Long Island, Maine
Encyclopedia
Long Island is an island town in Cumberland County
, Maine
, United States
, which seceded from the city of Portland
in 1993. The population was 202 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland
–Biddeford
, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area
.
, the town has a total area of 10.4 square miles (26.9 km²), of which, 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it is land and 9 square miles (23.3 km²) of it (86.24%) is water.
of 2000, there were 202 people, 93 households, and 61 families residing in the town. The population density
was 141.2 people per square mile (54.5/km²). There were 353 housing units at an average density of 246.8 per square mile (95.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.03% White, 0.99% Asian, and 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.
There were 93 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples
living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.70.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,833, and the median income for a family was $43,214. Males had a median income of $28,125 versus $28,750 for females. The per capita income
for the town was $15,278. About 10.0% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under the age of eighteen and 11.1% of those sixty five or over.
The total population of 202 only includes year-round residents. A significant number of seasonal residents causes the population to swell to over 700 during the summer. There are 175 registered voters on Long Island.
Long Island maintains its own elementary school from grades K-5, but sends students to the City of Portland for schooling from grades 6 through 12.
islands, was originally inhabited in the warm months by Native Americans
until Europe
an settlers first arrived in the 17th century. Col. Ezekiel Cushing purchased the island in 1732 and is credited with being the first European to settle and build a house on the island. He died in 1765, and willed the island to his nine surviving children. Soon after, other settlers arrived to make a livelihood out of farming, fishing, and catching lobsters
.
During World War II
, supply stations and army buildings were constructed on the island to add to Casco Bay’s defenses in the event of an Axis powers
attack. This included a fuel annex, which is often cited as a source of contamination for both the island's marsh and Casco Bay.
After the war, tourism became the most popular industry, and several small stores, a fire station, and a K-5 school (1953) were built. In the summer, several hundreds or even thousands of tourists travel from places such as Massachusetts and New York to vacation in their summer cottages.
The island was originally part of the City of Portland
, which re-evaluated property taxes in 1990. Due in part to high real estate prices paid by out-of-state residents and property aesthetic values, property taxes increased substantially. Many residents, although dependent upon Portland for jobs, medical care, transportation and education, felt this move created an unfair discrepancy between the money paid to the City of Portland and the services they received in return. The island voted to secede from Portland, and on July 1, 1993, the island was declared the Town of Long Island. The Long Island Historical Society now houses every news article that was printed about the secession movement as well as video and film footage of the secession ceremonies. These archives also include copies of the local and national news coverage given to the community during its "rebellion."
. Popular attractions include South Beach (also known as Sandy Beach) and its "singing sands" (note that there are two beaches: one is state owned, and the other is private. If you venture to the private beach, please respect the posted rules). Another beach is Fowler's Beach, located on the western end of Long Island, although this is commonly reserved for residents of the island. Popular hiking areas of the island include the town's Conservation Area, often referred to as "The Area" and the back shore rocks, located toward the East End.
Independence Day is considered the "best day" to be on the island, as residents and visitors come to the island from all over the nation. The day includes a parade of floats, the vehicles of the Volunteer Fire Department, a Mr. and Ms. Town of Long Island election and an award ceremony for the most creative floats.
Cumberland County, Maine
Cumberland County is a county located in the U.S. state of Maine. As of 2010, the population was 281,674. Its county seat is Portland, and is the most populous of the sixteen Maine counties, as well as the most affluent. Cumberland County has the deepest and second largest body of water in the...
, Maine
Maine
Maine is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States, bordered by the Atlantic Ocean to the east and south, New Hampshire to the west, and the Canadian provinces of Quebec to the northwest and New Brunswick to the northeast. Maine is both the northernmost and easternmost...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
, which seceded from the city of Portland
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
in 1993. The population was 202 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland
South Portland, Maine
South Portland is a city in Cumberland County, Maine, United States, and is the fourth-largest city in the state. Founded in 1895, as of the 2010 census, the city population was 25,002. Known for its working waterfront, South Portland is situated on Portland Harbor and overlooks the skyline of...
–Biddeford
Biddeford, Maine
Biddeford is a town in York County, Maine, United States. It is the largest town in the county, and is the sixth-largest in the state. It is the most southerly incorporated town in the state and the principal commercial center of York County. The population was 21,277 at the 2010 census...
, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area
Portland-South Portland-Biddeford metropolitan area
The Portland–South Portland–Biddeford Metropolitan Statistical Area, also known as Greater Portland, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of three counties in Maine, anchored by the city of Portland and the smaller cities of South Portland and Biddeford...
.
Geography
According to the United States Census BureauUnited States Census Bureau
The United States Census Bureau is the government agency that is responsible for the United States Census. It also gathers other national demographic and economic data...
, the town has a total area of 10.4 square miles (26.9 km²), of which, 1.4 square miles (3.6 km²) of it is land and 9 square miles (23.3 km²) of it (86.24%) is water.
Demographics
As of the censusCensus
A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring and recording information about the members of a given population. It is a regularly occurring and official count of a particular population. The term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common...
of 2000, there were 202 people, 93 households, and 61 families residing in the town. The population density
Population density
Population density is a measurement of population per unit area or unit volume. It is frequently applied to living organisms, and particularly to humans...
was 141.2 people per square mile (54.5/km²). There were 353 housing units at an average density of 246.8 per square mile (95.3/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 97.03% White, 0.99% Asian, and 1.98% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.50% of the population.
