With fewer than 30000 residents, Kirkwood offers the comfort of a small town just 15 miles southwest of St Louis. Known for its strong sense of community, the city has seen generations of families remain in the same neighborhoods, drawn by its character and walkable layout.
Many downtown buildings date back to the mid 1800s, giving Kirkwood a historic charm that continues to shine even as the area evolves. Its pedestrian friendly streets, centralized amenities, and access to public transit make it both connected and comfortably rooted in tradition.
Kirkwood has the small town charm with the amenities and conveniences of a large city.
Shops along Argonne and Old Route 61 sit in historic buildings as old as Kirkwood itself.
Dining at Café Provencal or grabbing basics at Target
Downtown Kirkwood Road is lined with locally owned restaurants and shops, many set inside century old storefronts that add to the city’s charm. Favorites include Cafe Provencal for a cozy date night and Billy G's for casual dining. Locals also stop by Dewey's Pizza and Strange Donuts for quick bites while strolling downtown.
About a mile south near the interstate, everyday essentials are easy to find at Walmart Supercenter, ALDI, Target, and Burlington, giving residents both local flavor and national convenience within minutes.
Cafe Provencal serves residents of Kirkwood French cuisine and a quiche of the day.
Dewey's is a local Kirkwood favorite pizza restaurant.
Steps away from the Magic House and STAGES
Family friendly attractions are a big part of Kirkwood’s appeal. The Magic House is a longtime favorite, offering hands on exhibits, events, and educational programs that draw both new homebuyers and longtime residents. Many local parents who once visited as kids now bring their own children back.
Entertainment extends beyond youth activities. STAGES St Louis has presented a steady lineup of musicals and theatrical productions since 1987, adding year round cultural experiences right in the heart of the community.
Nearby to Kirkwood, The Magic House is a widely known attraction giving children the chance to learn about science.
STAGES at the Kirkwood Performing Arts Center works with local arts organizations to design its programs.
Homes from the 1960s to today, 15 miles from St. Louis
About 15 miles from St Louis, Kirkwood offers everything from mid century ranch homes to newer traditional builds. Fixer uppers can start around 110000, while updated three to four bedroom homes typically range from the mid 200000s to 500000, with newer construction exceeding 800000.
Condos provide a lower maintenance option, starting near 100000, with luxury units along McCullough Avenue reaching up to 600000 depending on location and amenities.
A small brick bungalow with tudor influences adds to the array of home styles in Kirkwood.
Smaller bungalows soak up the colors of fall in Kirkwood.
Walkable schools in the Kirkwood district
Students in Kirkwood attend the highly regarded Kirkwood School District, one of the oldest districts in the St Louis metropolitan area. Elementary options include Tillman Elementary School and Keysor Elementary School, followed by Nipher Middle School or North Kirkwood Middle School, all earning strong ratings from Niche.
Students then move on to Kirkwood High School, known for its high graduation rate and more than 60 extracurricular activities. Private options within walking distance include St Peter Catholic School and St John Vianney High School.
Kirkwood children can attend W.W. Keysor Elementary School were students are rated as 56% proficient in Math.
Students in Kirkwood can attend Nipher Middle School which receives an A from Niche.
In addition to a 98% graduation rate, Kirkwood High School has a large, state-of-the-art stadium on campus.
Enjoying the outdoors at Kirkwood Park
At the heart of Kirkwood sits Kirkwood Park, a 90 acre community hub featuring the Kirkwood Community Center, Aquatic Center, and an ice arena. Afternoons bring families to the playgrounds, while weekends often find locals fishing along Walker Lake.
Additional green spaces like Walker Park and Dee Koestering Park offer walking paths and trails throughout the city. From soccer games and fitness classes to farmers markets and summer concerts downtown, outdoor life is part of the everyday rhythm in Kirkwood.
Visitors enjoy paddleball at Kirkwood Park.
Enjoy the dock over looking Walker Lake at Kirkwood Park.
Getting around and out of town from Kirkwood Station
Kirkwood residents can reach downtown St Louis or St Louis Lambert International Airport in about 15 miles via Interstate 44. Metro Transit St Louis bus lines also provide a convenient option for commuters heading to major job centers in the region.
For travel beyond the metro area, Kirkwood Station serves as the local Amtrak stop. Built in the 19th century, the station’s historic stone exterior and brick walkway reflect the city’s longstanding connection to rail travel.
The Kirkwood Train Station with it's distinctive architecture is a center point for the town.
Public transportation adds to the convenience of living in Kirkwood.
Overview for Kirkwood, MO
41,724 people live in Kirkwood, where the median age is 42.9
and the average individual income is $68,548.
Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
41,724
Total Population
42.9 years
Median Age
High
Population Density
Population DensityThis is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
$68,548
Average individual Income
Around Kirkwood, MO
There's plenty to do around Kirkwood, including shopping, dining, nightlife, parks, and more. Data provided by Walk Score and Yelp.
35
Car-Dependent
Walking Score
21
Somewhat Bikeable
Bike Score
16
Minimal Transit
Transit Score
Points of Interest
Explore popular things to do in the area, including Betty's Books, The Webster Groves Bookshop, and Betty's Books.
Kirkwood has 16,806 households, with an average household size of 2.46. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.Here’s what the people living in Kirkwood do for work — and how long it takes them to get there. Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.41,724 people call Kirkwood home. The population density is 2,881.21 and the largest age group is Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
41,724
Total Population
High
Population Density
Population DensityThis is the number of people per square mile in a neighborhood.
42.9
Median Age
47.15 / 52.85%
Men vs Women
Population by Age Group
0-9:
0-9 Years
10-17:
10-17 Years
18-24:
18-24 Years
25-64:
25-64 Years
65-74:
65-74 Years
75+:
75+ Years
Education Level
Less Than 9th Grade
High School Degree
Associate Degree
Bachelor Degree
Graduate Degree
16,806
Total Households
2.46
Average Household Size
$68,548
Average individual Income
Households with Children
With Children:
Without Children:
Marital Status
Married
Single
Divorced
Separated
Blue vs White Collar Workers
Blue Collar:
White Collar:
Commute Time
0 to 14 Minutes
15 to 29 Minutes
30 to 59 Minutes
60+ Minutes
Schools in Kirkwood, MO
All ()
Primary Schools ()
Middle Schools ()
High Schools ()
Mixed Schools ()
The following schools are within or nearby Kirkwood. The rating and statistics can serve as a starting point to make baseline comparisons on the right schools for your family.
Data provided by the U.S. Census Bureau.
