 |
|
|
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. |
| |
| Population
Change - 1970-2007 |
| Municipality |
1970
|
1980
|
1990
|
2000
|
2004
|
2007 |
| Portland
- MSA |
174,403
|
193,831
|
215,281
|
243,537
|
.
|
|
| Gorham |
7,839
|
10,101
|
11,856
|
14,141
|
15,145
|
15,830 |
| Source:
U.S. Census 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 |
|
| |
 |
The
2000 population of Gorham was 14,141. Future
projections suggest that the Town will exceed
17,000 people by the year 2010 and 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
the Portland MSA are comparable and exhibit
a healthy age distribution composed primarily
of young employed persons. Gorham showed a
lower median resident age compared to the
Portland MSA and the state, which only lends
to Gorham's strength as an active and mobile
workforce. |
| |
| Age
Distribution - 2000 |
| |
Gorham
|
Portland
MSA
|
State
of Maine
|
| Under
18 years old |
25.9%
|
23.3%
|
23.6%
|
| 25-44 years
old |
28.9%
|
32.2%
|
29.1%
|
| over 65
years old |
10.0%
|
12.9%
|
14.3%
|
| Median
Age |
34.3
years
|
37.5
years
|
38.6
years
|
| Source:
U.S. Census 2000 |
|
| |
Educational
Attainment
Gorham's level of educational attainment is
well above the state percentages, as is the
Portland MSA. 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 - 2000 |
| |
Gorham
|
Portland
MSA
|
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 2000 |
|
|
|
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
1970 and 1980, the number of households in
the Gorham community increased substantially
compared to the Portland MSA. The following
decade showed steady growth which is likely
to continue in the future. |
| |
| Household
Change - 1970-2000 |
| |
1970
|
1980
|
%
change 1970-80
|
1990
|
%
change 1980-90
|
2000
|
%
change 1990-2000
|
| State of
Maine |
231,702
|
395,474
|
70.7
|
465,312
|
17.7
|
518,200
|
11.4
|
| Portland
- MSA |
54,448
|
71,266
|
30.9
|
87,766
|
23.2
|
99,706
|
13.6
|
| Gorham |
2,080
|
3,217
|
54.7
|
3,950
|
22.7
|
4,875
|
23.4
|
| Source:
U.S. Census 1970, 1980, 1990, 2000 |
|
| |
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 the Portland MSA. 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 - 1990-2000 |
| |
Average
Size Household
|
Family
Households
|
Single
Person Households
|
| |
1990
|
2000
|
1990
|
2000
|
1990
|
2000
|
| Portland
- MSA |
2.48
|
2.38
|
63.6%
|
62.1%
|
24.5%
|
28.6%
|
| Gorham |
2.77
|
2.67
|
76.3%
|
72.4%
|
17.8%
|
20.5%
|
| Source:
U.S. Census 1990, 2000 |
|
|
|
Occupational
Profile
Gorham's occupational profile is indicative
of the Portland MSA 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 the Portland MSA
for 2000 |
| Occupation |
Portland
MSA
|
Gorham
|
| Professional,
Admin., Manager |
38.3%
|
33.9%
|
| Sales,
Admin., Support |
28.8%
|
31.6%
|
| Services |
13.9%
|
16.6%
|
| Construction |
7.1%
|
5.4%
|
| Operative
Labor |
11.4%
|
12.2%
|
| Farming,
Fishing, Forestry |
.5%
|
.3%
|
| 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 2007 was $60,873, well above
the Portland MSA and the State of Maine. |
| |
| Household
Income for 2000 |
| Income |
Portland
MSA
|
Gorham
|
Maine
|
| Under
$9,999 |
7.4%
|
3%
|
10.3%
|
| $10,000-$14,999 |
5.9%
|
5.9%
|
7.6%
|
| $15,000-$24,999 |
11.9%
|
5.9%
|
14.8%
|
| $25,000-$34,999 |
12.5%
|
13.2%
|
14.2%
|
| $35,000-$49,000 |
17.7%
|
16.7%
|
18.3%
|
| $50,000
or more |
44.5%
|
31.2%
|
34.9%
|
| Median
Income |
$44,707
|
$53,456
|
$37,240
|
| Source:
U.S. Census 2000 |
|
| |
| top
of page |
| |
