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Kittery, ME

Frequently asked questions

Kittery, ME

Kittery is a town in York County, Maine, United States, and the oldest incorporated town in Maine. Home to the Portsmouth Naval Shipyard on Seavey's Island, Kittery includes Badger's Island, the seaside district of Kittery Point, and part of the Isles of Shoals. The southernmost town in the state, it is a tourist destination known for its many outlet stores. Kittery is part of the Portland–South Portland–Biddeford, Maine metropolitan statistical area.

Kittery was incorporated in 1647, staking a claim as the "oldest incorporated town in Maine." It was named after the birthplace of a founder, Alexander Shapleigh, from his manor of Kittery Court at Kingswear in Devon, England. Shapleigh arrived in 1635 aboard the ship Benediction, which he co-owned with another prominent settler, Captain Francis Champernowne, a cousin of Sir Ferdinando Gorges, lord proprietor of Maine. Together with the Pepperrell family, they established fisheries offshore at the Isles of Shoals, where fish were caught, salted, and exported to Europe. Other pioneers were hunters, trappers, and workers of the region's abundant timber. The settlement at the mouth of the Piscataqua River was protected by Fort McClary.

Kittery originally extended from the Atlantic Ocean inland up the Salmon Falls River, including the present-day towns of Eliot, South Berwick, Berwick, and North Berwick. Located opposite Portsmouth, New Hampshire, the town developed into a center for trade and shipbuilding. In 1652, after the death of Gorges, Maine became part of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

According to the United States Census Bureau, the town has a total area of 75.30 sq mi (195.03 km2), of which 57.52 sq mi (148.98 km2) are covered by water. Situated beside the Gulf of Maine and the Atlantic Ocean, Kittery is drained by Spruce Creek, Spinney Creek, Chauncey Creek, and the Piscataqua River. The town is crossed by Interstate 95, U.S. Route 1, Maine State Route 101, Maine State Route 103, and Maine State Route 236.

Kittery has some fine early architecture, including the Sir William Pepperrell House, built in 1733, and the Lady Pepperrell House, built in 1760. The John Bray House, built in 1662, is believed to be the oldest surviving house in Maine. Located at the John Paul Jones Memorial Park on U.S. 1 is the Maine Sailors' and Soldiers' Memorial by Bashka Paeff. Further northeast up the road, the town has developed factory outlet shopping, very popular with tourists. Kittery Point is home to Seapoint Beach and Fort Foster Park, originally a harbor defense.

Kittery prioritizes the health and wellness of its residents, offering various amenities and natural attractions. The town is surrounded by beautiful coastal landscapes, providing opportunities for outdoor activities such as hiking, kayaking, and enjoying scenic walks along the shoreline. The Kittery Community Center is a hub for wellness activities, offering fitness classes, sports facilities, and community events that promote a healthy lifestyle.

Top sites in Kittery, ME are Take Flight Aerial Adventure Course, Fort McClary State Historic Site, and Kittery Historical & Naval Museum.

Population: 10,784 (2023). ZIP codes: 03904 (Kittery); 03905 (Kittery Point). Area code: 207. Elevation: 23 ft (7 m). Area: 75.30 sq mi (195.03 km2).

FAQs

Is it expensive to live in Kittery Maine?

Kittery, Maine gets a BestPlaces Cost of Living score of 109.9, which means the total cost of housing, food, childcare, transportation, healthcare, taxes, and other necessities is 9.9% higher than the U.S. average and 13.3% higher than the average for Maine. A typical home costs $551,800, which is 63.2% more expensive than the national average of $338,100 and 65.2% more expensive than the average Maine home, at $334,000. Renting a two-bedroom unit in Kittery costs $1,970 per month, which is 37.8% more than the national average of $1,430 and 36.5% more than the state average of $1,250.

What is the average income in Kittery, ME?

The average annual household income in Kittery is $88,063, while the median household income sits at $59,922 per year. Residents aged 25 to 44 earn $97,829, while those between 45 and 64 years old have a median wage of $69,375. In contrast, people younger than 25 and those older than 65 earn less, at $2,499 and $36,772, respectively.

Why is Kittery Maine famous?

Kittery has the distinction of being the oldest town in Maine. Native people lived there for thousands of years. English settlers came to stay in 1623. Some of the earliest houses in the state can be found in a leisurely drive through the seaside neighborhood of Kittery Point. During your visit, check out the First Congregational Church, which was built in 1730 and is the oldest church building in continuous use in Maine.

Sources

Wikipedia

Town of Kittery, ME

Kittery Community Center

Take Flight Aerial Adventure Course

Fort McClary State Historic Site 

Kittery Historical & Naval Museum

Best Places

Point 2 Homes

Visit Maine

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