Jefferson City is located on the northern edge of theOzark Plateau on the southern side of theMissouri River in a region known asMid-Missouri, that is roughly mid-way between the state's two large urban areas ofKansas City to the west andSt. Louis in the east (along the west bank of theMississippi River). It is 29 miles (47 km) south ofColumbia, Missouri, and sits at the western edge of theMissouri Rhineland, one of the major wine-producing regions of theMidwest. The city is dominated by the monumental domedMissouri State Capitol, which rises from a bluff overlooking the nearby Missouri River to the north;Lewis and Clark with their Corps of Discovery passed the bluff here on their historic expedition upriver in 1804, eventually journeying westward to thePacific Northwest region and thePacific Ocean, before Europeans or Americans established any settlement there.
Sketch of Jefferson City from the 1860sMissouri State PenitentiaryParade on "New Capitol Day", October 6, 1924, to celebrate the dedication of the newly constructedMissouri State Capitol[10]Photograph of Jefferson City and its geography from the International Space Station
When theMissouri Territory was organized in 1812,St. Louis was Missouri's seat of government for the territorial governor and territorial legislature. LaterSt. Charles would serve as the next capital town of the old Territory. However, Jefferson City was chosen as the new state capital in 1821, after Missouri was admitted to the Union as the 24thState. The village on the southern banks of the Missouri River, first was called "Lohman's Landing", and when the newstate legislature decided to relocate there, they proposed the name "Missouriopolis" before settling on the city of "Jefferson" to honor former third PresidentThomas Jefferson (who was still living at hisVirginia home estate ofMonticello for the next five years).[11][12] Over the years, the city was most often referred to as "Jefferson City"; the common name eventually stuck. For years, this village was little more than a trading post located in the wilderness about midway between St. Louis andKansas City. In 1825, the settlement was formally incorporated, and a year later, thestate legislature of theGeneral Assembly of Missouri moved to Jefferson City, where they would continue to meet.
During theAmerican Civil War (1861-1865), Jefferson City was occupied byUnion / Federal troops and the elected state legislature of the General Assembly were driven from Jefferson City byUnion Army GeneralNathaniel Lyon (1818-1861). Some of the rebelling legislators later reconvened in nearbyNeosho and passed anordinance of secession from the Federal Union. Missouri was claimed by both thesouthern Confederacy and theFederal Union of the remainingUnited States, as was neighboringborder state ofKentucky to the east, also split by the impending conflict ofcivil war. Missourians were strongly divided and many people in the state—especially in St. Louis—supported the Union, while other areas of the state (such as Missouri'sLittle Dixie) were strongly pro-Confederate further west along theMissouri River between Jefferson City and Kansas City.
German immigrants created vineyards in small towns on either side of the Missouri River, especially on the north from the city east toMarthasville, located outside of St. Louis. Known as the "Missouri Rhineland" for its vineyards and first established by German immigrants in the mid-1800s, this region has become part of Missouri's agricultural and tourist economy.
Approximately 15 minutes before midnight on May 22, 2019, a tornado emergency was issued for the Jefferson City area. Minutes later, a destructive EF-3[13] tornado caused extensive damage on the southwest side of the city.[14][15] At least 20 people were injured, but none were killed due to this tornado. The tornado originally touched down west ofEldon before heading its way to Jefferson City.[16]
According to theUnited States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 37.58 square miles (97.33 km2), of which 35.95 square miles (93.11 km2) is land and 1.63 square miles (4.22 km2) is water.[17]
Jefferson City has ahumid continental climate (KöppenDfa) with hot, rainy summers and cold winters. The city borders on having ahumid subtropical climate but falls just short due to January having a mean temperature of 30 °F (−1 °C) which is below the 32 °F (0 °C) isotherm.Thunderstorms are common in both the spring and summer. Light snow is common during the winter, although about half of wintertime precipitation falls as rain.[18]
Climate data for Jefferson City WTP, Missouri (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1894–present)
The2020 United States census[21] counted 43,228 people, 16,882 households, and 9,327 families in Jefferson City. The population density was 1,199.1 per square mile (463.0/km2). There were 18,942 housing units at an average density of 525.4 units per square mile (202.9 units/km2). The racial makeup was 74.33% (32,130)white, 15.83% (6,841)black or African-American, 0.3% (131)Native American, 1.82% (786)Asian, 0.1% (43)Pacific Islander, 1.31% (566) fromother races, and 6.32% (2,731) from two or more races.Hispanic orLatino individuals of any race made up 3.6% (1,523) of the population.
Of the 16,882 households, 25.7% had children under the age of 18; 40.2% were married couples living together; 34.4% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 39.6% consisted of individuals and 15.8% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.2 and the average family size was 3.0.
20.0% of the population was under the age of 18, 10.0% from 18 to 24, 28.3% from 25 to 44, 25.0% from 45 to 64, and 15.3% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 38.0 years. For every 100 females, the population had 106.2 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 110.9 males.
The 2016-2020 5-yearAmerican Community Survey[22] estimates show that the median household income was $54,003 (with a margin of error of +/- $2,176) and the median family income was $75,490 (+/- $7,940). Males had a median income of $35,561 (+/- $4,299) versus $31,226 (+/- $1,953) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $32,642 (+/- $2,031). Approximately, 8.8% of families and 11.9% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 17.8% of those under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those ages 65 or over.
