Portland, Maine

Portland is the biggest city in the U.S. state of Maine. In 2020, about 68,408 people lived there. The area around Portland has about 550,000 people, making it the largest area in Maine. It is also the county seat of Cumberland County.

The city started in the early 1600s as part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. It grew to become an important port in New England. Portland was officially founded in 1786 and was named after the English Isle of Portland. Another city, Portland, Oregon, was later named after this place.

Portland has many interesting places to see, like the historic Old Port district with its old cobblestone streets and warehouses. There is also the Victoria Mansion, a beautiful large home from a time long ago, and the Portland Museum of Art, the biggest and oldest art museum in the state. Today, the area is growing as a place for creative work.

History

Main article: History of Portland, Maine

For a chronological guide, see Timeline of Portland, Maine.

The original Algonquin-speaking Eastern Abenaki people called the Portland peninsula Machigonne ("great neck"). It is also called Məkíhkanək ("at the fish hook") in Penobscot.

The first European settler was Christopher Levett, an English naval captain granted land in 1623 to start a settlement in Casco Bay. He built a stone house and left ten men, but the settlement did not succeed. The explorer returned to England and never came back. Fort Levett in the harbor is named for him.

The peninsula was settled in 1632 as a fishing and trading village named Casco. When the Massachusetts Bay Colony took over in 1658, the town's name changed to Falmouth. In 1676, the village was destroyed by the Abenaki during King Philip's War but was rebuilt. During King William's War, it was attacked and destroyed again in the Battle of Fort Loyal in 1690.

On October 18, 1775, Falmouth was burned by the Royal Navy. After the war, a part of Falmouth called The Neck grew as a busy port. In 1786, people there formed a new town and named it Portland, after the Isle of Portland in England.

Portland faced hard times during the Embargo Act of 1807 and the War of 1812. In 1820, Maine became a state with Portland as its capital, but the capital moved to Augusta in 1832.

In 1853, Portland became an important port for Canadian exports after a railway was completed. The Portland Company made many steam locomotives in the 1800s. Portland was a center for railroads in the early 1900s.

In 1863, a Confederate raiding party entered Portland harbor during the Civil War. The 1866 Great Fire of Portland, Maine destroyed many buildings and left many people without homes.

Portland annexed the city of Deering in 1899, growing larger. In the 1960s, parts of the city were changed to build roads, moving many families. A big shopping center, The Maine Mall, opened in nearby South Portland in 1971, affecting downtown. Later, tourists and new businesses helped revive the old seaport area known as the Old Port.

Since the 1990s, the Bayside neighborhood has grown quickly, with new shops and schools. Other areas like India Street and Munjoy Hill are also developing. Universities are expanding, bringing more students to the city. Portland is known for being easy to walk around, with many tours about its history.

Geography

Portland is a city on a peninsula in Casco Bay, part of the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean. It borders South Portland, Westbrook, and Falmouth.

The city has a humid continental climate. This means it has cold, snowy winters and warm summers. Winter temperatures can drop below freezing, and summer temperatures can reach around 80°F. Portland sometimes has strong winter storms called nor'easters. These storms bring heavy snow and wind. The city also faces rising sea levels due to global warming, which can be a problem for the area.

Portland has many neighborhoods, each with its own local groups that work with the city government. Some well-known neighborhoods are the Arts District, Bayside, Downtown, the Old Port, and the West End. In recent years, some areas have seen higher rent, which has affected many people.

Demographics

Portland is the largest city in Maine. In 2020, the city had 68,408 people. The area around Portland has about 550,000 people, making it the biggest group of people in Maine.

In 2010, most people in Portland were White, with smaller groups of African American, Native American, Asian, and people from other backgrounds. By 2020, the city stayed mostly non-Hispanic white. Many people in Portland have finished college, with about 40.7% having a bachelor's degree or more.

In 2020, the average age in Portland was 37.6 years. About 15.4% of people were younger than 18, and 16.4% were 65 or older. There were slightly fewer males than females in the city.

Portland has had trouble with housing costs. Since the early 2000s, rising prices have made it hard for many people to afford to live in their neighborhoods. In recent years, the city has tried to help with housing, such as requiring new buildings to include some affordable homes and putting limits on how much rent can go up each year.

Racial and ethnic composition

Race and ethnicity composition of Portland, Maine

2020 census

As of the 2020 census, Portland had a population of 68,408. The median age was 37.6 years. 15.4% of residents were under the age of 18 and 16.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 94.2 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 92.1 males age 18 and over.

98.4% of residents lived in urban areas, while 1.6% lived in rural areas.

There were 32,400 households in Portland, of which 18.2% had children under the age of 18 living in them. Of all households, 31.5% were married-couple households, 24.4% were households with a male householder and no spouse or partner present, and 33.5% were households with a female householder and no spouse or partner present. About 40.4% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older.

There were 35,747 housing units, of which 9.4% were vacant. The homeowner vacancy rate was 0.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 4.1%.

2010 census

As of the census of 2010, there were 66,194 people, 30,725 households, and 13,324 families residing in the city. The population density was 3,106.2/sq mi (1,199.3/km²). There were 33,836 housing units at an average density of 1,587.8/sq mi (613.1/km²), with homeownership rates at approximately 45%.

