A city that attracts in part because of its people
Perryville is a southeast Missouri city that offers a small-town feel about 80 miles south of St. Louis. The city of 8,500 is the county seat of Perry County, offers a city square, plentiful outdoor recreation and relatively affordable housing. “I think if you came into our town and went to our square, I feel like people would be friendly to you and make you feel welcome,” says Deena Flentge, a Realtor with Re/Max Realty Experts and lifelong resident.
Perryville is a southeast Missouri city that offers a small-town feel.
Perryville offers a city square, plentiful outdoor recreation and affordable housing.
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This small city packs in homes from classic to relatively new
The city’s oldest homes are close to the city square and are colonial bungalows from the late 19th and early 20th centuries. They sell for between $70,000 and $200,000. Newer homes, including those in the recently developed Redbud Court subdivision, fetch $290,000 to $500,000. Perryville’s median list price of about $230,000 is slightly lower than some other, larger cities in the area, including Farmington and Jackson and the national median.
Two-story brick colonials can be found near Perryville's city center.
Wood-clad bungalows bring timeless charm to quiet Perryville streets.
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Manufacturing backs the economy in Perryville
The two largest employers in Perryville are both in the manufacturing sector, but they produce very different products. TG Missouri operates a facility here that makes steering wheels and other automotive parts, and Gilster-Mary Lee has plants in town that produce cereals and baking mixes. The 25-bed Mercy Hospital Perry is the area’s third-largest employer.
The 25-bed Mercy Hospital is the area’s third-largest employer in Perryville, MO.
TG Missouri operates a facility in Perryville that makes automotive steering wheels parts.
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City Park is the largest outdoor space
Viola Blechle Park has a playground, while Northdale Park offers a 9-hole disc golf course. Perry Park Center and the adjacent 100-acre City Park are hubs of activity. Access to the Perry Park Center is available for a fee, but the facility includes a pool, a gym, racquetball courts, a track and even a movie theater that screens new films. The park outside has multiple fields, plus tennis, racquetball and sand volleyball courts.
The region’s varying climate can dictate the viability of outdoor activity. “We’re in Missouri, so we’re always going to have humidity,” Flentge says. “I feel like we have all four seasons.” Missouri is also part of Tornado Alley and has averaged 55 tornadoes annually since 2010, according to data compiled by the Springfield News-Leader. Perryville's last tornado was in February 2017.
Perry Park Center offers racquetball, gym facilities, and a full-service library.
Enjoy fresh air and frisbee fun at Perry Park in Perryville, Missouri.
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Downtown Perryville is a magnet for community events
Perryville has a walkable downtown area around a square anchored by the Perry County Courthouse. The courthouse is an imposing Romanesque Revival structure built in 1904. Businesses downtown include restaurants, bars and a Rozier’s Food Centre grocery store.
Downtown doubles as a site for local events, including monthly car and motorcycle cruise-ins. There’s also the annual Mayfest in May, which includes a carnival. The Seminary Picnic in August, where rides include a historic carousel built in 1905, while Moonlight Madness in October, celebrates Halloween. “There’s always something downtown,” Flentge says.
Perryville's courthouse is an imposing Romanesque Revival structure built in 1904.
Rozier’s Food Centre grocery store is conveniently located in downtown Perryville, MO.
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Perryville has a dedicated career and technology center
Perryville is served by Perry County School District 32. The system carries a B-minus rating on Niche. The Perryville Area Career and Technology Center offers courses in topics from agricultural education to welding technology.
Students seeking an associate degree can choose the Perryville Higher Education Center, which offers courses in partnership with Mineral Area College. There’s also a Ranken Technical College campus in town, offering programs in information technology, fabrication and welding, and more.
Build your future with Ranken Perryville's IT and welding certificate programs.
Perryville Senior High School aligns with Missouri state standards.
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Southeast Missouri Transportation Service offers on-demand rides
Southeast Missouri Transportation Service, or SMTS, is an option for travel in Perry County and 20 other counties. SMTS charges $3 per in-town ride for those over 60 or those under 60 with a disability and $6 per in-town ride for others, and rides can be reserved by phone. Interstate 55 connects travelers to the Cape Girardeau Regional Airport, located 40 miles south and home to regular direct flights to Chicago O'Hare International Airport. I-55 is also an avenue for trips north to St. Louis, 82 miles north.
Crime
According to the Missouri State Highway Patrol, violent crime dropped 11%, and multiple property crimes decreased at least 4% in Perryville from 2023 to 2024.
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