Columbia, Missouri
Columbia, Missouri | ||
---|---|---|
City | ||
FIPS code 29-15670 | | |
GNIS feature ID | 2393605[5] | |
Website | www | |
[6][7] |
Columbia /kəˈlʌmbiə/ is a city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It is the county seat of Boone County and home to the University of Missouri.[8] Founded in 1821, it is the principal city of the three-county Columbia metropolitan area. It is Missouri's fourth most populous with an estimated 128,555 residents in 2022.[9][10][11]
As a
The city rests upon the forested hills and rolling prairies of Mid-Missouri, near the Missouri River valley, where the Ozark Mountains begin to transform into plains and savanna. Limestone forms bluffs and glades while rain dissolves the bedrock, creating caves and springs which water the Hinkson, Roche Perche, and Bonne Femme creeks. Surrounding the city, Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Mark Twain National Forest, and Big Muddy National Fish and Wildlife Refuge form a greenbelt preserving sensitive and rare environments. The Columbia Agriculture Park is home to the Columbia Farmers Market.
The first humans who entered the area at least 12,000 years ago were nomadic hunters. Later, woodland tribes lived in villages along waterways and built mounds in high places. The Osage and Missouria nations were expelled by the exploration of French traders and the rapid settlement of American pioneers. The latter arrived by the Boone's Lick Road and hailed from the culture of the Upland South, especially Virginia, Kentucky, and Tennessee. From 1812, the Boonslick area played a pivotal role in Missouri's early history and the nation's westward expansion. German, Irish, and other European immigrants soon joined. The modern populace is unusually diverse, over 8% foreign-born. White and black people are the largest ethnicities, and people of Asian descent are the third-largest group. Columbia has been known as the "Athens of Missouri" for its classic beauty and educational emphasis, but is more commonly called "CoMo".[2]
History
Columbia's origins begin with the settlement of American pioneers from Kentucky and Virginia in an early 1800s region known as the Boonslick. Before 1815 settlement in the region was confined to small log forts due to the threat of Native American attack during the War of 1812. When the war ended settlers came on foot, horseback, and wagon, often moving entire households along the Boone's Lick Road and sometimes bringing enslaved African Americans. By 1818 it was clear that the increased population would necessitate a new county be created from territorial Howard County. The Moniteau Creek on the west and Cedar Creek on the east were obvious natural boundaries.
Believing it was only a matter of time before a county seat was chosen, the
Springs were discovered across the Flat Branch Creek, so in the spring of 1821 Columbia was laid out, and the inhabitants of Smithton moved their cabins to the new town. The first house in Columbia was built by Thomas Duly in 1820 at what became Fifth and Broadway. Columbia's permanence was ensured when it was chosen as county seat in 1821 and the Boone's Lick Road was rerouted down Broadway.
The roots of Columbia's three economic foundations—education, medicine, and insurance— can be traced to the city's incorporation in 1821.
The city benefited from being a stagecoach stop of the Santa Fe and Oregon trails, and later from the Missouri–Kansas–Texas Railroad. In 1822, William Jewell set up the first hospital. In 1830, the first newspaper began; in 1832, the first theater in the state was opened; and in 1835, the state's first agricultural fair was held. By 1839, the population of 13,000 and wealth of Boone County was exceeded in Missouri only by that of St. Louis County, which, at that time, included the City of St. Louis.[16]
Columbia's infrastructure was relatively untouched by the Civil War. As a slave state, Missouri had many residents with Southern sympathies, but it stayed in the Union. The majority of the city was pro-Union;[13] however, the surrounding agricultural areas of Boone County and the rest of central Missouri were decidedly pro-Confederate. Because of this, the University of Missouri became a base from which Union troops operated. No battles were fought within the city because the presence of Union troops dissuaded Confederate guerrillas from attacking, though several major battles occurred at nearby Boonville and Centralia.
After Reconstruction, race relations in Columbia followed the Southern pattern of increasing violence of whites against blacks in efforts to suppress voting and free movement: George Burke, a black man who worked at the university, was lynched in 1889.[17] In the spring of 1923, James T. Scott, an African-American janitor at the University of Missouri, was arrested on allegations of raping a university professor's daughter. He was taken from the county jail and lynched on April 29 before a white mob of roughly two thousand people, hanged from the Old Stewart Road Bridge.
