Last Updated on: 19th November 2024, 03:05 pm
About 10 miles West of St. Louis and the bold and peerless waters of the Mississippi River lies the city of Kirkwood, Missouri. As a part of St. Louis County, Kirkwood is a suburb of St. Louis and was created in 1852 subsequent to a terrible fire and monstrous pandemic that swept across the lands. Living in Kirkwood MO offers residents small-town vibes with easy access to the big city.
Named after the eponymous builder, Kirkwood became one of the first suburban municipalities built outside the boundaries of St. Louis. Kirkwood is recognized as having the headquarters of Panera Bread and being the home to many remarkable icons like the famous poet Marianna Moore, and the American football running back, Kyren Williams. Nonetheless, the mid-sized and historic town of Kirkwood provides a safe and dense suburban feel along with a convenient location and endless amenities.
If you are thinking about moving to Kirkwood Missouri, then you’ll want to know more about this small town. Here’s everything you should know about living in Kirkwood MO.
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Is Kirkwood MO a Good Place to Live?
Kirkwood MO is a good place to live. Living in Kirkwood MO provides residents with access to great public schools, amazing parks and green space, and plenty of high-quality neighborhoods.
Where Is Kirkwood MO?
Kirkwood is one of the most popular cities near St. Louis and is surrounded by the communities of Des Peres, Oakland, Glendale, Huntleigh, and Sunset Hills. When living in Kirkwood MO, you’ll also have access to plenty of parks and green spaces, as Simpson Park makes up the city’s southeastern border.
Just like the rest of MO, Kirkwood has an impressive public transportation system. Kirkwood sits along the Jefferson City Subdivision of the Union Pacific Railroad, and passenger rail service is provided by Amtrak. You can also enjoy bus service when living in Kirkwood MO, which is provided by MetroBus. If you prefer to drive yourself when living in Kirkwood MO, Interstate Highway 270 and Interstate 44 are easily accessible.
If living in Kirkwood MO sounds great to you, then get in touch with our Kirkwood movers. Our Kirkwood moving company will take the proper steps to make moving to Kirkwood smooth and stress-free.
Kirkwood, MO Population & Demographics
As an inner-ring suburb of West St. Louis, the steadily developing city of Kirkwood rests along the Jefferson City Subdivision of the Pacific Railroad. Kirkwood has a population of 29,461 and has been experiencing a population growth rate of 3% each year. Is Kirkwood MO wealthy? Residents living in Kirkwood MO are very affluent, with a median household income of $107,905 (higher than the Missouri average of $65,920).
Additional Kirkwood Demographics:
- Sex ratio: 52.7% female, 47.3% male
- Median age: 42.2
- Racial and ethnic composition: 85.4% White (84.1% non-Hispanic), 8.1% two or more races, 4.4% Black or African American, 1.4% Asian
- Educational attainment: 98.0% high school degree (or higher), 64.6% bachelor’s degree (or higher)
Is Kirkwood a safe place to live? Kirkwood is known to be a very safe and reliable place to live in and raise a family. What is the crime rate in Kirkwood? Here’s an overview of the Kirkwood crime rate:
- Overall crime rate: 1,886 crimes per 100,000 people (33.3% lower than state average and 18.9% lower than national average)
- Violent crime rate: 140 crimes per 100,000 people (71.3% lower than state average and 62.1% lower than national average)
- Property crime rate: 1,745 crimes per 100,000 people (25.4% lower than state average and 10.7% lower than national average)
As you can see, living in Kirkwood MO is very safe. The community is mostly residential, so you don’t have to worry about too much nightlife or gang activity. When living in Kirkwood, MO, you will be protected by the Kirkwood Police Department.
Cost of Living in Kirkwood, MO
Is living in Kirkwood MO expensive? Luckily, living in Kirkwood MO is very affordable. The Cost of Living Index in Kirkwood is 75.88, making the city 24.12% more affordable than the national average of 100. Of course, you may see higher prices in places like Downtown Kirkwood, but this St. Louis County city is overall very affordable.
According to the Economic Policy Institute, a family of four living in Kirkwood MO would need to earn $102,649 per year to live comfortably in the city.
Are you curious about homes for sale in Kirkwood MO? When living in Kirkwood MO, you’ll have plenty of great real estate options to choose from. According to Redfin, the median home price in Kirkwood MO is $455,000, which is just above the national average of $432,500. If you’d rather rent after moving to Kirkwood, the average rent in Kirkwood is $1,456, according to RentCafe.
Kirkwood, MO Everyday Expenses
Here are a few everyday expenses you’ll incur when living in Kirkwood MO. Although these are numbers for St. Louis, MO, Kirkwood has similar (if not cheaper) prices.
- Meal at an inexpensive restaurant: $25.00
- Imported beer: $5.50
- Gallon of milk: $3.61
- Carton of eggs: $2.48
- Gallon of gas: $3.17
- Average Kirkwood utilities per month: $204.00
Source: Numbeo
Best Neighborhoods & Places to Live in Kirkwood, MO
When living in Kirkwood MO, you’ll have plenty of great neighborhoods to choose from. The sycamore and oak-bound streets of Kirkwood are known to be filled with family-friendly neighborhoods of historical homes and college-educated residents.
Kirkwood consists of three major neighborhoods – Woodhine Heights, Windsor Springs, and Upper Woodlawn. Woodhine Heights offers residents two family parks within its borders along with luxurious golf at the Greenbriar Hills Country Club. If you go two miles east from here you’ll be in Kirkwood’s Windsor Springs and a step away from the St. Louis Community College. Two miles north of Windsor, Upper Woodlawn is the nearest to downtown Kirkwood which has a handful of unique shops, restaurants, and attractions like the historical and peculiar Kirkwood Train Station.
