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|
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| The
Town of Gorham's proximity to Portland has
enabled it to maintain a close economic relationship
with the city and surrounding region. Situated
only 9.5 miles (15.3 km) from downtown Portland,
Gorham has benefited from the economic strengths
and amenities of the geographical area, as
well as played a vital role in its development. |
| Map
of the Gorham/Portland Area |
| |
Gorham
and Portland have always shared an historical
affinity that has helped the two areas to
develop as a single economic unit. As early
as 1850, connecting railroad and trolley lines
allowed residents to regularly travel from
one location to another for purposes of work,
recreation, or study.
Today, Gorham maintains an important economic
and cultural link to Portland through the
University of Southern Maine. In 1971, the
Gorham campus of USM was connected by bus
to the Portland Campus, allowing the Town
to be a part of an institution that attracts
thousands of students each year. |
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Portland
MSA
Today, Gorham is considered to be an integral
component of the Portland economy. The Town
is part of both the Greater Portland Area
and the Portland Metropolitan Statistical
Area (MSA) as defined by the 2000 United States
Census. |
| Portland
MSA Population - 2000 |
| Area
|
Population
|
%
of Portland MSA
|
| Portland
|
64,249
|
26.4
|
| Gorham |
14,141
|
5.8
|
| Balance
of 19 other communities |
165,147
|
67.8
|
| Total Portland
MSA |
243,537
|
100
|
|
| The
MSA, which includes 20 towns and cities surrounding
Portland, is treated as an important economic
unit that is vital to the state's financial
well-being. While Gorham's population comprises
only 5.8% of the Portland MSA, it is the sixth
largest community and makes a substantial
contribution to the regional economy. |
| |
| Labor
Force, Employment and Unemployment -
Feb 2008 |
| Area
|
Labor
Force
|
Residents
Employed
|
Unemployed
|
%
of Unemployment
|
| Portland
- MSA |
202,024
|
193,514
|
8,510
|
4.2
|
| Gorham |
8,882
|
8,603
|
279
|
3.1
|
| Source:
U.S. Census, Maine Dept. of Labor |
|
|
|
Portland
Labor Market
Gorham accounts for 4.4% of the Portland Labor
Market Area (LMA) which boasted a civilian
labor force of 202,024 as of February 2008..
This LMA is the largest and strongest in Maine
with an unemployment level of 4.2 %, making
it an ideal location for commercial and industrial
development. |
| |
Portland
Area Housing Market
Gorham is included in the Greater Portland
housing market area, which is characterized
by a diversity of units, from old farmhouses
in the country, to condominiums in more urban
locales. In 2000, there were 110,764 units
in the Portland MSA, reflecting an increase
well above the state average. Gorham contributed
to 4.6% of the MSA market and also experienced
rapid growth with a 24% increase between 1990
and 2000. |
| |
| Total
Housing Units - All Types 1990-2000 |
| |
1990
|
2000
|
Change
1990 - 2000
|
%
Change 1990-2000
|
| Maine |
587,045
|
651,901
|
64,856
|
11.0
|
| Portland
MSA |
96,297
|
110,764
|
14,467
|
15.0
|
| Gorham |
4,048
|
5,051
|
1,003
|
24.8
|
| Source:
U.S. Census, 1990, 2000 |
|
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Regional
Commuter Data
Accessibility by automobile between Portland
and Gorham has created a commuting corridor.
2000 census data reveals that 62% of people
who commute to Gorham to work live in the
Portland MSA. |
| Commuters
to Gorham-2000 |
| Area
|
%
of Commuters Who Work in Gorham
|
| Buxton |
217
|
| Portland |
425
|
| Westbrook |
225
|
| Standish |
303
|
| Windham |
268
|
| Statewide |
|
|
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Recreational
and Cultural Amenities
Gorham's convenient location to the Portland
area allows the Town to benefit from a network
of unique parks and recreation opportunities
all reached within easy driving distance.
Aside from local and state parks, an abundant
number of locations to ski, boat and camp
exist in the immediate area. The Portland
metropolitan area also provides the greatest
amount of cultural resources in the state,
with regular theater, music and dance performances,
as well as a wide array of historical sites. |
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