Kirksville, Missouri

{{Redirect|Kirksville}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=July 2023}}
{{Infobox settlement
| name                     = Kirksville, Missouri
| official_name            = City of Kirksville
| settlement_type          = [[City]]
| nickname                 = <!-- Images -->
| image_skyline            = Adair County MO Courthouse 20141022 A.jpg
| image_caption            = [[Adair County Courthouse (Missouri)]]
| image_flag               = KirksvilleCityHeader.jpg
| flag_size                = 250px
| image_seal               = <!-- Maps -->
| image_map                = Adair_County_Missouri_Incorporated_and_Unincorporated_areas_Kirksville_Highlighted.svg
| mapsize                  = 250x200px
| map_caption              = Location within [[Adair County, Missouri|Adair County]] and [[Missouri]]

<!-- Location -->
| coordinates              = {{coord|40|11|55|N|92|34|31|W|region:US-MO_type:city|display=inline,title}}
| coordinates_footnotes    = <ref name=gnis/>
| subdivision_type         = [[List of sovereign states|Country]]
| subdivision_name         = United States
| subdivision_type1        = [[U.S. state|State]]
| subdivision_name1        = [[Missouri]]
| subdivision_type2        = [[List of counties in Missouri|County]]
| subdivision_name2        = [[Adair County, Missouri|Adair]]
| subdivision_type3        = [[List of townships in Missouri|Township]]
| subdivision_name3        = [[Benton Township, Adair County, Missouri|Benton]]

<!-- Government -->
| government_footnotes     = 
| government_type          = [[Council-manager government]]
| leader_title             = [[Mayor]]
| leader_name              = Zac Burden
| leader_title1            = [[City Manager]]
| leader_name1             = Mari Macomber
| leader_title2            = [[City Council]]
| leader_name2             = {{Collapsible list
|frame_style = border:none; padding: 0;
|list_style  = text-align:left;display:none;
|1=Kabir Bansal
|2=Zac Burden (Mayor)
|3=John Gardner
|4=Rick Steele
|5=Jennifer Walston}}
| established_title        = [[Platted]]
| established_date         = 1841
| established_title1       = [[Municipal corporation|Incorporated]]
| established_date1        = 1857

<!-- Area -->
| area_footnotes           = <ref name="TigerWebMapServer">{{cite web|title=ArcGIS REST Services Directory|url=https://tigerweb.geo.census.gov/arcgis/rest/services/TIGERweb/Places_CouSub_ConCity_SubMCD/MapServer|publisher=United States Census Bureau|accessdate=August 28, 2022}}</ref>
| area_total_sq_mi         = 14.42
| area_land_sq_mi          = 14.39
| area_water_sq_mi         = 0.04
| area_total_km2           = 37.36
| area_land_km2            = 37.26
| area_water_km2           = 0.10
| unit_pref                = Imperial

<!-- Elevation -->
| elevation_footnotes      = <ref name=gnis/>
| elevation_ft             = 968

<!-- Population -->
| population_footnotes     = 
| population_as_of         = [[2020 United States Census|2020]]
| population_total         = 17530
| population_density_sq_mi = 1218.55
| population_density_km2   = 470.48
| timezone                 = [[Central Time Zone|CST]]
| utc_offset               = -6
| timezone_DST             = [[Central Time Zone|CDT]]
| utc_offset_DST           = -5
| postal_code_type         = [[ZIP code]]
| postal_code              = 63501
| area_code_type           = [[North American Numbering Plan|Area code]]
| area_code                = [[Area code 660|660]]
| blank_name               = [[Federal Information Processing Standard|FIPS code]]
| blank_info               = 29-39026 
| blank1_name              = [[Geographic Names Information System|GNIS]] feature ID
| blank1_info              = 2395547<ref name=gnis>{{GNIS|2395547}}</ref>
| website                  = [http://www.kirksvillecity.com kirksvillecity.com]
| footnotes                = 
|pop_est_as_of = 
|pop_est_footnotes = 
|population_est = 
}}

'''Kirksville''' is the [[county seat]] and most populous [[city]] in [[Adair County, Missouri]].<ref name=gnis/>  Located in [[Benton Township, Adair County, Missouri|Benton Township]], its population was 17,530 at the [[2020 United States census|2020 census]].<ref>{{Cite web|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Kirksville city, Missouri; United States|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/kirksvillecitymissouri,US/POP010220|access-date=2021-11-04|website=www.census.gov|language=en}}</ref>  Kirksville is home to two colleges: [[Truman State University]] and [[A.T. Still University]].

