Moving to Kennett Square, PA: Living Here Guide

Kennett Square calls itself the “Mushroom Capital of the World,” and it earns the name. Farms in the region grow about half of the country’s mushroom crop, and the town throws a two-day festival every September to celebrate. It is also a small, walkable borough of about one square mile in southern Chester County, with a historic State Street, well-known restaurants, and Longwood Gardens just 3 miles away.

Kennett Square suits people who want a real downtown they can walk to, but with Wilmington, West Chester and the Delaware line all close by. Young professionals, families who want the Kennett schools, and empty nesters trading a big house for a borough twin all end up here. Homes are not cheap, and the borough is small, so good listings move fast. It helps to know the town before you start touring.

Planning a move to Kennett Square? Call our Tri-State team at 410-499-8777 or get your price online.

Where Is Kennett Square?

Kennett Square is a borough in southern Chester County, Pennsylvania, a few miles north of the Delaware state line. It covers just 1.07 square miles of land. The borough is part of the Philadelphia metro area and is considered a suburb of both Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. The surrounding townships, including Kennett Township, share the 19348 ZIP code and the same school district, so many people who say they live “in Kennett” actually live just outside the borough.

Approximate driving distances from downtown Kennett Square (free-flowing traffic; expect longer at rush hour):

West Chester: about 11.9 miles, roughly 23 minutes
Wilmington, DE: about 12.6 miles, roughly 28 minutes
Newark, DE: about 13.7 miles, roughly 26 minutes
Downingtown (home of our Tri-State team): about 15.2 miles, roughly 29 minutes
Philadelphia International Airport (PHL): about 27.5 miles, roughly 48 minutes
Center City Philadelphia: about 36.7 miles, roughly 1 hour 3 minutes
Baltimore, MD: about 71.5 miles, roughly 1 hour 42 minutes

Pennsylvania Route 82 is the only numbered highway that runs directly through the borough, following South Street and Union Street. U.S. Route 1 bypasses the town just to the north and is the main road toward Philadelphia to the east and Maryland to the west. For flights, Philadelphia International is the closest major airport.

Kennett Square Population & Demographics

Kennett Square is small but growing. The borough counted 5,936 residents at the 2020 Census, and the Census Bureau estimates it reached 6,893 by July 2025, a 16.0% increase from the 2020 base. It is also one of the most diverse towns in Chester County: the Census Bureau reports that 46.1% of residents are Hispanic or Latino and 28.7% were born outside the United States, a reflection of the families who have worked in the local mushroom industry for generations.

Measure (ACS 2020–2024)	Kennett Square	Chester County	Pennsylvania	United States
Population (survey estimate)	6,243	547,840	13,018,639	334,922,500
Median age	38.3	40.8	40.9	38.9
Median household income	$80,505	$127,208	$77,971	$80,734
Per capita income	$51,919	$64,325	$44,355	$44,673
Bachelor’s degree or higher (25+)	36.8%	57.1%	35.2%	35.7%
Owner-occupied homes	56.3%	75.1%	69.3%	65.2%
Poverty rate	5.3%	6.0%	11.7%	12.5%

Source: U.S. Census Bureau, American Community Survey 2020–2024 5-year estimates (via Census Reporter and Census QuickFacts). The 2020 count and the July 2025 estimate are from Census QuickFacts.

A few more details from QuickFacts: the borough has about 2,209 households averaging 2.81 people each, 22.6% of residents are under 18, and 15.2% are 65 or older. The average commute is just 19.9 minutes, shorter than most of the Philadelphia suburbs, because many residents work in Kennett, West Chester or northern Delaware. With about 5,574 people per square mile at the 2020 Census, the borough feels like a small town with city-style density.

Is Kennett Square Safe?

Kennett Square has its own police department, located at 600 South Broad Street, which also handles parking in the borough. We did not find a crime data source specific to the borough that we felt comfortable quoting, so we are not publishing a number here. The Kennett Square Police Department posts a crime map, an incident blotter and arrest information on its CRIMEWATCH page, which is the best place to see recent activity on a specific street. As always, visit the block you are considering on a weeknight and a weekend before you sign anything.

Cost of Living in Kennett Square

Home Prices

Kennett Square is more expensive than most of Pennsylvania but less expensive than much of Chester County. The Census Bureau’s median value for owner-occupied homes in the borough is $402,700 (2020–2024), compared with $485,600 for Chester County and $254,500 for Pennsylvania.

Recent sales in the wider 19348 ZIP code, which includes Kennett Township and nearby areas with larger homes, run higher. Redfin reports a median sale price of $624,730 over the three months ending August 2026, down 0.84% from a year earlier. Homes sold in a median of 34 days, up from 21 days a year before, and typically closed at about 100.8% of list price. Redfin still rates the ZIP “very competitive.” For comparison, Redfin’s national median sale price in August 2026 was $398,596.

