Kennett Square is a borough in Chester County, Pennsylvania. Sitting in the Delaware Valley, it’s considered a suburban area of Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. The town is known as the “Mushroom Capital of the World”, making up half of America’s mushroom crop production – over 500 million pounds! Its historic downtown is part of the National Register of Historic Places with 507 protected buildings dating between 1875 and 1924.
The beautiful rolling hills surrounding Kennett Square lend to its welcoming feel, having existed since before the Declaration of Independence was signed. An eventful calendar keeps locals and visitors alike engaged while celebrating its heritage and mushroom farming at the Mushroom Festival each September – featuring cooking demos, contests, and shopping opportunities.
The Kennett Square area has an array of celebrated architecture such as Colonial Revival, Victorian, and Federal styles present throughout renowned landmarks like collections of grand mansions tucked away on quiet side streets or stately brick row houses lining certain areas of town.
Population
| CATEGORY | INFORMATION |
| Population (2020) | 5,943 |
| Population (2023) | 5,894 |
| Population growth | -0.24% annually |
| Population density | 5,533 people per square mile |
| Average household income | $93,053 |
| Poverty rate | 7.19% |
| Median age | 38.7 years |
| Racial composition | Non-Hispanic White – 42.8%Black or African American – 7.2%Native American – 0.4% Asian – 0.8%Two or more races – 3.3% Hispanic or Latino – 48.8% |
History
The area was originally inhabited by the Lenape Native American tribe, and the town was later named after Kennet in Cambridgeshire, England—the name “Square” coming from William Penn’s original one-square mile land grant to the area. It played an instrumental role in helping slaves escape the South through the Underground Railroad during the Revolutionary War.
Kennett Square has further ties to history. During Revolutionary War times British Army General Sir William Howe led troops through their limits on their way to The Battle Of Brandywine today it’s noted in the literature as The Story Of Kennet a novel written by Bayard Taylor—a native-born in the town—in 1866.
Today, Kennett Square is renowned as the “Mushroom Capital of the World” with half of America’s mushroom crop originating from mushroom farms within its borders. This all started when founder Seth Harvey imported spawn from Europe to create mushrooms out of wasted space under elevated beds for growing carnations (a popular local commodity at that time). As such, Kennett Square hosts an annual Mushroom Festival which includes a parade, farm tours, and food for sale.
Quality of Life
Kennett Square is a safe area with crime levels 31% lower than in Pennsylvania. The chance of becoming a victim is 40% lower than the US average, with a year-over-year crime rate that is stable. There are also several parks and green spaces in the area to enjoy. Residents can have picnics under the shade or take leisurely walks along the trails here in the summer months for some weekend fun.
The neighborhood has an admirable walk score of 83 which means most errands can be conveniently done on foot. There are also dining options, grocery stores, and electric-vehicle charging locations around the area.
In addition to these amenities, parents can find childcare centers nearby such as Duckling Elc, Sprouts Early Learning Centre, Westtown Children’s Academy, and South Mill International Foods to meet their children’s needs.
Economy
Kennett Square is famously known for its mushroom farming industry, producing over 500 million pounds of mushrooms each year—half of the entire nation’s mushroom crop production. This industry has created a ripple effect in the local economy, creating more jobs in related fields like logistics and cold storage.
Apart from mushroom farming, other industries supporting Kennett Square’s economy include professional services, restaurants, and attorneys. In 2018 alone, 24 businesses were added to the directory of the Kennett Square Chamber of Commerce.
These companies provide higher employment rates than elsewhere in the US with an average unemployment rate of 5.2%, while their median household income is $46,523.
Health
| HEALTH STATISTICS | PERCENTAGE |
| Persons with a disability, under the age of 65 years | 11.7% |
| Persons without health insurance, under the age of 65 years | 12.6% |
Source: United States Census Bureau
Education
Kennett Square boasts a long history of uniting its schools into one district. This was first achieved with the establishment of the Kennett Consolidated School District, which spans across all grades from kindergarten to twelfth grade. The district is made up of a kindergarten center and three elementary schools for grades one to five, with students attending Kennett Middle School for grades six through eight, and Kennett High School for grades nine to twelve. Additionally, the district offers classes at Unionville-Chadds Ford School District’s high school.
Transport
Kennett Square is a quaint and vibrant borough with plenty of delightful shops and excellent restaurants. Public transportation makes it easy to get there too—there are bus, train, and subway options all within close reach of Kennett Square Fresh. The closest transit stations are 13th St Station and Market St & 13th St for either the Trolley or the Manayunk/Norristown line.
For taxis, Jefferson Station is the nearest station to Kennett Square Fresh. The Philadelphia city bus network has several lines that will get you there—21, 27, 400, 409, 410, 44, 48, and 551.
The cheapest way to get from Philadelphia to Kennett Square is to drive yourself—this costs anywhere between $6 to $9 and should take around 48 minutes. For those looking for the swiftest route there’s another option—take a train and hop in a taxi afterward; this will cost around $45 to $140 but will take only 30 minutes.
Places to Visit
Kennett Square is a charming town that is widely known for its mushroom farming history, earning it the title of the Mushroom Capital of the World. Visitors will find plenty of attractions, making it a popular destination for couples, families, and food enthusiasts. Here are some of the popular places to visit in Kennett Square:
- Longwood Gardens: Over 1,000 acres of world-class gardens, landscaping, and sculptures, including fountain shows, live music, theater performances, dining, and wine tasting.
- Anson B Nixon Park: 106-acre park with ponds, streams, woodlands, and kids’ play areas, as well as a community garden, picnic pavilions, and walking trails. Offers free summer concerts and art programs.
- The Mushroom Cap: Learn about the borough’s extensive history with mushrooms through videos and exhibitions of a mushroom house. Offers unique mushroom-based products for purchase.
- Galer Estate Vineyard and Winery: 4-acre winery offering wine tasting, live music, pop-up art shows, and Sunday Salons in a serene Chester County setting.
- Taste Kennett Food Tours: Family-owned company offering food tours showcasing Kennett Square’s diverse cultural cuisine. Visitors can enjoy cooking demonstrations by renowned chefs and chat with local restaurant owners.
- Country Butcher: 30-year-old family-owned fine foods market/restaurant offering locally produced goods, gourmet foods, and culinary suggestions. Hosts tasting events throughout the year.
- Willowdale Steeplechase: 160-acre land in the heart of Cheshire Hunt County offering races, polo games, and other special events throughout the year, such as auctions and cocktail parties.
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