Kirksville, Missouri Demographics & Population 2026
During the 2020–2024 ACS period, Kirksville, Missouri had a total population of 17,563, the 49th largest city in Missouri, with a median household income of $50,071, which is 29% lower than the state average. The poverty rate is 28.2%.
Data vintage: U.S. Census Bureau ACS 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates · refreshed July 2026 · Methodology & source notes
Key Takeaways
- More than 1 in 4 residents live below the poverty line (28.2%), well above the national average of 12.4%.
- 40.3% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher — top 10% in Missouri.
Kirksville Quick Facts
How Kirksville Changed
Change from the 2019–2023 ACS period to 2020–2024. These are rolling five-year estimates, not year-over-year measurements.
| Metric | 2019–2023 | 2020–2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Population | 17,493 | 17,563 | +0.4% |
| Median household income | $48,063 | $50,071 | +4.2% |
| Median home value | $145,300 | $153,900 | +5.9% |
How Kirksville Compares
Median Household Income
Median Home Value
Economy & Housing
Household Income Distribution
Detailed income brackets
Employment
Housing Overview
People & Demographics
Age Distribution
Race & Ethnicity
Diversity Index
A less diverse community where one racial or ethnic group represents a large majority.
State average: 40 | National average: 61
Education
Educational Attainment (Adults 25+)
Kirksville Rankings in Missouri
Explore Missouri Rankings
Other Cities in Adair County
Cities Similar to Kirksville
These cities in the same state have comparable population and economic profiles.
| City | Population | Median Income | Home Value | Bachelor's+ | Poverty |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ferguson | 18,213 | $47,524 | $109,900 | 21.3% | 24.2% |
| Spanish Lake | 17,873 | $55,920 | $135,600 | 14.3% | 14.8% |
| Farmington | 18,282 | $53,729 | $196,500 | 16.3% | 15.9% |
| Hannibal | 16,771 | $53,721 | $127,700 | 19.6% | 19.5% |
| Carthage | 15,574 | $51,328 | $146,800 | 22.1% | 27.2% |
Population Overview
Kirksville is a small city located in Missouri, within Adair County. The total population is 17,563. It ranks as the 49th most populous out of 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri.
Age Demographics
The median age in Kirksville is 24.8 years. This is 36% lower than the state median of 39.0 years.
Economy, Income & Housing
The median household income in Kirksville is $50,071. This is 29% lower than the state median of $70,702. It is also 38% lower than the national median of $80,734. The poverty rate stands at 28.2%. This is 124% higher than the state poverty rate of 12.6%. With more than one in five residents living below the poverty line, economic hardship is a significant challenge for the community. The unemployment rate is 4.0%. The median home value is $153,900. Housing costs are 33% lower than the state median of $230,300. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x. 48.3% of occupied housing units are owner-occupied. This homeownership rate is 29% lower than the state average of 68.1%.
Race & Ethnicity
The largest racial or ethnic group in Kirksville is White (non-Hispanic), making up 82.9% of the population. Black or African American residents account for 6.4%.
Education
40.3% of residents aged 25 and older hold a bachelor's degree or higher. This places Kirksville in the top 10% of all cities in the state for educational attainment. This is 24% higher than the state rate of 32.4%. Nationally, 35.7% of adults hold at least a bachelor's degree. The high school graduation rate (or equivalent) is 94.0%. Notably, 22.6% of adults hold a graduate or professional degree, indicating a highly educated workforce.
Data Sources & Methodology
All demographic data for Kirksville, Missouri is sourced from the U.S. Census Bureau's American Community Survey (ACS) 2020–2024 5-Year Estimates. The ACS collects data from approximately 3.5 million households annually and pools five years of responses so that even small communities can be measured, though the margin of error widens as the population falls. Comparisons are made against Missouri state averages and national averages calculated from the same dataset. Rankings reflect the city's position among all 1,062 Census-designated places in Missouri. Read more about how these figures are produced on our methodology page, or visit data.census.gov for official data.
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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the population of Kirksville, Missouri?
Kirksville, Missouri has a population of 17,563 according to the most recent U.S. Census ACS 5-Year Estimates.
What is the median household income in Kirksville, MO?
The median household income in Kirksville is $50,071, which is 38% lower than the national median of $80,734.
What is the poverty rate in Kirksville, MO?
The poverty rate in Kirksville is 28.2%. This means approximately 4,433 residents live below the federal poverty line.
What is the racial makeup of Kirksville, Missouri?
Kirksville's population is 82.9% White, 6.4% Black, 3.7% Hispanic/Latino, and 2.9% Asian.
What is the median home value in Kirksville, MO?
The median home value in Kirksville is $153,900. The home-value-to-income ratio is 3.1x.
How educated is Kirksville, Missouri?
40.3% of adults (25+) in Kirksville hold a bachelor's degree or higher, and 22.6% hold a graduate or professional degree.