== History ==
[[Image:Child workers in Kirksville, MO.jpg|thumb|Group of men and boys at Friedman Shelby Shoe Company in 1910]]
'''Kirksville''' was laid out in 1841 on a {{convert|40|acre|sqmi ha|2| adj=on}} site, and was first incorporated in 1857.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_pX0UAAAAYAAJ | title=History of Adair County | publisher=The Denslow History Company | author=Violette, E. M. | year=1911 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_pX0UAAAAYAAJ/page/n361 345]}}</ref>

===Origin of name===
According to tradition Jesse Kirk, Kirksville's first [[postmaster]], shared a dinner of [[turkey (bird)|turkey]] and [[whiskey]] with [[surveyor (surveying)|surveyor]]s working in the area on the condition that they would name the town after him.<ref>{{cite book | url=https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ | title=How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named | publisher=The State Historical Society of Missouri | author=Eaton, David Wolfe | year=1916 | pages=[https://archive.org/details/bub_gb_RfAuAAAAYAAJ/page/n12 201]}}</ref> Not only the first postmaster, Kirk was also the first to own a hotel and a tavern in Kirksville.

Contrary to popular belief, the name of the city has no connection to John Kirk, onetime president of Truman State University from 1899 to 1925. However, the grandson of Jesse Kirk reported that the town was named for Kirk's son John, a figure of local legend credited with killing two deer with a single bullet. "Hopkinsville" was explained as a joking reference to the peculiar gait of John Kirk's lame father-in-law, David Sloan; the jocular name was discarded when the village was selected for the seat of justice in Adair County.<ref>Kirksville Daily Express, March 20, 1941</ref>

===Battle of Kirksville===
{{Main|Battle of Kirksville}}

The Battle of Kirksville was fought August 6–9, 1862, during the [[American Civil War]]. Union troops led by [[John McNeil]] forced Confederate volunteers under [[Joseph C. Porter|Joseph Porter]] to vacate the city. Casualty estimates (almost entirely Confederate) range from 150-200 dead and up to 400 wounded. According to the August 12, 1862, ''Quincy Herald'' there were 8 Federal dead and 25 wounded. The victorious Union commander, Colonel McNeil, gained brief national attention for his post-battle execution of a small number of Confederate prisoners. These prisoners had been previously captured in battle and then paroled with the understanding they would no longer take up arms against the Union, upon penalty of death if recaptured. Nonetheless, Confederate government officials were outraged, and it is said that Confederate president Jefferson Davis even called for the execution of Colonel (later Brigadier General) McNeil if he were to be captured.

===Tornadoes===
On the evening of April 27, 1899, an F4 [[tornado]] passing through Adair County cut a path of destruction three blocks wide, killed 34 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Grazulis |first1=Thomas P. |title=Significant tornadoes, 1680-1991: A Chronology and Analysis of Events |date=1993 |publisher=Environmental Films |location=St. Johnsbury, Vermont |isbn=1-879362-03-1 |page=686}}</ref> The popular song "Just as the Storm Passed O'er" was based on the event, and the [[Kimball Piano Company]] exploited the incident for its advertising, when one of their instruments was carried a long distance by the tornado but still found in working condition.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://library.truman.edu/gallery/Tornado/tornado.htm|title=The Kirksville Cyclone in 1899|website=library.truman.edu|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref>

On May 13, 2009, Kirksville was again the victim of a large tornado. An [[Enhanced Fujita scale|EF2]] tornado struck the northern edge of Kirksville destroying or severely damaging many homes, several businesses, a car dealership, and at least one factory. Two residents living just outside the city limits were killed by the tornado, and as many as a dozen other area residents were injured.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.wgem.com/global/story.asp?s=10358639 |title=Three killed in Northeast Missouri storms - WGEM.com: Quincy News, Weather, Sports, and Radio |publisher=WGEM.com |date=May 13, 2009 |access-date=25 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120217024851/http://www.wgem.com/global/story.asp?s=10358639 |archive-date=17 February 2012 }}</ref> The story and extensive video of the 2009 twister was featured in season 3, episode 4 of ''[[Storm Chasers]]'' on the [[Discovery Channel]]<ref>{{cite web |url=http://dsc.discovery.com/tv/storm-chasers/about/about.html |title=About The Show : Storm Chasers : Discovery Channel |publisher=Dsc.discovery.com |date=2008-09-10 |access-date=25 January 2013}}</ref> as well as a 2010 episode of ''[[Storm Stories]]'' on [[The Weather Channel]].

===National Register of Historic Places===
The [[Adair County Courthouse (Missouri)|Adair County Courthouse]], [[Bear Creek Baptist Church]], [[Dockery Hotel]], [[Grim Building]], [[Capt. Thomas C. Harris House]], [[Journal Printing Company Building]], [[Kirksville Courthouse Square Historic District]], [[Drs. George and Blanche Laughlin House]], [[Masonic Temple (Kirksville, Missouri)|Masonic Temple]], [[Dr. E. Sanborn Smith House]], [[Orie J. Smith Black and White Stock Farm Historic District]], [[Sojourners Club]], [[Thousand Hills State Park|Thousand Hills State Park Petroglyphs Archeological Site]], [[Travelers Hotel (Kirksville, Missouri)|Travelers Hotel]], and [[Trinity Episcopal Church (Kirksville, Missouri)|Trinity Episcopal Church]] are listed on the [[National Register of Historic Places]].<ref name="nris">{{NRISref|version=2010a}}</ref><ref name="nps">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/nr/listings/20110722.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=2011-07-22|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 7/11/11 through 7/15/11 |publisher=National Park Service}}</ref><ref name="nps1">{{cite web|url=http://www.nps.gov/nr/listings/20140321.htm|title=National Register of Historic Places Listings|date=2014-03-21|work=Weekly List of Actions Taken on Properties: 3/10/14 through 3/14/14|publisher=National Park Service}}</ref>

