Is Fulton Safe, Pros and cons of living in Fulton

Fulton, Missouri, offers a blend of small-town charm and practical amenities, making it a potential relocation destination for various individuals and families. The city provides a generally lower cost of living compared to national averages, with notable savings in housing and utilities. Its demographic profile is predominantly White, with a significant African American population, and a median age around 35 years.

The city’s economy is supported by a mix of educational institutions, healthcare facilities, and manufacturing. While specific unemployment figures for Fulton are not readily available, the state of Missouri’s unemployment rate was 3.9% as of February 2026. Major employers in the broader region include significant retail chains and healthcare providers, contributing to the local job market.

Is it Safe to Live in Fulton?

Fulton presents a crime rate that is notably lower than the national average. The total crime rate is approximately 39% lower than the national average per 100,000 residents, with violent crimes also significantly below the national figures (101.8 per 100k residents, which is 4.1% below the national average) (as reported by AreaVibes, Crime Explorer). Property crime rates are also lower than the national average, standing at 141.0 per 100k residents, which is 13.8% below the national average (as reported by Crime Explorer).

While overall crime statistics are favorable, specific crime types warrant attention. For instance, the rate of rape in Fulton is higher than the national average (7.8 per 100k residents compared to the national average of 3.5 per 100k residents) (as reported by Crime Explorer). Conversely, aggravated assault rates are lower than the national average (15.7 per 100k residents) (as reported by Crime Explorer). Residents generally consider the northwest part of the city to be the safest (as reported by CrimeGrade.org, NeighborhoodScout).

Cost of Living and Housing

Fulton’s cost of living is approximately 11% lower than the national average, making it an affordable place to reside (as reported by AreaVibes). Housing expenses, in particular, are significantly lower, with costs being 31% lower than the national average (as reported by AreaVibes). The median home price in Fulton is around $148,221 (as reported by Livability.com), with a median listing price of $199.5K (as reported by realtor.com®). For renters, the average rent was $962 last month, showing a slight increase of $8 month-over-month (as reported by Redfin).

Utilities in Fulton are also more affordable, with prices 7% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale). Transportation expenses, however, are slightly higher, with costs for items like bus fares and gas prices being 2% above the national average (as reported by PayScale). Grocery prices are also favorable, running about 6% lower than the national average (as reported by PayScale).

Job Market and Economy

Fulton is home to a population of approximately 12,600 individuals (as reported by Wikipedia). The city’s economy is bolstered by institutions like William Woods University and Westminster College, along with healthcare and manufacturing sectors (as reported by Fulton, MO | Data USA, Fulton, Missouri – Kingdom of Callaway Historical Society). Major employers in the area include prominent retail and service companies such as Walmart, McDonald’s, and Dollar General (as reported by Indeed.com). The average salary in Fulton is approximately $46,136 per year, which translates to about $22.18 per hour (as reported by ZipRecruiter).

The most common employment sectors for Fulton residents are Health Care & Social Assistance, Educational Services, and Retail Trade (as reported by Fulton, MO | Data USA). While specific local unemployment rates are not consistently reported, the state of Missouri’s unemployment rate was 3.9% in February 2026 (as reported by USAFacts). The job market shows a diverse range of opportunities, from healthcare and education to retail and manufacturing.

Climate and Weather

Fulton experiences distinct seasonal variations in its climate. Summers are typically warm, humid, and wet, with average high temperatures in July reaching around 87°F (as reported by Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Fulton, Missouri). Winters are cold and snowy, with January seeing average lows of 23°F and highs of 40°F (as reported by Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Fulton, Missouri). The city experiences significant seasonal variation in monthly rainfall, with May being the wettest month, averaging 4.3 inches of precipitation (as reported by Climate and Average Weather Year Round in Fulton, Missouri).

The annual precipitation averages around 44 inches, including both rain and the liquid equivalent of snow (as reported by myPerfectWeather). Snowfall typically occurs from December to March, with an average annual snowfall of about 18 inches, and January usually sees the most snow (as reported by myPerfectWeather). The period from mid-April to June and again from September to October offers the most comfortable weather, with mild temperatures and lower humidity (as reported by myPerfectWeather).

Education and Schools

Fulton Public School District generally receives a C+ rating, with a rating of 3.38 out of 5 stars (as reported by Niche). The district is ranked #48 out of 460 for diversity in Missouri schools and #279 out of 455 for having the best teachers (as reported by Niche). Within the district, schools like Bartley Elementary School receive a B-minus grade, while Bush and McIntire Elementary Schools have a C+ rating (as reported by Niche).

Fulton Senior High School has a C+ rating and a student-teacher ratio of 15 to 1, with 37% of students proficient in math and 40% in reading (as reported by Niche). The Fulton school district as a whole is ranked 207 out of 367 districts in Missouri and holds a 2-star rating out of 5 from SchoolDigger, indicating areas for improvement (as reported by SchoolDigger.com). Some schools, like Stark Elementary and Wheeler High/Middle Schools, rank in the bottom 10% of their respective categories within the state (as reported by SchoolDigger.com).

Demographics

Fulton has a population of approximately 12,600 residents (as reported by Wikipedia). The racial makeup of the city is predominantly White, accounting for about 84% of the population, followed by African Americans at approximately 8.3% (as reported by Point2Homes, Fulton, MO | Data USA). The median age in Fulton is around 34.9 years, with a nearly even distribution between males and females, though males slightly outnumber females (as reported by Point2Homes).

The majority of Fulton’s residents are U.S. citizens, with a high percentage of naturalized citizens (as reported by Point2Homes). The median household income in Fulton is approximately $51,429 (as reported by Fulton, MO | Data USA). The poverty rate in Fulton is around 13.95% (as reported by Fulton, MO | Data USA), which is slightly higher than the national average.