Rent

Kennett Square has more renters than most Chester County towns, with about 44% of homes renter-occupied. Zumper’s September 2026 data puts the overall median rent at $2,195 a month, down 11% from a year earlier. By size, Zumper lists studios at $1,409, one-bedrooms at $1,900, two-bedrooms at $1,995 and three-bedrooms at $2,850. The Census Bureau’s median gross rent (rent plus utilities, 2020–2024) is $1,396, which reflects long-term leases and older units and runs below the Chester County median of $1,763.

Best Neighborhoods in Kennett Square

Downtown and State Street

The historic core around State Street and Union Street is the heart of the borough, with the clock tower, independent shops, galleries and restaurants like Talula’s Table and Letty’s Tavern all within a few blocks. Housing here is mostly older: twins, rowhomes, Victorian singles and apartments above storefronts. It suits people who want to walk to dinner, the farmers market and the Mushroom Festival, and who are comfortable with street parking and the occasional festival crowd outside their door.

Near Anson B. Nixon Park

Streets within walking distance of Anson B. Nixon Park give you the borough’s walkability plus more than 110 acres of trails, ponds, playgrounds and dog parks close to home. Families with young kids and dog owners tend to like this side of town. You are still a short walk or bike ride from downtown, but the pace is quieter, and the park’s free Wednesday summer concerts become part of the weekly routine.

Kennett Township and the Longwood Side

If you want more yard, look just outside the borough in Kennett Township and the surrounding 19348 area. Homes here tend to be larger and newer, on bigger lots, and much of the area is served by the same Kennett Consolidated School District. Longwood Gardens is about 3 miles from the borough. This area suits families who want space and a quick drive into town, and it is also where the ZIP code’s higher median sale price comes from.

Weather & Climate in Kennett Square

Kennett Square has four distinct seasons. The closest long-term official weather station is New Castle County Airport in Wilmington, Delaware, about 13 miles away. NOAA’s 1991–2020 normals for that station (as summarized on Wikipedia) show an average January high of 41.4°F and low of 25.6°F, and an average July high of 86.8°F and low of 68.3°F. The station averages 45.33 inches of precipitation and 20.2 inches of snow a year.

The easiest months to move are usually May, June, September and October. Try to avoid the Mushroom Festival weekend in September if you are moving in or out of downtown, since streets fill up and parking is at a premium. In winter, have salt on hand for front steps and sidewalks, and keep an eye on the forecast a few days before your move.

Things to Do in Kennett Square

Longwood Gardens

About 3 miles from the borough, Longwood Gardens is one of the best-known gardens in the world. It spans more than 1,100 acres of gardens, fountains, conservatories and woodland, and it describes itself as the living legacy of Pierre S. du Pont. Longwood runs events, performances and seasonal displays throughout the year, so there is a reason to go back in every season.

The Kennett Square Mushroom Festival

Every September, downtown Kennett turns into one big mushroom party. The 41st annual festival was held September 12–13, 2026, with mushroom-inspired food, live music, cooking demonstrations, vendors and kids’ activities. Admission was $5 per person for the whole weekend, and shuttle parking was available. Local restaurants and breweries plan special events all week around it.

Anson B. Nixon Park

Run by the Kennett Area Park Authority, Anson B. Nixon Park covers about 110 acres of open space. It is open daily from dawn to dusk, with trails, ponds, playgrounds, dog parks, a stage, athletic fields and a community garden. The park hosts a free concert series on Wednesday evenings starting in June and a popular spring Trout Rodeo for kids.

Downtown Shops and the Farmers Market

State Street is lined with boutiques, specialty shops, art galleries, cafes and breweries, and the Kennett Collaborative promotes them all through the year. Kennett Collaborative also runs a weekly farmers market on Friday afternoons at 600 S. Broad Street, which is a good place to meet neighbors and pick up local mushrooms.

Where to Eat in Kennett Square

Talula’s Table

At 102 West State Street, Talula’s Table is a gourmet market by day and a destination dinner by night. The walk-in market is open daily from 7 a.m. to 6 p.m. for coffee, prepared foods and baked goods. The evening tasting menu is served Tuesday through Sunday at 7 p.m. by reservation, which makes it a natural choice for a special occasion.

Letty’s Tavern

A family-owned restaurant and bar at 201 East State Street serving American favorites like burgers, sandwiches and salads, along with craft beer and cocktails. Letty’s has live music through the week, and if you ask your server, you might get a ghost story with your dinner.

Victory Brewing Kennett Square

Victory calls its brewery at 650 West Cypress Street “Chester County’s Hometown Brewery.” It pours a long list of house beers alongside a lunch and dinner menu built to go with them, and it runs weekly specials such as Wednesday quizzo. It is an easy, casual spot for a first night out after the boxes are in.

Jobs & Economy

Mushrooms are the backbone of the local economy. Farms in the Kennett region produce more than 500 million pounds of mushrooms a year, about half of the nation’s crop, and growing, packing and shipping them supports a large share of local jobs. Longwood Gardens is a major attraction and employer just outside town. Kennett Square was also the longtime corporate home of Genesis HealthCare, which ran its offices from the Walker Building and Franklin Center.

Many residents commute to West Chester, Wilmington and Newark, all within about half an hour, which helps explain the borough’s short 19.9-minute average commute. The borough’s median household income is $80,505 (ACS 2020–2024), slightly above the Pennsylvania median of $77,971. Downtown restaurants, shops and service businesses round out the local job market.