==Geography==
According to the [[United States Census Bureau]], the city has a total area of {{convert|14.43|sqmi|sqkm|2}}, of which, {{convert|14.39|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is land and {{convert|0.04|sqmi|sqkm|2}} is water.<ref name="Gazetteer files">{{cite web|title=US Gazetteer files 2010 |url=https://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=25 January 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120702145235/http://www.census.gov/geo/www/gazetteer/files/Gaz_places_national.txt |archive-date=2 July 2012 }}</ref>

===Climate===
Kirksville has a hot-summer [[humid continental climate]] ([[Köppen climate classification|Köppen]] ''Dfa''). Summers are warm and humid, while winters are cold and snowy. Precipitation is highest in the summer months, and is mostly produced by [[thunderstorms]] (a few of which can become [[severe thunderstorm|severe]]).
{{Weather box
| single line = Y
| location = Kirksville, Missouri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present)
| Jan record high F = 70
| Feb record high F = 78
| Mar record high F = 85
| Apr record high F = 93
| May record high F = 101
| Jun record high F = 106
| Jul record high F = 113
| Aug record high F = 111
| Sep record high F = 104
| Oct record high F = 95
| Nov record high F = 93
| Dec record high F = 74
| year record high F = 113
| Jan avg record high F = 56.7
| Feb avg record high F = 62.7
| Mar avg record high F = 74.5
| Apr avg record high F = 82.1
| May avg record high F = 85.3
| Jun avg record high F = 91.2
| Jul avg record high F = 95.8
| Aug avg record high F = 95.6
| Sep avg record high F = 89.5
| Oct avg record high F = 82.0
| Nov avg record high F = 70.5
| Dec avg record high F = 58.7
| year avg record high F = 97.4
| Jan high F = 33.6
| Feb high F = 38.4
| Mar high F = 50.5
| Apr high F = 62.4
| May high F = 72.1
| Jun high F = 81.4
| Jul high F = 85.7
| Aug high F = 84.3
| Sep high F = 77.0
| Oct high F = 64.6
| Nov high F = 50.7
| Dec high F = 38.6
| year high F = 61.6
| Jan mean F = 24.3
| Feb mean F = 28.7
| Mar mean F = 39.8
| Apr mean F = 50.9
| May mean F = 61.7
| Jun mean F = 71.4
| Jul mean F = 75.6
| Aug mean F = 73.8
| Sep mean F = 65.6
| Oct mean F = 53.7
| Nov mean F = 40.7
| Dec mean F = 29.8
| year mean F = 51.3
| Jan low F = 15.1
| Feb low F = 19.0
| Mar low F = 29.2
| Apr low F = 39.5
| May low F = 51.2
| Jun low F = 61.3
| Jul low F = 65.5
| Aug low F = 63.3
| Sep low F = 54.3
| Oct low F = 42.9
| Nov low F = 30.7
| Dec low F = 21.1
| year low F = 41.1
| Jan avg record low F = -4.8
| Feb avg record low F = -0.5
| Mar avg record low F = 10.7
| Apr avg record low F = 24.5
| May avg record low F = 36.4
| Jun avg record low F = 48.2
| Jul avg record low F = 54.5
| Aug avg record low F = 52.2
| Sep avg record low F = 37.9
| Oct avg record low F = 26.7
| Nov avg record low F = 14.6
| Dec avg record low F = -0.9
| year avg record low F = -10.5
| Jan record low F = -23
| Feb record low F = -31
| Mar record low F = -13
| Apr record low F = 8
| May record low F = 22
| Jun record low F = 37
| Jul record low F = 46
| Aug record low F = 40
| Sep record low F = 25
| Oct record low F = 1
| Nov record low F = -10
| Dec record low F = -23
| year record low F = -31
| precipitation colour = green
| Jan precipitation inch = 1.39
| Feb precipitation inch = 2.01
| Mar precipitation inch = 2.67
| Apr precipitation inch = 4.09
| May precipitation inch = 5.79
| Jun precipitation inch = 5.94
| Jul precipitation inch = 4.85
| Aug precipitation inch = 4.16
| Sep precipitation inch = 4.18
| Oct precipitation inch = 3.29
| Nov precipitation inch = 2.32
| Dec precipitation inch = 1.78
| year precipitation inch = 42.47
| Jan snow inch = 6.0
| Feb snow inch = 4.6
| Mar snow inch = 2.2
| Apr snow inch = 0.8
| May snow inch = 0.0
| Jun snow inch = 0.0
| Jul snow inch = 0.0
| Aug snow inch = 0.0
| Sep snow inch = 0.0
| Oct snow inch = 0.1
| Nov snow inch = 1.3
| Dec snow inch = 4.0
| year snow inch = 19.0
| unit precipitation days = 0.01 in
| Jan precipitation days = 5.5
| Feb precipitation days = 6.6
| Mar precipitation days = 8.4
| Apr precipitation days = 11.1
| May precipitation days = 11.9
| Jun precipitation days = 10.8
| Jul precipitation days = 8.7
| Aug precipitation days = 9.0
| Sep precipitation days = 8.1
| Oct precipitation days = 8.9
| Nov precipitation days = 7.6
| Dec precipitation days = 7.0
| year precipitation days = 103.6
| unit snow days = 0.1 in
| Jan snow days = 2.8
| Feb snow days = 2.7
| Mar snow days = 1.2
| Apr snow days = 0.3
| May snow days = 0.0
| Jun snow days = 0.0
| Jul snow days = 0.0
| Aug snow days = 0.0
| Sep snow days = 0.0
| Oct snow days = 0.1
| Nov snow days = 0.7
| Dec snow days = 2.4
| year snow days = 10.2
|source 1 = [[NOAA]]<ref name = NOAA >
{{cite web
| url = https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=eax
| title = NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = July 28, 2021}}</ref><ref name=NCEI>
{{cite web
| url = https://www.ncei.noaa.gov/access/services/data/v1?dataset=normals-monthly-1991-2020&startDate=0001-01-01&endDate=9996-12-31&stations=USC00234544&format=pdf
| title = Station: Kirksville, MO
| work = U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020)
| publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
| access-date = July 28, 2021}}</ref>
}}

