Kempele is a municipality just south of the city of Oulu in Northern Finland. Historically it was in the province of Oulu, but today it is in the region of Northern Ostrobothnia. The population of Kempele is 17,946 and the municipality covers an area of 110.32 square kilometres (42.59 sq mi), of which 0.21 square kilometres (0.081 sq mi) is inland waters (2018-01-01). The population density is 163 inhabitants per square kilometre (420/sq mi). The municipality of Kempele was founded in 1867.