1st Advantage MortgageKennebec County households have a median income of $69,077 and median rent of $992 a month (ACS 2020 to 2024). Your income, debts and credit decide what you qualify for. Get offers in writing, compare the total repaid, and never pay a fee up front.
On this page
- Who lives in Kennebec County
- What Kennebec County households earn
- Renting and owning in Kennebec County
- Work, industries and travel time in Kennebec County
- Neighboring counties at a glance
- Cities, towns and CDPs in Kennebec County
- Who lives in Kennebec County, in numbers
- Local borrowing considerations for Kennebec County
- What a median Kennebec County budget can carry
- A Kennebec County borrower's checklist
- Who licenses lenders for Kennebec County residents
- More guides for Kennebec County
- Frequently asked questions
Who lives in Kennebec County
Kennebec County is home to about 126,808 people, according to the Census Bureau's 2020 to 2024 American Community Survey, which makes it the 4th most populous of 16 county-level areas in Maine. Land area is 867 square miles (2024 Gazetteer), so density runs near 146 per square mile. Under the July 2023 OMB definitions, Kennebec County is not part of any metropolitan area. Of the 29 Census places inside Kennebec County, Augusta leads by population with about 19,077; 23 of the 29 are incorporated.
What Kennebec County households earn
Kennebec County households have a median income of $69,077 (ACS 2020 to 2024), which ranks 8th of 16 in Maine.
| Households earning | Kennebec County | +/- vs Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Under $35,000 | 23.4% | +1.2 pts |
| $35,000 to $99,999 | 43.6% | +2.6 pts |
| $100,000 to $199,999 | 26.4% | -1.1 pts |
| $200,000 or more | 6.6% | -2.8 pts |
The spread is wide: 33% of Kennebec County households make $100,000 or more, and 23% make less than $35,000. The poverty rate is 11.6%, 1 point higher than the state's 10.7%. The Gini index of income inequality is 0.432 (0 is perfect equality). If your income is irregular, as it often is with tips, gig work or seasonal jobs, plan around your leaner months rather than the Kennebec County median.
Renting and owning in Kennebec County
Renters in Kennebec County pay a median of $992 a month, 13% below the Maine figure of $1,139. Rent takes 30% or more of income for 49% of renter households here. With a median value of $238,200, a typical Kennebec County house costs 3.4 times what the median household earns in a year. Owners occupy 74% of homes. Median construction year: 1975.
| Housing | Kennebec County | Maine statewide | Typical U.S. county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median gross rent | $992/mo | $1,139/mo | $877/mo |
| Median home value | $238,200 | $296,600 | $185,300 |
| Owners | 74% | 74% | 75% |
| Rent-burdened renters | 49% | 48% | 45% |
| Burdened owners | 23% | 27% | n/a |
Owners with equity have a second option. Weigh a secured line against an unsecured loan by risk as well as cost before you choose (how they compare).
Work, industries and travel time in Kennebec County
By the Census industry count, 30% of employed Kennebec County residents work in education and health care and 13% in retail trade. The sharpest difference from the state is in public administration, at 7% locally and 4% for Maine. The survey's unemployment rate for Kennebec County averages 3.9% over 2020 to 2024 (state: 3.8%). 14% of commuters travel 45 minutes or more each way, and 15% work from home. 7.5% of households have no vehicle.
| Sector | Kennebec County | Compared with Maine |
|---|---|---|
| Education and health care | 29.7% | +2.3 pts |
| Retail trade | 12.8% | +0.3 pts |
| Professional and administrative services | 9.9% | -0.5 pts |
| Construction | 7.9% | +0.2 pts |
| Public administration | 7.4% | +3.0 pts |
| Manufacturing | 6.8% | -2.1 pts |
A lender verifies what your own job pays. The county's industry mix tells you about the local economy, not about your application.
Neighboring counties at a glance
Nearest neighbors first, measured between county centers (28 to 48 miles). Income ranges from $60,173 in Oxford County to $87,806 in Sagadahoc County; 4 of these neighbors top Kennebec County's median.
| Adjacent area | How far | HH income (median) | Rent (median) | Owner share |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Kennebec County | - | $69,077 | $992/mo | 74% |
| Androscoggin County, ME | 28 mi | $67,873 | $1,010/mo | 68% |
| Lincoln County, ME | 32 mi | $76,875 | $1,055/mo | 82% |
| Waldo County, ME | 32 mi | $72,782 | $1,021/mo | 82% |
| Sagadahoc County, ME | 35 mi | $87,806 | $1,098/mo | 78% |
| Knox County, ME | 44 mi | $74,096 | $1,165/mo | 79% |
| Oxford County, ME | 48 mi | $60,173 | $836/mo | 81% |
Cities, towns and CDPs in Kennebec County
29 Census places fall mainly inside Kennebec County; the 14 biggest are below. They account for 114,983 residents, leaving about 9% of the county in unincorporated, unnamed areas. China has the highest median household income on the list ($96,309) and Oakland the lowest ($44,848), counting places with at least 500 residents. No Kennebec County place has a separate guide yet; this county page serves all 29.