Smaller communities you can enjoy when living in Kirkwood MO include Downtown Kirkwood and Kirkwood Park. Downtown Kirkwood is where you’ll find most of the apartment living options in the area.
All locations provide about a 15-mile distance from Kirkwood to St. Louis, which is roughly a 20-minute drive. Wherever it is you choose to set up camp, Kirkwood is sure to give off safe suburban vibes and close proximity to other St. Louis County cities.
If you’re hoping to purchase a home within the area, then check out some of Redfin’s online home listings in Kirkwood, MO. If you’re looking to rent, try searching for available apartments in and around Kirkwood.
Kirkwood, MO Climate & Weather
What kind of weather can you expect when living in Kirkwood MO? For those who love experiencing all four seasons, Kirkwood does not disappoint. Being in the far East of Missouri, Kirwood demonstrates a vast variety of different weather conditions, and the Kirkwood climate is similar to that of the St. Louis climate.
Kirkwood will keep your face warm during the 202 days of sunshine, and your umbrella will be put to use during the 43 inches of rainfall. Due to its demographic location, Kirkwood is visited by cold gusts of air from Canada during winter, and moist warm air from the Gulf of Mexico in the summer.
Pack the snow shovel when moving to Kirkwood! Kirkwood undergoes 14 inches of snow per year, and the winters can be rather cold and snowy, with lows of 23 degrees Fahrenheit. The summers in Kirkwood can be hot and humid, with highs of 89 degrees Fahrenheit.
Things to Do in Kirkwood, MO
Living in Kirkwood MO provides residents with an array of things to do, like farmer’s markets, the Greentree Festival, parks, Kirkwood city hall, golf clubs, you name it! If you’re looking to lighten your wallet, Kirkwood’s most notable shopping center, Kirkwood Commons in Downtown Kirkwood, won’t let you down. Below are even more fun things to do when living in Kirkwood MO.
Forest Park
When living in Kirkwood MO, you can’t skip out on Forest Park. With over 1,300 acres of luminous and rich green landscapes, this urban public park goes down as one of Kirkwood’s most appreciated gems. The park is swarming with lakes, streams, nature reserves, forests, and ecosystems of all sorts. Forest Park is the perfect place for those wanting to get outside, have a peaceful picnic, toon in at festivals, or just enjoy the serene presence of nature.
5595 Grand Dr, St. Louis, MO 63112, (513) 686-1600
The Magic House
This exciting children’s discovery and educational center in Downtown Kirkwood features everything from hands-on exhibits to fun events for the little ones. The museum aims to provoke curiosity and imagination in both an interesting and educational manner. This is a great place for kids to learn to have fun while learning!
516 S Kirkwood Rd, St. Louis, MO 63122, (314) 822-8900
Kirkwood, MO Additional Attractions:
When living in this St. Louis County city, you’ll have plenty of green spaces to choose from. All 12 parks, three trails, and several facilities in Kirkwood are served by the city’s Parks and Recreation Department.
Kirkwood Restaurants
When living in Kirkwood MO, you’ll have endless choices for food. Just like the rest of MO, Kirkwood offers classic Midwestern food. You’ll find everything from hot dogs and hamburgers to pizza and pasta. These are a few of the best restaurants in Kirkwood Missouri.
Billy G’s Kirkwood
If you’re looking for high-quality food when living in Kirkwood MO, Italian dishes, juicy burgers, fresh specials, and a wide selection of wine and beer, Billy G’s is the place to go! This restaurant in Kirkwood offers a captivating dining room and a perfect atmosphere to grab a drink with a friend, talk business at lunch, or sit down with the family.
Billy G’s, 131 W Argonne Dr, Kirkwood, MO 63122, (314) 984-8000
The Greek Kitchen
This modern Greek restaurant in Kirkwood offers a fresh and healthy selection of Greek cuisine and baked goods. For those pleased with a quick and casual environment in a yummy Greek restaurant that treats you like family, this is the place to go!
343 S Kirkwood Rd #101, Kirkwood, MO 63122, (314) 462-9112
Jobs in Kirkwood, MO
For those looking to earn a living, there are not as many places to find work in Kirkwood as there are in St. Louis, which is about a 20-minute drive. As such, most people living in Kirkwood MO commute to St. Louis for work.
However, Kirkwood has an annual 7% increase in job growth and still has several options to choose from. Many of the positions in Kirkwood consist of white-collar jobs, such as professionals, managers, sales and office workers, and even artists and designers.
A few of the most popular employers in Kirkwood are Wells Fargo, Boeing, AT&T, Deloitte, and Infosys. As stated by Payscale, the average base salary in the St. Louis area is $61,000. If you’re seeking employment in the area, try searching online for jobs in and around Kirkwood on Indeed.
Kirkwood, MO Schools & Colleges
Curious about the schools you have access to when living in Kirkwood MO? Luckily, this St. Louis County city has many great options. With over 22 highly-rated schools sprinkled throughout the city, Kirkwood is served by the Kirkwood School District. Some of the top schools in the city include George R Robinson Elementary and Kirkwood Sr. High School.
When it’s time to study or catch up with schoolwork, the Kirkwood Public Library will serve you well all seven days of the week.
Kirkwood, MO Statistics and Information
- County: St. Louis County
- Kirkwood area: 9.21 square miles
- Kirkwood zip code: 63122
- Kirkwood area code: 314
- Kirkwood elevation: 584 feet
- Kirkwood time zone: Central Time Zone (UTC -5 and -6)
- Closest airport to Kirkwood: St. Louis Lambert International Airport (STL), 16.8 miles away
Kirkwood, MO Map
Discover even more things to do when living in Kirkwood MO:
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