In the 21st century, a number of efforts have been undertaken to recognize Scott's death. In 2010 his death certificate was changed to reflect that he was never tried or convicted of charges, and that he had been lynched. In 2011 a headstone was put at his grave at Columbia Cemetery; it includes his wife's and parents' names and dates, to provide a more full account of his life.[18] In 2016, a marker was erected at the lynching site to memorialize Scott.[19] 5 years later, in 2021, the marker was removed in an act of vandalism.[20] In 1901, Rufus Logan established The Columbia Professional newspaper to serve Columbia's large African American population.
In 1963,
Columbia became a transportation crossroads when
In 2017, Columbia was in the path of totality for the Solar eclipse of August 21, 2017. The city was expecting upwards of 400,000 tourists coming to view the eclipse.[23]
Geography
Columbia, in northern mid-Missouri, is 120 miles (190 km) away from both
According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 67.45 square miles (174.69 km2), of which 67.17 square miles (173.97 km2) is land and 0.28 square miles (0.73 km2) is water.[27]
Topography
The city generally slopes from the highest point in the Northeast to the lowest point in the Southwest towards the Missouri River. Prominent tributaries of the river are Perche Creek, Hinkson Creek, and Flat Branch Creek. Along these and other creeks in the area can be found large valleys, cliffs, and cave systems such as that in
Animal life
Large mammals found in the city include urbanized coyotes,
Climate
Columbia has a
Climate data for Columbia U of M (near the University of Missouri, 1991–2020 normals,[a] extremes 1994-2023) | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 76 (24) |
78 (26) |
86 (30) |
90 (32) |
94 (34) |
104 (40) |
106 (41) |
108 (42) |
99 (37) |
95 (35) |
84 (29) |
76 (24) |
108 (42) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 64 (18) |
70 (21) |
78 (26) |
86 (30) |
89 (32) |
94 (34) |
98 (37) |
99 (37) |
93 (34) |
86 (30) |
76 (24) |
67 (19) |
100 (38) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 39.3 (4.1) |
44.9 (7.2) |
56.2 (13.4) |
67.0 (19.4) |
75.7 (24.3) |
84.5 (29.2) |
88.6 (31.4) |
87.6 (30.9) |
79.9 (26.6) |
68.3 (20.2) |
54.8 (12.7) |
43.6 (6.4) |
65.9 (18.8) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 30.9 (−0.6) |
35.7 (2.1) |
46.0 (7.8) |
56.4 (13.6) |
65.9 (18.8) |
74.8 (23.8) |
78.8 (26.0) |
77.5 (25.3) |
69.4 (20.8) |
57.8 (14.3) |
45.6 (7.6) |
35.3 (1.8) |
56.2 (13.4) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 22.5 (−5.3) |
26.5 (−3.1) |
35.8 (2.1) |
45.8 (7.7) |
56.0 (13.3) |
65.2 (18.4) |
69.1 (20.6) |
67.4 (19.7) |
58.8 (14.9) |
47.3 (8.5) |
36.5 (2.5) |
26.9 (−2.8) |
46.5 (8.0) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | 2 (−17) |
6 (−14) |
16 (−9) |
30 (−1) |
41 (5) |
53 (12) |
59 (15) |
58 (14) |
44 (7) |
31 (−1) |
20 (−7) |
8 (−13) |
−2 (−19) |
Record low °F (°C) | −11 (−24) |
−13 (−25) |
−3 (−19) |
20 (−7) |
34 (1) |
45 (7) |
52 (11) |
48 (9) |
35 (2) |
25 (−4) |
7 (−14) |
−7 (−22) |
−13 (−25) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.41 (61) |
2.32 (59) |
3.24 (82) |
4.83 (123) |
5.20 (132) |
5.12 (130) |
4.62 (117) |
4.11 (104) |
4.26 (108) |
3.53 (90) |
