Portland , Maine - wikipedia Portland , Maine Jump to : navigation , search For other uses , see Portland ( disambiguation ) . Portland , Maine City City of Portland , Maine Clockwise : Portland waterfront , the Portland Observatory on Munjoy Hill , the corner of Middle and Exchange Street in the Old Port , Congress Street , the Civil War Memorial in Monument Square , and winter light sculptures in Congress Square Plaza . Flag Seal Nickname ( s ) : The Forest City , Portland of the East Motto ( s ) : Resurgam ( Latin ) `` I Will Rise Again '' Location in Cumberland County and the state of Maine . Portland , Maine Location in the United States Coordinates : 43 ° 40 ′ N 70 ° 16 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 43.667 ° N 70.267 ° W ﻿ / 43.667 ; - 70.267 Coordinates : 43 ° 40 ′ N 70 ° 16 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 43.667 ° N 70.267 ° W ﻿ / 43.667 ; - 70.267 Country United States State Maine County Cumberland Settled 1632 Incorporated July 4 , 1786 Named for Isle of Portland Government Type City council and city manager City manager Jon Jennings Mayor Ethan Strimling ( D ) Area City 69.44 sq mi ( 179.85 km ) Land 21.31 sq mi ( 55.19 km ) Water 48.13 sq mi ( 124.66 km ) Elevation 62 ft ( 19 m ) Population ( 2010 ) City 66,194 Estimate ( 2016 ) 66,937 Rank US : 519th Density 950 / sq mi ( 370 / km ) Urban 203,914 ( US : 177th ) Metro 519,900 ( US : 104th ) Time zone EST ( UTC - 5 ) Summer ( DST ) EDT ( UTC - 4 ) ZIP codes 04101 , 04102 , 04103 , 04104 , 04108 , 04109 , 04112 , 04116 , 04122 , 04123 , 04124 Area code ( s ) 207 FIPS code 23 - 60545 GNIS feature ID 0573692 Website City of Portland Portland is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine , with a population of 66,937 as of 2016 . This makes it the fourth least populous city in the U.S. to be the most populous in its state . The Greater Portland metropolitan area is home to over half a million people , more than one - third of Maine 's total population . The Old Port district is frequented by tourists , while Portland Head Light is also a destination . The city seal depicts a phoenix rising from ashes , which is a reference to the recoveries from four devastating fires . Portland was named after the English Isle of Portland . The city of Portland , Oregon was named after Portland , Maine . Contents ( hide ) 1 History 2 Geography and climate 3 Neighborhoods 4 Demographics 4.1 2010 census 4.2 2000 census 5 Economy 6 Culture 6.1 Sites of interest 6.1. 1 Public parks 6.1. 2 Notable buildings 6.2 Notable people 7 Media 7.1 Movies filmed in Portland 8 Sports 9 Food and beverage 10 Infrastructure 10.1 Government 10.2 Fire department 10.3 Education 10.3. 1 High schools 10.3. 2 Colleges and universities 10.4 Hospitals 11 Transportation 11.1 Roads 11.2 Intercity buses and trains 11.3 Airports 11.4 Water transportation 12 Honors 12.1 Food and drink 12.2 Lifestyle and travel 12.3 Other 13 Sister cities 14 See also 15 References 16 Further reading 17 External links History ( edit ) Main articles : History of Portland , Maine ; Timeline of Portland , Maine ; and Railroad history of Portland , Maine Fort Casco , Portland , Maine , built by Wolfgang William Romer ; map by Cyprian Southack Native Americans originally called the Portland peninsula Machigonne ( `` Great Neck '' ) . Portland , Maine , was named for the English Isle of Portland , and the city of Portland , Oregon , was in turn named for Portland , Maine . The first European settler was Capt . Christopher Levett , an English naval captain granted 6,000 acres ( 2,400 ha ) in 1623 to found a settlement in Casco Bay . A member of the Council for New England and agent for Ferdinando Gorges , Levett built a stone house where he left a company of ten men , then returned to England and wrote a book about his voyage to drum up support for the settlement . The settlement failed , and the fate of Levett 's colonists is unknown . The explorer sailed from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony to meet John Winthrop in 1630 , but never returned to Maine . Fort Levett in the harbor is named for him . The peninsula was first permanently settled in 1632 as a fishing and trading village named Casco . When the Massachusetts Bay Colony took over Casco Bay in 1658 , the town 's name changed again to Falmouth . In 1676 , the village was destroyed by the Abenaki during King Philip 's War . It was rebuilt . During King William 's War , a raiding party of French and Native allies attacked and largely destroyed it again in the Battle of Fort Loyal ( 1690 ) . Gun recovered from USS Maine on Munjoy Hill On October 18 , 1775 , Falmouth was burned in the Revolution by the Royal Navy under command of Captain Henry Mowat . Longfellow Square ( c. 1906 ) Following the war , a section of Falmouth called The Neck developed as a commercial port and began to grow rapidly as a shipping center . In 1786 , the citizens of Falmouth formed a separate town in Falmouth Neck and named it Portland , after the isle off the coast of Dorset , England . Portland 's economy was greatly stressed by the Embargo Act of 1807 ( prohibition of trade with the British ) , which ended in 1809 , and the War of 1812 , which ended in 1815 . In 1820 , Maine became a state with Portland as its capital . In 1832 , the capital was moved north to Augusta . In 1851 , Maine led the nation by passing the first state law prohibiting the sale of alcohol except for `` medicinal , mechanical or manufacturing purposes . '' The law subsequently became known as the Maine law , as 18 states quickly followed . On June 2 , 1855 , the Portland Rum Riot occurred . In 1853 , upon completion of the Grand Trunk Railway to Montreal , Portland became the primary ice - free winter seaport for Canadian exports . The Portland Company manufactured more than 600 19th - century steam locomotives . Portland became a 20th - century rail hub as five additional rail lines merged into Portland Terminal Company in 1911 . Following nationalization of the Grand Trunk system in 1923 , Canadian export traffic was diverted from Portland to Halifax , Nova Scotia , resulting in marked local economic decline . In the 20th century , icebreakers later enabled ships to reach Montreal in winter , drastically reducing Portland 's role as a winter port for Canada . On June 26 , 1863 , a Confederate raiding party led by Captain Charles Read entered the harbor at Portland and the Battle of Portland Harbor ensued , one of the northernmost battles of the Civil War . The 1866 Great Fire of Portland , Maine , on July 4 , 1866 , ignited during the Independence Day celebration , destroyed most of the commercial buildings in the city , half the churches and hundreds of homes . More than 10,000 people were left homeless . By act of the Maine Legislature in 1899 , Portland annexed the city of Deering , despite a vote by Deering residents rejecting the annexation , thereby greatly increasing the size of the city and opening areas for development beyond the peninsula . The construction of The Maine Mall , an indoor shopping center established in the suburb of South Portland , during the 1970s , economically depressed downtown Portland . The trend reversed when tourists and new businesses started revitalizing the old seaport , a part of which is known locally as the Old Port . Since the 1990s , the historically industrial Bayside neighborhood has seen rapid development , including attracting a Whole Foods and Trader Joes supermarkets . Other rapidly developing neighborhoods include the India Street neighborhood near the Ocean Gateway and Munjoy Hill , where many modern condos have been built . The Maine College of Art has been a revitalizing force downtown , attracting students from around the country . The historic Porteous building on Congress Street was restored by the College . Portland skyline at sunset Geography and climate ( edit ) Aerial view of Portland Deering Oaks Park with fountain and castle pavilion is located at the point where Interstate 295 meets State Street , Park Avenue , and Deering Avenue According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 69.44 square miles ( 179.85 km ) , of which , 21.31 square miles ( 55.19 km ) is land and 48.13 square miles ( 124.66 km ) is water . Portland is on a peninsula in Casco Bay on the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean . Portland borders South Portland , Westbrook and Falmouth . The city is located at 43.66713 N , 70.20717 W . Portland has a humid continental climate ( Köppen : Dfb ) , with rather cold , snowy winters , and warm , occasionally almost hot , summers . The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 22.3 ° F ( − 5.4 ° C ) in January to 69.1 ° F ( 20.6 ° C ) in July . Daily high temperatures reach or exceed 90 ° F ( 32 ° C ) on only 4.6 days per year on average , while cold - season lows of 0 ° F ( − 18 ° C ) or below are reached on 7.7 nights per year on average . The area can be affected by severe nor'easters during winter , with high winds and snowfall totals . Annual precipitation averages 47.2 inches ( 1,200 mm ) and is plentiful year - round , but with a slightly drier summer ; snowfall averages 61.9 inches ( 157 cm ) . In coastal Maine , winter - season mid-latitude storms can be intense from November to March , while warm - season thunderstorms are markedly less frequent than in the Midwestern , Mid-Atlantic , and Southeastern U.S. Direct strikes by hurricanes or tropical storms are rare , partially due to the normally cooler Atlantic waters off the Maine coast ( which weaken tropical systems ) , but primarily because most tropical systems approaching or reaching 40 degrees North latitude recurve ( Coriolis effect ) , carrying most such storms well south and east of the Portland area . Extremes range from − 39 ° F ( − 39 ° C ) on February 16 , 1943 , to 103 ° F ( 39 ° C ) on July 4 , 1911 , and August 2 , 1975 . ( hide ) Climate data for Portland International Jetport , Maine ( 1981 -- 2010 normals , extremes 1871 -- present ) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high ° F ( ° C ) 67 ( 19 ) 64 ( 18 ) 88 ( 31 ) 92 ( 33 ) 94 ( 34 ) 98 ( 37 ) 100 ( 38 ) 103 ( 39 ) 95 ( 35 ) 88 ( 31 ) 74 ( 23 ) 71 ( 22 ) 103 ( 39 ) Mean maximum ° F ( ° C ) 50.2 ( 10.1 ) 51.4 ( 10.8 ) 61.5 ( 16.4 ) 74.7 ( 23.7 ) 83.8 ( 28.8 ) 88.8 ( 31.6 ) 91.3 ( 32.9 ) 90.1 ( 32.3 ) 85.6 ( 29.8 ) 74.7 ( 23.7 ) 65.3 ( 18.5 ) 55.6 ( 13.1 ) 93.4 ( 34.1 ) Average high ° F ( ° C ) 31.2 ( − 0.4 ) 34.6 ( 1.4 ) 42.1 ( 5.6 ) 53.3 ( 11.8 ) 63.5 ( 17.5 ) 73.2 ( 22.9 ) 78.8 ( 26 ) 77.7 ( 25.4 ) 70.0 ( 21.1 ) 58.7 ( 14.8 ) 48.0 ( 8.9 ) 37.3 ( 2.9 ) 55.8 ( 13.2 ) Daily mean ° F ( ° C ) 22.3 ( − 5.4 ) 25.5 ( − 3.6 ) 33.5 ( 0.8 ) 44.0 ( 6.7 ) 53.9 ( 12.2 ) 63.4 ( 17.4 ) 69.1 ( 20.6 ) 68.0 ( 20 ) 60.1 ( 15.6 ) 48.8 ( 9.3 ) 39.4 ( 4.1 ) 28.8 ( − 1.8 ) 46.5 ( 8.1 ) Average low ° F ( ° C ) 13.4 ( − 10.3 ) 16.4 ( − 8.7 ) 24.9 ( − 3.9 ) 34.7 ( 1.5 ) 44.2 ( 6.8 ) 53.6 ( 12 ) 59.4 ( 15.2 ) 58.2 ( 14.6 ) 50.3 ( 10.2 ) 38.9 ( 3.8 ) 30.9 ( − 0.6 ) 20.4 ( − 6.4 ) 37.2 ( 2.9 ) Mean minimum ° F ( ° C ) − 7 ( − 22 ) − 3.1 ( − 19.5 ) 5.9 ( − 14.5 ) 23.9 ( − 4.5 ) 32.2 ( 0.1 ) 42.6 ( 5.9 ) 49.9 ( 9.9 ) 46.7 ( 8.2 ) 36.5 ( 2.5 ) 25.6 ( − 3.6 ) 16.1 ( − 8.8 ) ( − 16.6 ) − 9.9 ( − 23.3 ) Record low ° F ( ° C ) − 26 ( − 32 ) − 39 ( − 39 ) − 21 ( − 29 ) 8 ( − 13 ) 23 ( − 5 ) 33 ( 1 ) 40 ( 4 ) 33 ( 1 ) 23 ( − 5 ) 15 ( − 9 ) ( − 16 ) − 21 ( − 29 ) − 39 ( − 39 ) Average precipitation inches ( mm ) 3.38 ( 85.9 ) 3.25 ( 82.6 ) 4.24 ( 107.7 ) 4.32 ( 109.7 ) 4.01 ( 101.9 ) 3.79 ( 96.3 ) 3.61 ( 91.7 ) 3.14 ( 79.8 ) 3.69 ( 93.7 ) 4.87 ( 123.7 ) 4.93 ( 125.2 ) 4.02 ( 102.1 ) 47.25 ( 1,200.1 ) Average snowfall inches ( cm ) 19.2 ( 48.8 ) 12.1 ( 30.7 ) 12.7 ( 32.3 ) 2.8 ( 7.1 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) trace 1.9 ( 4.8 ) 13.2 ( 33.5 ) 61.9 ( 157.2 ) Average precipitation days ( ≥ 0.01 in ) 11.1 9.8 11.7 11.2 12.6 11.8 11.0 9.3 9.2 10.5 11.2 11.5 130.9 Average snowy days ( ≥ 0.1 in ) 7.9 6.1 5.1 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.5 6.1 27.7 Average relative humidity ( % ) 66.8 65.2 66.3 66.8 71.1 74.7 75.3 76.3 76.7 73.9 72.6 70.2 71.3 Mean monthly sunshine hours 164.8 172.8 205.2 213.5 243.2 259.1 282.2 267.6 229.1 195.7 138.7 140.9 2,512.8 Percent possible sunshine 57 59 55 53 53 56 60 62 61 57 48 51 56 Source : NOAA ( relative humidity and sun 1961 -- 1990 ) , Jump up ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima ( i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month ) calculated based on data at said location from 1981 to 2010 . Jump up ^ Official records for Portland were kept at downtown from March 1871 to 24 November 1940 , and at Portland Int'l Jetport ( PWM ) since 25 November 1940 . Temperature records are limited to the period that PWM was the official site ( i.e. since 1940 ) and are based on the Monthly Weather Summary product issued by the NWS office in Gray , Maine . precipitation and snowfall records date to 1871 and 1882 , respectively . Neighborhoods ( edit ) Main article : Neighborhoods in Portland , Maine Portland is organized into neighborhoods generally recognized by residents , but they have no legal or political authority . In many cases , city signs identify neighborhoods or intersections ( which are often called corners ) . Most city neighborhoods have a local association which usually maintains ongoing relations of varying degrees with the city government on issues affecting the neighborhood . On March 8 , 1899 , Portland annexed the neighboring city of Deering . Deering neighborhoods now comprise the northern and eastern sections of the city before the merger . Portland 's Deering High School was formerly the public high school for Deering . Portland 's neighborhoods include the Arts District ; Bayside ; Bradley 's Corner ; Cushing 's Island ; Deering Center ; Deering Highlands ; Downtown ; East Deering ; East Bayside ; East End ; Eastern Cemetery ; Great Diamond Island ; Highlands ; Kennedy Park ; Libbytown ; Little Diamond Island ; Lunt 's Corner ; Morrill 's Corner ; Munjoy Hill ; Nason 's Corner ; North Deering ; Oakdale ; the Old Port ; Parkside ; Peaks Island ; Riverton Park ; Rosemont ; Stroudwater ; West End ; and Woodford 's Corner . Moulton Street in Old Port Demographics ( edit ) Historical population Census Pop . % ± 1790 2,240 -- 1800 3,704 65.4 % 1810 7,169 93.5 % 1820 8,581 19.7 % 1830 12,598 46.8 % 1840 15,218 20.8 % 1850 20,815 36.8 % 1860 26,341 26.5 % 1870 31,413 19.3 % 1880 33,810 7.6 % 1890 36,425 7.7 % 1900 50,145 37.7 % 1910 58,571 16.8 % 1920 69,272 18.3 % 1930 70,810 2.2 % 1940 73,643 4.0 % 1950 77,634 5.4 % 1960 72,566 − 6.5 % 1970 65,116 − 10.3 % 1980 61,572 − 5.4 % 1990 64,358 4.5 % 2000 64,249 − 0.2 % 66,194 3.0 % Est. 2016 66,937 1.1 % U.S. Decennial Census Raymond H. Fogler Library 2010 Census ( edit ) As of the census of 2010 , there were 66,194 people , 30,725 households , and 13,324 families residing in the city . The population density was 3,106.2 inhabitants per square mile ( 1,199.3 / km ) . There were 33,836 housing units at an average density of 1,587.8 per square mile ( 613.1 / km ) . The racial makeup of the city was 85.0 % White ( 83.6 % non-Hispanic White alone ) , down from 96.6 % in 1990 , 7.1 % African American , 0.5 % Native American , 3.5 % Asian , 1.2 % from other races , and 2.7 % from two or more races . Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0 % of the population . 40.7 % of the population had a bachelor 's degree or higher . Men 's Health ranked Portland the ninth most educated city in America . There were 30,725 households of which 20.7 % had children under the age of 18 living with them , 29.7 % were married couples living together , 10.1 % had a female householder with no husband present , 3.6 % had a male householder with no wife present , and 56.6 % were non-families. 40.5 % of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4 % had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older . The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.88 . The median age in the city was 36.7 years . 17.1 % of residents were under the age of 18 ; 11.4 % were between the ages of 18 and 24 ; 33.1 % were from 25 to 44 ; 25.9 % were from 45 to 64 ; and 12.6 % were 65 years of age or older . The gender makeup of the city was 48.8 % male and 51.2 % female . Map of Portland 's poverty rate and accessibility to public transit and grocery stores . 2000 Census ( edit ) As of the census of 2000 , there were 64,250 people , 29,714 households , and 13,549 families residing in the city . The population density was 3,029.2 people per square mile ( 1,169.6 / km2 ) . There were 31,862 housing units at an average density of 1,502.2 per square mile ( 580.0 / km2 ) . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , Portland 's immediate metropolitan area ranked 147th in the nation in 2000 with a population of 243,537 , while the Portland / South Portland / Biddeford metropolitan area included 487,568 total inhabitants . This has increased to an estimated 513,102 inhabitants ( and the largest metro area in Northern New England ) as of 2007 . Much of this increase in population has been due to growth in the city 's southern and western suburbs . The racial makeup of the city was 91.27 % White , 2.59 % African American , 0.47 % Native American , 3.08 % Asian , 0.06 % Pacific Islander , 0.67 % from other races , and 1.86 % from two or more races . Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.52 % of the population . The largest ancestries include : British ( including Scottish , Welsh , and English ) ( 21.2 % ) , Irish ( 19.2 % ) , French ( 10.8 % ) , Italian ( 10.5 % ) , and German ( 6.9 % ) . There were 29,714 households out of which 21.4 % had children under the age of 18 living with them , 32.1 % were married couples living together , 10.5 % had a female householder with no husband present , and 54.4 % were non-families. 40.1 % of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5 % had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older . The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.89 . In the city , the population was spread out with 18.8 % under the age of 18 , 10.7 % from 18 to 24 , 36.1 % from 25 to 44 , 20.6 % from 45 to 64 , and 13.9 % who were 65 years of age or older . The median age was 36 years . For every 100 females there were 91.8 males . For every 100 females age 18 and over , there were 89.0 males . The median income for a household in the city was $35,650 , and the median income for a family was $48,763 . Males had a median income of $31,828 versus $27,173 for females . The per capita income for the city was $22,698 . About 9.7 % of families and 14.1 % of the population were below the poverty line , including 12.5 % of those under age 18 and 11.9 % of those age 65 or over . Race / ethnicity composition Race / ethnicity 2000 1990 1960 White 83.6 % 91.27 % 96 % 99.4 % African Americans 7.1 % 2.59 % 1.1 % 0.5 % Asian 3.5 % 3.08 % 1.7 % 0.1 % Two or more races 2.7 % 1.86 % 0.2 % NA Hispanic or Latino 3.0 % 1.52 % 0.8 % NA Native American 0.5 % 0.47 % 0.4 % NA Economy ( edit ) Municipal ferries on the Portland waterfront Cruise Ships Farmer 's market in Monument Square Portland has become Maine 's economic capital because the city has Maine 's largest port , largest population , and is close to Boston ( 105 miles to the south ) . Over the years , the local economy has shifted from fishing , manufacturing and agriculture towards a more service - based economy . Most national financial services organizations such as Bank of America , and Key Bank base their Maine operations in Portland . Unum , TruChoice Federal Credit Union , Maine Bank & Trust , ImmuCell Corp , and Pioneer Telephone have headquarters here , and Portland 's neighboring cities of South Portland , Westbrook and Scarborough , provide homes for other corporations . Since 1867 , Burnham & Morrill Co. , maker of B&M Baked Beans , has had its main plant in Portland . The plant is considered a local and state landmark . The city 's port is also undergoing a revival and the first ever container train departed from the new International Marine Terminal with 15 containers of locally produced bottled water recently . Americold , a US - based international provider of temperature - controlled storage and distribution , won the port authority 's bid to develop a state - of - the - art temperature - controlled storage facility adjacent to the port . The facility will support perishable produce , meats and seafood imports and exports directly through the port and is slated to have construction begin in December 2016 . Portland has a low unemployment level when compared to national and state averages ; being 3 % as of June 2017 . Portland and surrounding communities also have higher median incomes than most other Maine communities . Portland Headlight Portland is home to increased urban farming , particularly in the East Bayside neighborhood . Culture ( edit ) The Time and Temperature Building Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Casco Bank block in Old Port Wadsworth - Longfellow House Sites of interest ( edit ) The Arts District , centered on Congress Street , is home to the Portland Museum of Art , Portland Stage Company , Maine Historical Society & Museum , Portland Public Library , Maine College of Art , Children 's Museum of Maine , SPACE Gallery , Merrill Auditorium , the Kotzschmar Memorial Organ , and Portland Symphony Orchestra , as well as many smaller art galleries and studios . Baxter Boulevard around Back Cove , Deering Oaks Park , the Eastern Promenade , Western Promenade , Lincoln Park and Riverton Park are all historical parks within the city . Other parks and natural spaces include Payson Park , Post Office Park , Baxter Woods , Evergreen Cemetery , Western Cemetery and the Fore River Sanctuary . In the 2010s , Thompson 's Point , located in the Libbytown neighborhood , began a process of renovation and development , . The location hosts a concert venue , ice rink , hotels , restaurants , wineries and breweries . Other sites of interest include : Casco Bay Islands Cross Insurance Arena East End Beach Exchange Street ( the `` Old Port '' area ) Hadlock Field , home of the Portland Sea Dogs Longfellow Arboretum Neal S. Dow House Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum Martin 's Point McLellan - Sweat Mansion The Portland Club Portland Financial District Portland Head Light Lighthouse Portland Observatory Portland Stage Company University of New England University of Southern Maine ( USM ) Victoria Mansion Wadsworth - Longfellow House Public parks ( edit ) The city of Portland includes more than 700 acres of open space and public parks . The city and surrounding communities are linked by an 70 miles of trails , both urban and wooded , maintained by nonprofit Portland Trails . Well - known and historic parks include : Deering Oaks Park Eastern Promenade Western Promenade Baxter Boulevard Lincoln Park Congress Square Park Payson Park East End Beach Riverside Golf Course Fort Sumner Park Notable buildings ( edit ) Custom House , completed 1872 The spire of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception has been a notable feature of the Portland skyline since its completion in 1854 . In 1859 , Ammi B. Young designed the Marine Hospital , the first of three local works by Supervising Architects of the U.S. Treasury Department . Although the city lost to redevelopment its 1867 Greek Revival post office , which was designed by Alfred B. Mullett of white Vermont marble and featured a Corinthian portico , Portland retains his equally monumental 1872 granite Second Empire -- Renaissance Revival custom house . A more recent building of note is Franklin Towers , a 16 - story residential tower completed in 1969 . At 175 feet ( 53 meters ) , it is Portland 's ( as well as Maine 's ) tallest building . It is next to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on the city skyline . During the building boom of the 1980s , several new buildings rose on the peninsula , including the 1983 Charles Shipman Payson Building by Henry N. Cobb of Pei , Cobb , Freed & Partners at the Portland Museum of Art complex ( a component of which is the 1801 McLellan - Sweat Mansion ) , and the Back Bay Tower , a 15 - story residential building completed in 1990 . 477 Congress Street ( known locally as the Time and Temperature Building ) is situated near Monument Square in the Arts District and is a major landmark : the 14 - story building features a large electronic sign on its roof that flashes time and temperature data , as well as parking ban information in the winter . The sign can be seen from nearly all of downtown Portland . The building is home to several radio stations . Townhouses , completed 1835 Art museum lobby The Eastland Park Hotel , completed in 1927 , is a prominent hotel located on High Street in downtown Portland . Photographer Todd Webb lived in Portland during his later years and took many pictures of the city . Some of Webb 's pictures of Portland can be found at the Evans Gallery in South Portland . Notable people ( edit ) Main article : List of people from Portland , Maine Media ( edit ) See also : Media of Portland , Maine WCSH is the city 's NBC affiliate , located in the Arts District Portland is home to a concentration of publishing and broadcast companies , advertising agencies , web designers , commercial photography studios and film makers . The city is home to two daily newspapers : The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram founded in 1862 and The Portland Daily Sun . The Press Herald is published Monday through Saturday , and The Maine Sunday Telegram is published on Sundays . Both are published by MaineToday Media , Inc. , which also operates an entertainment website , MaineToday.com and owns papers in Augusta , Waterville and Bath . The Daily Sun began operation in 2009 ; it is owned and published by the Conway Daily Sun in North Conway , New Hampshire . Portland is also covered by an alternative weekly newspaper , The Portland Phoenix , published by the Phoenix Media / Communications Group , which also produces a New England - wide news , arts , and entertainment website , thephoenix.com , and a twice - annual GLBT issues magazine , Out In Maine . Other publications include The Portland Forecaster , a weekly newspaper ; The Bollard , a monthly alternative magazine ; The West End News , The Munjoy Hill Observer , The Baysider , The Waterfront , Portland Magazine , and The Companion , an LGBT publication . Portland is also the home office of The Exception Magazine , an online newspaper that covers Maine . The Portland broadcast media market is the largest one in Maine in both radio and television . A whole host of radio station are located in Portland , including WFNK ( Classic Hits ) ; WJJB ( Sports ) ; WTHT ( Country ) ; WBQW ( Classical ) ; WHXR ( Rock ) ; WHOM ( Adult Contemporary ) ; WJBQ ( Top 40 ) ; WCLZ ( Adult Album Alternative ) ; WBLM ( Classic Rock ) ; WYNZ ( ' 60s - ' 70s Hits ) ; and WCYY ( Modern rock ) . WMPG is a local non-commercial radio station run by community members and the University of Southern Maine . The Maine Public Broadcasting Network 's ( MPBN ) radio news operations are based in Portland . The area is served by local television stations representing most of the television networks . These stations include WCSH 6 ( NBC ) , WMTW 8 ( ABC ) , WGME 13 ( CBS ) , WPFO 23 ( Fox ) , WPME 35 ( MyNetworkTV ) , and WPXT 51 ( The CW ) . There is no PBS affiliate licensed to the city of Portland , but the market is served by MPBN outlets WCBB Channel 10 in Augusta and WMEA - TV Channel 26 Biddeford . TV Channel Number on Cable Call Sign Network 6 WCSH NBC 8 WMTW ABC 10 WCBB PBS 13 WGME CBS 23 WPFO Fox 26 WMEA - TV PBS 35 WPME MyNetworkTV 51 WPXT The CW Movies filmed in Portland ( edit ) The Man Without a Face Message in a Bottle The Preacher 's Wife Thinner Unfinished Business Sports ( edit ) Club League Venue Established Championships Portland Sea Dogs Eastern League , Baseball Hadlock Field Maine Mariners ECHL , Ice