Is Kennett Square Safe, Pros and cons of living in Kennett Square

Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, offers a unique blend of small-town charm and access to larger metropolitan amenities. Nestled in Chester County’s scenic Brandywine Valley, this borough is known for its agricultural roots, particularly its significant mushroom production, earning it the nickname “Mushroom Capital of the World.” Its walkable downtown, local shops, and proximity to natural beauty like Longwood Gardens and Anson B. Nixon Park provide a serene living environment.

The community is strategically located, with Philadelphia, Wilmington, and Lancaster all accessible within an hour’s drive. This positioning makes Kennett Square an appealing choice for those seeking a peaceful home base with convenient access to urban centers. The borough itself spans a modest two square miles, fostering a close-knit atmosphere that resonates with residents.

Is it Safe to Live in Kennett Square?

Kennett Square presents a generally safe environment for its residents, with crime rates that are lower than the national average. The overall crime rate is 713 per 100,000 residents, which is considerably less than the national average of 2,119 per 100,000 people (according to AreaVibes). This statistic positions Kennett Square as one of the safer places to live across the United States.

While the overall crime rate is favorable, safety can vary by neighborhood. Your chance of becoming a victim of violent crime in Kennett Square is approximately 1 in 396, and the chance of being a victim of property crime is 1 in 218 (as reported by AreaVibes). The northwest part of the city is generally considered the safest by residents, with fewer reported incidents annually compared to other areas (as per CrimeGrade.org and NeighborhoodScout).

Violent Crime Trends

Violent crime in Kennett Square occurs at a rate of 1.852 per 1,000 residents annually (as reported by CrimeGrade.org). This rate is lower than the national average, contributing to the town’s overall safety profile. The chance of becoming a victim of violent crime is approximately 1 in 320 per year (according to DoorProfit).

Specific types of violent crime, such as assault, are reported to be significantly below the national average (31% below as reported by DoorProfit). However, robbery rates are noted to be 19% above the national average (according to DoorProfit). The town has also reported a murder rate of 0 (as stated by AreaVibes).

Property Crime Overview

Property crime rates in Kennett Square are also below national averages. The property crime rate is 73.8% lower than the average (as reported by AreaVibes). Your chance of becoming a victim of property crime is 1 in 218 (as reported by AreaVibes).

The rate of burglary is 24% below the national average, and larceny/theft is approximately 1% below the national average (as reported by DoorProfit). Vehicle theft rates are slightly higher than the national average, at 4% above (according to DoorProfit).

Cost of Living in Kennett Square

The cost of living in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania, is notably higher than the national average. Overall, Kennett Square’s cost of living is 15% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). This figure is influenced by various expense categories, with housing being a significant factor.

Housing expenses in Kennett Square are approximately 53% higher than the national average (according to PayScale). This is reflected in the median home value, which stands at $620,982 as of March 2026 (as reported by Zillow). The median list price for homes was $612,250 in March 2026 (as reported by Zillow).

Housing Costs

The median home value in Kennett Square was $620,982 as of March 31, 2026 (according to Zillow). This represents an 1.8% increase over the past year (as reported by Zillow). The median list price for homes in Kennett Square was $612,250 in March 2026 (as reported by Zillow).

For those considering renting, the average rent for a one-bedroom apartment in Kennett Square is approximately $1,859 per month (as of May 2026, according to Zumper and Apartment List). This is higher than the national average rent of $1,642 per month (as reported by Zumper).

Daily Expenses

Beyond housing, other daily expenses also contribute to the higher cost of living. Utility prices are 9% higher than the national average, and transportation costs are 4% higher (as reported by PayScale). Grocery prices are also slightly elevated, at 4% higher than the national average (according to PayScale).

Healthcare costs in Kennett Square are about 4% higher than the national average (as reported by PayScale). These combined expenses mean that a single person might expect monthly living costs around $2,780, and a family of four could see expenses around $6,121 per month (as of April 2026, according to Salary.com).

Job Market and Economy

Kennett Square’s job market is supported by a workforce of approximately 3,466 residents. The majority of the working population, about 80.5%, is employed in professional or administrative positions, with 19.5% in hands-on or service-based roles (as per Point2Homes). The local economy benefits from a diverse range of industries, which helps to stabilize it even during challenging economic times (as noted in an economic development study).

The unemployment rate in Kennett Square has shown a declining trend. As of the latest data, the unemployment rate stands at 3.1% (as reported by Point2Homes), which is lower than the national average. From 2017 to 2023, the unemployment rate for the borough trended downwards, decreasing by 1.7 percentage points to 3.5% in 2023 (as per CensusDepth).

Major Employers and Industries

While specific major employers are not detailed in the provided data, the economic development study highlights key sectors. Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services are projected to experience strong growth, often creating demand for office space. Healthcare and Social Assistance is another significant sector, offering both low- and high-wage jobs, providing opportunities for career advancement (as indicated in an economic development study).

The region also sees employment growth in industries that traditionally offer lower wages, such as Retail Trade. However, these roles can lead to higher-paying positions over time, offering a pathway for residents (as noted in an economic development study). Small businesses are also a critical part of Kennett Square’s economic landscape, forming the core of the downtown business district.