==Demographics==
{{US Census population
|1860= 658
|1870= 1471
|1880= 2314
|1890= 3510
|1900= 5966
|1910= 6347
|1920= 7213
|1930= 8293
|1940= 10080
|1950= 11110
|1960= 13123
|1970= 15569
|1980= 17167
|1990= 17152
|2000= 16988
|2010= 17505
|2020= 17530
|footnote=U.S. Decennial Census<ref name="DecennialCensus">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov/quickfacts/fact/table/kirksvillecitymissouri,US/POP010220|access-date=November 4, 2021|title=U.S. Census Bureau QuickFacts: Kirksville city, Missouri; United States }}</ref>
}}
Kirksville anchors a [[Kirksville micropolitan area|micropolitan area]] that comprises Adair and [[Schuyler County, Missouri|Schuyler]] counties.

===2020 census===
The [[2020 United States census|2020 United States census]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov| access-date=2023-12-17 |website=data.census.gov}}</ref> counted 17,530 people, 6,259 households, and 2,766 families in Kirksville. The population density was 1,218.2 per square mile (470.5/km{{sup|2}}). There were 7,678 housing units at an average density of 533.6 per square mile (206.1/km{{sup|2}}). The racial makeup was 82.28% (14,424) [[White (U.S. Census)|white]], 7.25% (1,271) [[African American (U.S. Census)|black or African-American]], 0.22% (38) [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 3.65% (639) [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.06% (10) [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 1.15% (202) from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 5.4% (946) from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race was 1.9% (338) of the population.

Of the 6,259 households, 20.4% had children under the age of 18; 31.8% were married couples living together; 34.1% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 39.8% consisted of individuals and 13.3% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.2.

17.3% of the population was under the age of 18, 35.7% from 18 to 24, 18.5% from 25 to 44, 16.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23.7 years. For every 100 females, the population had 92.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 86.6 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year [[American Community Survey|American Community Survey]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Explore Census Data |url=https://data.census.gov|access-date=2023-12-17|website=data.census.gov}}</ref> estimates show that the median household income was $36,228 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,059) and the median family income was $55,982 (+/- $8,114). Males had a median income of $21,690 (+/- $3,486) versus $12,899 (+/- $3,029) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $16,688 (+/- $2,033). Approximately, 10.6% of families and 28.8% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 19.2% of those under the age of 18 and 13.9% of those ages 65 or over.

===2010 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name ="wwwcensusgov">{{cite web |title=U.S. Census website |url=https://www.census.gov |publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]] |access-date=25 January 2013}}</ref> of 2010, there were 17,505 people, 6,714 households, and 3,066 families residing in the city. The [[population density]] was {{convert|1216.5|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|1}}. There were 7,434 housing units at an average density of {{convert|516.6|/sqmi|/km2|1}}. The racial makeup of the city was 
* 92.3% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 
* 2.2% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 
* 0.2% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 
* 2.4% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.1% [[Race (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.8% from [[Race (U.S. Census)|other races]], and 2.0% from two or more races. 
* [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 2.7% of the population.

