Cape Elizabeth, Maine
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| Cape Elizabeth, Maine | |
|---|---|
| Name | Cape Elizabeth |
| Settlement type | Town |
| Subdivision type | Country |
| Subdivision name | United States |
| Subdivision type1 | State |
| Subdivision name1 | Maine |
| Subdivision type2 | County |
| Subdivision name2 | Cumberland |
| Established title | Incorporated |
| Established date | 1765 |
| Government type | Council-Manager |
| Leader title | Town Manager |
| Leader name | Matthew Sturgis |
| Area total km2 | 45.00 |
| Area land km2 | 14.87 |
| Area water km2 | 30.13 |
| Population as of | 2020 |
| Population total | 9545 |
| Population density km2 | auto |
| Timezone | Eastern |
| Utc offset | -5 |
| Timezone DST | EDT |
| Utc offset DST | -4 |
| Coordinates | 43, 33, 50, N... |
| Postal code type | ZIP Code |
| Postal code | 04107 |
| Area code | 207 |
| Blank name | FIPS code |
| Blank info | 23-10150 |
| Blank1 name | GNIS feature ID |
| Blank1 info | 0582386 |
| Website | www.capeelizabeth.com |
Cape Elizabeth, Maine, is an affluent coastal town in Cumberland County, Maine, situated on a promontory in Casco Bay just south of the city of Portland, Maine. Renowned for its dramatic rocky coastline, historic lighthouses, and scenic beauty, the town is a popular residential community and tourist destination. Its most famous landmark, Portland Head Light, is the oldest lighthouse in Maine and one of the most photographed in the United States.
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Abenaki people before European exploration, with Samuel de Champlain reportedly naming the cape for Princess Elizabeth Stuart in 1605. Permanent English settlement began in the 1630s as part of the Falmouth settlement, with the town being officially incorporated by the Massachusetts General Court in 1765. During the American Revolutionary War, the Battle of Falmouth (1775) involved local militia, and later, the War of 1812 saw the construction of fortifications at Fort Williams. The 19th century was marked by the establishment of its iconic Portland Head Light, commissioned by President George Washington and first lit in 1791, alongside the development of farming and granite quarrying industries. The town transformed in the 20th century from a rural and summer colony into a prestigious suburb, with significant portions of its coastal land, including Two Lights State Park, being preserved for public use.
Geography
According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 45.00 square miles, of which 14.87 square miles is land and 30.13 square miles is water, giving it extensive frontage on the Gulf of Maine. Its geography is defined by the rocky headland of Cape Elizabeth, featuring prominent points like Richmond Island and Stratton Island, and includes several beaches such as Crescent Beach State Park and Kettle Cove. The town's terrain is a mix of rolling hills, wooded areas, and dramatic coastal bluffs, with its shoreline part of the Atlantic Ocean's rugged New England coast. Major water bodies within its borders include Great Pond and Stroudwater River marshes, and it is bordered by the city of South Portland to the north and the town of Scarborough to the west.
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 9,545, representing a stable, affluent community with a high median household income. The racial makeup is predominantly White, with smaller populations of Asian, Black or African American, and Two or More Races residents. The town is characterized by a high level of educational attainment, with a significant percentage of adults holding a bachelor's degree or higher. Housing in Cape Elizabeth consists largely of single-family homes, with a high median home value reflecting its desirability and coastal location within the Portland metropolitan area.
Government
Cape Elizabeth operates under a Council-Manager form of government, with a seven-member elected Town Council setting policy and an appointed Town Manager overseeing daily operations. The town provides full municipal services, including a professional Police Department and a volunteer Fire Department, and holds its annual Town meeting in a referendum format. For state representation, Cape Elizabeth is part of Maine Senate district 29 and Maine House of Representatives district 32, and at the federal level, it lies within Maine's 1st congressional district.
Education
Public education is administered by the Cape Elizabeth School Department, which operates Cape Elizabeth High School, Cape Elizabeth Middle School, and Pond Cove Elementary School. The district is consistently highly ranked within Maine and nationally, known for strong academic performance and extracurricular programs. Some students may also attend private institutions in the greater Portland area, such as Waynflete School or Cheverus High School, and for higher education, residents have access to nearby University of Southern Maine and University of New England.
Notable people
Notable individuals associated with Cape Elizabeth include author Stephen King, who wrote several novels while residing there; poet Edwin Arlington Robinson; and Nobel Prize-winning chemist Donald J. Cram. Other residents have included Olympic sailor John K. Rousmaniere, Major League Baseball player Mike Bordick, and television journalist Meredith Vieira. The town has also been home to several prominent artists and business leaders drawn to its coastal setting and community.
Category:Towns in Cumberland County, Maine Category:Towns in Maine Category:1765 establishments in Maine