At the2010 census, there were 43,079 people in 17,278 households, including 9,969 families, in the city. The population density was 1,198.3 inhabitants per square mile (462.7/km2). There were 18,852 housing units at an average density of 524.4 units per square mile (202.5 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 78.0% White, 16.9% African American, 0.3% Native American, 1.8% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 2.2% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino people of any race were 2.6%.[7]
Of the 17,278 households 28.8% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 41.6% were married couples living together, 12.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.7% had a male householder with no wife present, and 42.3% were non-families. 36.2% of households were one person and 11.5% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.89.
The age distribution was 20.9% of residents under the age of 18, 10.3% between the ages of 18 and 24, 28.6% from 25 to 44, 26.8% from 45 to 64, and 13.4% 65 or older. The median age was 37.5 years. The gender makeup of the city was 51.2% male and 48.8% female.
At the2000 census, there were 39,636 people in 15,794 households, including 9,207 families, in the city. The population density was 1,454.4 inhabitants per square mile (561.5/km2). There were 16,987 housing units at an average density of 623.3 units per square mile (240.7 units/km2). Theracial makeup of the city was 81.5% White, 14.7% Black or African American, 0.4% Native American, 1.2% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.6% from other races, and 1.5% from two or more races. 1.6% of the population wereHispanic or Latino of any race.[7]Of the 15,794 households 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 36.1% of households were one person and 11.9% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.90.
The age distribution was 20.9% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% 65 or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.6 males.
The median household income was $39,628 and the median family income was $52,627. Males had a median income of $35,050 versus $25,521 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,268. About 7.3% of families and 11.5% of the population were below thepoverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
Jefferson City's economy relies on government,health care,manufacturing,retail,education, andtourism. In 2016, Jefferson City's gross metropolitan product was $7.366 billion[24] and Missouri's real totalgross domestic product was $260.309 billion;[25] therefore, Jefferson City's economy accounted for 2.829% of the state's total gross domestic product.
Central Bancompany, Hawthorn Bancshares, Capital Region Medical Center, and Arris Pizza all have theirheadquarters in Jefferson City. Jefferson City is also home to Central Dairy, whose products are shipped statewide.
The Harry S Truman office building houses government workers for various state departments and agencies.TheMissouri State Capitol in Jefferson City
TheState Capitol is located in Jefferson City. In addition, state agencies are headquartered in Jefferson City. The Missouri State Archives is located in Jefferson City.
TheUnited States Postal Service operates several postal facilities. The Jefferson City Main Post Office building[29] previously shared occupancy with the U.S. District Court from its dedication in November 1934 until September 27, 2011, when it moved into the Christopher S. Bond Court House. The 118,000-square-footcourthouse is named forthe former Governor and United States Senator from Missouri. The courthouse, which is occupied by the Central Division of theUnited States District Court for the Western District of Missouri and under the appellate jurisdiction of theUnited States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, was designed to achieve theU.S. Green Building Council'sLEED Gold rating.Sustainable design features include reducing water use by 44 percent, using 13 percent recycled content, and diverting 80 percent of construction waste materials from landfills. The building is 36 percent more efficient than current energy standards.[30]
Jefferson City Public School District currently operatesJefferson City High School and Capital City High School, two middle schools, Thomas Jefferson Middle School, and Lewis and Clark Middle School, and eleven elementary schools.In addition to public education, there are also five private elementary schools and three private high schools, includingHelias High School and Calvary Lutheran High School in the city.
Columbia College,William Woods University, Metro Business College, and Merrell University also have campuses in the city with varying degree levels and options.
TheUniversity of Missouri, the state's flagship university, is 30 miles to the north in Columbia.
The major daily English-language newspaper in the area is theJefferson City News Tribune. Several monthly magazines cover Jefferson City and/or the surrounding areas:Jefferson City Magazine,Her Magazine,Capital Lifestyles, andProfessional Day.
JeffTran, the city operated public transit system, provides year-round bus service during traditional weekday business hours,[35] but is currently considering the extension of service hours to include evenings and weekends.[36]
Jefferson City is home toSSM Health St. Mary's Hospital, which has 154 beds. Capital Region Medical Center, an affiliate ofUniversity of Missouri Health Care, is also located in the city.
Jefferson City is the sister city to the German city ofMünchberg.[38] Around 200 years ago, settlers from Münchberg founded a neighborhood south of downtown Jefferson City, which is still known as "Old Munichburg".
^"Contact the Mayor". Archived from the original on May 7, 2006. RetrievedSeptember 19, 2010.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: bot: original URL status unknown (link)City of Jefferson. Retrieved on May 21, 2010.
^Moorman, Amy (2014)."Picture This"(PDF).The Missouri State Archives...Where History Begins. Missouri State Archives.Archived(PDF) from the original on December 24, 2016. RetrievedSeptember 20, 2016.
^McMillen, Margot Ford & Murphy, Dennis.A to Z: The Dictionary of Missouri Place Names. Columbia, MO. Pebble Publishing, 1996.ISBN0-9646625-4-X.
^"Station: Jefferson City WTP, MO".U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991–2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. RetrievedJuly 22, 2021.
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