
| Farming,
Fishing, Forestry |
.4%
|
.7%
|
| Source:
U.S. Census 2000 |
|
| |
Income
Profile
Income profiles reveal that the residents
of Gorham enjoy a level of wealth that is
higher than the surrounding areas, making
it a suitable region to initiate business
opportunities. The median household income
for Gorham in 2010 was $68,014, well above
Cumberland County and the State of Maine. |
| |
| Household
Income for 2009 |
| Income |
Portland
MSA
|
Gorham
|
Maine
|
| Under
$9,999 |
6.8%
|
3%
|
8.1%
|
| $10,000-$14,999 |
5.6%
|
5.9%
|
7.3%
|
| $15,000-$24,999 |
10.0%
|
5.9%
|
12.7%
|
| $25,000-$34,999 |
10.0%
|
13.2%
|
12.4%
|
| $35,000-$49,000 |
15.7%
|
16.7%
|
16.1%
|
| $50,000
or more |
52.0%
|
31.2%
|
43.4%
|
| Median
Income |
$51,520
|
$60,873
|
$43,439
|
| Source:
U.S. Census 2000 |
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