3.00 (76) |
2.18 (55) |
44.82 (1,137) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 5.90 (15.0) |
4.80 (12.2) |
2.00 (5.1) |
0.30 (0.76) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.10 (0.25) |
0.80 (2.0) |
3.50 (8.9) |
17.4 (44.21) |
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 4 (10) |
3 (7.6) |
2 (5.1) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
1 (2.5) |
3 (7.6) |
6 (15) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 8.0 | 8.1 | 11.0 | 11.1 | 12.6 | 10.4 | 8.4 | 8.5 | 8.0 | 9.6 | 7.7 | 8.1 | 111.5 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.01 in) | 3.2 | 3.0 | 1.3 | 0.1 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.4 | 2.7 | 10.8 |
Source: NOAA[35] (snow depth 1997-2023, extremes)[36] |
Climate data for Columbia Regional Airport, Missouri (1991–2020 normals,[b] extremes 1889–present)[c] | |||||||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
Record high °F (°C) | 77 (25) |
82 (28) |
92 (33) |
93 (34) |
101 (38) |
107 (42) |
113 (45) |
110 (43) |
104 (40) |
96 (36) |
84 (29) |
76 (24) |
113 (45) |
Mean maximum °F (°C) | 63.1 (17.3) |
69.9 (21.1) |
78.8 (26.0) |
84.8 (29.3) |
87.9 (31.1) |
93.0 (33.9) |
97.1 (36.2) |
97.8 (36.6) |
91.6 (33.1) |
85.0 (29.4) |
74.0 (23.3) |
66.3 (19.1) |
99.4 (37.4) |
Mean daily maximum °F (°C) | 39.5 (4.2) |
45.1 (7.3) |
56.3 (13.5) |
67.2 (19.6) |
75.9 (24.4) |
84.5 (29.2) |
88.5 (31.4) |
87.7 (30.9) |
80.1 (26.7) |
68.2 (20.1) |
54.7 (12.6) |
43.6 (6.4) |
65.9 (18.8) |
Daily mean °F (°C) | 31.0 (−0.6) |
35.7 (2.1) |
46.0 (7.8) |
56.4 (13.6) |
65.8 (18.8) |
74.6 (23.7) |
78.5 (25.8) |
77.2 (25.1) |
69.2 (20.7) |
57.5 (14.2) |
45.3 (7.4) |
35.2 (1.8) |
56.0 (13.3) |
Mean daily minimum °F (°C) | 22.5 (−5.3) |
26.4 (−3.1) |
35.6 (2.0) |
45.6 (7.6) |
55.7 (13.2) |
64.7 (18.2) |
68.5 (20.3) |
66.7 (19.3) |
58.3 (14.6) |
46.8 (8.2) |
36.0 (2.2) |
26.7 (−2.9) |
46.1 (7.8) |
Mean minimum °F (°C) | 0.4 (−17.6) |
5.4 (−14.8) |
14.7 (−9.6) |
28.6 (−1.9) |
39.9 (4.4) |
52.2 (11.2) |
57.9 (14.4) |
55.8 (13.2) |
42.1 (5.6) |
29.2 (−1.6) |
17.3 (−8.2) |
6.7 (−14.1) |
−3.4 (−19.7) |
Record low °F (°C) | −20 (−29) |
−26 (−32) |
−9 (−23) |
14 (−10) |
28 (−2) |
40 (4) |
45 (7) |
40 (4) |
26 (−3) |
19 (−7) |
−3 (−19) |
−23 (−31) |
−26 (−32) |
Average precipitation inches (mm) | 2.12 (54) |
2.12 (54) |
2.97 (75) |
4.88 (124) |
4.77 (121) |
4.23 (107) |
4.13 (105) |
4.14 (105) |
3.83 (97) |
3.47 (88) |
2.68 (68) |
2.09 (53) |
41.43 (1,052) |
Average snowfall inches (cm) | 6.0 (15) |
4.6 (12) |
1.5 (3.8) |
0.2 (0.51) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.0 (0.0) |
0.8 (2.0) |
3.4 (8.6) |
16.5 (42) |
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm) | 3 (7.6) |
3 (7.6) |
1 (2.5) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
0 (0) |
2 (5.1) |
5 (13) |
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in) | 8.2 | 8.3 | 11.1 | 11.3 | 12.6 | 9.3 | 8.8 | 8.5 | 7.3 | 9.1 | 8.5 | 7.8 | 110.8 |
Average rainy days | 6.8 | 7.8 | 12.4 | 14 | 15 | 12.1 | 10.4 | 11.3 | 11.4 | 12.1 | 11 | 10.2 | 134.5 |
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in) | 3.6 | 2.8 | 1.1 | 0.2 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.0 | 0.1 | 0.8 | 2.1 | 10.7 |
Average relative humidity (%)
|
