Cumberland, Maryland Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Cumberland, Maryland had a total population of 18,804, the 72nd largest city in Maryland, with a median household income of $48,162, which is 54% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 25.1%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- Household income is 54% below the state average, indicating significant economic challenges.
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (25.1%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
Cumberland Quick Facts
How Cumberland Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 18,938 | 18,804 | -0.7% |
| Median household income | $47,819 | $48,162 | +0.7% |
| Median home value | $120,800 | $123,200 | +2.0% |
How Cumberland Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 68 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Cumberland Rankings in Maryland
Explore Maryland Rankings
Other Cities in Allegany County
| City | Population | Median Income | Poverty | Home Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Frostburg | 6,977 | $52,977 | 28.8% | $181,700 |
| Cresaptown | 5,121 | $68,370 | 3.3% | $142,600 |
| La Vale | 4,196 | $77,500 | 4.6% | $170,800 |
| Bel Air | 1,837 | $97,685 | 0.2% | $195,700 |
| Westernport | 1,588 | $47,688 | 22.2% | $86,300 |
| Bowmans Addition | 1,102 | $82,475 | 29.0% | $187,300 |
| Potomac Park | 978 | $53,221 | 17.3% | $139,400 |
| Bowling Green | 966 | $76,140 | 7.7% | $132,000 |
| Lonaconing | 889 | $54,250 | 20.9% | $89,400 |
| Eckhart Mines | 670 | $64,100 | 2.5% | $182,700 |
Cities Similar to Cumberland
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glassmanor | 16,981 | $66,327 | $351,000 | 20.8% | 14.7% |
| Elkton | 15,910 | $58,640 | $293,400 | 21.6% | 20.1% |
| East Riverdale | 18,336 | $81,831 | $361,400 | 15.1% | 24.0% |
| Easton | 17,308 | $74,653 | $358,900 | 38.0% | 11.0% |
| Aberdeen | 17,298 | $74,826 | $261,400 | 25.6% | 14.3% |
Population Overview
Cumberland is a small city located in Maryland, within Allegany County. The total population is 18,804. It ranks as the 72nd most populous out of 527 Census-designated places in Maryland.
Age Demographics
The median age in Cumberland is 41.1 years. This is 4% higher than the state median of 39.4 years. 11.9% of residents are 75 or older, suggesting a significant retirement-age population with implications for healthcare services and senior housing.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Cumberland is $48,162. This is 54% lower than the state median of $103,678. It is also 40% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 25.1%. This is 166% higher than the state poverty rate of 9.4%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 6.3%. This is 29% higher than the state rate of 4.9%. The median home value is $123,200. Housing costs are 71% lower than the state median of $419,900. With a home-value-to-income ratio of just 2.6x, Cumberland is one of the most affordable housing markets in the area. 60.0% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 11% lower than the state average of 67.6%.
Race & Ethnicity
Cumberland has a predominantly White (non-Hispanic) population, comprising 85.3% of all residents. Black or African American residents account for 4.1%. The White (non-Hispanic) population is significantly higher than the state average (85.3% vs 46.6%). The Black or African American population (4.1%) is well below the state average of 28.9%. The Hispanic or Latino population (2.5%) is well below the state average of 12.5%. The Asian population (0.7%) is well below the state average of 6.5%.
Education
22.7% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This is 48% lower than the state rate of 43.5%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 91.0%.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Cumberland, Maryland is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Maryland state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 527 Census-designated places in Maryland. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Cumberland, Maryland?
Cumberland, Maryland has a population of 18,804 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Cumberland, MD?
The median household income in Cumberland is $48,162, which is 40% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Cumberland, MD?
The poverty rate in Cumberland is 25.1%. This means approximately 4,552 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Cumberland, Maryland?
Cumberland's population is 85.3% White, 4.1% Black, 2.5% Hispanic/Latino, and 0.7% Asian.
What is the median home value in Cumberland, MD?
The median home value in Cumberland is $123,200. The home-value-to-income ratio is 2.6x.
How educated is Cumberland, Maryland?
22.7% of adults (25+) in Cumberland hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 10.1% hold a graduate or professional degree.