Kirksville is a city in Adair County, Missouri, United States. The population was 16,988 at the 2000 census. It is the county seat of Adair CountyGR6. Kirksville also anchors a micropolitan area that is comprised of Adair and Schuyler counties.
GeographyKirksville is located at (40.19368958, -92.58285181)GR1. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 27.2 km˛ (10.5 mi˛). 27.1 km˛ (10.5 mi˛) of it is land and 0.1 km˛ (0.04 mi˛) of it (0.38%) is water.
DemographicsAs of the censusGR2 of 2000, there were 16,988 people, 6,583 households, and 2,975 families residing in the city. The population density was 627.1/km˛ (1,624.0/mi˛). There were 7,303 housing units at an average density of 269.6/km˛ (698.2/mi˛). The racial makeup of the city was 94.38% White, 1.73% African American, 0.26% Native American, 1.93% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.07% from two or more races. Hispanic or 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 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 years of age or older. The median age was 23 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.
Noteworthy events in Kirksville history The Big Neck War'Cabins of White Folks', a very small settlement near what is now Kirksville, had been established for one year in July 1829, when a large party of Iowa (or Ioway) led by Chief Big Neck returned to their former hunting grounds, in violation of treaty. One of the Ioway's dogs killed a pig, and they threatened (or according to some sources insulted) the white women. The settlers sent messengers south to Randolph County. Captain William Trammell led a party north to help, and engaged the Indians. Routed, they returned to the cabins, got the women, and headed for Huntsville. Four of the Randolph men, including Trammell, were killed in the fight. A group of militia under General John B. Clark pursued and apprehended Big Neck and his braves, Big Snake, Young Knight, and One-that-Don't-Care. The Ioway tribesmen were captured March 11, 1830, and put on trial by a grand jury of Randolph County. The jury found on March 31, 1830, that: 'After examining all the witnesses, and maturely considering the charges for which these Iowa Indians are now in confinement, we find them not guilty, and they are at once discharged.'
source: History of Randolph County
The leniency of the verdict is remarkable, given the racism and hysteria of the period. Other contemporary accounts note that the corpse of Capt. Trammell was undesecrated (fires had been built on the chests of others); according to one Indian who participated in the fight, this was done as a mark of respect for the courage he had shown in the fight.
The Battle of KirksvilleThe 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 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 Kirksville CycloneOn the evening of April 27, 1899, a cyclone passing through Adair County cut a path of destruction three blocks wide, killed 32 people and destroyed hundreds of buildings. 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.
The external link below to Special Collections, Pickler Memorial Library at Truman State University provides many photos.
Features of interestKirksville is home to three institutions of higher learning:
Kirksville is served by two watersheds. Hazel Creek Lake, formed in 1982, was first used as a water source the next year. The larger water source, Forest Lake, was formed by the city in the 1950s when it dammed Big Creek. Forest Lake anchors the Thousand Hills State Park, located just west of the city.
TransportationState highways 6, 11, and U.S. Highway 63 run through Kirksville. In late 2005, a four-lane stretch of U.S. 63 between Kirksville and Macon opened, partially funded by a one-half cent sales tax passed by Kirksville voters in 2002. However, the new four-lane stretch does not enter Kirksville or Macon; the Missouri Department of Transportation will construct the remaining lanes in 2007, forgoing a bypass of either city.
The City of Kirksville operated the Kirksville Regional Airport (formerly Clarence Cannon Airport), four miles south of the city, by the village of Millard. Kirksville, by way of La Plata, is serviced by Amtrak's Southwest Chief.
AviationIn 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, about 10 mi (15 km) north of Kirksville. The Air Force deactivated the 790th Radar Squadron in 1968. The Federal Aviation Administration took over running the radar and most of the surrounding 78.51 acres were given to Northeast Missouri State University.[1] 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.
Three fatal airplane accidents have occurred near Kirksville:
Paired with Ottumwa, Iowa, Kirksville is a media market region, ranked 199 by Nielsen, and home to an ABC affiliate, KTVO-TV 3. Kirksville is home to seven main radio stations.
The Kirksville-Ottumwa DMA includes a FOX affiliate, KYOU-TV 15, and is covered by NBC and CBS from Hannibal-Quincy and, in some areas, Kansas City. Radios in Kirksville can also pick up stations from Brookfield, Macon, Moberly, Hannibal-Quincy, and Keokuk, Iowa. Among low-powered translators and micro-broadcasters is 107.5 FM, operated by students from Truman's campus.
In print, Kirksville is served by the Daily Express six days a week and on Thursdays by the Truman Index, the weekly newspaper produced by students at Truman State University.
Major employers