In 2010, there were 30,725 households, of which 20.7% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 29.7% were married couples living together, 10.1% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.6% had a male householder with no wife present, and 56.6% were non-families. 40.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.4% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.88.

The median age in the city was 36.7 years. 17.1% of residents were under the age of 18; 11.4% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 33.1% were from 25 to 44; 25.9% were from 45 to 64; and 12.6% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 48.8% male and 51.2% female.

2000 census

In 2000, the median income for a household in the city was $35,650, and the median income for a family was $48,763. Males had a median income of $31,828 versus $27,173 for females. The per capita income for the city was $22,698. About 9.7% of families and 14.1% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.5% of those under age 18 and 11.9% of those age 65 or over.

Households and income

Portland has had trouble with housing costs since the early 2000s. From the early 2000s, many neighborhoods have faced gentrification, causing many local residents to be "priced out" of their neighborhoods.

In November 2020, Portland voters approved the "Green New Deal" referendum, which included inclusionary zoning requirements. Voters also approved a rent control ordinance.

Portland has responded to Maine's 2022 statewide housing law. In December 2023, the city council voted to allow up to four units on residential lots. The city has set a goal to build 256 new housing units per year from 2017 through 2027 and is on track to exceed this target.

According to the 2023 American Community Survey's one-year estimates, its per capita income increased to $55,571. The median household income was $83,399 and roughly 8.7% of the population lived at or below the poverty line.

Economy

Portland is the economic center of Maine because it has the state's largest port and population, and it is close to Boston, which is about 105 miles away. Over time, the city's economy has changed from fishing, manufacturing, and farming to more services. Many big banks and financial companies, like Bank of America and Key Bank, have their Maine offices in Portland. Companies such as Unum, Covetrus, TruChoice Federal Credit Union, M&T Bank, and Pioneer Telephone are based there. Nearby cities like South Portland, Westbrook, and Scarborough are home to other businesses, including IDEXX and WEX Inc.

The city's port is growing again, and in early 2016, the first container train left the new International Marine Terminal with fifteen containers of locally made bottled water. In January 2020, Portland was chosen to host a new research institute focused on artificial intelligence and machine learning, led by Northeastern University. Portland also has many companies that provide subsidized housing.

Arts and culture

Portland has a long history in the arts. In the early 1800s, it was a big cultural center, like Boston and New York. Famous people like poet Henry Wadsworth Longfellow started their careers here. Today, Portland has a monthly First Friday Art Walk. It draws many visitors.

Sites of interest

The Arts District is on Congress Street. It has important places like the Portland Museum of Art, Portland Stage Company, and the Portland Public Library. The area also has parks like Baxter Boulevard, Deering Oaks Park, and the Eastern Promenade.

Notable buildings

Portland has many old buildings. One is the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception, known for its tall spire. The Time and Temperature Building on Congress Street is famous for its big sign that shows the time and temperature. The Westin Portland Harborview is a well-known hotel downtown.

Media

Portland has one daily newspaper, The Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram, and many radio and TV stations. The city’s media market is the largest in Maine. It serves radio and TV audiences.

Historical newspapers

Portland once had many newspapers. These included The Pleasure Boat, Eastern Argus, and The Portland Daily Sun.

Traditions

Valentine's Day Phantom

Since 1976, the Valentine's Day Phantom has put up hearts around the city each February. In 1986, the U.S. Coast Guard almost caught a boat with the Phantom, but it reached Fort Gorges to put up a heart banner. The tradition continues today, with a charity helping to keep it alive.

First Friday Art Walk

The First Friday Art Walk began in 2000. Gallery owners opened their doors from 5 to 8 p.m. on the first Friday of each month. It became very popular and almost turned into a festival with street performers and vendors.

Food and beverage

Downtown Portland has many places to eat and drink, and you can find more all over the city. You might see food trucks and carts on streets, at festivals, and near breweries, mostly in the summer but some are open all year.

Portland is famous for its tasty food. It has been on TV shows like Rachael Ray's $40 a Day and the Travel Channel's Man v. Food. In 2018, Bon Appetit named Portland the Restaurant City of the Year.

The city has many places to enjoy drinks, like juice bars, coffee shops, tea houses, and spots that make their own beer and spirits. Portland is proud of its clean tap water, which comes from Sebago Lake and doesn’t need extra cleaning.

Portland has many farmers' markets and over 200 restaurants with vegetarian meals. The city holds many food festivals all year, celebrating different foods and local products.

Since 1768, the Portland Farmers Market has been a tradition. Portland has a long history of food businesses, like making canned corn and creating the Maine Italian sandwich. Over the years, many well-known restaurants and bakeries have opened, making the food scene very lively.

Sports

Portland is home to several minor league sports teams. The Portland Sea Dogs, a team linked with the Boston Red Sox, play baseball at Hadlock Field. The Maine Celtics, connected to the Boston Celtics, play basketball at the Portland Exposition Building. The Maine Mariners play hockey at Cross Insurance Arena. In 2023, Portland was granted a soccer team called the Portland Hearts of Pine, which will start playing in 2025.

