Kittery is a town located in York County, Maine. As of the 2000 census, the town had a total population of 9,543. The town's leading industrial employer is Portsmouth Naval Shipyard, which once built and now repairs submarines for the U.S. Navy. Kittery bills itself as "The oldest incorporated town in Maine". The town is popular with tourists for its many factory outlet stores.
Kittery, Maine |
Settled in 1623 and Maine's oldest town, Kittery is famous for ship building. In the 1800's, the Navy Yard in Kittery was its biggest attraction. The 74-gun ship Washington was launched from the Navy Yard in 1815. "Kearsage", the ship famous for sinking the Confed te raider "Alabama", was launched from this yard during the Civil War.
History was made here in 1905 when the Treaty of Portsmouth was signed at the Kittery Navy Yard's naval administration building, thus ending the Russo-Japanese War.
Kittery's historic roots spread farther than just the Navy yard; Kittery is home to some of the oldest houses in Maine. From Garrisons to Capes all the typical colonial architecture of early America can be found here. If you are interested in seeing a very fine example of Palladian-style architecture interpreted in Early America, you may want to visit the Lady Pepperrell's Mansion, which is on a hillside on the Piscataqua River (just past Fort McClary on Route 103). Note: inquire locally as to the times available for public viewing as the mansion is now privately-owned and only open at selected times through the year.
Filled with cobbled streets, pubs, and antique shops, Kittery feels like the oldest city in Maine. Settled in 1623, it just so turns out that Kittery is. For instance, some of the oldest houses in the state are here. Kittery also offers some beautiful seashore vistas and beaches.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there are 9,543 people, 4,078 households, and 2,528 families residing in the town. The population density is 206.8/km2 (535.5/mi2). There are 4,375 housing units at an av ge density of 94.8/km2 (245.5/mi2). The racial makeup of the town is 95.98% White, 1.78% Black or African American, 0.18% Native American, 0.65% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.45% from other races, and 0.94% from two or more races. 1.50% of the population are Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There are 4,078 households out of which 27.7% have children under the age of 18 living with them, 50.1% are married couples living together, 8.6% have a female householder with no husband present, and 38.0% are non-families. 29.4% of all households are made up of individuals and 10.6% have someone living alone who is 65 years of age or older. The av ge household size is 2.29 and the av ge family size is 2.86.
In the town the population is spread out with 21.9% under the age of 18, 7.4% from 18 to 24, 30.7% from 25 to 44, 24.8% from 45 to 64, and 15.2% who are 65 years of age or older. The median age is 39 years. For every 100 females there are 94.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there are 92.1 males.
The median income for a household in the town is $45,822, and the median income for a family is $53,343. Males have a median income of $37,096 versus $29,850 for females. The per capita income for the town is $24,153. 7.6% of the population and 5.7% of families are below the poverty line. Out of the total population, 11.9% of those under the age of 18 and 6.6% of those 65 and older are living below the poverty line.
