The Community

The population of Cliff Island changes with the seasons, dropping to around 75 people in the winter months and then jumping to upwards of 350 in the summertime. Despite the variances in population size, Cliff Island does not claim to be a tourist destination, an identity reflected in the fact that the island has no public restrooms. Nearly all of the land is privately owned, and there are no bed & breakfasts, hotels or gift shops on the island. Rather, there is a strong sense of shared community among the year-round residents, as well as a fairly large summer population, who also help to define the community on Cliff in their own way.

Despite the very small number of year-round residents, Cliff Island boasts a number of different community activities and organizations, operating year-round, that help make the island less of a tourist destination and more of a steadfast community. There is a small general store, which also serves as a local coffee shop, bakery and sandwich shop in the summer. Across the street from the store is the local Post Office, which has a USPS registered postmaster. Mail arrives at the island via the local ferry from Portland.

Cliff Island Community Hall

The Post Office and Historical Society are located in the basement of the Community Hall which is home to the Cliff Island Association (CIA), a town committee that, among many other community-oriented activities, publishes The Cliff Island Seagull.

The Seagull is a seasonal publication that provides updates not only on different community activities, news, and photos, but also includes poems from local residents, as well as safety reports issued by the fire squad. The Community Hall can be scheduled out whenever local residents need to hold an event.

Aside from the Town Hall and general store, Cliff also has a local Seventh Day Adventist church, a year-round library and a K-5 school. During the summer months, an Ecumenical church meets as well. There is also a volunteer fire and rescue squad with three firetrucks and one ambulance, operated under the Portland Fire Department.

There are licensed EMTs on the island as well. However, most medical emergencies usually require a trip to Portland to visit a doctor with more resources and equipment. A helicopter can also land on the island in case of immediate emergencies, and there is a rescue boat that serves as a means of evacuation when needed.

For more Cliff Island information,
check out the official Cliff Island webpage at www.cliffisland.com

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