There were 93 households out of which 31.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 46.2% were married couples
Marriage
Marriage is a social union or legal contract between people that creates kinship. It is an institution in which interpersonal relationships, usually intimate and sexual, are acknowledged in a variety of ways, depending on the culture or subculture in which it is found...
living together, 16.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 34.4% were non-families. 32.3% of all households were made up of individuals and 10.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.17 and the average family size was 2.70.
In the town the population was spread out with 25.2% under the age of 18, 3.5% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 30.2% from 45 to 64, and 18.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 44 years. For every 100 females there were 100.0 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 91.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $35,833, and the median income for a family was $43,214. Males had a median income of $28,125 versus $28,750 for females. The per capita income
Per capita income
Per capita income or income per person is a measure of mean income within an economic aggregate, such as a country or city. It is calculated by taking a measure of all sources of income in the aggregate and dividing it by the total population...
for the town was $15,278. About 10.0% of families and 10.0% of the population were below the poverty line, including 8.6% of those under the age of eighteen and 11.1% of those sixty five or over.
The total population of 202 only includes year-round residents. A significant number of seasonal residents causes the population to swell to over 700 during the summer. There are 175 registered voters on Long Island.
Long Island maintains its own elementary school from grades K-5, but sends students to the City of Portland for schooling from grades 6 through 12.
History
Long Island, like other Casco BayCasco Bay
Casco Bay is an inlet of the Gulf of Maine on the southern coast of Maine, New England, United States. Its easternmost approach is Cape Small and its westernmost approach is Two Lights in Cape Elizabeth...
islands, was originally inhabited in the warm months by Native Americans
Native Americans in the United States
Native Americans in the United States are the indigenous peoples in North America within the boundaries of the present-day continental United States, parts of Alaska, and the island state of Hawaii. They are composed of numerous, distinct tribes, states, and ethnic groups, many of which survive as...
until Europe
Europe
Europe is, by convention, one of the world's seven continents. Comprising the westernmost peninsula of Eurasia, Europe is generally 'divided' from Asia to its east by the watershed divides of the Ural and Caucasus Mountains, the Ural River, the Caspian and Black Seas, and the waterways connecting...
an settlers first arrived in the 17th century. Col. Ezekiel Cushing purchased the island in 1732 and is credited with being the first European to settle and build a house on the island. He died in 1765, and willed the island to his nine surviving children. Soon after, other settlers arrived to make a livelihood out of farming, fishing, and catching lobsters
American lobster
The American lobster, Homarus americanus, is a species of lobster found on the Atlantic coast of North America, chiefly from Labrador to New Jersey. Within North America, it is also known as the northern lobster or Maine lobster. It can reach a body length of , and a mass of over , making it the...
.
During World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
, supply stations and army buildings were constructed on the island to add to Casco Bay’s defenses in the event of an Axis powers
Axis Powers
The Axis powers , also known as the Axis alliance, Axis nations, Axis countries, or just the Axis, was an alignment of great powers during the mid-20th century that fought World War II against the Allies. It began in 1936 with treaties of friendship between Germany and Italy and between Germany and...
attack. This included a fuel annex, which is often cited as a source of contamination for both the island's marsh and Casco Bay.
After the war, tourism became the most popular industry, and several small stores, a fire station, and a K-5 school (1953) were built. In the summer, several hundreds or even thousands of tourists travel from places such as Massachusetts and New York to vacation in their summer cottages.
The island was originally part of the City of Portland
Portland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
, which re-evaluated property taxes in 1990. Due in part to high real estate prices paid by out-of-state residents and property aesthetic values, property taxes increased substantially. Many residents, although dependent upon Portland for jobs, medical care, transportation and education, felt this move created an unfair discrepancy between the money paid to the City of Portland and the services they received in return. The island voted to secede from Portland, and on July 1, 1993, the island was declared the Town of Long Island. The Long Island Historical Society now houses every news article that was printed about the secession movement as well as video and film footage of the secession ceremonies. These archives also include copies of the local and national news coverage given to the community during its "rebellion."
Long Island Today
Long Island is still a popular destination in the summer, and is a 45-minute ferry ride from the City of PortlandPortland, Maine
Portland is the largest city in Maine and is the county seat of Cumberland County. The 2010 city population was 66,194, growing 3 percent since the census of 2000...
. Popular attractions include South Beach (also known as Sandy Beach) and its "singing sands" (note that there are two beaches: one is state owned, and the other is private. If you venture to the private beach, please respect the posted rules). Another beach is Fowler's Beach, located on the western end of Long Island, although this is commonly reserved for residents of the island. Popular hiking areas of the island include the town's Conservation Area, often referred to as "The Area" and the back shore rocks, located toward the East End.
Independence Day is considered the "best day" to be on the island, as residents and visitors come to the island from all over the nation. The day includes a parade of floats, the vehicles of the Volunteer Fire Department, a Mr. and Ms. Town of Long Island election and an award ceremony for the most creative floats.