71.2 | 71.5 | 67.3 | 63.9 | 70.9 | 71.3 | 69.5 | 70.8 | 71.7 | 69.4 | 71.8 | 74.0 | 70.3 |
Average dew point °F (°C) | 18.3 (−7.6) |
22.8 (−5.1) |
32.0 (0.0) |
41.2 (5.1) |
52.7 (11.5) |
61.9 (16.6) |
65.7 (18.7) |
63.9 (17.7) |
57.0 (13.9) |
44.4 (6.9) |
34.0 (1.1) |
23.7 (−4.6) |
43.1 (6.2) |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 161.5 | 154.3 | 193.5 | 226.9 | 264.1 | 294.1 | 313.4 | 288.5 | 229.1 | 210.7 | 150.6 | 140.3 | 2,627 |
Percent possible sunshine | 53 | 51 | 52 | 57 | 60 | 66 | 69 | 68 | 61 | 61 | 50 | 48 | 59 |
Average ultraviolet index | 2 | 3 | 5 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 9 | 7 | 4 | 3 | 2 | 6 |
Source 1: NOAA (rain/drizzle days, relative humidity and dew point 1969–1990, sun 1961–1990)[38][34][39] | |||||||||||||
Source 2: Weather Atlas (UV)[40] |
Cityscape
Columbia's most significant and well-known architecture is found in buildings located in its downtown area and on the university campuses. The University of Missouri's
Nine historic districts located within the city are listed on the National Register of Historic Places: Downtown Columbia, the East Campus neighborhood, the West Broadway neighborhood, the Francis Quadrangle, the south campus of Stephens College, the Pierce Pennant Motor Hotel, Maplewood, and the David Guitar House.[41] The downtown skyline is relatively low and is dominated by the 10-story Tiger Hotel and the 15-story Paquin Tower.
Downtown Columbia is an area of approximately one square mile surrounded by the University of Missouri on the south, Stephens College to the east, and Columbia College on the north. The area serves as Columbia's financial and business district.[42]
Since the early-21st century, a large number of high-rise apartment complexes have been built in downtown Columbia. Many of these buildings also offer mixed-use business and retail space on the lower levels. These developments have not been without criticism, with some expressing concern the buildings hurt the historic feel of the area, or that the city does not yet have the infrastructure to support them.[43]
The city's historic residential core lies in a ring around downtown, extending especially to the west along Broadway, and south into the East Campus Neighborhood. The city government recognizes 63 neighborhood associations.
Demographics
Year | Pop. | ±% |
---|---|---|
1823 | 130 | — |
1830 | 600 | +361.5% |
1840 | 750 | +25.0% |
1850 | 651 | −13.2% |
1860 | 1,414 | +117.2% |
1870 | 2,236 | +58.1% |
1880 | 3,326 | +48.7% |
1890 | 4,000 | +20.3% |
1900 | 5,651 | +41.3% |
1910 | 9,662 | +71.0% |
1920 | 10,392 | +7.6% |
1930 | 14,967 | +44.0% |
1940 | 18,399 | +22.9% |
1950 | 31,974 | +73.8% |
1960 | 36,650 | +14.6% |
1970 | 58,521 | +59.7% |
1980 | 62,061 | +6.0% |
1990 | 69,101 | +11.3% |
2000 | 84,531 | +22.3% |
2010 | 108,500 | +28.4% |
2020 | 126,254 | +16.4% |
2022 | 128,555 | +1.8% |
For the year 1850, slaves and free minorites were not counted. U.S. Decennial Census[45] Source: U.S. Decennial Census[46] |
2020 census
The
Of the 49,371 households, 24.0% had children under the age of 18; 38.7% were married couples living together; 31.4% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 34.7% were individuals and 8.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.3 and the average family size was 3.0.
