Cumberland County Extension Board

Facts about Cumberland County

History remembers Cumberland County as an outpost to the wilderness in the 1700's and later a vital connection to activities during the Civil War. Many events, historical locations, and fascinating people of the past were highlighted in the year 2000 as Cumberland County celebrated it's 250th Anniversary.

Close commutes to Harrisburg, Baltimore, and Philadelphia create an eclectic atmosphere for employment including the armed forces, business, education, and agriculture. Three major interstates converge in Cumberland County, making the county a natural hub for transportation and business travel.

Cumberland County is located in South Central Pennsylvania, covers an area of 550 square miles, and the 2006 population was 226,117. (2000 population - 213,674). The county seat is Carlisle. The eastern part of the county is densely populated, while the western half remains somewhat rural. Loss of valuable farmland is one of the major threats to agriculture in the county.

Educational institutions in the county include Dickinson College, Penn State Dickinson School of Law, Shippensburg University, and Messiah College. Carlisle is home to the US Army War College and the Army Heritage Education Center (AHEC).

County Statistics: http://www.nass.usda.gov/pa/

• To find timely, relevant, and quality data about the people and economy of the United States, click here: http://www.census.gov/