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About Fulton, MO

About Fulton, MO

The powerful appeal of small-town living

Halfway between Kansas City and St. Louis in the center of Missouri, Fulton was founded in 1825 and was recently named by Southern Living magazine as one of the best and most affordable small towns in the United States. “Small-town living has a powerful appeal,” says Suzanna Wolfe, a real estate agent with Missouri Land and Home for more than 20 years. “About half the people I meet recently have come to Fulton to find what they didn’t have before. A slower pace of life, rural scenery and more affordable housing.” She explains that shifts in the U.S. economy since 2020 have introduced the Jefferson City suburb to new residents. “Traffic has picked up a lot post-Covid. Many coastal relocators have come here ready to make a big change, and ultimately, to create a better quality of life for their families.”

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Fulton, MO offers a mix of culture, nature, and local charm around every corner.
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This modern brick ranch in Fulton, MO offers both style and convenience.
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Healthcare, manufacturing and education are leading industries in Fulton

Large and stable employers are one of the city's attractions, Wolfe said, referring to the region's industrial and healthcare base. “I’ve worked with buyers who moved here to work for Danuser Machine Company, Fulton State Hospital, Hitachi Energy and the city,” she says. “Many work here in Fulton, while others commute to Jefferson City or Columbia. Both are easy commutes and about 25 miles to either city.” Regarding recent growth, Wolfe says, “While Fulton itself hasn’t grown a lot in recent years, we’re on the edge of other suburbs who are growing more quickly, and so we’re seeing new services and businesses in Fulton such as an Aldi, some new fitness centers and the new Fulton Wurst Haus.” Fulton is the largest city in and the county seat of Calloway County. The 2020 census lists the population at 12,600.

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Discover quality craftsmanship at Danuser Machine Company in Fulton, MO.
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The historic Fulton State Psychiatric Hospital provides essential mental health services.
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New suburban homes and acres of buildable land

Compared to Calloway County’s median home price of $279,500, Fulton's is $234,000 -- about $200,000 under the national figure. Recent home sales have been from about $70,000 to about $700,000. Fixer-uppers range from $24,000 to $140,000, while new suburban homes have recently sold from about $180,000 to $340,000.

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Explore spacious, contemporary homes in Fulton, offering comfort and style.
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Explore Fulton, Missouri’s potential with charming fixer-upper homes waiting for you.
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Winston Churchill brought fame to Westminster College in 1946

Known as the home of both William Woods University (1890) and Westminster College (1853), fame came to Fulton in 1946 when Sir Winston Churchill accepted an invitation by President Harry S. Truman, a Missouri native, to visit the Westminster College campus. There, Churchill delivered his famous Iron Curtain speech, outlining the threat posed by the Soviet bloc. Since then, several other world leaders have spoken on the campus including Ronald Reagan, Margaret Thatcher, Mikhail Gorbachev, and Madeline Albright. The Fulton School District is graded B-minus by Niche. “Missouri has very favorable home school regulations,” says Wolfe. “A fair number of homebuyers I work with are interested in homeschooling or they’re searching for high-quality rural schools.”

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Discover the rich tradition and stunning architecture of Westminster College in Fulton.
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Fulton Senior High School prioritizes learning and collaboration.
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Fulton Parks enjoy miles of hiking trails and creekside bicycle routes

Fulton Parks and Recreation operates more than 10 parks and maintains about a dozen hiking and bicycle trails. The Stinson Creek Trail is a 6-mile out-and-back trail that starts in the city center and winds along Stinson Creek. Memorial Park was renovated in 2012 and provides modern amenities for kids and outdoor athletes. Fulton Country Club opened in 1917 and still operates its members-only nine hole golf course, croquet courts and swimming pool.

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Discover endless fun at Memorial Park’s playground, perfect for all ages.
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Stinson Creek Trail Park provides hiking trails, and streams for fishing.
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The Brick District is the heart of downtown

The Brick District Playhouse presents concerts, plays, meetings and receptions. Upscale but casual restaurants include Beks and the 1851 Underground Tap & Grill, each in a historic setting. Locals can find sushi and pizza as well as Mexican cantinas and American diners along the brick-paved streets. Antique stores and gift shops draw people inside with large window displays that typify retailers in downtown. The campuses of both colleges are less than a mile walk to The Brick District.

