As of the census of 2000, there were 21,518 people, 9,538 households, and 5,436 families residing in the city. The population density was 2,372.7 people per square mile (916.0/km). There were 11,143 housing units at an average density of 1,228.7/sq mi (474.3/km). The racial makeup of the city was 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. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.70% of the population.
There were 9,538 households out of which 25.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 39.7% were married couples living together, 13.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 43.0% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals and 18.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.20 and the average family size was 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 were 81.3 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $25,142, and the median income for a family was $34,500. Males had a median income of $29,484 versus $20,004 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,813. About 15.3% of families and 19.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 29.4% of those under age 18 and 10.3% of those age 65 or over. The Cumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area ranked 305th out of 318 metropolitan areas in per capita income.
In 2007, Forbes ranks the Cumberland Metro as having the 6th lowest cost of living in the country based on an index of cost of housing, utilities, transportation and other expenditures
In 2007, The Baltimore Sun newspaper citing the National Association of Realtors figures on home prices stated that while most areas currently stagnant, Cumberland home prices are rising by more than 17%, the highest in the country. (The Sun, 06/29/07)
In July 2007, Washington Post writer Stephanie Cavanaugh wrote that the great quality of living in Cumberland has attracted many urbanities to the area. (07/14/2007, Real Estate Section)
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.
Ancestries are:
Population decline from 1950-1990 was due to a string of industrial plant closures. The 1987 closure of the Kelly Springfield Tire Plant marks a turning point, as the last major manufacturing plant in the city limits to close its doors.
The year 2004 marked the first year in several decades where the population of Cumberland actually increased year-over-year by 0.61 percent. Today, the population of the Cumberland area has stabilized with a 0.02% change in the County's population from 1990 to 2000. A small decline in city's population occurred between 1990 and 2000 and again between 2000 and 2005.
References:
The primary public transportation in the City of Cumberland is bus service provided by Allegany County Transit. This service is fairly extensive, consisting of five scheduled routes that reach most areas of the City and providing access to most public facilities. The bus depot is located in the South End to the west of Virginia Avenue on Lafayette Avenue. The Allegany County Transit Authority also serves LaVale, Frostburg, Lonaconing, Mt. Savage, and Cresaptown.
Cumberland's roadway system consists of a series of interconnected grids defined by natural and man-made barriers including steep slopes, the Potomac River, Wills Creek, rail lines, and I-68. Originally developed for a larger population than currently lives in Cumberland, the overall system is generally adequate to accommodate existing levels of traffic. Major highway arteries serving the Cumberland area include:
Amtrak, the national passenger rail system, provides intercity service to Cumberland over the Capitol Limited rail line, which connects Washington, D.C. to Chicago, Illinois. The Cumberland Amtrak Station is located downtown at Queen City Drive and East Harrison Street.
Cumberland is almost equidistant from four major airports: Washington National Airport, Dulles International Airport, Baltimore Washington International Airport, and Pittsburgh International Airport, all of which are at least two and one-half hours by car from the city. The Greater Cumberland Regional Airport (Airport-ID: CBE) provides local air transportation to the Cumberland area. The airport is located in West Virginia, to the south of the Potomac River, which forms the boundary between the City of Cumberland and Mineral County, West Virginia. Formerly owned by the City of Cumberland, the airport is now owned and operated by a bi-state intergovernmental airport authority whose members are four representatives from West Virginia and five from Maryland. In addition, Mexico Farms Airport (Airport-ID: 1W3) is also located in Cumberland.