There were 6,714 households, of which 23.0% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 33.0% were [[Marriage|married couples]] living together, 9.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.1% had a male householder with no wife present, and 54.3% were non-families. 37.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.18 and the average family size was 2.90.

The median age in the city was 23.8 years. 16.4% of residents were under the age of 18; 36% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 19% were from 25 to 44; 17.5% were from 45 to 64; and 11.2% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 46.1% male and 53.9% female.

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the population on July 1, 2017 was estimated to be 17,536.

===2000 census===
As of the [[census]]<ref name="GR2">{{cite web|url=https://www.census.gov|publisher=[[United States Census Bureau]]|access-date=2008-01-31|title=U.S. Census website}}</ref> of 2000, there were 16,988 people, 6,583 households, and 2,975 families residing in the city. The population density was {{convert|1,624.0|PD/sqmi|PD/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. There were 7,303 housing units at an average density of {{convert|698.2|/sqmi|/km2|sp=us|adj=off}}. The racial makeup of the city was 94.38% [[White (U.S. Census)|White]], 1.73% [[African American (U.S. Census)|African American]], 0.26% [[Native American (U.S. Census)|Native American]], 1.93% [[Asian (U.S. Census)|Asian]], 0.04% [[Pacific Islander (U.S. Census)|Pacific Islander]], 0.59% from [[Race (United States Census)|other races]], and 1.07% from two or more races. [[Hispanic (U.S. Census)|Hispanic]] or [[Latino (U.S. Census)|Latino]] of any race were 1.54% of the population.

There were 6,583 households, out of which 20.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.1% were married couples living together, 7.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 54.8% were non-families. 36.9% of all households were made up of individuals, and 11.6% had someone living alone who was 65&nbsp;years of age or older. The average household size was 2.16 and the average family size was 2.83.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 15.6% under the age of 18, 37.6% from 18 to 24, 20.5% from 25 to 44, 14.4% from 45 to 64, and 12.0% who were 65&nbsp;years of age or older. The median age was 23&nbsp;years. For every 100 females, there were 82.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 78.5 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $22,836, and the median income for a family was $36,772. Males had a median income of $26,776 versus $22,309 for females. The [[per capita income]] for the city was $14,388. About 14.4% of families and 30.6% of the population were below the [[poverty line]], including 20.7% of those under age 18 and 13.1% of those age 65 or over.

===Congolese population===
By 2015 a number of persons originating from the [[Democratic Republic of the Congo]] settled in Kirksville; they first came to the U.S. through [[diversity visas]].<ref>{{cite news|author=Brown, Danielle|url=http://www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com/article/20151212/NEWS/151219704|title=Kirksville R-III adapts in order to better integrate Congolese students|newspaper=[[Kirksville Daily Express]]|page=[http://www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com/article/20151212/NEWS/151219704/?Start=2 2]|date=2015-12-14|access-date=2016-08-16}}</ref> Many found work at a [[Farmland Foods]] facility in nearby [[Milan, Missouri]]. In 2014 five Congolese families lived in Kirksville.<ref name=MolingOutofAfrica>{{cite web|author=Moling, Troy|url=http://ktvo.com/news/local/out-of-africa-into-the-heartland|title=Out of Africa, into the Heartland|publisher=[[KTVO]]|date=2015-04-30|access-date=2016-08-16}}</ref> By February 2016 almost 40 Congolese families resided in Kirksville,<ref name=HoakAshley>{{cite web|author=Hoak, Ashley|url=http://ktvo.com/news/local/congolese-families-create-new-lives-in-kirksville|title=Congolese families create new lives in Kirksville|publisher=[[KTVO]]|date=2016-02-05|access-date=2016-08-16}}</ref> totaling around 100 people.<ref name=MolingOutofAfrica/>

Prior to 2015 about half of the 20-25 [[English as a second language]] program students in the [[Kirksville R-III School District]] were of Hispanic origin, but the wave of Congolese students appeared by 2015, doubling the number of ESOL students and giving it a French-speaking population not previously present. Therefore, the district began expanding its ESOL program.<ref>{{cite news|author=Brown, Danielle|url=http://www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com/article/20151212/NEWS/151219704|title=Kirksville R-III adapts in order to better integrate Congolese students|newspaper=[[Kirksville Daily Express]]|page=[http://www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com/article/20151212/NEWS/151219704 1]|date=2015-12-14|access-date=2016-08-16}}</ref>

Students and faculty from [[Truman State University]] took steps to help the Congolese residents acclimate to life in Kirksville.<ref name=HoakAshley/>

According to Sana Camara of Truman State, many of the immigrants  were well-educated, and that the main barrier to success was specifically a lack of English knowledge.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com/article/20160208/NEWS/160209063/?Start=1|title=Truman event provides glimpse into lives of Congolese residents|newspaper=[[Kirksville Daily Express]]|date=2016-02-09|access-date=2016-08-16}}</ref>

==Government==
[[File:Kirksville Mo City Hall.jpg|thumb|right|Kirksville City Hall. The building was originally constructed as a U.S. Post Office in the early 1900s and was converted for city use in the 1960s.]]
Kirksville is a Missouri Third-Class city, operating as a [[council-manager government]]. A paid city manager and staff handle the day-to-day operations and report to the city council.