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Discover unique shops and dining in The Brick District of Fulton, Missouri.
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Enjoy live performances at The Brick District Playhouse in the heart of Fulton, MO.
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Residents depend on car travel, but local bus services are available

U.S. Route 54 is a north-south highway that connects Fulton south about 25 miles to Jefferson City and north to Vandiver. Route 54 connects to Interstate 70, an east-west highway that runs through Missouri on its route between Pennsylvania and Utah, the intersection of which was once known as "America's Crossroads.'' OATS Transit and Greyhound provide local and regional bus services. Columbia Regional Airport is the closest commercial airport to Fulton.

Fulton has experienced recent flooding and occasional tornadoes

The climate in Calloway County is generally mild, with warm summers and cold, somewhat snowy winters. The city’s flood risk is high, not only from the Missouri River but from surrounding creeks. According to FBI Data, Fulton’s reported rates of violent crimes have been mostly lower than state and national averages since 2020. Property crimes were above those averages between 2020 and 2022 but have fallen to rates mostly under the averages since then.

Sarah Albiston
Written By
Sarah Albiston
Matt Ponstingl
Photography Contributed By
Matt Ponstingl
Francesco Basti
Video By
Francesco Basti

Fulton by the Numbers

12,842
Population
39
Average Days on Market

Average Home Value



Source: Public Records

Top Schools in Fulton, MO

Source:

Best Public Elementary Schools

South Callaway Elementary School
#1 South Callaway Elementary School
A-
Niche
8
GreatSchools
Bartley Elementary School
#2 Bartley Elementary School
B
Niche
5
GreatSchools
McIntire Elementary School
#3 McIntire Elementary School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Bush Elementary School
#4 Bush Elementary School
C+
Niche
2
GreatSchools
Stark Elementary School
#5 Stark Elementary School

Best Public Middle Schools

South Callaway Middle School
#1 South Callaway Middle School
B+
Niche
5
GreatSchools
Fulton Middle School
#2 Fulton Middle School
C+
Niche
4
GreatSchools
Wheeler Middle School
#3 Wheeler Middle School

Best Public High Schools

South Callaway High School
#1 South Callaway High School
B
Niche
4
GreatSchools
North Callaway High School
#2 North Callaway High School
B-
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Fulton Senior High School
#3 Fulton Senior High School
C+
Niche
3
GreatSchools
Wheeler High School
#4 Wheeler High School

Best Private Schools

Kingdom Christian Academy
#1 Kingdom Christian Academy
Shepherdsfield School
#2 Shepherdsfield School
St. Peter Catholic School
#3 St. Peter Catholic School

Agents Specializing in this Area

Agent Spotlight

Carl Plummer
(573) 615-8856
Carl Plummer is a Missouri Licensed REALTOR® at House of Brokers Realty, Inc. Carl specializes as our Buyer's Agent and Listing agent. With a successful career in the business and transportation sectors, Carl brings extensive experience in management, sales and customer relations. He is known for being the one to get things done, with care and effectiveness, and there is no task or job that he can't handle.

Carl was born in Springfield, Ohio and moved frequently, as the son of an Air Force Sergeant, so understands the challenges people face with relocation. He eventually settled in Columbia, MO in 2000 from Austin, TX, and is married with five children. Carl has a diverse background, having served in various professional roles, including General Manager of Fry Wagner Moving & Storage, Insurance Agent for Aflac, Account Manager for MBS Textbook Exchange, Department Manager for Walmart, and Supervisor for the City of Columbia’s Transportation Department. Carl earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology Management from American Public University. He is a 3rd Degree Black Belt, and Certified Instructor of Taekwondo. Carl has also owned and operated two Taekwondo schools.

Carl’s knowledge and experience have helped to prepare him to serve clients. He especially looks forward to assisting them reach their goals, whether they are looking to buy, sell or invest in real estate.
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Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.