hockey Cross Insurance Arena 2018 0 Maine Red Claws NBA G League , Basketball Portland Exposition Building 2009 0 Maine Mammoths National Arena League , Indoor football Cross Insurance Arena 2018 0 Portland Phoenix FC USL PDL , Soccer Memorial Stadium 2009 0 Portland Rugby Football Club New England Rugby Football Union , Rugby Union Fox Street Field 1969 Maine Roller Derby WFTDA , Roller Derby Portland Exposition Building 2006 0 Univ. of Maine women 's basketball game at Cross Arena . Entrance area of Hadlock Field , home of the Portland Sea Dogs State Soccer Championship , Fitzpatrick Stadium The city is home to three minor league teams . The Portland Sea Dogs , the Double - A farm team of the Boston Red Sox , play at Hadlock Field . The Maine Red Claws , the NBA G League affiliate of the Boston Celtics , play at the Portland Exposition Building . The GPS Portland Phoenix soccer teams plays in the Premier Development League . Previously , Portland was home of several minor league ice hockey teams : the Maine Nordiques ( NAHL ) from 1973 to 1977 , the Maine Mariners ( AHL ) from 1977 to 1992 , and the Portland Pirates ( AHL ) from 1993 to 2016 . The Mariners were three - time Calder Cup winners . In 2018 , Portland will get another Maine Mariners in the ECHL . The Portland Sports Complex , located off of Park and Brighton Avenues near I - 295 and Deering Oaks park , houses several of the city 's stadiums and arenas , including : Hadlock Field -- baseball ( Capacity 7,368 ) Fitzpatrick Stadium -- football , soccer , lacrosse , field hockey , and outdoor track ( Capacity 6,000 + seated ) Portland Exposition Building -- basketball , indoor track , concerts and trade shows ( Capacity 3,000 ) Portland Ice Arena -- hockey and figure skating ( Capacity 400 ) Cross Insurance Arena has 6,733 permanent seats . It was renovated in 2014 . ( see picture ) The Portland area has eleven professional golf courses , 124 tennis courts , and 95 playgrounds . There are also over 100 miles ( 160 km ) of nature trails . Portland hosts the Maine Marathon each October . Bayside Bowl was expanded in 2017 to 20 lanes , including a rooftop deck . It is hosting the 2017 PBA League and Elias Cup in April . Memorial Stadium is the home of the Deering High School sports teams and is located behind the school . Food and beverage ( edit ) Lobster from the Gulf of Maine A few of the many restaurants in Portland , Maine A rooftop deck in Portland The downtown area of Portland , including the Arts District and the Old Port , has a high concentration of eating and drinking establishments , with many more to be found throughout the rest of the peninsula , outlying neighborhoods , and neighboring communities . Portland ranks among the top U.S. cities in restaurants and bars per capita . According to the TripAdvisor , Portland is currently home to about 389 restaurants . Portland has developed a national reputation for the quality of its restaurants and eateries . In 2009 , Portland was named the `` Foodiest Small Town in America '' by Bon Appétit magazine , and was featured in the New York Times as a food destination . Many local chefs have gained national attention over the past few years . Portland is home to a number of microbreweries and brewpubs , including the D.L. Geary Brewing Company , Gritty McDuff 's Brewing Company , Shipyard Brewing Company , Casco Bay Brewing Company , and Allagash Brewing Company . The Portland Farmers Market ( Maine ) , which has been in continuous operation since 1768 , takes place every Wednesday morning in Monument Square and every Saturday in Deering Oaks Park from early May to the end of November , and every Saturday indoors from early December to the end of April . Fresh fish and seafood can be purchased at a number of markets on the wharves along Commercial Street , and numerous artisan bread makers bake fresh loaves every day . An historic B&M Bean plant remains in operation on the waterfront . Appreciation for sustainable food and farming became popular throughout Maine in the 1970s as back - to - the - landers moved to the state . With them came the resurgence of farmers ' markets ( including the expansion of the Portland market ) , a significant organic farming movement and an increased interest in plant - based cuisine . The movement continues in Portland , where restaurants emphasize local and organic food , where a number of vegan food companies are located , and where the state 's greatest concentration of vegetarian , vegan and vegetarian - friendly restaurants can be found . In 2016 , VegNews magazine added the city to its list of the 12 Best Towns for Vegan Living . The state 's major daily newspaper , The Portland Press Herald features the regular Vegan Kitchen column in the Food & Dining section . Portland is the birthplace of the Italian sandwich , which is called simply `` an Italian '' by locals . Italian sandwiches are available at many stores , but most famously at Amato 's Italian delicatessens , which claims to have originated the sandwich ( hence the name ) . In 2015 , Portland ranked 14th on Travel + Leisure 's end of year list , `` America 's 20 Best Cities for Beer Lovers '' . The city and outlying region played host to Rachael Ray in an episode of her Food Network Series $40 a Day , and was also featured in the Travel Channel series Man v. Food and Anthony Bourdain : No Reservations in 2010 . In the spring of 2007 , Portland was nominated as one of three finalists for `` Delicious Destination of the Year '' at the 2007 Food Network Awards . Portland hosts a number of food and beverage festivals , including : Festival of Nations Greek Festival Harvest on the Harbor Italian Heritage Festival Maine Brewers Festival Maine VegFest Taste of the Nation Infrastructure ( edit ) Government ( edit ) City Hall ( c. 1910 ) Closeup of City Hall ( 2014 ) The city has adopted a council - manager style government that is detailed in the city charter . The citizens of Portland are represented by a nine - member city council which makes policy , passes ordinances , approves appropriations , appoints the city manager and oversees the municipal government . The city council of nine members is elected by the citizens of Portland . The city has five voting districts , with each district electing a city councilor to represent their neighborhood interests for a three - year term . There are also four members of the city council who are elected at - large . From 1923 until 2011 , city councilors chose one of themselves each year to serve as mayor , a primarily ceremonial position . Two of the most long lasting mayors , with 20 years each , were Connor Knoblock and Conner Walton . On November 2 , 2010 , Portland voters narrowly approved a measure that allowed them to elect the mayor . On November 8 , 2011 , former State Senator and candidate for U.S. Congress Michael F. Brennan was elected as mayor . On December 5 , 2011 , he was sworn in as the first citizen - elected mayor in 88 years ( see Portland , Maine mayoral election , 2011 ) . The office of mayor is a four - year paid position . The current mayor is Ethan Strimling , who defeated Brennan in the 2015 election . A city manager is appointed by the city council . The city manager oversees the daily operations of the city government , appoints the heads of city departments , and prepares annual budgets . The city manager directs all city agencies and departments , and is responsible for the executing laws and policies passed by the city council . The current city manager is Jon Jennings . Aside from the main city council , there is also an elected school board for the Portland Public School system . The school board is made up in the same manner of the city council , with five district members , four at - large members and one chairman . There are also three students from the local high schools elected to serve on the board . There are many other boards and committees such as the Planning Committee , Board of Appeals , and Harbor Commission , etc . These committees and boards have limited power in their respective areas of expertise . Members of boards and committees are appointed by city council members . On November 5 , 2013 , Portland voters overwhelmingly approved an ordinance to legalize the possession and private use of cannabis for adults , making the city the first municipality in the Eastern United States to do so . Voter registration Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of November 2014 Party Total Voters Percentage Democratic 24,486 46.49 % Unenrolled 18,071 34.31 % Republican 7,003 13.29 % Green Independent 3,105 5.90 % Total 52,665 100 % Fire Department ( edit ) The Portland Fire Department ( PFD ) provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Portland 24 / 7 , 365 . Established in 1768 , the PFD is made up of over 230 paid , professional firefighters and operates out of 7 Fire Stations , located throughout the city , in addition to Fire Stations staffed by `` on - call '' firefighters on Peaks Island ; Great Diamond Island ; Cushing Island ; and Cliff Island . The Portland Fire Department also operates an Airport Division Station at 1001 Westbrook St. , at the Portland International Jetport , and a Marine Division Station , located at 54 Commercial St . The Portland Fire Department also operates a fire apparatus fleet of 4 Engine Companies ( 5 when manpower permits ) ; 4 Ladder Companies ( including 2 Quints ) ; 1 Rescue Company ; 1 Hazardous Materials ( Haz - Mat . ) Unit ; 1 Confined - Space Rescue Unit ; 5 ARFF Crash Rescue Units ; 3 Marine Units ( Fireboats ) ; 5 MEDCU Units ( Ambulances ) ; and numerous other special , support , and reserve units . Island `` call '' firefighters man a total of 4 Engines , 1 Ladder , 4 Water Tank Units , and 3 MEDCU Units ( Ambulances ) . Each frontline fire company is staffed by 1 Officer and 2 Firefighters per shift . Each MEDCU Unit ( Ambulance ) is staffed by 2 Firefighter / EMTs per shift . The Marine Division is staffed by 1 Officer and 2 Firefighters per shift , who also cross-staff Engine 7 in the event of a structural fire in the city not requiring a Marine Unit . The firefighters are members of IAFF Local 740 . Education ( edit ) MECA during the holidays . Portland High School . College of Pharmacy , University of New England . See also : Portland Public Schools and List of Portland , Maine schools High schools ( edit ) Baxter Academy for Technology and Science ( charter ) Casco Bay High School ( public - expeditionary ) Catherine McAuley High School ( private ) Cheverus High School ( private ) Deering High School ( public ) Portland Arts & Technology High School ( public - vocational ) Portland High School ( public ) Waynflete School ( private ) Colleges and universities ( edit ) Maine College of Art University of Maine School of Law University of New England ( formerly Westbrook College ) University of Southern Maine Hospitals ( edit ) Maine Medical Center and a jetBlue airliner , viewed from the South Portland side of the Portland International Jetport , 2009 . Maine Medical Center a Level One Trauma Center is the largest hospital in Maine and is continuing to expand its campus and services . Mercy Hospital , a faith - based hospital , is the fourth - largest hospital in the state and began construction on its new campus along the Fore River in late 2006 . The project is expected to be constructed in several phases , with completion of the first phase scheduled for 2008 . The formerly independent Brighton Medical Center ( once known as the Osteopathic Hospital ) is now owned by Maine Medical Center and is operated as a minor care center under the name Brighton First Care and New England Rehab . In 2010 , Maine Medical Center 's Hannaford Center for Safety , Innovation and Simulation opened at the Brighton campus . The former Portland General Hospital is now home to the Barron Center nursing facility . Transportation ( edit ) Roads ( edit ) See also : Portland Transportation Center and Ocean Gateway International Marine Passenger Terminal Portland from above , looking north along I - 295 Portland is accessible from I - 95 ( the Maine Turnpike ) , I - 295 , and US 1 . Also , U.S. Route 302 , a major travel route and scenic highway between Maine and Vermont , has its eastern terminus in Portland . State Routes include SR 9 , SR 22 , SR 25 , SR 26 , SR 77 , and SR 100 . SR 25 Business goes through southwestern Portland . Intercity buses and trains ( edit ) Amtrak 's Downeaster service offers five daily trains connecting the city with eight towns and cities to the south , ending at Boston 's North Station . To the north , three of the Downeasters go to Freeport and Brunswick . Concord Coach Lines bus service connects Portland to 14 other communities in Maine as well as to Boston 's South Station and Logan Airport . Both the Downeaster and the Concord Coach Lines can be found at the Portland Transportation Center on Thompsons Point Road , in the Libbytown neighborhood . Greyhound Lines on Saint John Street connects to 17 Maine communities and to more than 3,600 U.S. destinations . A carsharing service provided by Uhaul Car Share is available . Both Uber and Lyft operate in Portland The city bus service is provided by Metro Greater Portland Transit District . Airports ( edit ) The busy waterfront in Portland , Maine . Commercial air service is available at the Portland International Jetport , located in Stroudwater west of the city 's downtown district . Several car rental agencies are located at the jetport . American , Southwest , JetBlue , Delta , and United serve the airport . Direct flights are available to Baltimore , Philadelphia , New York , Atlanta , Newark , Washington , Charlotte , Chicago , and Detroit . Water Transportation ( edit ) The Port of Portland is the second - largest cruise and passenger destination in the state ( next to Bar Harbor ) , and is served by the Ocean Gateway International Marine Passenger Terminal . Ferry service is available year - round to many destinations in Casco Bay . From 2006 to 2009 , Bay Ferries