Kirksville, located in Northeast Missouri, is a small city with a population of over 17,000 residents. Known for its small-town feel, Kirksville offers a variety of job opportunities, with major employers including three colleges, the Kraft-Heinz plant, and Northeast Regional Medical Center. The city features a mix of bungalows near downtown and ranch-style homes in other areas, with newer developments offering custom-built houses. Downtown Kirksville has a grid-pattern layout centered around the Adair County Courthouse, with local businesses, art galleries, and long-standing restaurants like DuKum and Pagliai’s Pizza. For shopping, Baltimore Street hosts several big box retailers and chain restaurants.
Recreational options include about a dozen parks managed by Kirksville Parks & Recreation, a 20-mile trail system, and an aquatic center. Thousand Hills State Park, located 6 miles from the city, is a major attraction with over 3,200 acres of woods and trails surrounding Forest Lake. Kirksville hosts several annual events, such as the Red, White and Blue Festival, the Red Barn Arts and Crafts Festival, and the Hometown Holiday event.
Educational institutions in Kirksville include the Kirksville R-III School District, which has a high rating, and three faith-based private schools. Higher education is provided by Moberly Area Community College, A.T. Still University, and Truman State University, the latter being highly ranked for academics in Missouri. U.S. 63 provides access to Des Moines and Kansas City, with the closest international airports located in these cities. Kirksville Regional Airport offers daily flights to Chicago O’Hare International Airport. The city is implementing a plan to reduce its crime rates.