Schools in Kennett Square

Kennett Square is served by the Kennett Consolidated School District, which serves about 4,000 students from the borough, Kennett Township, New Garden Township and the southern part of East Marlborough Township. It was the first consolidated school district in Pennsylvania’s history. Kindergarten students attend the Mary D. Lang Kindergarten Center. Grades 1 through 5 attend Greenwood, Bancroft or New Garden Elementary, all students in grades 6 through 8 go to Kennett Middle School, and grades 9 through 12 attend Kennett High School. The district office is at 300 East South Street.

North of the U.S. Route 1 bypass, some addresses with a Kennett Square mailing address fall in the Unionville-Chadds Ford School District instead. Its only high school, Unionville High School, is on Unionville Road about 2 miles north of the borough. Always confirm the school district for a specific property before you buy. For college, the University of Delaware in Newark is about a 26-minute drive.

Kennett Square Quick Facts

Type	Borough (incorporated 1855)
County	Chester County
ZIP code	19348
Area codes	610 and 484
Population	5,936 (2020 Census); 6,893 (July 2025 estimate)
Land area	1.07 square miles
Nearest major airport	Philadelphia International (PHL), about 27.5 miles
Main roads	PA Route 82 through town; U.S. Route 1 bypass to the north
Public schools	Kennett Consolidated School District (some addresses: Unionville-Chadds Ford)
Police	Kennett Square Police Department, 600 S. Broad Street

Moving to Kennett Square: Tips From Our Crew

Know the meter rules downtown. Borough parking meters are enforced Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. and are free on Sundays and federal holidays. If your home is on a metered block, a Sunday or holiday move can make truck parking much easier. The Kennett Square Police Department handles borough parking, so call ahead if you need space held for a moving truck.
Stay clear of Mushroom Festival weekend. The festival takes over downtown for two days every September, and the days before it are busy too. If you are moving in or out of the borough, pick a different weekend.
Plan for tight streets and older homes. Many downtown homes are twins and rowhomes with narrow stairways, steep steps and small basement doors. Measure sofas, box springs and dressers ahead of time, and ask us about disassembly for large pieces.
Use the garage for your helpers’ cars. The municipal parking garage at East Linden and North Union streets charges $2 for the first hour and $1 for each additional hour. Parking family and friends there keeps curb space open for the truck.
Check which school district you are in. A Kennett Square mailing address does not guarantee a Kennett Consolidated school assignment, especially north of U.S. Route 1. Confirm before settlement so you are not surprised in August.
Get your COI early for apartments. Larger apartment communities around Kennett often require a certificate of insurance and a set move window. We provide COIs for free, so send us your building’s requirements a few days ahead.

Frequently Asked Questions About Moving to Kennett Square

How much does it cost to hire movers in Kennett Square?

The cost depends on the size of your home, the distance, stairs and parking, and whether you need packing help. A downtown apartment and a four-bedroom house in Kennett Township are very different jobs. The best way to get a real number is a free quote. Call our Tri-State team at 410-499-8777, and an owner will call you back within 15 minutes between 8am and 8pm.

Is Kennett Square a good place to live?

For many people, yes. You get a walkable downtown, strong restaurants, Longwood Gardens next door and a short commute to Wilmington or West Chester. The borough has a 5.3% poverty rate and a growing population. The trade-offs are rising home prices, limited parking downtown and busy streets during festival weekends.

Why is Kennett Square called the Mushroom Capital of the World?

Mushroom farms in the Kennett region grow more than 500 million pounds of mushrooms a year, about half of the national crop. Local growing got its start in the late 1800s when a local carnation grower began raising mushrooms in the space under his flower beds. The annual Mushroom Festival celebrates that history every September.

How far is Kennett Square from Philadelphia and Wilmington?

Wilmington, Delaware is about 12.6 miles away, roughly 28 minutes by car. Center City Philadelphia is about 36.7 miles, roughly an hour in light traffic, and Philadelphia International Airport is about 27.5 miles, roughly 48 minutes.

Can you move us from Kennett Square to another state?

Yes. With Delaware and Maryland minutes away, we do a lot of cross-state moves. For long-distance moves, you get a binding estimate, so the price never changes after booking, plus your own dedicated truck, the same W-2 crew from pickup to delivery and a guaranteed delivery date. Our Kennett Square moving team can walk you through it.

Move to Kennett Square With A & M Friendly Movers

A & M Friendly Movers has been family-owned since 2015, run by owners Matthew Treharn and Amber Hallaman. Our crews are background-checked, drug-tested W-2 employees, never subcontractors. With our Owner’s Promise, you talk to an owner, not a call center. If anything is damaged, an owner calls you the same day, and claims are resolved in 60 to 90 days. We handle local moves, packing and unpacking, storage for settlement gaps and piano and safe moving. Military families get 5% off, and there is never a rescheduling fee.

See how our Kennett Square movers can help, or call our Tri-State team at 410-499-8777.

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Moving to Kennett Square, PA: Living in Kennett Square Guide