Kennebec County

Maine · ME

#12 in Maine
65
County Score

County Report Card

About Kennebec County, Maine

30% above national livability benchmark

Kennebec's composite score of 65.0 exceeds the national median of 50.0 by 30%, ranking it solidly in the top tier of American counties. This performance reflects a balanced mix of tax efficiency, affordability, and reasonable health outcomes.

Mid-tier Maine, just below state average

At 65.0, Kennebec falls marginally below Maine's state average of 66.9, positioning it in Maine's middle band. The county represents typical Maine livability—neither standout nor struggling—with consistent performance across most dimensions.

Balanced affordability and health access

Kennebec's cost score of 74.9 and health score of 73.0 reflect reasonable housing ($219,900 median home value, $952/month rent) and adequate medical services. The tax score of 70.2 shows manageable property and income taxes at 1.141% effective rate.

Income and risk warrant closer watch

The income score of 25.9 with median household income of $65,062 trails wealthier Maine counties significantly. A risk score of 24.8, the county's lowest dimension, suggests moderate exposure to economic shocks or environmental hazards affecting stability.

Reliable option for working families seeking balance

Kennebec suits middle-income families and professionals who want Maine living without coastal prices or rural isolation. The county offers stable employment (Augusta area), manageable housing costs, and steady health care—a dependable choice for those balancing budget and convenience.

Score breakdown

5 dimensions have live data. 3 more coming as vertical sites launch.

Tax70.2Cost74.9SafetyComing SoonHealth73SchoolsComing SoonIncome25.9Risk24.8WaterComing Soon
🏛70.2
Property Tax
Effective property tax rate vs national benchmarks
TaxByCounty
🏠74.9
Cost of Living
Median rent, home values, and housing affordability
CostByCounty
💼25.9
Income & Jobs
Median household income and per capita earnings
IncomeByCounty
🛡Coming Soon
Safety
Violent and property crime rates per 100K residents
73
Health
Life expectancy, uninsured rates, and health access
HealthByCounty
🎓Coming Soon
Schools
Graduation rates, per-pupil spending, and attainment
24.8
Disaster Risk
FEMA National Risk Index — flood, fire, tornado, and more
RiskByCounty
💧Coming Soon
Water Quality
EPA drinking water health violations and safety grades

Deep Dives

Kennebec County across the ByCounty Network

Detailed analysis from 5 data dimensions — each powered by a dedicated ByCounty site.

Property Tax in Kennebec County

via TaxByCounty

Kennebec taxes modestly above national median

Kennebec County's 1.141% effective tax rate edges slightly above the national median of 1.1%, placing it in the 52nd percentile nationally. Residents pay $2,510 annually on a median home value of $219,900, just below the national median home value of $281,900. Kennebec's above-average tax rate applies to below-average home values, creating a moderately balanced burden.

Middle-of-the-road Maine county

Kennebec's 1.141% effective rate ranks seventh among Maine's 16 counties, slightly above the state average of 1.107%. The median property tax of $2,510 falls $88 below Maine's state median of $2,598, reflecting its more modest home values. Kennebec occupies Maine's tax middle ground.

Moderate taxes in Maine's heartland

Kennebec's 1.141% rate falls between Franklin (1.074%) to the north and Androscoggin (1.256%) to the south, positioning it as a moderate-tax central Maine hub. On a median $219,900 home, Kennebec residents pay roughly $50 less annually than Androscoggin residents on comparable properties. The county balances affordability with Augusta's state-capital economic benefits.

Balanced tax burden in central Maine

A median Kennebec home valued at $219,900 carries an estimated annual property tax of $2,510, close to Maine's overall median. Homeowners with mortgages pay approximately $2,548, while those without mortgages pay around $2,440 annually. Over 30 years, that totals roughly $75,000 in property taxes on a median-priced home.

All assessments benefit from review

Kennebec's mix of urban and rural properties means assessment practices vary significantly across towns. Homeowners should verify their property's assessed value against recent comparable sales in their specific town. A successful appeal can reduce your taxes immediately and continue benefiting you for years.

Cost of Living in Kennebec County

via CostByCounty

Kennebec's rent costs slightly above national norm

Kennebec renters spend 17.6% of income on rent, slightly above both Maine's state average (17.4%) and the national average. The county's median household income of $65,062 falls below the national median, creating modest housing pressure.

Kennebec ranks below Maine's average affordability

Kennebec places eighth among Maine's 16 counties for housing affordability, with a rent-to-income ratio marginally above the state median. The county sits in the upper half of Maine's affordability scale, closer to the pricier coastal markets than the inland bargains.

Central Maine's moderate pricing holds steady

Kennebec's $952 rent falls between Franklin ($759) to the north and Hancock ($1,000) to the east, reflecting its central Maine positioning. Home values at $219,900 align closely with Androscoggin County ($232,000), marking both as mid-tier markets.

Mortgage slightly exceeds rent burden

Renters pay $952 monthly while homeowners invest $1,073, with the county's $65,062 median income supporting both paths. At 17.6% of income to rent, Kennebec households experience slightly tighter budgets than Maine's average.

