The Town of Cumberland was one of five towns received from Massachusetts by Royal Decree. Cumberland was known as Attleboro Gore until 1746, when it was incorporated in Rhode Island as the Town of Cumberland. Cumberland was named in honor of William, the Duke of Cumberland. Cumberland early industrial growth centered around the abundant water power of the Blackstone and Abbott Run Rivers. Minerals such as iron and copper were once mined in Cumberland. Cumberland was once known as the mineral deposit of New England because of the extensive mineral deposits within its border. Several shafts over one hundred years old are still visible, but mineral deposits are no longer commercially mined. Today, manufacturing and retail trade are the largest sources of income in Cumberland. The continued industrial and commercial growth has contributed greatly to the Cumberland tax base. Cumberland still retains its early rural charm even with the steady growth in industry, commerce and population. Cumberland country atmosphere, convenient location, and continued growth make Cumberland an excellent choice for residence and business interests.
Government in Cumberland, Rhode Island
Cumberland was Established in 1746, Incorporated in 1746 Cumberland Form of Government: Mayor and seven member Town Council. Cumberland Council Meetings: The first and third Wednesday of each month. First Wednesday-Board of License Commissioners. Cumberland Fiscal Year Begins: July 1
Cumberland Town Hall 45 Broad Street Cumberland, Rhode Island 02864 FAX: 724-3311 Hours: 8:30am - 4:30 pm*, Summer: 9:00 am-4:00 pm *First and Third Wednesdays: 8:30 to 7:00 PM
Cumberland General Demographic Characteristics
Cumberland Population: The population count for The Town of Cumberland as of April 1, 2005, was 31,840. This represented a 9.65% increase (2,802 persons) from the 1990 population of 29,038.
Cumberland Rank: In 2005 Cumberland ranks 9th in population among Rhode Island's 39 cities and towns.
Cumberland Median Age: In 2005 the median age of the population in Cumberland was 39.3.
Cumberland Age Distribution: In 2005, 75.8% or 24,150 persons residing in Cumberland were 18 years of age or older. 23,245 were 21 and over, 5,914 were 62 and over, and 5,098 were 65 and over.
Cumberland Population Density: The 2005 population density of Cumberland is 1,188 persons per square mile of land area. Cumberland contains 26.79 square miles of land area (69,391,007 Sq. meters) (17,147.02 acres) and 1.46 square miles of water area (3,771,463 square meters) (934.4 acres).
Cumberland Housing Units: The total number of housing units in the The Town of Cumberland as of April 1, 2005, was 12,572. This represented an increase of 1,355 units from the 11,217 housing units in 1990. Of the 12,572 housing units 374 were vacant. 36 of the vacant units were for seasonal of recreational use.
Cumberland Households: In 2005, there are 12,198 households in Cumberland with an average size of 2.59 persons. Of these, 9,034 were family households with an average family size of 3.05 persons.
Cumberland Race: >Cumberland Total Population of One Race: 31,547 >Cumberland White Population: 30,803 >Cumberland Black of African American: 180 >Cumberland American Indian and Alaska Native: 25 >Cumberland Asian Population: 264 >Cumberland Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander: 8 >Some Other Race in Cumberland : 267 >Cumberland Total Population of two or More Races: 293 >Cumberland Hispanic or Latino: In 2005, 667 persons of Hispanic origin resided in Cumberland. This represented 2.1% of the population. An increase of 227 or 51.6% from the 1980 Hispanic population of 440. Cumberland, Rhode Island Official Web Site
