| Long Island, Maine | |||
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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, 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.
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According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 10.4 square miles (27 km2), of which, 1.4 square miles (3.6 km2) of it is land and 9.0 square miles (23 km2) of it (86.24%) is water.
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 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.
Long Island, like other Casco Bay islands, was originally inhabited in the warm months by Native Americans until European 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."
Long Island is still a popular destination in the summer, and is a 45-minute ferry ride from the City of Portland. 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.
The beach called South Beach is approximately 2/3rds public and 1/3rd private, as can be ascertained by looking at the tax map of the island. The 1/3rd at its end that abuts the next beach over belongs to the owners of that next beach, and is properly the Singing Sands beach. South Beach has only recently been referred to as Singing Sands, and this has created a great deal of confusion. Visitors to the last 1/3rd of South Beach or to the private beach are welcome, provided they follow the rules as posted.
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