Kirksville is located on Highway 63. Truman State University and the Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine are great assets to the community. Truman State University, a nationally recognized liberal arts university, has a student enrollment of over 6,000 and is one of the two largest employers in Kirksville, employing over 800. Kirksville College of Osteopathic Medicine, with over 500 students and 350 employees, was founded by Dr. Andrew Taylor Still in 1892 as the first college of osteopathic medicine. Kirksville is the health care center of Northeast Missouri, with the Northeast Regional Health System employing over 800.
Agriculture remains important to the economy of the area.
Kirksville and Northeast Missouri offer a variety of recreational activities. At Thousand Hills State Park, located two miles west of Kirksville, numerous outdoor recreational opportunities are available. Other nearby outdoor recreation areas are Big Creek State Forest, Sugar Creek State Forest, Hazel Creek Lake, and the Union Ridge Conservation Area. The Kirksville Arts Association sponsors various events, the best known being the Red Barn Arts and Crafts Festival. Truman State University hosts cultural events, including the Kohlenberg Lyceum Series which brings world renowned performers to campus.