Candidates for Kirksville city council are not required to have any party affiliation (i.e. Republican or Democrat) in order to run for office. The only requirements are to be at least 21&nbsp;years of age, a United States citizen, to have lived in the city for at least one year prior to election, and to not have any outstanding/overdue city or county taxes. All members are elected in an "at large" representation basis versus any particular section or ward. Following each election, the councilmembers vote among themselves to choose a member to serve a one-year term as mayor. Council meetings are held the first and third Monday of each month. The Kirksville City Council Members as of Feb. 2021 were:<ref>{{cite web |title=Meet the Council |url=http://www.kirksvillecity.com/meet-the-council |website=City of Kirksville |access-date=21 February 2021}}</ref>
* Zac Burden (Mayor)
* John Gardner (Mayor Pro Tem)
* Kabir Bansal
* Jennifer Walston
* Richard Steele
The city of Kirksville provides residents with full-time fire and police departments, along with water, sewer, and street maintenance service. Citywide trash removal is contracted by the city with a private contractor, currently Advanced Disposal Environmental Service, and is mandatory for all residents or property owners. Recycling is optional. The city of Kirksville partners with other agencies to operate Kirk-Tran, an area bus service, and a county-wide E-911 Center.

==Education ==
Kirksville is home to three institutions of higher learning:
* [[Truman State University]], a liberal arts school, originally the '''North Missouri Normal School and Commercial College''', and more recently '''Northeast Missouri State University'''.
* [[A.T. Still University]], home of the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, the founding [[Osteopathic medicine in the United States|osteopathic medical]] and dental schools.
* [[Moberly Area Community College]] (MACC) operates a Kirksville campus.

Primary and secondary schools, including [[Kirksville High School]], are operated by the [[Kirksville R-III School District]].

Kirksville has a [[public library]], the Adair County Public Library.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.publiclibraries.com/missouri.htm | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170610012728/http://www.publiclibraries.com/missouri.htm | url-status=dead | archive-date=10 June 2017 | title=Missouri Public Libraries | publisher=PublicLibraries.com | access-date=2 June 2019}}</ref>

==Media==
Paired with [[Ottumwa, Iowa]], Kirksville is a [[media market]] region, ranked 201 by [[Nielsen ratings|Nielsen]].

Television stations include dual [[American Broadcasting Company|ABC]]/[[CBS]] affiliate [[KTVO]] ([[Channel 3 digital TV stations in the United States|channel 3]]) and [[KYOU-TV|K30MG-D]] ([[Channel 15 low-power TV stations in the United States|channel 15]]; [[Broadcast relay station|translator]] of [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox]]/[[NBC]]/[[The CW Plus|The CW+]] affiliate [[KYOU-TV]] channel 15 in Ottumwa).

Radio stations include [[KTRM]], a student radio from Truman State University; and [[KRXL]], a classic rock station serving the Kirksville/Ottumwa region.

In print, Kirksville is served by the ''[[Kirksville Daily Express]]'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kirksvilledailyexpress.com|title=Kirksville Daily Express - Kirksville, MO: Local & World News, Sports & Entertainment in Kirksville, MO|website=Kirksville Daily Express|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref> Sundays through Fridays, and on Thursdays by the ''[[Truman State University Index|Index]]'', a weekly newspaper produced by students at Truman State University. The students of Truman State University also publish an alternative newspaper, ''[[The Monitor (Kirksville, MO)|The Monitor]]''.

Truman students produce a weekly news broadcast, News 36, played on CableOne channel 3 and on their on-campus station, TruTV, on Tuesday and Thursday at 5:30pm, 9:00pm, 10:00pm, and 2:00am.

==Infrastructure==
===Transportation===

====Transit====
Kirksville is served by Kirk-Tran, which provides residents with a deviated fixed-route transit system and demand response service. The deviated fixed-route bus service is a single loop route operating hourly from 7:00am to 6:00pm Monday-Thursday, 7:00am to 9:00pm on Fridays and 9:00am to 9:00pm on Saturdays. There is no service on Sundays.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.kirksvillecity.com/kirktran|title=Kirk Tran}}</ref>

====Railroads====

Kirksville, by way of [[La Plata, Missouri|La Plata]], is serviced by [[Amtrak]]'s [[Southwest Chief]] which runs along the [[BNSF Railway]].  The distance from [[Truman State University]] to [[La Plata (Amtrak station)]] is approximately {{convert|12.5|mi|km}}.