operated a high speed ferry called The Cat featuring a five - hour trip to Yarmouth , Nova Scotia , for summer passengers and cars . Before that , the Scotia Prince Cruises trip took eleven hours . A proposal to replace the defunct Nova Scotia ferry services was rejected in 2013 by Nova Scotia 's government . From May 15 , 2014 , until October 2015 , the cruise ship ferry Nova Star made daily trips from Portland to Yarmouth , Nova Scotia . Due to poor passenger numbers and financial problems , Nova Scotia selected Bay Ferries , the prior operator of The Cat , to operate the service starting in 2016 . Nova Scotia cited Bay Ferries ' experience and industry relationships in making its decision . Nova Star officials pledged a smooth transition to the new operator . The Nova Star was later ordered seized by federal marshals for nonpayment of bills . The USNS Puerto Rico , the boat to be used on the Portland - Yarmouth ferry run Bay Ferries announced on March 24 , 2016 , that they had chartered the former Hawaii Superferry boat HST - 2 from the US Navy to use for the Portland - Yarmouth service , for a two - year period . Bay Ferries signed a 10 - year deal with Nova Scotia to run the ferry route , which will take about five and a half hours to run in a crossing . They stated that the boat would be renamed The Cat and that service would begin around June 15 , after the boat was refitted in a South Carolina shipyard . There is still a dispute as to whether the ferry will be permitted to carry trucks , something desired by Nova Scotia businesses but opposed by the City of Portland . The Casco Bay Lines operates several passenger ferries with dozens of trips every day year - round to the major populated islands of Casco Bay . The service to Peaks Island also provides an auto ferry for most of its schedule . Honors ( edit ) Downtown Portland First Friday Art Walk Food and drink ( edit ) Ranked as Bon Appétit magazine 's `` America 's Foodiest Small Town '' ( 2009 ) . Ranked fourth on Sperlings Best Places list for America 's Foodie Cities ! Named `` Best American City for Food '' by the Daily Meal , April 2015 . Named `` No. 1 city in U.S. for beer drinkers '' by NYC personal finance tech company , SmartAsset , December 2015 . Ranked No. 1 city in the world ( April , 2016 ) for craft beer by the largest independent travel publisher in the world , The Matador Network . Ranked No. 10 town in the U.S. in the `` VegNews '' 12 Best Towns for Vegan Living . Lifestyle and Travel ( edit ) Ranked No. 12 on Frommer 's 2007 `` Top Travel Destinations '' . Named Best Adventure Town in the East by Outside Magazine . Other ( edit ) Ranked as Forbes magazine 's `` Top City for Empty Nesters '' ( 2012 ) . `` Top City for Empty Nesters '' ( Kiplingers ) Ranked No. 1 on Forbes.com `` America 's Most Livable Cities '' ( 2009 ) . Ranked No. 13 on Men 's Health Magazine 's list of America 's 100 most `` car crazed '' cities . Ranked No. 20 on the list of Top 20 Best Small Cities for College Students by the American Institute for Economic Research . Named one of the `` Coolest Small Cities in America '' by GQ magazine . Ranked as the third gayest city in the nation by UCLA 's Williams Institute . Ranked No. 3 on Men 's Journal 's list , `` The 10 Best Places to Live Now '' . ( 2015 ) Ranked No. 5 on Jetsetter 's list , `` America 's Coolest Small Towns '' . ( 2015 ) Sister Cities ( edit ) Portland has four sister cities , as designated by Sister Cities International ( SCI ) : Arkhangelsk , Russia Cap - Haïtien , Haiti Mytilene , Greece Shinagawa , Tokyo , Japan See also ( edit ) List of mayors of Portland , Maine References ( edit ) General History of Portland from 1632 to 1864 by Wm . Willis ( 1865 ) History of Portland , Maine ( 1886 ) Specific ^ Jump up to : Coolidge , A.J. and J.B. Mansfeld. 1859 . A History and Description of New England , General and Local . Boston : Austin J. Coolidge , p. 301 . ^ Jump up to : `` US Gazetteer files 2010 '' . United States Census Bureau . Archived from the original on July 14 , 2012 . Retrieved November 23 , 2012 . ^ Jump up to : `` American FactFinder '' . United States Census Bureau . Retrieved November 23 , 2012 . ^ Jump up to : `` Population and Housing Unit Estimates '' . Retrieved June 9 , 2017 . Jump up ^ `` Population estimates , July 1 , 2015 , ( V2015 ) '' . www.census.gov . Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 01 . Jump up ^ `` Facts and Links City of Portland '' . asp.portlandmaine.gov . Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 30 . ^ Jump up to : History of Portland , Maine , Maine Resource Guide , archived from the original on January 31 , 2013 Jump up ^ `` Portland : The Town that was Almost Boston '' . Portland Oregon Visitors Association . Retrieved March 6 , 2013 . Jump up ^ Baxter , James Phinney ( September 10 , 1893 ) . `` Christopher Levett , of York : The Pioneer Colonist in Casco Bay '' . Gorges Society . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 -- via Google Books . Jump up ^ `` Jedediah Preble letter on Mowat kidnapping , 1775 '' . Retrieved April 1 , 2007 . Jump up ^ Maine Secretary of State ( 1899 ) . Private and Special Laws of the State of Maine . Kennebec Journal Print . pp. 9 -- 13 . Retrieved 30 January 2016 . Jump up ^ Conforti , Joseph ( 2007 ) . Creating Portland . UPNE . p. xvii . ISBN 978 - 1 - 58465 - 449 - 0 . Retrieved 30 January 2016 . Jump up ^ `` Bayside is a journey of many ' next steps ' '' . Portland Press Herald ( Blethen Maine Newspapers , Inc . ) . October 16 , 2006 . Archived from the original on October 22 , 2006 . Retrieved November 13 , 2006 . Jump up ^ Bouchard , Kelley ( October 6 , 2006 ) . `` Riverwalk : Parking garage due to rise ; luxury condos to follow '' . Portland Press Herald ( Blethen Maine Newspapers , Inc . ) . Retrieved November 13 , 2006 . Jump up ^ Turkel , Tux ( February 6 , 2007 ) . `` An urban vision rises in Bayside '' . Portland Press Herald ( Blethen Maine Newspapers , Inc . ) . Archived from the original on December 26 , 2007 . Retrieved February 27 , 2007 . ^ Jump up to : `` NowData -- NOAA Online Weather Data '' . National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved 2016 - 09 - 12 . Jump up ^ `` Observed Weather Reports '' . National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved 2016 - 09 - 12 . Jump up ^ `` Station Name : ME PORTLAND INTL JETPORT '' . National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration . Retrieved 2016 - 09 - 12 . Jump up ^ `` NOAA '' . NOAA . Jump up ^ `` Neighborhoods Associations - Portland , ME '' . www.livinginportland.org . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 . Jump up ^ `` Shall We Tax the Hunters ? '' . Lewiston Evening Journal . Google News Archive . February 2 , 1899 . p. 2 . ^ Jump up to : Deans , Emma ( July 8 , 2010 ) . `` Welcome to Nowhere Reconnecting an amputated neighborhood '' . The Bollard . Archived from the original on July 31 , 2010 . Retrieved July 12 , 2010 . Jump up ^ United States Census Bureau . `` Census of Population and Housing '' . Retrieved November 4 , 2014 . Jump up ^ `` Minor Civil Division Population Search Results '' . University of Maine . Archived from the original on September 29 , 2011 . Retrieved September 18 , 2013 . Jump up ^ `` Maine - Race and Hispanic Origin for Selected Cities and Other Places : Earliest Census to 1990 '' . U.S. Census Bureau . Archived from the original on August 6 , 2012 . Jump up ^ `` Where School Is In '' . September 12 , 2011 . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 . Jump up ^ `` Table 1 . Annual Estimates of the Population of Metropolitan and Micropolitan Statistical Areas : April 1 , 2010 to July 1 , 2012 ( CBSA - EST2012 - 01 ) '' . 2012 Population Estimates . United States Census Bureau , Population Division . September 18 , 2013 . Archived from the original ( CSV ) on April 1 , 2013 . Retrieved September 18 , 2013 . Jump up ^ `` Portland , Maine '' . City Data . 2010 . Retrieved April 3 , 2010 . Jump up ^ `` Population estimates , July 1 , 2015 , ( V2015 ) '' . www.census.gov . Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 30 . Jump up ^ `` Portland , Maine Population : Census 2010 '' . www.census.gov . Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 30 . ^ Jump up to : `` Historical Census Statistics On Population Totals By Race , 1790 to 1990 , and By Hispanic Origin , 1970 to 1990 , For Large Cities And Other Urban Places In The United States '' ( PDF ) . US Census Bureau . Jump up ^ ( 1 ) Bureau of Labor Statistics , June 2017 Jump up ^ 36 Hours in Portland , Me . New York Times , August 19 , 2010 Jump up ^ Sustainability Initiatives in East Bayside Neighborhood , Portland , Maine New England Environmental Finance Center , Muskie School , University of Southern Maine , May 15 , 2010 Jump up ^ Portland warehouse gets new life as urban farm , fermentory Archived July 19 , 2011 , at the Wayback Machine . Portland Forecaster , September 7 , 2010 Jump up ^ `` Thompson 's Point - Development in Portland , Maine '' . Thompson 's Point . Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 30 . Jump up ^ `` Franklin Towers '' . Emporis.com . Retrieved 2014 - 02 - 13 . Jump up ^ CB Richard Ellis / The Boulos Company . `` Greater Portland Area 2006 Office Market Survey '' ( PDF ) . Archived from the original ( PDF ) on August 22 , 2006 . Retrieved August 10 , 2006 . Jump up ^ Bob Keyes ( April 4 , 2010 ) . `` THAT ' 70S SHOW : A new photography exhibition offers a look back at a very different Portland '' . Maine Sunday Telegram . Retrieved October 10 , 2010 . `` Seeing Portland '' focuses on the work of photographers from the 1970s and early ' 80s , including `` Splendid Restaurant , Congress Street , Portland , 8 / 20 / 76 '' by Todd Webb . The show opens Saturday at Zero Station in Portland ... The exhibition brings together the work of several accomplished photographers . In addition to Graham , photographers with work in the show include Tom Brennan , C.C. Church , Rose Marasco , Joe Muir , Mark Rockwood , Jeff Stevensen , Jay York and Todd Webb . Jump up ^ Bob Keyes ( May 30 , 2010 ) . `` Photographer 's estate updates , improves website '' . Maine Sunday Telegram . Retrieved October 10 , 2010 . The estate of Todd Webb announced a recent refurbishment of its website , toddwebbphotographs.com . Jump up ^ `` The 10 Best Portland Restaurants 2017 - TripAdvisor '' . www.tripadvisor.com . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 . Jump up ^ Goad , Meredith ( September 18 , 2009 ) . `` A second course of food glory '' . Portland Press Herald . Archived from the original on September 22 , 2009 . Retrieved September 25 , 2009 . Jump up ^ Knowlton , Andrew . `` Portland , Maine : In the Magazine : Bon Appétit '' . Bonappetit.com . Retrieved April 28 , 2013 . Jump up ^ Goad , Meredith ( April 5 , 2007 ) . `` Food could put Portland on the map '' . Portland Press Herald ( Blethen Maine Newspapers , Inc . ) . Archived from the original on October 9 , 2007 . Retrieved April 5 , 2007 . Jump up ^ Goad , Meredith ( April 11 , 2007 ) . `` Where chefs come to shine '' . Portland Press Herald ( Blethen Maine Newspapers , Inc . ) . Archived from the original on December 26 , 2007 . Retrieved April 11 , 2007 . Jump up ^ First , Devra ( February 13 , 2008 ) . `` James Beard Awards : and the nominees might be '' . The Boston Globe . Jump up ^ Kamila , Avery Yale ( August 19 , 2009 ) . `` Veteran plant - eater happily endorses veggie chic '' . Portland Press Herald ( MaineToday Media , Inc . ) . Archived from the original on May 9 , 2012 . Retrieved August 19 , 2009 . Jump up ^ http://www.pressherald.com/2017/10/25/vegan-kitchen-maine-entrepreneurs-introduce-new-wave-of-plant-based-eats/ Jump up ^ http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?catId=6&pageId=136 Jump up ^ http://www.pressherald.com/food/vegan-kitchen/ Jump up ^ `` History Hoagie Sandwich , History Submarine Sandwich , History Po ' Boys Sandwich , Poor Boy Sandwich , History Dagwood Sandwich , History Italian Sandwich '' . Whatscookingamerica.net . Retrieved April 28 , 2013 . ^ Jump up to : `` A list of lists praising Portland '' . The Portland Press Herald . 2015 - 11 - 15 . Retrieved 2017 - 01 - 31 . Jump up ^ Goad , Meredith ( April 16 , 2007 ) . `` Portland has taste of food fame , but the other Portland is served '' . Portland Press Herald ( Blethen Maine Newspapers , Inc . ) . Archived from the original on October 6 , 2007 . Retrieved April 16 , 2007 . ^ Jump up to : `` © Copyrighted '' ( PDF ) . Archived from the original ( PDF ) on May 27 , 2010 . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 . Jump up ^ `` Portland Elected Mayor Measure Passes '' . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 . Jump up ^ `` Copyrighted '' ( PDF ) . Archived from the original ( PDF ) on May 27 , 2010 . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 . Jump up ^ Koenig , Seth ( November 6 , 2013 ) . `` Portland police chief , Maine attorney general say Portland pot legalization vote wo n't change enforcement strategies '' . Bangor Daily News . Retrieved June 1 , 2014 . Jump up ^ `` REGISTERED & ENROLLED VOTERS - STATEWIDE '' ( PDF ) . November 4 , 2014 . Retrieved May 25 , 2015 . Jump up ^ `` Fire Department - Portland , ME '' . portlandmaine.gov . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 . Jump up ^ `` Portland , ME '' . portlandmaine.gov . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 . Jump up ^ ( 2 ) Archived December 23 , 2008 , at the Wayback Machine . Jump up ^ http://simulation.mmc.org Jump up ^ `` METRO Bus - Portland , ME '' . www.portlandmaine.gov . