Transportation

• Interstate 95
• U.S. 1 which goes through the center of Kennebunk and is part of the main street.
• Route 9A
• Route 35

Amtrak passenger rail also goes through Kennebunk, but does not stop at the historic train station there. Passenger rail service at Kennebunk station ceased in 1965. The closest Amtrak stops along the Downeaster are at Wells station, south towards Boston, or Saco station, north towards Portland.

Adjacent municipalities

• Arundel (north)
• Kennebunkport (north)
• Wells (south)
• Sanford (west)
• Alfred (west)
• Lyman (northwest)

Beaches

Kennebunk's coastline is divided into three major sections: Mother's Beach; Middle Beach or Rocky Beach; and Gooch's Beach or Long Beach. Separate from Kennebunk Beach is secluded Parson's Beach, a quiet alternative to the summer crowds. Note there is some local controversy regarding the "Mother's Beach" moniker, (nickname).

According to many local residents, the smaller of the three main beaches—at the intersection of Beach Ave and Ridge Ave—is officially Kennebunk Beach or, alternatively, Boothby Beach. The term Boothby beach was from the mid-1730s when a Mabel Littlefield married Richard Boothby and settled on land near what came to be known as Boothby Beach. The information about the Boothbys was taken from "Old News From Southern Maine" article on Mable and Richard Boothby, by Sharon Cummins. Many natives today may not remember it being called Boothby Beach and over the years the beach came to be known as Kennebunk Beach or Mothers Beach. Older residents also recall the name Dipsy Bath Beach, a reference to the baths once located there. The term Mother's Beach didn't come into widespread use until the mid 1980s; Although other native residents will dispute that date and say they remember it being called "Mothers Beach" as far back as the late 1950s. The name likely evolved due to its small size and generally calmer water, due to the rocks under and above the ocean, thus making it a natural made harbor of refuge that is safer for swimming and which makes it popular with mothers keeping a watchful eye on their progeny, (children). The name is clearly descriptive rather than official, in spite of the recent installation of road signs pointing the way to "Mother's Beach".^[7] Contradicting the above beach naming is the Town's website listing "Permits are valid for Gooch’s Beach, Kennebunk Beach (Middle Beach) and Mother’s Beach."^[8] Additionally without public parking access both Libbys and Crescent beaches are in Kennebunk between Parson's beach and Mother's beach.

2010 census

As of the census^[3] of 2010, there were 10,798 people, 4,689 households, and 2,966 families living in the town. The population density was 308.1 inhabitants per square mile (119.0/km²). There were 5,906 housing units at an average density of 168.5 per square mile (65.1/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 96.9% White, 0.00% African American, 0.2% Native American, 1.0% Asian, 0.3% from other races, and 1.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.0% of the population.

There were 4,689 households, of which 26.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.1% were married couples living together, 8.5% had a female householder with no husband present, 2.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 36.7% were non-families. 31.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 16.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.27 and the average family size was 2.85.

The median age in the town was 48.2 years. 20.8% of residents were under the age of 18; 5.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 18.7% were from 25 to 44; 33.4% were from 45 to 64, and 21.9% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the town was 46.5% male and 53.5% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census,^[13] there were 10,476 people, 4,229 households and 2,901 families living in the town. The population density was 298.5 inhabitants per square mile (115.3/km²). There were 4,985 housing units at an average density of 142.1 per square mile (54.9/km²). The racial makeup of the town was 98.04% White, 0.18% Black or African American, 0.11% Native American, 0.85% Asian, 0.01% Pacific Islander, 0.18% from other races, and 0.62% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 0.51% of the population.

There were 4,229 households, of which 33.2% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 56.9% were married couples living together, 9.1% had a female householder with no husband present, and 31.4% were non-families. 26.7% of all households were made up of individuals, and 13.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.44 and the average family size was 2.97.

View of the Perkins Farm c. 1910

Age distribution was 25.6% under the age of 18, 4.2% from 18 to 24, 27.3% from 25 to 44, 25.8% from 45 to 64, and 17.2% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 41 years. For every 100 females, there were 87.2 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 82.1 males.

The median household income was $50,914, and the median family income was $59,712. Males had a median income of $42,417 versus $25,788 for females. The per capita income for the town was $26,181. About 2.9% of families and 4.2% of the population were below the poverty line, including 3.3% of those under age 18 and 3.5% of those aged 65 or over.

Tourism

Wedding Cake House in Kennebunk, ME

The town is a popular summer tourist destination, which drives the local economy. Summer Street was Maine's first Historic District that was listed on the National Register of Historic Places.^[5] The Lower Alewive Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 1994.^[14]

Kennebunk contains fine examples of early architecture, the most noted of which is the Wedding Cake House, a Federal-style dwelling extensively decorated with scroll saw Gothic trim. This was added to the house for his wife of many years by George Washington Bourne late in his life, and not as legend has it by a ship captain for a young bride lost at sea.