Cumberland is a city located in Allegany County, Maryland. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 21,518. It is the county seat of Allegany County.
Cumberland is located in the Ridge-and-valley Appalachians at 39°38'52" North, 78°45'46" West (39.647687, -78.762869). Interstate 68 runs through the city in an east/west direction. U.S. Highway 220 runs north/south.
The abandoned Chesapeake and Ohio Canal has its Western Terminus here, and it is possible to travel by foot or on bike from here to Washington, D.C. along the canal towpath - a distance of roughly 185 miles.
The north branch of the Potomac River, including, Wills Creek bisects the city.
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 23.5 km2 (9.1 mi2). 23.5 km2 (9.1 mi2) of it is land and 0.11% is water.
This was the terminus, and namesake, of the Cumberland Road.
As of the census of 2000, there are 21,518 people, 9,538 households, and 5,436 families residing in the city. The population density is 916.0/km2 (2,372.7/mi2). There are 11,143 housing units at an average density of 474.3/km2 (1,228.7/mi2). The racial makeup of the city is 92.54% White, 5.06% African American, 0.26% Native American, 0.61% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.26% from other races, and 1.24% from two or more races. 0.70% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 9,538 households out of which 25.1% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% are married couples living together, 13.8% have a female householder with no husband present, and 43.0% are non-families. 37.8% of all households are made up of individuals and 18.5% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The average household size is 2.20 and the average family size is 2.90.
City residents have an older demographic profile than the U.S. 22.7% is under the age of 18, 8.2% is from 18 to 24, 25.1% is from 25 to 44, 23.3% is from 45 to 64, and 20.7% is 65 years of age or older. The median age is 41 years compared to a U.S. average of 35.3. Females outnumber males. For every 100 females there are 86.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city is $25,142, and the median income for a family is $34,500. Males have a median income of $29,484 versus $20,004 for females. The per capita income for the city is $15,813. 19.8% of the population and 15.3% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 29.4% of those under the age of 18 and 10.3% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line. The family poverty rate is among the highest in the state of Maryland, exceeded only by Baltimore City and Salisbury among the ten largest cities.
According to the 2000 Census, educational achievement levels of the city residents lag behind those of Allegany County and the state of Maryland. High school diploma attainment figures for residents 25 years of age and older are lower than the state average (83.8%), with Allegany County at 79.9% and Cumberland at 79.3%. Furthermore, only 13.0% of city residents 25 years of age and older hold at least an undergraduate degree. The comparable figures for Allegany County and Maryland residents are 14.1% and 31.4% respectively.
Cumberland is named after the son of British King George II, William Augustus, the Duke of Cumberland. It is built on the site of the old Fort Cumberland, a launch pad for British General Edward Braddock's ill-fated attack on the French stong-hold of Fort Duquesne (located on the site of present day Pittsburgh) during the French and Indian War. It was also an outpost of Colonel George Washington during the French and Indian War and his first military headquarters was built here. Washington later returned to Cumberland as President in 1794 to review troops that had been assembled to thwart the Whiskey Rebellion.
During the Civil War Cumberland was a union stronghold and troops were garrisoned there to protect the Baltimore & Ohio Railroad. Confederate raiders routinely raided the city and in one daring raid by McNeill's Rangers kidnapped two Union generals, including General George Crook.
Cumberland was a key road, railroad and canal junction during the 1800s and at one time the second largest city in Maryland (second to the port city of Baltimore--hence its nickname "The Queen City"). The surrounding hillsides provided coal, iron ore, and timber that helped supply the industrial revolution. In addition, the city was a major manufacturing center, with industries in glass, breweries, fabrics, and tinplate. However, following World War II, it began to lose much of its industrial importance and its population declined from 39,483 residents in the 1940 census to fewer than 22,000 today. Similar to other communities it resembles in the Monongahela Valley Industrial region of southwestern Pennsylvania, the city continues to struggle with the challenges of transitioning to a post-industrial economy.
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Cumberland, MD
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