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 . Jump up ^ http://www.transtats.bts.gov/airports.asp?pn=1&Airport=PWM&Airport_Name=Portland,%20ME:%20Portland%20International%20%20Jetport&carrier=FACTS Jump up ^ Richardson , Whit ( March 5 , 2013 ) . `` Nova Scotia rejects both proposals to restart ferry service to Maine '' . Bangor Daily News . Retrieved September 16 , 2016 . Jump up ^ Fischell , Darren ( October 29 , 2015 ) . `` Province prefers past Cat ferry operator over Nova Star for 2016 '' . Bangordailynews.com . Retrieved November 19 , 2015 . Jump up ^ Betts , Stephen ( October 31 , 2015 ) . `` Court orders seizure of Nova Star ferry '' . Bangordailynews.com . Retrieved November 19 , 2015 . Jump up ^ Murphy , Edward ( March 24 , 2016 ) . `` New ferry expected to make Portland - Yarmouth trip in 51⁄2 hours '' . Portland Press Herald . Retrieved March 29 , 2016 . Jump up ^ Fischell , Darren ( March 24 , 2016 ) . `` Ferry operator lands ship , signs 10 - year Portland - Nova Scotia deal '' . Bangordailynews.com . Retrieved March 29 , 2016 . Jump up ^ `` America 's Foodiest Small Town '' . Jump up ^ Ethridge , Will ( January 31 , 2011 ) . `` America 's Top Foodie Cities -- Portland is # 4 ! '' . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 . Jump up ^ `` Best American Cities for Food '' . The Daily Meal . Retrieved 2016 - 05 - 04 . Jump up ^ `` The Best Cities for Beer Drinkers SmartAsset.com '' . smartasset.com . Retrieved 2016 - 05 - 04 . Jump up ^ `` 17 of the world 's best cities for craft beer '' . Matador Network . Retrieved 2016 - 05 - 04 . Jump up ^ Template : Cite http://vegnews.com/articles/page.do?catId=6&pageId=136 Jump up ^ `` Frommer 's Top Travel Destinations for 2007 '' . Frommer 's ( Wiley Publishing , Inc . ) . November 21 , 2006 . Retrieved November 29 , 2006 . Jump up ^ `` Portland , Maine : Best . City . Ever '' . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 . Jump up ^ `` Second Act '' . Jump up ^ `` America 's Most Livable Cities '' . Forbes . April 1 , 2009 . Archived from the original on December 8 , 2012 . Retrieved April 7 , 2009 . Jump up ^ `` America 's Most Car - Crazed Cities '' . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 . Jump up ^ Quimby , Beth ( September 10 , 2010 ) . `` Portland joins list of top college cities '' . Portland Press Herald . Retrieved September 10 , 2010 . Jump up ^ `` The Coolest Small Cities in America '' . GQ . Retrieved November 6 , 2010 . Jump up ^ `` Yep , We 're Gay ! Study Finds Portland ( Maine ! ) Third Gayest City '' . LiveWorkPortland . July 25 , 2010 . Retrieved January 19 , 2011 . Jump up ^ `` Japan index of Sister Cities International retrieved on December 9 , 2008 '' . Retrieved September 10 , 2017 . Further reading ( edit ) Michael C. Connolly . Seated by the Sea : The Maritime History of Portland , Maine , and Its Irish Longshoremen ( University Press of Florida ; 2010 ) 280 pages ; Focuses on the years 1880 to 1923 in a study of how an influx of Irish immigrant workers transformed the city 's waterfront . John F. Bauman . Gateway to Vacationland : The Making of Portland Maine ( University of Massachusetts Press : 2012 ) 285 pages ; Explores the socio - economic , political and cultural history of Portland emphasizing the evolution of the city 's built environment after the fire of 1866 . External links ( edit ) Wikimedia Commons has media related to Portland , Maine . Wikivoyage has a travel guide for Portland , Maine . Wikisource has the text of a 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica article about Portland , Maine . City of Portland Port of Portland Portland Public Schools Portland Public Library Portland 's Downtown District Greater Portland Casco Bay Convention and Visitors Bureau Old USGS maps of Portland Area . 1876 Panoramic Birdseye View of Portland by Warner at LOC . 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how long will it take me to get to portland oregon
Portland , Maine City City of Portland , Maine Clockwise : Portland waterfront , the Portland Observatory on Munjoy Hill , the corner of Middle and Exchange Street in the Old Port , Congress Street , the Civil War Memorial in Monument Square , and winter light sculptures in Congress Square Plaza . Flag Seal Nickname ( s ) : The Forest City , Portland of the East Motto ( s ) : Resurgam ( Latin ) `` I Will Rise Again '' Location in Cumberland County and the state of Maine . Portland , Maine Location in the United States Coordinates : 43 ° 40 ′ N 70 ° 16 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 43.667 ° N 70.267 ° W ﻿ / 43.667 ; - 70.267 Coordinates : 43 ° 40 ′ N 70 ° 16 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 43.667 ° N 70.267 ° W ﻿ / 43.667 ; - 70.267 Country United States State Maine County Cumberland Settled 1632 Incorporated July 4 , 1786 Named for Isle of Portland Government Type City council and city manager City manager Jon Jennings Mayor Ethan Strimling ( D ) Area City 69.44 sq mi ( 179.85 km ) Land 21.31 sq mi ( 55.19 km ) Water 48.13 sq mi ( 124.66 km ) Elevation 62 ft ( 19 m ) Population ( 2010 ) City 66,194 Estimate ( 2016 ) 66,937 Rank US : 519th Density 950 / sq mi ( 370 / km ) Urban 203,914 ( US : 177th ) Metro 519,900 ( US : 104th ) Time zone EST ( UTC - 5 ) Summer ( DST ) EDT ( UTC - 4 ) ZIP codes 04101 , 04102 , 04103 , 04104 , 04108 , 04109 , 04112 , 04116 , 04122 , 04123 , 04124 Area code ( s ) 207 FIPS code 23 - 60545 GNIS feature ID 0573692 Website City of Portland Portland , Maine City City of Portland , Maine Clockwise : Portland waterfront , the Portland Observatory on Munjoy Hill , the corner of Middle and Exchange Street in the Old Port , Congress Street , the Civil War Memorial in Monument Square , and winter light sculptures in Congress Square Plaza . Flag Seal Flag Seal Flag Seal Nickname ( s ) : The Forest City , Portland of the East Motto ( s ) : Resurgam ( Latin ) `` I Will Rise Again '' Location in Cumberland County and the state of Maine . Portland , Maine Location in the United States Coordinates : 43 ° 40 ′ N 70 ° 16 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 43.667 ° N 70.267 ° W ﻿ / 43.667 ; - 70.267 Coordinates : 43 ° 40 ′ N 70 ° 16 ′ W ﻿ / ﻿ 43.667 ° N 70.267 ° W ﻿ / 43.667 ; - 70.267 Country United States State Maine County Cumberland Settled 1632 Incorporated July 4 , 1786 Named for Isle of Portland Government Type City council and city manager City manager Jon Jennings Mayor Ethan Strimling ( D ) Area City 69.44 sq mi ( 179.85 km ) Land 21.31 sq mi ( 55.19 km ) Water 48.13 sq mi ( 124.66 km ) Elevation 62 ft ( 19 m ) Population ( 2010 ) City 66,194 Estimate ( 2016 ) 66,937 Rank US : 519th Density 950 / sq mi ( 370 / km ) Urban 203,914 ( US : 177th ) Metro 519,900 ( US : 104th ) Time zone EST ( UTC - 5 ) Summer ( DST ) EDT ( UTC - 4 ) ZIP codes 04101 , 04102 , 04103 , 04104 , 04108 , 04109 , 04112 , 04116 , 04122 , 04123 , 04124 Area code ( s ) 207 FIPS code 23 - 60545 GNIS feature ID 0573692 Website City of Portland Portland is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maine , with a population of 66,937 as of 2016 . This makes it the fourth least populous city in the U.S. to be the most populous in its state . The Greater Portland metropolitan area is home to over half a million people , more than one - third of Maine 's total population . The Old Port district is frequented by tourists , while Portland Head Light is also a destination . The city seal depicts a phoenix rising from ashes , which is a reference to the recoveries from four devastating fires . Portland was named after the English Isle of Portland . The city of Portland , Oregon was named after Portland , Maine . Native Americans originally called the Portland peninsula Machigonne ( `` Great Neck '' ) . Portland , Maine , was named for the English Isle of Portland , and the city of Portland , Oregon , was in turn named for Portland , Maine . The first European settler was Capt . Christopher Levett , an English naval captain granted 6,000 acres ( 2,400 ha ) in 1623 to found a settlement in Casco Bay . A member of the Council for New England and agent for Ferdinando Gorges , Levett built a stone house where he left a company of ten men , then returned to England and wrote a book about his voyage to drum up support for the settlement . The settlement failed , and the fate of Levett 's colonists is unknown . The explorer sailed from England to the Massachusetts Bay Colony to meet John Winthrop in 1630 , but never returned to Maine . Fort Levett in the harbor is named for him . The peninsula was first permanently settled in 1632 as a fishing and trading village named Casco . When the Massachusetts Bay Colony took over Casco Bay in 1658 , the town 's name changed again to Falmouth . In 1676 , the village was destroyed by the Abenaki during King Philip 's War . It was rebuilt . During King William 's War , a raiding party of French and Native allies attacked and largely destroyed it again in the Battle of Fort Loyal ( 1690 ) . On October 18 , 1775 , Falmouth was burned in the Revolution by the Royal Navy under command of Captain Henry Mowat . Following the war , a section of Falmouth called The Neck developed as a commercial port and began to grow rapidly as a shipping center . In 1786 , the citizens of Falmouth formed a separate town in Falmouth Neck and named it Portland , after the isle off the coast of Dorset , England . Portland 's economy was greatly stressed by the Embargo Act of 1807 ( prohibition of trade with the British ) , which ended in 1809 , and the War of 1812 , which ended in 1815 . In 1820 , Maine became a state with Portland as its capital . In 1832 , the capital was moved north to Augusta . In 1851 , Maine led the nation by passing the first state law prohibiting the sale of alcohol except for `` medicinal , mechanical or manufacturing purposes . '' The law subsequently became known as the Maine law , as 18 states quickly followed . On June 2 , 1855 , the Portland Rum Riot occurred . In 1853 , upon completion of the Grand Trunk Railway to Montreal , Portland became the primary ice - free winter seaport for Canadian exports . The Portland Company manufactured more than 600 19th - century steam locomotives . Portland became a 20th - century rail hub as five additional rail lines merged into Portland Terminal Company in 1911 . Following nationalization of the Grand Trunk system in 1923 , Canadian export traffic was diverted from Portland to Halifax , Nova Scotia , resulting in marked local economic decline . In the 20th century , icebreakers later enabled ships to reach Montreal in winter , drastically reducing Portland 's role as a winter port for Canada . On June 26 , 1863 , a Confederate raiding party led by Captain Charles Read entered the harbor at Portland and the Battle of Portland Harbor ensued , one of the northernmost battles of the Civil War . The 1866 Great Fire of Portland , Maine , on July 4 , 1866 , ignited during the Independence Day celebration , destroyed most of the commercial buildings in the city , half the churches and hundreds of homes . More than 10,000 people were left homeless . By act of the Maine Legislature in 1899 , Portland annexed the city of Deering , despite a vote by Deering residents rejecting the annexation , thereby greatly increasing the size of the city and opening areas for development beyond the peninsula . The construction of The Maine Mall , an indoor shopping center established in the suburb of South Portland , during the 1970s , economically depressed downtown Portland . The trend reversed when tourists and new businesses started revitalizing the old seaport , a part of which is known locally as the Old Port . Since the 1990s , the historically industrial Bayside neighborhood has seen rapid development , including attracting a Whole Foods and Trader Joes supermarkets . Other rapidly developing neighborhoods include the India Street neighborhood near the Ocean Gateway and Munjoy Hill , where many modern condos have been built . The Maine College of Art has been a revitalizing force downtown , attracting students from around the country . The historic Porteous building on Congress Street was restored by the College . According to the United States Census Bureau , the city has a total area of 69.44 square miles ( 179.85 km ) , of which , 21.31 square miles ( 55.19 km ) is land and 48.13 square miles ( 124.66 km ) is water . Portland is on a peninsula in Casco Bay on the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean . Portland borders South Portland , Westbrook and Falmouth . The city is located at 43.66713 N , 70.20717 W . Portland has a humid continental climate ( Köppen : Dfb ) , with rather cold , snowy winters , and warm , occasionally almost hot , summers . The monthly daily average temperature ranges from 22.3 ° F ( − 5.4 ° C ) in January to 69.1 ° F ( 20.6 ° C ) in July . Daily high temperatures reach or exceed 90 ° F ( 32 ° C ) on only 4.6 days per year on average , while cold - season lows of 0 ° F ( − 18 ° C ) or below are reached on 7.7 nights per year on average . The area can be affected by severe nor'easters during winter , with high winds and snowfall totals . Annual precipitation averages 47.2 inches ( 1,200 mm ) and is plentiful year - round , but with a slightly drier summer ; snowfall averages 61.9 inches ( 157 cm ) . In coastal Maine , winter - season mid-latitude storms can be intense from November to March , while warm - season thunderstorms are markedly less frequent than in the Midwestern , Mid-Atlantic , and Southeastern U.S. Direct strikes by hurricanes or tropical storms are rare , partially due to the normally cooler Atlantic waters off the Maine coast ( which weaken tropical systems ) , but primarily because most tropical systems approaching or reaching 40 degrees North latitude recurve ( Coriolis effect ) , carrying most such storms well south and east of the Portland area . Extremes range from − 39 ° F ( − 39 ° C ) on February 16 , 1943 , to 103 ° F ( 39 ° C ) on July 4 , 1911 , and August 2 , 1975 . ( hide ) Climate data for Portland International Jetport , Maine ( 1981 -- 2010 normals , extremes 1871 -- present ) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high ° F ( ° C ) 67 ( 19 ) 64 ( 18 ) 88 ( 31 ) 92 ( 33 ) 94 ( 34 ) 98 ( 37 ) 100 ( 38 ) 103 ( 39 ) 95 ( 35 ) 88 ( 31 ) 74 ( 23 ) 71 ( 22 ) 103 ( 39 ) Mean maximum ° F ( ° C ) 50.2 ( 10.1 ) 51.4 ( 10.8 ) 61.5 ( 16.4 ) 74.7 ( 23.7 ) 83.8 ( 28.8 ) 88.8 ( 31.6 ) 91.3 ( 32.9 ) 90.1 ( 32.3 ) 85.6 ( 29.8 ) 74.7 ( 23.7 ) 65.3 ( 18.5 ) 55.6 ( 13.1 ) 93.4 ( 34.1 ) Average high ° F ( ° C ) 31.2 ( − 0.4 ) 34.6 ( 1.4 ) 42.1 ( 5.6 ) 53.3 ( 11.8 ) 63.5 ( 17.5 ) 73.2 ( 22.9 ) 78.8 ( 26 ) 77.7 ( 25.4 ) 70.0 ( 21.1 ) 58.7 ( 14.8 ) 48.0 ( 8.9 ) 37.3 ( 2.9 ) 55.8 ( 13.2 ) Daily mean ° F ( ° C ) 22.3 ( − 5.4 ) 25.5 ( − 3.6 ) 33.5 ( 0.8 ) 44.0 ( 6.7 ) 53.9 ( 12.2 ) 63.4 ( 17.4 ) 69.1 ( 20.6 ) 68.0 ( 20 ) 60.1 ( 15.6 ) 48.8 ( 9.3 ) 39.4 ( 4.1 ) 28.8 ( − 1.8 ) 46.5 ( 8.1 ) Average low ° F ( ° C ) 13.4 ( − 10.3 ) 16.4 ( − 8.7 ) 24.9 ( − 3.9 ) 34.7 ( 1.5 ) 44.2 ( 6.8 ) 53.6 ( 12 ) 59.4 ( 15.2 ) 58.2 ( 14.6 ) 50.3 ( 10.2 ) 38.9 ( 3.8 ) 30.9 ( − 0.6 ) 20.4 ( − 6.4 ) 37.2 ( 2.9 ) Mean minimum ° F ( ° C ) − 7 ( − 22 ) − 3.1 ( − 19.5 ) 5.9 ( − 14.5 ) 23.9 ( − 4.5 ) 32.2 ( 0.1 ) 42.6 ( 5.9 ) 49.9 ( 9.9 ) 46.7 ( 8.2 ) 36.5 ( 2.5 ) 25.6 ( − 3.6 ) 16.1 ( − 8.8 ) ( − 16.6 ) − 9.9 ( − 23.3 ) Record low ° F ( ° C ) − 26 ( − 32 ) − 39 ( − 39 ) − 21 ( − 29 ) 8 ( − 13 ) 23 ( − 5 ) 33 ( 1 ) 40 ( 4 ) 33 ( 1 ) 23 ( − 5 ) 15 ( − 9 ) ( − 16 ) − 21 ( − 29 ) − 39 ( − 39 ) Average precipitation inches ( mm ) 3.38 ( 85.9 ) 3.25 ( 82.6 ) 4.24 ( 107.7 ) 4.32 ( 109.7 ) 4.01 ( 101.9 ) 3.79 ( 96.3 ) 3.61 ( 91.7 ) 3.14 ( 79.8 ) 3.69 ( 93.7 ) 4.87 ( 123.7 ) 4.93 ( 125.2 ) 4.02 ( 102.1 ) 47.25 ( 1,200.1 ) Average snowfall inches ( cm ) 19.2 ( 48.8 ) 12.1 ( 30.7 ) 12.7 ( 32.3 ) 2.8 ( 7.1 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) trace 1.9 ( 4.8 ) 13.2 ( 33.5 ) 61.9 ( 157.2 ) Average precipitation days ( ≥ 0.01 in ) 11.1 9.8 11.7 11.2 12.6 11.8 11.0 9.3 9.2 10.5 11.2 11.5 130.9 Average snowy days ( ≥ 0.1 in ) 7.9 6.1 5.1 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.5 6.1 27.7 Average relative humidity ( % ) 66.8 65.2 66.3 66.8 71.1 74.7 75.3 76.3 76.7 73.9 72.6 70.2 71.3 Mean monthly sunshine hours 164.8 172.8 205.2 213.5 243.2 259.1 282.2 267.6 229.1 195.7 138.7 140.9 2,512.8 Percent possible sunshine 57 59 55 53 53 56 60 62 61 57 48 51 56 Source : NOAA ( relative humidity and sun 1961 -- 1990 ) , Jump up ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima ( i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month ) calculated based on data at said location from 1981 to 2010 . Jump up ^ Official records for Portland were kept at downtown from March 1871 to 24 November 1940 , and at Portland Int'l Jetport ( PWM ) since 25 November 1940 . Temperature records are limited to the period that PWM was the official site ( i.e. since 1940 ) and are based on the Monthly Weather Summary product issued by the NWS office in Gray , Maine . precipitation and snowfall records date to 1871 and 1882 , respectively . ( hide ) Climate data for Portland International Jetport , Maine ( 1981 -- 2010 normals , extremes 1871 -- present ) Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year Record high ° F ( ° C ) 67 ( 19 ) 64 ( 18 ) 88 ( 31 ) 92 ( 33 ) 94 ( 34 ) 98 ( 37 ) 100 ( 38 ) 103 ( 39 ) 95 ( 35 ) 88 ( 31 ) 74 ( 23 ) 71 ( 22 ) 103 ( 39 ) Mean maximum ° F ( ° C ) 50.2 ( 10.1 ) 51.4 ( 10.8 ) 61.5 ( 16.4 ) 74.7 ( 23.7 ) 83.8 ( 28.8 ) 88.8 ( 31.6 ) 91.3 ( 32.9 ) 90.1 ( 32.3 ) 85.6 ( 29.8 ) 74.7 ( 23.7 ) 65.3 ( 18.5 ) 55.6 ( 13.1 ) 93.4 ( 34.1 ) Average high ° F ( ° C ) 31.2 ( − 0.4 ) 34.6 ( 1.4 ) 42.1 ( 5.6 ) 53.3 ( 11.8 ) 63.5 ( 17.5 ) 73.2 ( 22.9 ) 78.8 ( 26 ) 77.7 ( 25.4 ) 70.0 ( 21.1 ) 58.7 ( 14.8 ) 48.0 ( 8.9 ) 37.3 ( 2.9 ) 55.8 ( 13.2 ) Daily mean ° F ( ° C ) 22.3 ( − 5.4 ) 25.5 ( − 3.6 ) 33.5 ( 0.8 ) 44.0 ( 6.7 ) 53.9 ( 12.2 ) 63.4 ( 17.4 ) 69.1 ( 20.6 ) 68.0 ( 20 ) 60.1 ( 15.6 ) 48.8 ( 9.3 ) 39.4 ( 4.1 ) 28.8 ( − 1.8 ) 46.5 ( 8.1 ) Average low ° F ( ° C ) 13.4 ( − 10.3 ) 16.4 ( − 8.7 ) 24.9 ( − 3.9 ) 34.7 ( 1.5 ) 44.2 ( 6.8 ) 53.6 ( 12 ) 59.4 ( 15.2 ) 58.2 ( 14.6 ) 50.3 ( 10.2 ) 38.9 ( 3.8 ) 30.9 ( − 0.6 ) 20.4 ( − 6.4 ) 37.2 ( 2.9 ) Mean minimum ° F ( ° C ) − 7 ( − 22 ) − 3.1 ( − 19.5 ) 5.9 ( − 14.5 ) 23.9 ( − 4.5 ) 32.2 ( 0.1 ) 42.6 ( 5.9 ) 49.9 ( 9.9 ) 46.7 ( 8.2 ) 36.5 ( 2.5 ) 25.6 ( − 3.6 ) 16.1 ( − 8.8 ) ( − 16.6 ) − 9.9 ( − 23.3 ) Record low ° F ( ° C ) − 26 ( − 32 ) − 39 ( − 39 ) − 21 ( − 29 ) 8 ( − 13 ) 23 ( − 5 ) 33 ( 1 ) 40 ( 4 ) 33 ( 1 ) 23 ( − 5 ) 15 ( − 9 ) ( − 16 ) − 21 ( − 29 ) − 39 ( − 39 ) Average precipitation inches ( mm ) 3.38 ( 85.9 ) 3.25 ( 82.6 ) 4.24 ( 107.7 ) 4.32 ( 109.7 ) 4.01 ( 101.9 ) 3.79 ( 96.3 ) 3.61 ( 91.7 ) 3.14 ( 79.8 ) 3.69 ( 93.7 ) 4.87 ( 123.7 ) 4.93 ( 125.2 ) 4.02 ( 102.1 ) 47.25 ( 1,200.1 ) Average snowfall inches ( cm ) 19.2 ( 48.8 ) 12.1 ( 30.7 ) 12.7 ( 32.3 ) 2.8 ( 7.1 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) 0 ( 0 ) trace 1.9 ( 4.8 ) 13.2 ( 33.5 ) 61.9 ( 157.2 ) Average precipitation days ( ≥ 0.01 in ) 11.1 9.8 11.7 11.2 12.6 11.8 11.0 9.3 9.2 10.5 11.2 11.5 130.9 Average snowy days ( ≥ 0.1 in ) 7.9 6.1 5.1 1.0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1.5 6.1 27.7 Average relative humidity ( % ) 66.8 65.2 66.3 66.8 71.1 74.7 75.3 76.3 76.7 73.9 72.6 70.2 71.3 Mean monthly sunshine hours 164.8 172.8 205.2 213.5 243.2 259.1 282.2 267.6 229.1 195.7 138.7 140.9 2,512.8 Percent possible sunshine 57 59 55 53 53 56 60 62 61 57 48 51 56 Source : NOAA ( relative humidity and sun 1961 -- 1990 ) , Jump up ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima ( i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month ) calculated based on data at said location from 1981 to 2010 . Jump up ^ Official records for Portland were kept at downtown from March 1871 to 24 November 1940 , and at Portland Int'l Jetport ( PWM ) since 25 November 1940 . Temperature records are limited to the period that PWM was the official site ( i.e. since 1940 ) and are based on the Monthly Weather Summary product issued by the NWS office in Gray , Maine . precipitation and snowfall records date to 1871 and 1882 , respectively . Jump up ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima ( i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month ) calculated based on data at said location from 1981 to 2010 . Jump up ^ Official records for Portland were kept at downtown from March 1871 to 24 November 1940 , and at Portland Int'l Jetport ( PWM ) since 25 November 1940 . Temperature records are limited to the period that PWM was the official site ( i.e. since 1940 ) and are based on the Monthly Weather Summary product issued by the NWS office in Gray , Maine . precipitation and snowfall records date to 1871 and 1882 , respectively . Jump up ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima ( i.e. the expected highest and lowest temperature readings at any point during the year or given month ) calculated based on data at said location from 1981 to 2010 . Jump up ^ Official records for Portland were kept at downtown from March 1871 to 24 November 1940 , and at Portland Int'l Jetport ( PWM ) since 25 November 1940 . Temperature records are limited to the period that PWM was the official site ( i.e. since 1940 ) and are based on the Monthly Weather Summary product issued by the NWS office in Gray , Maine . precipitation and snowfall records date to 1871 and 1882 , respectively . Portland is organized into neighborhoods generally recognized by residents , but they have no legal or political authority . In many cases , city signs identify neighborhoods or intersections ( which are often called corners ) . Most city neighborhoods have a local association which usually maintains ongoing relations of varying degrees with the city government on issues affecting the neighborhood . On March 8 , 1899 , Portland annexed the neighboring city of Deering . Deering neighborhoods now comprise the northern and eastern sections of the city before the merger . Portland 's Deering High School was formerly the public high school for Deering . Portland 's neighborhoods include the Arts District ; Bayside ; Bradley 's Corner ; Cushing 's Island ; Deering Center ; Deering Highlands ; Downtown ; East Deering ; East Bayside ; East End ; Eastern Cemetery ; Great Diamond Island ; Highlands ; Kennedy Park ; Libbytown ; Little Diamond Island ; Lunt 's Corner ; Morrill 's Corner ; Munjoy Hill ; Nason 's Corner ; North Deering ; Oakdale ; the Old Port ; Parkside ; Peaks Island ; Riverton Park ; Rosemont ; Stroudwater ; West End ; and Woodford 's Corner . Historical population Census Pop . % ± 1790 2,240 -- 1800 3,704 65.4 % 1810 7,169 93.5 % 1820 8,581 19.7 % 1830 12,598 46.8 % 1840 15,218 20.8 % 1850 20,815 36.8 % 1860 26,341 26.5 % 1870 31,413 19.3 % 1880 33,810 7.6 % 1890 36,425 7.7 % 1900 50,145 37.7 % 1910 58,571 16.8 % 1920 69,272 18.3 % 1930 70,810 2.2 % 1940 73,643 4.0 % 1950 77,634 5.4 % 1960 72,566 − 6.5 % 1970 65,116 − 10.3 % 1980 61,572 − 5.4 % 1990 64,358 4.5 % 2000 64,249 − 0.2 % 66,194 3.0 % Est. 2016 66,937 1.1 % U.S. Decennial Census Raymond H. Fogler Library Historical population Census Pop . % ± 1790 2,240 -- 1800 3,704 65.4 % 1810 7,169 93.5 % 1820 8,581 19.7 % 1830 12,598 46.8 % 1840 15,218 20.8 % 1850 20,815 36.8 % 1860 26,341 26.5 % 1870 31,413 19.3 % 1880 33,810 7.6 % 1890 36,425 7.7 % 1900 50,145 37.7 % 1910 58,571 16.8 % 1920 69,272 18.3 % 1930 70,810 2.2 % 1940 73,643 4.0 % 1950 77,634 5.4 % 1960 72,566 − 6.5 % 1970 65,116 − 10.3 % 1980 61,572 − 5.4 % 1990 64,358 4.5 % 2000 64,249 − 0.2 % 66,194 3.0 % Est. 2016 66,937 1.1 % U.S. Decennial Census Raymond H. Fogler Library As of the census of 2010 , there were 66,194 people , 30,725 households , and 13,324 families residing in the city . The population density was 3,106.2 inhabitants per square mile ( 1,199.3 / km ) . There were 33,836 housing units at an average density of 1,587.8 per square mile ( 613.1 / km ) . The racial makeup of the city was 85.0 % White ( 83.6 % non-Hispanic White alone ) , down from 96.6 % in 1990 , 7.1 % African American , 0.5 % Native American , 3.5 % Asian , 1.2 % from other races , and 2.7 % from two or more races . Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.0 % of the population . 40.7 % of the population had a bachelor 's degree or higher . Men 's Health ranked Portland the ninth most educated city in America . There were 30,725 households of which 20.7 % had children under the age of 18 living with them , 29.7 % were married couples living together , 10.1 % had a female householder with no husband present , 3.6 % had a male householder with no wife present , and 56.6 % were non-families. 40.5 % of all households were made up of individuals and 11.4 % had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older . The average household size was 2.07 and the average family size was 2.88 . The median age in the city was 36.7 years . 17.1 % of residents were under the age of 18 ; 11.4 % were between the ages of 18 and 24 ; 33.1 % were from 25 to 44 ; 25.9 % were from 45 to 64 ; and 12.6 % were 65 years of age or older . The gender makeup of the city was 48.8 % male and 51.2 % female . As of the census of 2000 , there were 64,250 people , 29,714 households , and 13,549 families residing in the city . The population density was 3,029.2 people per square mile ( 1,169.6 / km2 ) . There were 31,862 housing units at an average density of 1,502.2 per square mile ( 580.0 / km2 ) . According to the U.S. Census Bureau , Portland 's immediate metropolitan area ranked 147th in the nation in 2000 with a population of 243,537 , while the Portland / South Portland / Biddeford metropolitan area included 487,568 total inhabitants . This has increased to an estimated 513,102 inhabitants ( and the largest metro area in Northern New England ) as of 2007 . Much of this increase in population has been due to growth in the city 's southern and western suburbs . The racial makeup of the city was 91.27 % White , 2.59 % African American , 0.47 % Native American , 3.08 % Asian , 0.06 % Pacific Islander , 0.67 % from other races , and 1.86 % from two or more races . Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.52 % of the population . The largest ancestries include : British ( including Scottish , Welsh , and English ) ( 21.2 % ) , Irish ( 19.2 % ) , French ( 10.8 % ) , Italian ( 10.5 % ) , and German ( 6.9 % ) . There were 29,714 households out of which 21.4 % had children under the age of 18 living with them , 32.1 % were married couples living together , 10.5 % had a female householder with no husband present , and 54.4 % were non-families. 