Portland also has other sports teams, like the Portland Rugby Football Club. There are teams for bowling, Australian rules football, and women's ultimate frisbee, too. In 2024, Portland was named the best minor league sports city in America.

Portland has many places to watch and play sports. The Portland Sports Complex includes Hadlock Field for baseball, Fitzpatrick Stadium for many outdoor sports, the Portland Exposition Building for basketball and other indoor events, and the Portland Ice Arena for hockey. Cross Insurance Arena has seating for many people. The city also has many golf courses, tennis courts, playgrounds, and miles of trails for walking and running. Each October, Portland hosts the Maine Marathon.

Parks and recreation

Portland has many green spaces and parks covering more than 700 acres. Some popular ones are the Eastern Promenade, Western Promenade, and Deering Oaks. There are also 70 miles of trails connecting the city and nearby areas, kept up by a group called Portland Trails.

The city uses natural ways to care for its parks and gardens, avoiding certain chemicals since 2018. In 2020, it got help to start using organic methods at Fox Field in Kennedy Park.

Government

Portland has a council-manager style of government. The people elect a nine-member city council. The council makes rules, approves spending, hires the city manager, and watches over the city’s government.

Five areas of the city each elect one council member for three years. Four other council members are elected by all of Portland. Since 2011, the people of Portland elect the mayor directly. The mayor serves a four-year term. A city manager, chosen by the council, runs the city’s day-to-day work and prepares budgets.

There is also a school board for the Portland Public School system, chosen in a similar way to the city council. There are many other smaller groups that help with special topics, chosen by city council members.

Voter registration

Education

See also: Portland Public Schools and List of Portland, Maine schools

Portland has many schools, both public and private. The private Portland Academy began in 1794, and Portland High School, a public school, started in 1821. Many more schools opened later, like the Maine College of Art in 1882 and Waynflete in 1898.

Portland has several high schools and colleges. Some high schools are Baxter Academy for Technology and Science, Cheverus High School, Deering High School, Portland High School, and Waynflete School. Colleges and universities include the Maine College of Art, Roux Institute, University of New England, and the University of Southern Maine.

Infrastructure

Fire department

The Portland Fire Department gives fire protection and emergency medical services to the city. It started on March 29, 1768, and has more than 230 firefighters. They work from seven fire stations in the city and also have stations on Peaks Island, Great Diamond Island, Cushing Island, and Cliff Island. There is also a station at the Portland International Jetport and another at 54 Commercial St. for marine services.

Police

The Portland Police Department is the biggest police force in Maine.

Hospitals

Maine Medical Center is the biggest hospital in Maine and the state’s only Level I trauma center.

Mercy Hospital is the fourth biggest hospital in Maine. It finished building a new campus along the Fore River in 2008.

Wastewater management

One wastewater project, called the Bedford Street Sewer Separation, helps improve water quality in Back Cove by reducing overflows during heavy rain. It uses sewer separation and water treatment devices.

The East End Treatment Plant started in 1979 and is near Tukey's Bridge.

Transportation

Roads

See also: Portland Transportation Center and Ocean Gateway International Marine Passenger Terminal

Portland can be reached from I-95 (the Maine Turnpike), I-295, and US 1. U.S. Route 302 ends in Portland and connects to Vermont. State routes nearby include SR 9, SR 22, SR 25, SR 26, SR 77, and SR 100. SR 25 Business goes through southwestern Portland.

Intercity buses and trains

Amtrak’s Downeaster service runs five daily trains from the city’s station to eight towns and cities south, ending in Boston’s North Station. The trains also go to Freeport and Brunswick to the north.

Concord Coach Lines buses connect Portland to 14 communities in Maine, and also to Boston’s South Station and Logan Airport. Both the Downeaster and Concord Coach Lines leave from the Portland Transportation Center on Thompsons Point Road, in the Libbytown neighborhood.

Local bus service

See also: METRO Pulse (bus station)

Local bus service is given by Greater Portland Metro, with connections to Biddeford Saco Old Orchard Beach Transit.

Airports

Commercial flights go from the Portland International Jetport (PWM), west of downtown. Airlines serving the airport include American, Southwest, JetBlue, Breeze Airways, Sun Country, Delta, and United. Direct flights go to many cities.

Water transportation

The Port of Portland is the second-biggest cruise and passenger place in Maine, after Bar Harbor. It has the Ocean Gateway International Marine Passenger Terminal. Ferries run all year to many places in Casco Bay.

The Casco Bay Lines run several passenger ferries each day to the main islands in Casco Bay. The service to Peaks Island also includes an auto ferry on most days.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Portland, Maine

Portland, Maine, has been home to many famous people. Some of them have done important work in areas like arts, science, and public service. The city is still a place where interesting and successful people live and work.

Sister cities

Portland has special friends called sister cities around the world. These cities work together to share ideas and help each other. Portland's sister cities are Arkhangelsk in Russia, Cap-Haïtien in Haiti, Garissa Township in Kenya, Mytilene in Greece, and Shinagawa (Tokyo) in Japan.