Kirksville once had two operational railroads that ran through town. The east-west rail line was originally incorporated as the Quincy, Missouri & Pacific Railroad, which was renamed several times during financial restructuring and changing hands numerous times, until in 1897 it became the Quincy, Omaha & Kansas City Railroad. Financial problems continued, and it was operated by the [[Chicago, Burlington, and Quincy Railroad]] after 1903 and later absorbed by that company, which in turn became [[Burlington Northern]] in 1970. The portion of the line that ran west of Kirksville towards Green City was abandoned and eventually torn down in the early 1950s. The portion of the line that ran east of town towards Edina, Labelle, and West Quincy was scrapped in 1982 - 1983, after the [[Staggers Rail Act]] deregulated the rail industry. The depot which serviced along the Burlington Northern in Kirksville still stands along Elson Street just north of Cottonwood Street and plans are that it will be renovated.

Kirksville's other railroad, the [[Wabash Railroad]], became the [[Norfolk and Western Railway]] in October, 1964. This north-south line later became the [[Norfolk Southern Railway]] in 1982 after N&W merged with [[Southern Railway (U.S.)|Southern Railway]]. In April 1992, the last official NS train ran the line between Albia, IA and Moberly, MO as the railroad announced it would abandon the line due to a loss in profit. During the summer of 1993, the railroad reopened to train traffic as the floods of the midwest affected lines around the Mississippi and Missouri rivers. Trains continued to run the line until 1995. After failed attempts from buyers wanting to purchase the line and turn it into a shortline railroad, work began on tearing down the railroad from Moberly, MO northward toward La Plata, MO where it has a connection with the BNSF Railway and from Moulton, IA southward toward La Plata, MO. The portion of the line from Moulton, IA northward towards Albia was purchased by the [[Appanoose County Community Railroad]]. In late September 1997, the tracks through Kirksville were finally torn out, leaving the city without a rail line. The project to tear out the abandoned line was completed by the end of 1997.

====Aviation====

The City of Kirksville operates the [[Kirksville Regional Airport]] (formerly Clarence Cannon Airport), four miles (6&nbsp;km) south of the city by the village of [[Millard, Missouri|Millard]].

In 1952, the [[United States Air Force]] opened a [[radar]] base that was home to the 790th Radar Squadron, an Aircraft Control and Warning Squadron, in [[Sublette, Missouri|Sublette]], about {{convert|10|mi|km|abbr=on}} north of Kirksville. The Air Force inactivated the 790th Radar Squadron in 1968. The [[Federal Aviation Administration]] took over running the radar and most of the surrounding {{convert|78.51|acre|m2}} were given to [[Truman State University|Northeast Missouri State University]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.dnr.mo.gov/alpd/hwp/ws-special/ffs-dod.htm |title=Federal Facilities Section: Department of Defense Sites |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060724000040/http://www.dnr.mo.gov/alpd/hwp/ws-special/ffs-dod.htm |archive-date=2006-07-24 |access-date=25 January 2013}}</ref> The current radar, an Air Route Surveillance Radar - Model 3, is a long-range radar that feeds data to air traffic control centers that control aircraft flying over the region.

Four fatal airplane accidents have occurred near Kirksville:
#On May 6, 1935, [[TWA Flight 6]], carrying Senator [[Bronson Cutting]] of [[New Mexico]], crashed south of Kirksville, killing him and four others. As a result, Congress created the [[Civil Aeronautics Administration (United States)|Civil Aeronautics Administration]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.trumanindex.com/media/paper607/news/2004/10/21/News/Kirksville.History-775771.shtml |title=Kirksville History: Whitney McFerron |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927195135/http://www.trumanindex.com/media/paper607/news/2004/10/21/News/Kirksville.History-775771.shtml |archive-date=2007-09-27 |access-date=25 January 2013}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.archives.gov/research/guide-fed-records/groups/197.html |title=Records of the Civil Aeronautics Board (CAB) - (Record Group 197) |access-date=25 January 2013}}</ref>
#On May 22, 1962, [[Continental Airlines Flight 11]], heading to [[Kansas City, Missouri|Kansas City]] from [[Chicago]] under heavy weather, was brought down by a [[dynamite]] explosion northwest of Kirksville. Some aviation historians consider this the first act of aviation [[terrorism]] in history.
#On October 20, 2004, [[Corporate Airlines Flight 5966]] (now [[RegionsAir]]) crashed just south of Kirksville Regional Airport, killing 13 of 15 passengers and crew.
#On November 5, 2013, a Piper PA-32 crashed 3 miles southeast of Kirksville Regional Airport on its final approach, killing both passengers aboard.