40.1 % of all households were made up of individuals and 11.5 % had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older . The average household size was 2.08 and the average family size was 2.89 . In the city , the population was spread out with 18.8 % under the age of 18 , 10.7 % from 18 to 24 , 36.1 % from 25 to 44 , 20.6 % from 45 to 64 , and 13.9 % who were 65 years of age or older . The median age was 36 years . For every 100 females there were 91.8 males . For every 100 females age 18 and over , there were 89.0 males . The median income for a household in the city was $35,650 , and the median income for a family was $48,763 . Males had a median income of $31,828 versus $27,173 for females . The per capita income for the city was $22,698 . About 9.7 % of families and 14.1 % of the population were below the poverty line , including 12.5 % of those under age 18 and 11.9 % of those age 65 or over . Race / ethnicity composition Race / ethnicity 2000 1990 1960 White 83.6 % 91.27 % 96 % 99.4 % African Americans 7.1 % 2.59 % 1.1 % 0.5 % Asian 3.5 % 3.08 % 1.7 % 0.1 % Two or more races 2.7 % 1.86 % 0.2 % NA Hispanic or Latino 3.0 % 1.52 % 0.8 % NA Native American 0.5 % 0.47 % 0.4 % NA Race / ethnicity 2000 1990 1960 White 83.6 % 91.27 % 96 % 99.4 % African Americans 7.1 % 2.59 % 1.1 % 0.5 % Asian 3.5 % 3.08 % 1.7 % 0.1 % Two or more races 2.7 % 1.86 % 0.2 % NA Hispanic or Latino 3.0 % 1.52 % 0.8 % NA Native American 0.5 % 0.47 % 0.4 % NA Portland has become Maine 's economic capital because the city has Maine 's largest port , largest population , and is close to Boston ( 105 miles to the south ) . Over the years , the local economy has shifted from fishing , manufacturing and agriculture towards a more service - based economy . Most national financial services organizations such as Bank of America , and Key Bank base their Maine operations in Portland . Unum , TruChoice Federal Credit Union , Maine Bank & Trust , ImmuCell Corp , and Pioneer Telephone have headquarters here , and Portland 's neighboring cities of South Portland , Westbrook and Scarborough , provide homes for other corporations . Since 1867 , Burnham & Morrill Co. , maker of B&M Baked Beans , has had its main plant in Portland . The plant is considered a local and state landmark . The city 's port is also undergoing a revival and the first ever container train departed from the new International Marine Terminal with 15 containers of locally produced bottled water recently . Americold , a US - based international provider of temperature - controlled storage and distribution , won the port authority 's bid to develop a state - of - the - art temperature - controlled storage facility adjacent to the port . The facility will support perishable produce , meats and seafood imports and exports directly through the port and is slated to have construction begin in December 2016 . Portland has a low unemployment level when compared to national and state averages ; being 3 % as of June 2017 . Portland and surrounding communities also have higher median incomes than most other Maine communities . Portland is home to increased urban farming , particularly in the East Bayside neighborhood . The Arts District , centered on Congress Street , is home to the Portland Museum of Art , Portland Stage Company , Maine Historical Society & Museum , Portland Public Library , Maine College of Art , Children 's Museum of Maine , SPACE Gallery , Merrill Auditorium , the Kotzschmar Memorial Organ , and Portland Symphony Orchestra , as well as many smaller art galleries and studios . Baxter Boulevard around Back Cove , Deering Oaks Park , the Eastern Promenade , Western Promenade , Lincoln Park and Riverton Park are all historical parks within the city . Other parks and natural spaces include Payson Park , Post Office Park , Baxter Woods , Evergreen Cemetery , Western Cemetery and the Fore River Sanctuary . In the 2010s , Thompson 's Point , located in the Libbytown neighborhood , began a process of renovation and development , . The location hosts a concert venue , ice rink , hotels , restaurants , wineries and breweries . Other sites of interest include : Casco Bay Islands Cross Insurance Arena East End Beach Exchange Street ( the `` Old Port '' area ) Hadlock Field , home of the Portland Sea Dogs Longfellow Arboretum Neal S. Dow House Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum Martin 's Point McLellan - Sweat Mansion The Portland Club Portland Financial District Portland Head Light Lighthouse Portland Observatory Portland Stage Company University of New England University of Southern Maine ( USM ) Victoria Mansion Wadsworth - Longfellow House Casco Bay Islands Cross Insurance Arena East End Beach Exchange Street ( the `` Old Port '' area ) Hadlock Field , home of the Portland Sea Dogs Neal S. Dow House Maine Narrow Gauge Railroad Museum Martin 's Point McLellan - Sweat Mansion The Portland Club Portland Financial District Portland Head Light Lighthouse Portland Stage Company University of New England University of Southern Maine ( USM ) Wadsworth - Longfellow House The city of Portland includes more than 700 acres of open space and public parks . The city and surrounding communities are linked by an 70 miles of trails , both urban and wooded , maintained by nonprofit Portland Trails . Well - known and historic parks include : Deering Oaks Park Eastern Promenade Western Promenade Baxter Boulevard Lincoln Park Congress Square Park Payson Park East End Beach Riverside Golf Course Fort Sumner Park Deering Oaks Park Congress Square Park East End Beach Riverside Golf Course Fort Sumner Park The spire of the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception has been a notable feature of the Portland skyline since its completion in 1854 . In 1859 , Ammi B. Young designed the Marine Hospital , the first of three local works by Supervising Architects of the U.S. Treasury Department . Although the city lost to redevelopment its 1867 Greek Revival post office , which was designed by Alfred B. Mullett of white Vermont marble and featured a Corinthian portico , Portland retains his equally monumental 1872 granite Second Empire -- Renaissance Revival custom house . A more recent building of note is Franklin Towers , a 16 - story residential tower completed in 1969 . At 175 feet ( 53 meters ) , it is Portland 's ( as well as Maine 's ) tallest building . It is next to the Cathedral of the Immaculate Conception on the city skyline . During the building boom of the 1980s , several new buildings rose on the peninsula , including the 1983 Charles Shipman Payson Building by Henry N. Cobb of Pei , Cobb , Freed & Partners at the Portland Museum of Art complex ( a component of which is the 1801 McLellan - Sweat Mansion ) , and the Back Bay Tower , a 15 - story residential building completed in 1990 . 477 Congress Street ( known locally as the Time and Temperature Building ) is situated near Monument Square in the Arts District and is a major landmark : the 14 - story building features a large electronic sign on its roof that flashes time and temperature data , as well as parking ban information in the winter . The sign can be seen from nearly all of downtown Portland . The building is home to several radio stations . The Eastland Park Hotel , completed in 1927 , is a prominent hotel located on High Street in downtown Portland . Photographer Todd Webb lived in Portland during his later years and took many pictures of the city . Some of Webb 's pictures of Portland can be found at the Evans Gallery in South Portland . Portland is home to a concentration of publishing and broadcast companies , advertising agencies , web designers , commercial photography studios and film makers . The city is home to two daily newspapers : The Portland Press Herald / Maine Sunday Telegram founded in 1862 and The Portland Daily Sun . The Press Herald is published Monday through Saturday , and The Maine Sunday Telegram is published on Sundays . Both are published by MaineToday Media , Inc. , which also operates an entertainment website , MaineToday.com and owns papers in Augusta , Waterville and Bath . The Daily Sun began operation in 2009 ; it is owned and published by the Conway Daily Sun in North Conway , New Hampshire . Portland is also covered by an alternative weekly newspaper , The Portland Phoenix , published by the Phoenix Media / Communications Group , which also produces a New England - wide news , arts , and entertainment website , thephoenix.com , and a twice - annual GLBT issues magazine , Out In Maine . Other publications include The Portland Forecaster , a weekly newspaper ; The Bollard , a monthly alternative magazine ; The West End News , The Munjoy Hill Observer , The Baysider , The Waterfront , Portland Magazine , and The Companion , an LGBT publication . Portland is also the home office of The Exception Magazine , an online newspaper that covers Maine . The Portland broadcast media market is the largest one in Maine in both radio and television . A whole host of radio station are located in Portland , including WFNK ( Classic Hits ) ; WJJB ( Sports ) ; WTHT ( Country ) ; WBQW ( Classical ) ; WHXR ( Rock ) ; WHOM ( Adult Contemporary ) ; WJBQ ( Top 40 ) ; WCLZ ( Adult Album Alternative ) ; WBLM ( Classic Rock ) ; WYNZ ( ' 60s - ' 70s Hits ) ; and WCYY ( Modern rock ) . WMPG is a local non-commercial radio station run by community members and the University of Southern Maine . The Maine Public Broadcasting Network 's ( MPBN ) radio news operations are based in Portland . The area is served by local television stations representing most of the television networks . These stations include WCSH 6 ( NBC ) , WMTW 8 ( ABC ) , WGME 13 ( CBS ) , WPFO 23 ( Fox ) , WPME 35 ( MyNetworkTV ) , and WPXT 51 ( The CW ) . There is no PBS affiliate licensed to the city of Portland , but the market is served by MPBN outlets WCBB Channel 10 in Augusta and WMEA - TV Channel 26 Biddeford . TV Channel Number on Cable Call Sign Network 6 WCSH NBC 8 WMTW ABC 10 WCBB PBS 13 WGME CBS 23 WPFO Fox 26 WMEA - TV PBS 35 WPME MyNetworkTV 51 WPXT The CW TV Channel Number on Cable Call Sign Network 6 WCSH NBC 8 WMTW ABC 10 WCBB PBS 13 WGME CBS 23 WPFO Fox 26 WMEA - TV PBS 35 WPME MyNetworkTV 51 WPXT The CW The Man Without a Face Message in a Bottle The Preacher 's Wife Thinner Unfinished Business The Man Without a Face Message in a Bottle The Preacher 's Wife Club League Venue Established Championships Portland Sea Dogs Eastern League , Baseball Hadlock Field Maine Mariners ECHL , Ice hockey Cross Insurance Arena 2018 0 Maine Red Claws NBA G League , Basketball Portland Exposition Building 2009 0 Maine Mammoths National Arena League , Indoor football Cross Insurance Arena 2018 0 Portland Phoenix FC USL PDL , Soccer Memorial Stadium 2009 0 Portland Rugby Football Club New England Rugby Football Union , Rugby Union Fox Street Field 1969 Maine Roller Derby WFTDA , Roller Derby Portland Exposition Building 2006 0 Club League Venue Established Championships Portland Sea Dogs Eastern League , Baseball Hadlock Field Maine Mariners ECHL , Ice hockey Cross Insurance Arena 2018 0 Maine Red Claws NBA G League , Basketball Portland Exposition Building 2009 0 Maine Mammoths National Arena League , Indoor football Cross Insurance Arena 2018 0 Portland Phoenix FC USL PDL , Soccer Memorial Stadium 2009 0 Portland Rugby Football Club New England Rugby Football Union , Rugby Union Fox Street Field 1969 Maine Roller Derby WFTDA , Roller Derby Portland Exposition Building 2006 0 The city is home to three minor league teams . The Portland Sea Dogs , the Double - A farm team of the Boston Red Sox , play at Hadlock Field . The Maine Red Claws , the NBA G League affiliate of the Boston Celtics , play at the Portland Exposition Building . The GPS Portland Phoenix soccer teams plays in the Premier Development League . Previously , Portland was home of several minor league ice hockey teams : the Maine Nordiques ( NAHL ) from 1973 to 1977 , the Maine Mariners ( AHL ) from 1977 to 1992 , and the Portland Pirates ( AHL ) from 1993 to 2016 . The Mariners were three - time Calder Cup winners . In 2018 , Portland will get another Maine Mariners in the ECHL . The Portland Sports Complex , located off of Park and Brighton Avenues near I - 295 and Deering Oaks park , houses several of the city 's stadiums and arenas , including : Hadlock Field -- baseball ( Capacity 7,368 ) Fitzpatrick Stadium -- football , soccer , lacrosse , field hockey , and outdoor track ( Capacity 6,000 + seated ) Portland Exposition Building -- basketball , indoor track , concerts and trade shows ( Capacity 3,000 ) Portland Ice Arena -- hockey and figure skating ( Capacity 400 ) Hadlock Field -- baseball ( Capacity 7,368 ) Fitzpatrick Stadium -- football , soccer , lacrosse , field hockey , and outdoor track ( Capacity 6,000 + seated ) Portland Exposition Building -- basketball , indoor track , concerts and trade shows ( Capacity 3,000 ) Portland Ice Arena -- hockey and figure skating ( Capacity 400 ) Cross Insurance Arena has 6,733 permanent seats . It was renovated in 2014 . ( see picture ) The Portland area has eleven professional golf courses , 124 tennis courts , and 95 playgrounds . There are also over 100 miles ( 160 km ) of nature trails . Portland hosts the Maine Marathon each October . Bayside Bowl was expanded in 2017 to 20 lanes , including a rooftop deck . It is hosting the 2017 PBA League and Elias Cup in April . Memorial Stadium is the home of the Deering High School sports teams and is located behind the school . The downtown area of Portland , including the Arts District and the Old Port , has a high concentration of eating and drinking establishments , with many more to be found throughout the rest of the peninsula , outlying neighborhoods , and neighboring communities . Portland ranks among the top U.S. cities in restaurants and bars per capita . According to the TripAdvisor , Portland is currently home to about 389 restaurants . Portland has developed a national reputation for the quality of its restaurants and eateries . In 2009 , Portland was named the `` Foodiest Small Town in America '' by Bon Appétit magazine , and was featured in the New York Times as a food destination . Many local chefs have gained national attention over the past few years . Portland is home to a number of microbreweries and brewpubs , including the D.L. Geary Brewing Company , Gritty McDuff 's Brewing Company , Shipyard Brewing Company , Casco Bay Brewing Company , and Allagash Brewing Company . The Portland Farmers Market ( Maine ) , which has been in continuous operation since 1768 , takes place every Wednesday morning in Monument Square and every Saturday in Deering Oaks Park from early May to the end of November , and every Saturday indoors from early December to the end of April . Fresh fish and seafood can be purchased at a number of markets on the wharves along Commercial Street , and numerous artisan bread makers bake fresh loaves every day . An historic B&M Bean plant remains in operation on the waterfront . Appreciation for sustainable food and farming became popular throughout Maine in the 1970s as back - to - the - landers moved to the state . With them came the resurgence of farmers ' markets ( including the expansion of the Portland market ) , a significant organic farming movement and an increased interest in plant - based cuisine . The movement continues in Portland , where restaurants emphasize local and organic food , where a number of vegan food companies are located , and where the state 's greatest concentration of vegetarian , vegan and vegetarian - friendly restaurants can be found . In 2016 , VegNews magazine added the city to its list of the 12 Best Towns for Vegan Living . The state 's major daily newspaper , The Portland Press Herald features the regular Vegan Kitchen column in the Food & Dining section . Portland is the birthplace of the Italian sandwich , which is