Kennebec County Demographics

As of the latest available data, Kennebec County, ME, has a population of approximately 122,000. The racial composition is about 94% White, 2% Black or African American, 1% Asian, and 2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino individuals make up around 1.5% of the population. The median household income is roughly $53,000, with a poverty rate of about 12%. The county has a median age of 44 years, and around 20% of the population is 65 or older.

Kennebec County Housing

As of the latest data, the median home value in Kennebec County, ME, is approximately $200,000. The county has an average property tax rate of 1.35%. The median rent is around $950 per month. Kennebec County has a homeownership rate of 73.5%, with about 45,000 housing units. The median household income is roughly $50,000. The real estate market shows moderate growth, with a 5.5% increase in home values over the past year.

Elections in Kennebec County

Kennebec County, Maine, often features a range of elections, including federal, state, and local races. In the 2022 general election, over 63% of residents voted, reflecting active civic participation.

Key races included the gubernatorial contest where incumbent Janet Mills (D) won with 55.5% of the vote versus former Governor Paul LePage (R) who secured 41.5%. The U.S. House race saw Chellie Pingree (D) retain her seat with 63.2% against Ed Thelander (R) who garnered 36.8%.

State legislature races saw candidates vying for Senate and House positions. In District 14, Shenna Bellows (D) won the Senate race with 59% over Matthew Leonard (R) at 41%. House District 79 had Jeffrey Hanley (R) defeating Chris Hurley (D) with 54%.

Local government elections also took place across various towns, involving selectmen and school board members. Always check the Kennebec County website or local news for current candidate lists and election results.

How Educated in Kennebec County

As of recent data, Kennebec County, ME, shows significant educational attainment. About 92.4% of residents aged 25 and older have completed high school, slightly above the national average of 88.5%. Around 28.3% hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, which is lower than the national average of 33.1%. Comparatively, Maine’s state averages are 91.3% for high school graduates and 30.4% for those with a bachelor’s degree or higher. Thus, Kennebec County surpasses national and state high school graduation rates but lags behind in higher education attainment.

These statistics indicate a strong base of secondary education but suggest a need for increased efforts to boost higher education levels to align more closely with broader educational trends.

Kennebec County Employment Rate

As of 2021, Kennebec County, ME, had an estimated labor force of 73,000 with an unemployment rate of approximately 4.5%. The top industries include healthcare and social assistance, retail trade, and public administration. Healthcare and social assistance is a particularly dominant sector, employing around 30% of the workforce, reflecting the presence of major medical facilities like MaineGeneral Health.

Comparatively, the national unemployment rate around the same period was about 5.4%, and Maine's state average was around 4.8%. Nationally, the largest employment sectors are healthcare, retail trade, and professional services, while in Maine, the top industries are healthcare, retail trade, and education services.

Thus, Kennebec County aligns closely with both state and national trends, particularly in the prominence of the healthcare sector. However, public administration employment is notably higher in Kennebec County due to its status as a governmental hub.

Average Income in Kennebec County

As of the most recent data, the median household income in Kennebec County, ME is approximately $55,000. This figure is below both the national median household income, which stands around $67,500, and the state of Maine’s median, which is approximately $58,850.

Income Comparison Table

Region Median Household Income
Kennebec County $55,000
State of Maine $58,850
United States $67,500

This data highlights that Kennebec County lags behind both the state and national averages, illustrating a potential area for economic development and policy intervention.

Kennebec County Crime Rates

As of 2020, Kennebec County, ME, had a crime rate of 14.14 per 1,000 residents, which includes both violent and property crimes.

Crime Type Number of Incidents
Violent Crimes 300
Property Crimes 1,100
Murder 2
Rape 30
Robbery 25
Assault 243
Burglary 210
Larceny-Theft 750
Motor Vehicle Theft 140

These values indicate that property crimes are significantly more prevalent than violent crimes in this area.