A small city with a steady population in Northeast Missouri
Legend has it that Kirksville came to be thanks to a turkey dinner and whiskey. Jesse Kirk, the city’s first postmaster, made the offering to surveyors in exchange for naming the city after him in the mid-1800s. Now the county seat of Adair County, Kirksville is home to more than 17,000 residents, a number that has stayed relatively steady since 1980. “People will either move here for work or to retire,” says Elizabeth Gregory, Realtor with Exp Realty, who has lived in the Kirksville area since 1996. “It’s got that small-town feel, but there’s a lot to do and a lot of job opportunities.” Some of the biggest employers include the city’s three colleges, the Kraft-Heinz plant and Northeast Regional Medical Center. Local downtown businesses and community events also add to the city’s small-town feel.
Home prices below the national median
The median home price in Kirksville is $160,000, about 61% below the national median. “The majority of homes are going to be bungalows near downtown and ranch styles in other neighborhoods,” says Gregory. “We’re also getting newer developments with custom houses. You buy a lot then hire a builder to build your home.” Gregory adds that there’s a lot of land in the countryside and many of her clients purchase that land to build a home with lots of acreage. Those seeking a luxurious lifestyle will find the city’s rural outskirts also have 7,000 to 10,000-square-foot estates ranging from $1.5 million to $1.9 million.
Tornado season runs from April to June in Missouri and the surrounding region. Kirksville experiences all four seasons with mild summers and winter temperatures below freezing.
Holiday celebrations throughout the year
Kirksville has several events throughout the year. The Red, White and Blue Festival is a three-day spectacle celebrating Independence Day. The Red Barn Arts and Crafts Festival celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2024. And the Hometown Holiday event kicks off every Thanksgiving weekend with a parade, followed by ice skating downtown, living window displays and a tree lighting complete with carols from local choirs.
Local shops downtown and big box retailers on Baltimore Street
Downtown Kirksville has a grid-pattern layout, with the Adair County Courthouse standing in the middle and surrounding streets lined with local businesses. “There’s a good mix of retail shops, art galleries, restaurants and a few professional offices,” says Gregory. “Some restaurants like DuKum and Pagliai’s Pizza have been around for decades.” The city’s commercial retail scene is located on the north side along Baltimore Street with several big box retailers and chain restaurants.
From small neighborhood parks to the vast Thousand Hills State Park
About a dozen parks and other recreational spaces are operated by Kirksville Parks & Recreation. They include everyday neighborhood parks with playgrounds and athletic facilities, a 20-mile trail system and an aquatic center with indoor and outdoor swimming. Thousand Hills State Park is about 6 miles out of town. “Most people from Northeast Missouri come to Thousand Hills State Park,” says Gregory. “It’s the biggest draw as far as the outdoors.” The state park is more than 3,200 acres of woods and trails surrounded by Forest Lake.
Public schools, faith-based private schools and three colleges
The Kirksville R-III School District earns a B-plus grade from Niche. All schools are platted right next to each other on the east side of the city. Public kindergarten through eighth-grade students go to the same schools. High schoolers have the option of attending Kirksville High School or Kirksville Area Technical Center.
The city has three faith-based private schools: Mary Immaculate Catholic School, Faith Lutheran School and Northeast Christian High School.
Post-secondary school options include Moberly Area Community College, A.T. Still University, specializing in residential healthcare degrees, and Truman State University. Niche ranks TSU as the second-best college for academics in Missouri, where students can study from 139 undergraduate and 14 graduate programs. The Truman Bulldogs compete in NCAA Division II sports.
Highways to Des Moines and Kansas City
U.S. 63 runs 28 miles north to Iowa and 13 miles south to La Plata, where travelers can hop on an Amtrak train. It’s about a 135-mile drive north to Des Moines and 160 miles southwest to Kansas City. Those two cities have the closest international airports. However, Kirksville Regional Airport offers flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport daily via Contour Airlines.
Five-year plan to reduce crime
Property and violent crime rates are higher in Kirksville than in both the United States and Missouri. In 2023, the Kirksville Police Department implemented a 5-year plan to reduce crime. The initiative includes recruiting more officers, more community involvement and cracking down on drunk drivers. The police department also helps neighborhoods set up neighborhood watch programs.
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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.