===Utilities===
[[Image:ThousandHillsMarina1.jpg|thumb|right|Boaters enjoying the new Thousand Hills State Park Marina, mid-1950s.]]
Kirksville is served by two [[drainage basin|watershed]]s. Hazel Creek Lake (530&nbsp;acres), formed in 1982, was first used as a water source the next year. The larger water source, Forrest Lake (640&nbsp;acres), was formed by the city in the 1950s when a [[dam]] was constructed across Big Creek. Forrest Lake anchors the [[Thousand Hills State Park]], located just west of the city and is named in honor of former Missouri Governor [[Forrest Smith]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://library.truman.edu/scpublications/Chariton%20Collector/Fall%201983/We%20Would%20Just%20Like%20to%20Say%20Thank%20You.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060913124605/http://library.truman.edu/scpublications/Chariton%20Collector/Fall%201983/We%20Would%20Just%20Like%20to%20Say%20Thank%20You.pdf |archive-date=2006-09-13 |url-status=live |title=We Would Just Like to Say Thank You |access-date=25 January 2013}}</ref><ref>"A Book of Adair County History." Published by the Kirksville-Adair County Bicentennial Committee, 1976.</ref>

Kirksville trash pick-up is currently conducted through the Advanced Disposal of [[Macon, MO]]. The company also picks up recycling and yard waste for the city. Most residents receive electrical service from [[AmerenUE]], although a portion of the city receives it from Tri-County Electric, an R.E.C. co-op. [[Liberty Utilities]] is the [[natural gas]] supplier for the Kirksville area.

==Notable people==
{{See also|List of Truman State University alumni}} <!-- Please put college students in this list instead of the city article -->
* [[Doris Akers]], gospel singer and composer.
* [[Samuel W. Arnold]], three-term [[U.S. Representative]] from [[Missouri]] 1st District (1943–49)
* [[Joseph Baldwin]], founder and first president of First District Normal School, now [[Truman State University]]
* [[William E. Beckner|William Beckner]], mathematician
* [[Gordon Bell]], early computer engineer
* [[Robert J. Behnen]], [[genealogist]] and former member of the [[Missouri House of Representatives]]
* [[Lewis Binford]], prominent 20th century archaeologist and anthropologist 
* [[Anthony Cistaro]], actor, born in Kirksville, but grew up in California.
* [[Charles F. Cochran]], [[U.S. Representative]] (1897–1905), born in Kirksville.
* [[Debra Di Blasi]], prize-winning writer
* [[Rusty Draper]], singer
* [[Leo Goeke]], opera singer
* [[Alex Linder]], [[White Supremacy]] leader and owner/operator of the Vanguard News Network
* [[Lucy Foster Madison]] (1865–1932), American novelist and teacher
* [[Rebecca Mark-Jusbasche]], former head of [[Enron International]] 
* [[Joe Maxwell]], [[Lieutenant Governor of Missouri]] 
* [[Rebecca McClanahan]], Professor of Nursing and member of the [[Missouri House of Representatives]]
* [[Archie Musick]] painter 1902–1978
* [[Jim Musick]], American professional football player.
* [[John R. Musick]], late 19th-century historian and author
* [[Ruth Ann Musick]], folklorist and author
* [[Geraldine Page]], [[Academy Awards|Academy Award]]-winning actress
* [[James E. Rieger]], US Army colonel, winner of the [[Distinguished Service Cross (United States)|Distinguished Service Cross]].
* [[Carolyne Roehm]], author, businesswoman, socialite, fashion designer
* [[Andrew Taylor Still]], M.D., D.O., founder of [[Osteopathic Medicine]]
* [[Robert Taylor (American actor)|Robert Taylor]] Actor who lived in Kirksville as a child.
* [[William Traylor]], character actor and founder of the Loft Studio in Hollywood.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.imdb.com/name/nm0871501/|title=William Traylor|website=IMDb|access-date=3 April 2018}}</ref>
* [[John Textor]], businessman
* [[Rhonda Vincent]], Award-winning [[bluegrass music|bluegrass]] singer.
* [[James F. Walker]], artist
* [[Arthur L. Willard]], U.S. Navy Rear Admiral & winner of the [[Navy Cross]].
* [[John Wimber]], [[Charismatic Movement]] leader and keyboardist for [[The Righteous Brothers]]
<!-- *** INSTRUCTIONS FOR NOTABLE PEOPLE SECTIONS ***
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==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
* [http://www.kirksvillecity.com/ City of Kirksville]
* [http://www.kirksvillechamber.com/  Kirksville Area Chamber of Commerce]
* [http://www.k-redi.com Kirksville Area Economic Development]
* Historic maps of Kirksville in the [http://dl.mospace.umsystem.edu/mu/islandora/object/mu%3A138844 Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection] at the [[University of Missouri]]

{{Adair County, Missouri}}
{{Missouri public transit}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Populated places established in 1848]]
[[Category:Cities in Adair County, Missouri]]
[[Category:Kirksville micropolitan area, Missouri]]
[[Category:County seats in Missouri]]
[[Category:Cities in Missouri]]
[[Category:1841 establishments in Missouri]]