called simply `` an Italian '' by locals . Italian sandwiches are available at many stores , but most famously at Amato 's Italian delicatessens , which claims to have originated the sandwich ( hence the name ) . In 2015 , Portland ranked 14th on Travel + Leisure 's end of year list , `` America 's 20 Best Cities for Beer Lovers '' . The city and outlying region played host to Rachael Ray in an episode of her Food Network Series $40 a Day , and was also featured in the Travel Channel series Man v. Food and Anthony Bourdain : No Reservations in 2010 . In the spring of 2007 , Portland was nominated as one of three finalists for `` Delicious Destination of the Year '' at the 2007 Food Network Awards . Portland hosts a number of food and beverage festivals , including : Festival of Nations Greek Festival Harvest on the Harbor Italian Heritage Festival Maine Brewers Festival Maine VegFest Taste of the Nation Festival of Nations Harvest on the Harbor Italian Heritage Festival Maine Brewers Festival Taste of the Nation The city has adopted a council - manager style government that is detailed in the city charter . The citizens of Portland are represented by a nine - member city council which makes policy , passes ordinances , approves appropriations , appoints the city manager and oversees the municipal government . The city council of nine members is elected by the citizens of Portland . The city has five voting districts , with each district electing a city councilor to represent their neighborhood interests for a three - year term . There are also four members of the city council who are elected at - large . From 1923 until 2011 , city councilors chose one of themselves each year to serve as mayor , a primarily ceremonial position . Two of the most long lasting mayors , with 20 years each , were Connor Knoblock and Conner Walton . On November 2 , 2010 , Portland voters narrowly approved a measure that allowed them to elect the mayor . On November 8 , 2011 , former State Senator and candidate for U.S. Congress Michael F. Brennan was elected as mayor . On December 5 , 2011 , he was sworn in as the first citizen - elected mayor in 88 years ( see Portland , Maine mayoral election , 2011 ) . The office of mayor is a four - year paid position . The current mayor is Ethan Strimling , who defeated Brennan in the 2015 election . A city manager is appointed by the city council . The city manager oversees the daily operations of the city government , appoints the heads of city departments , and prepares annual budgets . The city manager directs all city agencies and departments , and is responsible for the executing laws and policies passed by the city council . The current city manager is Jon Jennings . Aside from the main city council , there is also an elected school board for the Portland Public School system . The school board is made up in the same manner of the city council , with five district members , four at - large members and one chairman . There are also three students from the local high schools elected to serve on the board . There are many other boards and committees such as the Planning Committee , Board of Appeals , and Harbor Commission , etc . These committees and boards have limited power in their respective areas of expertise . Members of boards and committees are appointed by city council members . On November 5 , 2013 , Portland voters overwhelmingly approved an ordinance to legalize the possession and private use of cannabis for adults , making the city the first municipality in the Eastern United States to do so . Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of November 2014 Party Total Voters Percentage Democratic 24,486 46.49 % Unenrolled 18,071 34.31 % Republican 7,003 13.29 % Green Independent 3,105 5.90 % Total 52,665 100 % Voter Registration and Party Enrollment as of November 2014 Party Total Voters Percentage Democratic 24,486 46.49 % Unenrolled 18,071 34.31 % Republican 7,003 13.29 % Green Independent 3,105 5.90 % Total 52,665 100 % The Portland Fire Department ( PFD ) provides fire protection and emergency medical services to the city of Portland 24 / 7 , 365 . Established in 1768 , the PFD is made up of over 230 paid , professional firefighters and operates out of 7 Fire Stations , located throughout the city , in addition to Fire Stations staffed by `` on - call '' firefighters on Peaks Island ; Great Diamond Island ; Cushing Island ; and Cliff Island . The Portland Fire Department also operates an Airport Division Station at 1001 Westbrook St. , at the Portland International Jetport , and a Marine Division Station , located at 54 Commercial St . The Portland Fire Department also operates a fire apparatus fleet of 4 Engine Companies ( 5 when manpower permits ) ; 4 Ladder Companies ( including 2 Quints ) ; 1 Rescue Company ; 1 Hazardous Materials ( Haz - Mat . ) Unit ; 1 Confined - Space Rescue Unit ; 5 ARFF Crash Rescue Units ; 3 Marine Units ( Fireboats ) ; 5 MEDCU Units ( Ambulances ) ; and numerous other special , support , and reserve units . Island `` call '' firefighters man a total of 4 Engines , 1 Ladder , 4 Water Tank Units , and 3 MEDCU Units ( Ambulances ) . Each frontline fire company is staffed by 1 Officer and 2 Firefighters per shift . Each MEDCU Unit ( Ambulance ) is staffed by 2 Firefighter / EMTs per shift . The Marine Division is staffed by 1 Officer and 2 Firefighters per shift , who also cross-staff Engine 7 in the event of a structural fire in the city not requiring a Marine Unit . The firefighters are members of IAFF Local 740 . Baxter Academy for Technology and Science ( charter ) Casco Bay High School ( public - expeditionary ) Catherine McAuley High School ( private ) Cheverus High School ( private ) Deering High School ( public ) Portland Arts & Technology High School ( public - vocational ) Portland High School ( public ) Waynflete School ( private ) Baxter Academy for Technology and Science ( charter ) Casco Bay High School ( public - expeditionary ) Catherine McAuley High School ( private ) Cheverus High School ( private ) Deering High School ( public ) Portland Arts & Technology High School ( public - vocational ) Portland High School ( public ) Waynflete School ( private ) Maine College of Art University of Maine School of Law University of New England ( formerly Westbrook College ) University of Southern Maine Maine College of Art University of Maine School of Law University of New England ( formerly Westbrook College ) University of Southern Maine Maine Medical Center a Level One Trauma Center is the largest hospital in Maine and is continuing to expand its campus and services . Mercy Hospital , a faith - based hospital , is the fourth - largest hospital in the state and began construction on its new campus along the Fore River in late 2006 . The project is expected to be constructed in several phases , with completion of the first phase scheduled for 2008 . The formerly independent Brighton Medical Center ( once known as the Osteopathic Hospital ) is now owned by Maine Medical Center and is operated as a minor care center under the name Brighton First Care and New England Rehab . In 2010 , Maine Medical Center 's Hannaford Center for Safety , Innovation and Simulation opened at the Brighton campus . The former Portland General Hospital is now home to the Barron Center nursing facility . Portland is accessible from I - 95 ( the Maine Turnpike ) , I - 295 , and US 1 . Also , U.S. Route 302 , a major travel route and scenic highway between Maine and Vermont , has its eastern terminus in Portland . State Routes include SR 9 , SR 22 , SR 25 , SR 26 , SR 77 , and SR 100 . SR 25 Business goes through southwestern Portland . Amtrak 's Downeaster service offers five daily trains connecting the city with eight towns and cities to the south , ending at Boston 's North Station . To the north , three of the Downeasters go to Freeport and Brunswick . Concord Coach Lines bus service connects Portland to 14 other communities in Maine as well as to Boston 's South Station and Logan Airport . Both the Downeaster and the Concord Coach Lines can be found at the Portland Transportation Center on Thompsons Point Road , in the Libbytown neighborhood . Greyhound Lines on Saint John Street connects to 17 Maine communities and to more than 3,600 U.S. destinations . A carsharing service provided by Uhaul Car Share is available . Both Uber and Lyft operate in Portland The city bus service is provided by Metro Greater Portland Transit District . Commercial air service is available at the Portland International Jetport , located in Stroudwater west of the city 's downtown district . Several car rental agencies are located at the jetport . American , Southwest , JetBlue , Delta , and United serve the airport . Direct flights are available to Baltimore , Philadelphia , New York , Atlanta , Newark , Washington , Charlotte , Chicago , and Detroit . The Port of Portland is the second - largest cruise and passenger destination in the state ( next to Bar Harbor ) , and is served by the Ocean Gateway International Marine Passenger Terminal . Ferry service is available year - round to many destinations in Casco Bay . From 2006 to 2009 , Bay Ferries operated a high speed ferry called The Cat featuring a five - hour trip to Yarmouth , Nova Scotia , for summer passengers and cars . Before that , the Scotia Prince Cruises trip took eleven hours . A proposal to replace the defunct Nova Scotia ferry services was rejected in 2013 by Nova Scotia 's government . From May 15 , 2014 , until October 2015 , the cruise ship ferry Nova Star made daily trips from Portland to Yarmouth , Nova Scotia . Due to poor passenger numbers and financial problems , Nova Scotia selected Bay Ferries , the prior operator of The Cat , to operate the service starting in 2016 . Nova Scotia cited Bay Ferries ' experience and industry relationships in making its decision . Nova Star officials pledged a smooth transition to the new operator . The Nova Star was later ordered seized by federal marshals for nonpayment of bills . Bay Ferries announced on March 24 , 2016 , that they had chartered the former Hawaii Superferry boat HST - 2 from the US Navy to use for the Portland - Yarmouth service , for a two - year period . Bay Ferries signed a 10 - year deal with Nova Scotia to run the ferry route , which will take about five and a half hours to run in a crossing . They stated that the boat would be renamed The Cat and that service would begin around June 15 , after the boat was refitted in a South Carolina shipyard . There is still a dispute as to whether the ferry will be permitted to carry trucks , something desired by Nova Scotia businesses but opposed by the City of Portland . The Casco Bay Lines operates several passenger ferries with dozens of trips every day year - round to the major populated islands of Casco Bay . The service to Peaks Island also provides an auto ferry for most of its schedule . Ranked as Bon Appétit magazine 's `` America 's Foodiest Small Town '' ( 2009 ) . Ranked fourth on Sperlings Best Places list for America 's Foodie Cities ! Named `` Best American City for Food '' by the Daily Meal , April 2015 . Named `` No. 1 city in U.S. for beer drinkers '' by NYC personal finance tech company , SmartAsset , December 2015 . Ranked No. 1 city in the world ( April , 2016 ) for craft beer by the largest independent travel publisher in the world , The Matador Network . Ranked No. 10 town in the U.S. in the `` VegNews '' 12 Best Towns for Vegan Living . Ranked as Bon Appétit magazine 's `` America 's Foodiest Small Town '' ( 2009 ) . Ranked fourth on Sperlings Best Places list for America 's Foodie Cities ! Named `` Best American City for Food '' by the Daily Meal , April 2015 . Named `` No. 1 city in U.S. for beer drinkers '' by NYC personal finance tech company , SmartAsset , December 2015 . Ranked No. 1 city in the world ( April , 2016 ) for craft beer by the largest independent travel publisher in the world , The Matador Network . Ranked No. 10 town in the U.S. in the `` VegNews '' 12 Best Towns for Vegan Living . Ranked No. 12 on Frommer 's 2007 `` Top Travel Destinations '' . Named Best Adventure Town in the East by Outside Magazine . Ranked No. 12 on Frommer 's 2007 `` Top Travel Destinations '' . Named Best Adventure Town in the East by Outside Magazine . Ranked as Forbes magazine 's `` Top City for Empty Nesters '' ( 2012 ) . `` Top City for Empty Nesters '' ( Kiplingers ) Ranked No. 1 on Forbes.com `` America 's Most Livable Cities '' ( 2009 ) . Ranked No. 13 on Men 's Health Magazine 's list of America 's 100 most `` car crazed '' cities . Ranked No. 20 on the list of Top 20 Best Small Cities for College Students by the American Institute for Economic Research . Named one of the `` Coolest Small Cities in America '' by GQ magazine . Ranked as the third gayest city in the nation by UCLA 's Williams Institute . Ranked No. 3 on Men 's Journal 's list , `` The 10 Best Places to Live Now '' . ( 2015 ) Ranked No. 5 on Jetsetter 's list , `` America 's Coolest Small Towns '' . ( 2015 ) Ranked as Forbes magazine 's `` Top City for Empty Nesters '' ( 2012 ) . `` Top City for Empty Nesters '' ( Kiplingers ) Ranked No. 1 on Forbes.com `` America 's Most Livable Cities '' ( 2009 ) . Ranked No. 13 on Men 's Health Magazine 's list of America 's 100 most `` car crazed '' cities . Ranked No. 20 on the list of Top 20 Best Small Cities for College Students by the American Institute for Economic Research . Named one of the `` Coolest Small Cities in America '' by GQ magazine . Ranked as the third gayest city in the nation by UCLA 's Williams Institute . Ranked No. 3 on Men 's Journal 's list , `` The 10 Best Places to Live Now '' . ( 2015 ) Ranked No. 5 on Jetsetter 's list , `` America 's Coolest Small Towns '' . ( 2015 ) Portland has four sister cities , as designated by Sister Cities International ( SCI ) : Arkhangelsk , Russia Cap - Haïtien , Haiti Mytilene , Greece Shinagawa , Tokyo , Japan Arkhangelsk , Russia Cap - Haïtien , Haiti Mytilene , Greece Shinagawa , Tokyo , Japan