Sell My House Fast in Kirkwood, MO

Kirkwood is sometimes called the “Queen of the Suburbs,” and for good reason. It was the first planned suburb west of the Mississippi River, founded in 1853. The current population is around 27,540 residents spread across 9.16 square miles. The city was named after James Pugh Kirkwood, the chief engineer of the Pacific Railroad who surveyed and built the rail line through the area.

Born from a Fire and a Cholera Outbreak

The story of Kirkwood begins after the Great St. Louis Fire of 1849 and the cholera outbreaks that killed about a tenth of downtown St. Louis residents. In 1850, Hiram W. Leffingwell and Richard Smith Elliott bought land roughly 14 miles from downtown. When the railroad reached the community in 1853, developers began selling lots, and Kirkwood became the first suburban municipality built outside the city limits of St. Louis.

The Historic Train Station Still Running Today

The Kirkwood train station, built in 1893, sits in the heart of the city and is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. It still operates today, serving as the only Amtrak passenger stop in the St. Louis area outside the central city. The station is staffed entirely by Kirkwood residents who volunteer their time, reflecting the community’s commitment to preserving local heritage.

A Long List of Civic Firsts

Kirkwood takes pride in a long list of “firsts.” It was the first community in St. Louis County to have a four-year public high school, a tax-supported library, and a nursing home. The Kirkwood Police Department is also the oldest in the area. The Kirkwood School District was chartered in 1865 and is the oldest school district in St. Louis County.

Demographics, Attractions, and Local Traditions

Kirkwood is characterized by an affluent and well-educated community. The median household income reaches around $90,730, and more than 64 percent of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher. About 90 percent of residents are white, and 21 percent are 65 or older. Poverty rates are low at just 4.1 percent. Local attractions include The Magic House, a popular children’s museum receiving hundreds of thousands of visitors annually, the National Museum of Transportation, and the Kirkwood Farmers’ Market operating since 1976. The annual Greentree Festival has been a beloved tradition for over 60 years, featuring arts, food, and family activities.