Long Island, Maine
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| Long Island, Maine | |
  Long Island, Maine
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| Coordinates: | |
|---|---|
| Country | United States |
| State | Maine |
| County | Cumberland |
| Area | |
| - Total | 10.4 sq mi (26.9 km²) |
| - Land | 1.4 sq mi (3.7 km²) |
| - Water | 9.0 sq mi (23.2 km²) |
| Elevation | -3 ft (-1 m) |
| Population (2000) | |
| - Total | 202 |
| - Density | 141.2/sq mi (54.5/km²) |
| Time zone | Eastern (EST) (UTC-5) |
| - Summer (DST) | EDT (UTC-4) |
| ZIP code | 04050 |
| Area code(s) | 207 |
| FIPS code | 23-41067 |
| GNIS feature ID | 1729676 |
Long Island is an island town in Cumberland County, Maine that seceded from the City of Portland in 1993. The population was 202 as of the 2000 census. It is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine Metropolitan Statistical Area.
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[edit] Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 10.4 square miles (26.9 km²), of which, 1.4 square miles (3.7 km²) of it is land and 9.0 square miles (23.2 km²) of it (86.24%) is water.
[edit] Demographics
As of the census[1] 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/sq mi (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.
[edit] History
Long Island, like other Casco Bay islands, was originally inhabited in the warm months by Native Americans until settlers first arrived in the 1600’s. Col. Ezekiel Cushing purchased the island in 1732 and is credited with being the first westerner to settle and build a house on Long 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 WWII, 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."
Long Island is still a popular destination in the summer, and is an approximately 45-minute ferry ride from Portland. Popular attractions include Sandy Beach (also known as South Beach) and its "singing sands." Another beach is Fowler's Beach, located on the western end of Long Island. The Town of Long Island Conservation Area, and the "back shore" rocks on the east end of the island are also well known attractions.
The town has two general stores: the Long Island General Store, and the primary source for groceries, The Boathouse. The town's one restaurant, The Spar, has now closed. There is an inn that is open year-round and which serves dinner The Chestnut Hill Inn. The volunteer-run Long Island Community Library, renovated and expanded in 2000-2005, is open year-round and offers wireless internet access, book discussions, story times, an art gallery and many other services to the community.
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