Salaries and Income

The average annual household income in Kennett Square was $141,858 in 2024 (as reported by the U.S. Census Bureau). The median household income stood at $80,505, reflecting a positive shift over the previous year (as per Point2Homes). The average per capita income in Kennett Square is $50,087 (according to Data USA).

For renters, the median household income was $36,902 in 2022 (as reported by Point2Homes). The rent-to-income ratio in the area is approximately 45.4%, indicating the portion of earnings typically allocated to housing expenses. The average annual salary for an average job in Kennett Square is $66,000 per year, or $31.73 per hour (as per Zippia).

Climate and Weather

Kennett Square experiences a climate with warm, humid summers and cold, snowy winters. Temperatures typically range from 22°F to 85°F throughout the year, with rare occurrences outside of this range (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The air can feel uncomfortably humid during July, a characteristic of its summer months.

Annual precipitation averages around 48 inches, with about 24 inches of snowfall (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The month with the most precipitation is typically September, receiving an average of 5 inches. The drier season extends from late August to early April, with January having the fewest wet days.

Seasonal Temperatures

Summer in Kennett Square is warm and can be wet, with July being the hottest month. Average high temperatures in July reach 85°F, with lows around 65°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The hot season generally spans from late May to mid-September.

Winter brings very cold temperatures and snow. January is the coldest month, with average highs around 39°F and lows near 23°F (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The cold season typically lasts from early December to early March.

Precipitation and Snowfall

The annual precipitation in Kennett Square averages approximately 48 inches (as reported by myPerfectWeather). This includes rain and the liquid equivalent of snow, hail, and freezing rain. September is generally the wettest month, with an average of 5 inches of precipitation.

Snowfall averages around 24 inches annually (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The period from late August to early April is considered the drier season, with January experiencing the fewest days with precipitation. Conversely, the period from April to late August is the wetter season, with a greater than 30% chance of a wet day.

Education and Schools

Kennett Square is served by two primary school districts: the Kennett Consolidated School District and the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District. These districts serve a population of approximately 3,831 students in grades K-12 within the Kennett Consolidated School District (as per Niche). The student-teacher ratio in Kennett Consolidated School District is 14 to 1.

The quality of education can vary between the districts. Schools within the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District, such as Unionville High School and Charles F. Patton Middle School, generally receive higher rankings and demonstrate stronger test scores compared to schools in the Kennett Consolidated School District (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

School District Performance

Unionville High School is ranked among the top Pennsylvania high schools, consistently placing in the top 5% over recent years. It boasts excellent test scores and a high graduation rate of 87.9% (as per SchoolDigger.com). Charles F. Patton Middle School also ranks highly, placing in the top 3% of Pennsylvania middle schools with impressive test scores.

In contrast, schools within the Kennett Consolidated School District, like Greenwood Elementary and Bancroft Elementary, tend to have lower test scores and academic rankings. However, Kennett High School within this district is still a highly-rated public school, ranking 66th in Pennsylvania and scoring 89.85/100 nationally (as reported by Niche and SchoolDigger.com).

Student Demographics and Ratios

Kennett High School has an enrollment of about 1,267 students in grades 9-12, with a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1 (as per Niche). According to state test scores, 35% of students are proficient in math and 55% in reading (as reported by Niche). A significant portion of the student body participates in Advanced Placement (AP) courses.

Kennett Middle School serves grades six through eight with a student-teacher ratio of 12:1. Bancroft Elementary School, serving grades one through five, offers a 13:1 student-teacher ratio. These ratios suggest a supportive learning environment for students in these schools (as noted by Niche).

Demographics and Population

Kennett Square has an estimated population of 6,243 residents, showing growth since the 2020 Census recorded 5,937 people (as reported by Data USA and Census Dots). The population is diverse, with approximately 46.5% identifying as White and 46.1% as Hispanic (according to Census Dots). This demographic makeup is considerably more diverse than Pennsylvania overall.

The median age in Kennett Square is 38.3 years (as reported by Data USA). The population is distributed across age groups, with about 19% under 15, 16.9% between 15 and 24, 24% between 25 and 44, 24.8% between 45 and 64, and 15.2% aged 65 or older (as per Point2Homes).

Racial and Ethnic Makeup

The racial composition of Kennett Square includes 46.5% White, 46.1% Hispanic, 4.0% Multiracial, 3.1% Black or African American, 0.2% Asian, and 0.1% Native American/Other (as reported by Census Dots). This diversity is a notable characteristic of the borough, making it more diverse than the state of Pennsylvania as a whole (according to Census Dots).

Of the residents, 66.1% are U.S.-born citizens, while 18.6% have gained naturalized citizenship. Additionally, 15.3% of residents are non-citizens (as reported by Point2Homes). The Hispanic population in Kennett Square is notably high, ranking seventh statewide in terms of Hispanic residents as a share of the population (according to Census Dots).

Household and Income Statistics

Kennett Square has approximately 2,209 households, with an average of three members per household (as per Point2Homes). A significant portion, 69.4%, are families, while 30.6% consist of individuals living alone or with non-relatives.

The median household income in Kennett Square is $80,505 (as reported by Data USA). Households led by residents aged 45 to 64, often in established careers, earn a median income of $114,832. Overall, 94.6% of the community lives above the poverty line (as per Point2Homes).