Westernport | |
|---|---|
 Downtown looking east on Church St in January 2014 | |
 Flag  Seal | |
 Location of Westernport, Maryland | |
  Westernport  Westernport | |
| Coordinates:39°29′17″N79°02′34″W / 39.48806°N 79.04278°W /39.48806; -79.04278 | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Maryland |
| County |  Allegany |
| Settled | 1758 |
| Incorporated | 1859 |
| Area | |
• Total | 0.91 sq mi (2.35 km2) |
| • Land | 0.88 sq mi (2.28 km2) |
| • Water | 0.027 sq mi (0.07 km2) |
| Elevation | 971 ft (296 m) |
| Population (2020) | |
• Total | 1,812 |
| • Density | 2,062.2/sq mi (796.23/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC-5 (Eastern (EST)) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC-4 (EDT) |
| ZIP code | 21562 |
| Area codes | 301, 240 |
| FIPS code | 24-82750 |
| GNIS feature ID | 2391482[2] |
| Website | https://townofwesternport.com/?fs=e&s=cl |
Westernport is a town inAllegany County,Maryland, United States, along theGeorges Creek Valley. It is part of theCumberland, MD-WV Metropolitan Statistical Area. The population was 1,888 at the2010 census.
Westernport's first settlement is identified on a French military map dating from 1758. The map is currently on display atÉcole Militaire inParis. The settlement at that time had no name. By 1774, it was known as Hardscrabble because the rocky soil made planting difficult. Some time in the mid-1790s, the name was changed to Westernport, with the town being the westernmost navigable port on thePotomac River. In the late 18th century and early to mid part of the 19th century, coal and timber was loaded ontoflatboats whereGeorge's Creek empties into the Potomac, then floated down to nearGreat Falls, Virginia, where the goods were unloaded, the boats broken up to sell as lumber, with the operators walking back to Westernport. The town was incorporated in 1859.
In 1886–87 thePiedmont and Cumberland Railway was built through Westernport, connecting the town toCumberland.[3]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 0.89 square miles (2.31 km2), of which 0.87 square miles (2.25 km2) is land and 0.02 square miles (0.05 km2) is water.[4]
The climate in this area has mild differences between highs and lows, and there is adequate rainfall year-round. According to theKöppen Climate Classification system, Westernport has amarine west coast climate, abbreviated "Cfb" on climate maps.[5]
_at_Maryland_State_Route_36_(New_Georges_Creek_Road)_in_Westernport%2c_Allegany_County%2c_Maryland.jpg)
The primary means of travel to and from Westernport are by road. The main highways serving the town areMaryland Route 36 andMaryland Route 135. To the south, MD 36 connects the town toWest Virginia Route 46 on the other side of theNorth Branch Potomac River inPiedmont, while heading north, MD 36 passesInterstate 68 on its way toFrostburg. MD 135 connects eastward toU.S. Route 220 just north ofKeyser. To the west, MD 135 eventually reachesU.S. Route 219 inOakland. Within the town limits,Maryland Route 937 also serves locals, having formerly been the alignment of MD 36.
| Census | Pop. | Note | %± |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1880 | 1,468 | — | |
| 1890 | 1,526 | 4.0% | |
| 1900 | 1,998 | 30.9% | |
| 1910 | 2,702 | 35.2% | |
| 1920 | 3,977 | 47.2% | |
| 1930 | 3,440 | −13.5% | |
| 1940 | 3,565 | 3.6% | |
| 1950 | 3,431 | −3.8% | |
| 1960 | 3,559 | 3.7% | |
| 1970 | 3,106 | −12.7% | |
| 1980 | 2,706 | −12.9% | |
| 1990 | 2,454 | −9.3% | |
| 2000 | 2,104 | −14.3% | |
| 2010 | 1,888 | −10.3% | |
| 2020 | 1,812 | −4.0% | |
| U.S. Decennial Census[6] | |||
As of thecensus[7] of 2010, there were 1,888 people, 810 households, and 532 families living in the town. Thepopulation density was 2,170.1 inhabitants per square mile (837.9/km2). There were 1,006 housing units at an average density of 1,156.3 units per square mile (446.4 units/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 98.6%White, 0.5%African American, 0.1%Asian, and 0.7% from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino of any race were 0.4% of the population.
There were 810 households, of which 27.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.0% weremarried couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, 5.8% had a male householder with no wife present, and 34.3% were non-families. 31.5% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.33 and the average family size was 2.88.
The median age in the town was 44 years. 20.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 9% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.8% were from 25 to 44; 27.6% were from 45 to 64; and 21.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 48.7% male and 51.3% female.
As of the census[8] of 2000, there were 2,104 people, 909 households, and 601 families living in the town. The population density was 2,385.6 inhabitants per square mile (921.1/km2). There were 1,056 housing units at an average density of 1,197.3 units per square mile (462.3 units/km2). The racial makeup of the town was 99.24% White, 0.19% African American, 0.10% Native American, 0.14% Asian, and 0.33% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.29% of the population.
There were 909 households, out of which 27.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.2% were married couples living together, 11.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.8% were non-families. 31.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 20.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.31 and the average family size was 2.88.
The age distribution is 22.6% under the age of 18, 8.0% from 18 to 24, 25.9% from 25 to 44, 20.7% from 45 to 64, and 22.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.6 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 86.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town was $23,681, and the median income for a family was $31,714. Males had a median income of $34,896 versus $16,920 for females. Theper capita income for the town was $12,503. About 12.1% of families and 16.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 18.9% of those under age 18 and 14.2% of those age 65 or over.
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