Kennebec offers central Maine stability

If you're relocating to central Maine for proximity to Augusta and mixed urban-rural access, Kennebec provides balanced affordability. The county's position between coastal and inland markets makes it worth comparing against both Franklin's bargains and coastal premium.

Income & Jobs in Kennebec County

via IncomeByCounty

Kennebec County falls short of national median

Kennebec County's median household income of $65,062 lags the national median by $9,693, placing it in the lower-middle tier nationally. The county reflects Maine's broader challenge of income growth compared to national trends.

Below-average income within Maine

Kennebec County ranks 11th among Maine's 16 counties with a median household income of $65,062, falling $1,810 below the state average of $66,872. The county's economy centers on state government and regional services.

Income slightly below regional peers

Kennebec's $65,062 trails nearby Androscoggin County ($67,298) to the north and lags Cumberland County ($92,983) to the south substantially. The county occupies middle ground in southern Maine's income hierarchy.

Rent remains comfortably affordable

Kennebec County's rent-to-income ratio of 17.6% stays below the 30% affordability ceiling, protecting renters from cost burden. With median home values of $219,900, homeownership is accessible for households at or near the median income.

Steady income supports reliable wealth building

Kennebec County households earning $65,062 benefit from stable public-sector employment that supports consistent investing in 401(k)s and IRAs. Regular contributions compound significantly over a 30+ year career.

Health in Kennebec County

via HealthByCounty

Kennebec trails U.S. health benchmarks

At 76.1 years, Kennebec's life expectancy falls 0.3 years short of the U.S. average of 76.4 years, placing it slightly below national norms. The county's 16.1% poor/fair health rate significantly exceeds U.S. averages, indicating persistent health challenges across the population. These figures suggest structural economic or environmental factors limiting health outcomes.

Below Maine average, poorest health rates

Kennebec's 76.1-year life expectancy falls 0.6 years below Maine's 76.7-year average, placing it in the lower third statewide. At 16.1% poor/fair health, Kennebec ranks second-worst in Maine, exceeded only by Aroostook County's 16.7%. With an 8.1% uninsured rate matching state performance, the county's health challenges extend beyond coverage gaps.

Struggling in central Maine

Kennebec's 76.1-year life expectancy trails Franklin County (76.2 years) and significantly lags wealthier Cumberland County (79.5 years). Its 16.1% poor/fair health rate is exceeded only by Aroostook County statewide, positioning Kennebec among Maine's lowest health performers. With 111 primary care providers per 100K, provider supply alone hasn't solved underlying health inequities.

Economic hardship shapes health outcomes

Kennebec's 8.1% uninsured rate aligns with state average, yet its 16.1% poor/fair health rate—second-worst in Maine—suggests poverty and economic stress drive health disparities. The county provides 111 primary care providers per 100K and 582 mental health providers per 100K, offering adequate resources that aren't fully addressing population health needs. Access alone cannot overcome housing insecurity, food scarcity, and chronic stress.

Coverage is health's foundation here

In Kennebec, where poverty drives health disparities, health coverage becomes a critical lifeline for managing chronic disease and preventive care. The 8.1% of uninsured residents should explore Maine's comprehensive Medicaid and marketplace options at maine.gov/dhhs. Coverage is the essential first step toward better health.

Disaster Risk in Kennebec County

via RiskByCounty

Kennebec faces multiple moderate threats

Kennebec County's composite risk score of 75.22 places it well above the national average, with significant exposure across four major hazard types. Hurricane (87.65), flood (80.09), and earthquake (76.05) risks all exceed 75, creating compound vulnerability.

Third-riskiest in Maine

At 75.22, Kennebec ranks third among Maine's 16 counties, just below Aroostook (80.41) and Cumberland (77.00), and 32% above state average. Home to Maine's capital (Augusta), Kennebec's inland location and river systems drive flood exposure comparable to coastal counties.

Elevated risk for inland county

Kennebec's 75.22 score approaches coastal county levels, far exceeding neighboring Franklin (43.64) and Somerset counties. The difference reflects Kennebec's dense development along the Kennebec River and exposure to Atlantic storm systems.

Flood, hurricane, and earthquake threats

Flood risk leads at 80.09, particularly threatening to river-valley communities, while hurricane exposure (87.65) extends surprisingly far inland through atmospheric rivers and nor'easters. Earthquake risk (76.05) adds a third major threat, while tornado (25.89) and wildfire (33.49) remain secondary concerns.

Comprehensive coverage is critical

Kennebec's high flood risk (80.09) makes flood insurance essential, even for homes outside designated flood zones—inland flooding from rivers is real. Bundle hurricane, flood, and earthquake coverage to address your three biggest threats; your county's risk profile justifies the additional premium investment.

ByCounty Network

Data from U.S. Census Bureau ACS, FBI UCR, CDC, FEMA NRI, NCES, EPA SDWIS — informational only.