Kempele was first permanently settled about 500 years ago, at a time when the coastline was closer than it is today.

In 1774 full church privileges were granted to Kempele, which meant separation from Liminka and establishment as an autonomous parish.

Kempele was granted the right to build a prayer room in 1688, but parishioners decided to construct a church with a steeple.

Kempele may be best known for being the headquarters of the world-famous heart rate monitor corporation Polar Electro, which first brought the device to market in 1978.

The men's pesäpallo club Kempeleen Kiri competes in the Superpesis national league, playing at Sarkkiranta Stadium.