| Name | Kind | Pop. | Income | Rent | Miles |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Augusta | city | 19,077 | $47,979 | $919 | 6 mi |
| Waterville | city | 17,077 | $53,580 | $978 | 10 mi |
| Gardiner | city | 6,088 | $71,782 | $1,113 | 15 mi |
| Winslow | CDP | 5,873 | $59,547 | $1,036 | 12 mi |
| Sidney | town | 4,790 | $83,488 | $1,340 | 2 mi |
| Vassalboro | town | 4,592 | $72,300 | $1,006 | 6 mi |
| China | town | 4,526 | $96,309 | n/a | 11 mi |
| Monmouth | town | 4,162 | $74,648 | $1,271 | 18 mi |
| West Gardiner | town | 3,696 | $96,172 | $1,087 | 14 mi |
| Litchfield | town | 3,680 | $84,904 | $1,173 | 19 mi |
| Belgrade | town | 3,351 | $88,338 | $857 | 8 mi |
| Winthrop | CDP | 3,108 | $61,058 | $881 | 11 mi |
| Pittston | town | 3,093 | $86,614 | $1,080 | 17 mi |
| Chelsea | town | 2,823 | $85,471 | $1,373 | 11 mi |
A CDP is a named community without its own municipal government.
Who lives in Kennebec County, in numbers
Degree holders: 32% of adults over 25. About 6% go without health insurance.
| People and households | Kennebec County | Maine | Median county |
|---|---|---|---|
| Median age | 43.7 | 44.8 | 41.5 |
| Bachelor's or higher | 31.9% | 36.2% | 22.2% |
| No high school diploma | 5.2% | 5.2% | n/a |
| No health insurance | 5.8% | 6.2% | 7.8% |
| No vehicle | 7.5% | 6.8% | 5.4% |
| Work from home | 15.3% | 15.9% | 8.7% |
| Poverty rate | 11.6% | 10.7% | 13.2% |
| Unemployment (ACS) | 3.9% | 3.8% | 4.4% |
| Travel time to work | Workers |
|---|---|
| Under 15 min | 31.6% |
| 15 to 29 min | 33.8% |
| 30 to 44 min | 20.8% |
| 45 to 59 min | 5.6% |
| 60+ min | 8.2% |
Local borrowing considerations for Kennebec County
Where the Kennebec County numbers stand out, and why it matters for a loan:
- Renters under pressure. When 49% pay 30% or more for rent, the smallest loan that solves the problem is the right size.
- Paperwork. ID, proof of income and a bank account are the basics (requirements).
- Credit reports. Pull free reports at AnnualCreditReport.com and dispute errors before applying.
What a median Kennebec County budget can carry
How much room does a median Kennebec County budget have? Take median income, subtract median rent, and check what is left under a few common debt-to-income limits.
- Median income divided by twelve: $5,756 before taxes
- 17% goes to median rent ($992)
- With a 40% ceiling, about $1,311 remains for car, card, student and any new loan payments
Subtract what you already pay on other debts. A new payment should fit in what remains, with some to spare.
A Kennebec County borrower's checklist
Steps that save money for Kennebec County residents:
- Borrow the amount the job needs; extra cash adds interest.
- Line up offers side by side: APR, fees in dollars, total cost.
- Check the license, then the reviews, then the offer.
- Never pay a fee up front to get a loan.
Who licenses lenders for Kennebec County residents
The Maine Bureau of Financial Institutions is the place to verify any lender's Maine license. Consumer lending in Maine is also overseen by the Maine Bureau of Consumer Credit Protection. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau accepts complaints nationwide. See the Maine state guide for the statewide picture.
More guides for Kennebec County
For statewide rules and data, see the Maine guide.
Frequently asked questions
What is the median household income in Kennebec County?
$69,077 a year in the 2020 to 2024 Census survey, versus $74,733 for Maine. It ranks 8th of 16 in the state.
Is Kennebec County expensive for renters?
Median rent is $992 against $1,139 statewide, and 49% of renter households are cost-burdened.
Should Kennebec County homeowners use home equity instead?
Maybe, but weigh the risk: 74% of Kennebec County homes are owner-occupied, and a home-equity loan or line is secured by the house while a personal loan usually is not.
Does this page cover Augusta?
Yes, along with the other 28 Census places in Kennebec County, such as Waterville, Gardiner, Winslow.
Does living in Kennebec County change what I qualify for?
Not in our fit check, which uses only the amount, credit range, income and payments you enter, the same for a Kennebec County resident as anyone. Lenders decide under fair-lending law.