18.2% of the population was under the age of 18, 23.8% from 18 to 24, 26.4% from 25 to 44, 18.0% from 45 to 64, and 10.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 28.8 years. For every 100 females, the population had 93.3 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 89.8 males.
The 2016-2020 5-year
2010 census
As of the census of 2010, 108,500 people, 43,065 households, and 21,418 families resided in the city.
There were 43,065 households, of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 35.6% were married couples living together, 10.6% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 50.3% were non-families. 32.0% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.6% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.94.
In the city the population was spread out, with 18.8% of residents under the age of 18; 27.3% between the ages of 18 and 24; 26.7% from 25 to 44; 18.6% from 45 to 64; and 8.5% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age in the city was 26.8 years. The gender makeup of the city was 48.3% male and 51.7% female.
2000 census
As of the
There were 33,689 households, out of which 26.1% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.2% were married couples living together, 10.3% had a female householder with no husband present, and 48.7% were non-families. 33.1% of all households were made up of individuals, and 6.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.26 and the average family size was 2.92.[50]
In the city, the population was spread out, with 19.7% under the age of 18, 26.7% from 18 to 24, 28.7% from 25 to 44, 16.2% from 45 to 64, and 8.6% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 27 years. For every 100 females, there were 91.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 89.1 males.[50]
The
Economy
Columbia's economy is historically dominated by education, healthcare, and insurance.[13] Jobs in government are also common, either in Columbia or a half-hour south in Jefferson City.[53] The Columbia Regional Airport and the Missouri River Port of Rocheport connect the region with trade and transportation.
With a
Top employers
According to Columbia's 2022 Annual Comprehensive Financial Report,[57] the top employers in the city are:
# | Employer | # of Employees | % of Total City Employment |
---|---|---|---|
1 | University of Missouri | 8,709 | 9.07% |
2 | University of Missouri Health Care | 5,092 | 5.30% |
3 | Veterans United Home Loans | 3,474 | 3.62% |
4 | Columbia Public Schools | 2,650 | 2.76% |
5 | Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital | 1,779 | 1.85% |
6 | Boone Hospital Center | 1,581 | 1.65% |
7 | City of Columbia | 1,515 | 1.58% |
8 | Shelter Insurance | 1,375 | 1.43% |
9 | Hubbell Power Systems | 751 | 0.78% |
10 | Joe Machens Dealerships | 611 | 0.64% |
Culture
The
In 2008, filmmaker Todd Sklar completed the film Box Elder, which was filmed entirely in and around Columbia and the University of Missouri.
The North Village Arts District, located on the north side of downtown, is home to galleries, restaurants, theaters, bars, music venues, and the Missouri Contemporary Ballet.
The University of Missouri's Museum of Art and Archaeology displays 14,000 works of art and archaeological objects in five galleries for no charge to the public.[58] Libraries include the Columbia Public Library, the University of Missouri Libraries, with over three million volumes in Ellis Library, and the State Historical Society of Missouri.
Music
The "We Always Swing" Jazz Series[59] and the Roots N Blues Festival[60] is held in Columbia. "9th Street Summerfest" (now hosted in Rose Park at Rose Music Hall) closes part of that street several nights each summer to hold outdoor performances and has featured Willie Nelson (2009),[61] Snoop Dogg (2010),[62] The Flaming Lips (2010),[62] Weird Al Yankovic (2013),[63] and others. The "University Concert Series" regularly includes musicians and dancers from various genres, typically in Jesse Hall. Other musical venues in town include the Missouri Theatre, the university's multipurpose Hearnes Center, the university's Mizzou Arena, The Blue Note, and Rose Music Hall. Shelter Gardens, a park on the campus of Shelter Insurance headquarters, also hosts outdoor performances during the summer.[64]
The University of Missouri School of Music attracts hundreds of musicians to Columbia, student performances are held in Whitmore Recital Hall. Among many non-profit organizations for classical music are included the "Odyssey Chamber Music Series",[65] "Missouri Symphony", "Columbia Community Band", and "Columbia Civic Orchestra". Founded in 2006, the "Plowman Chamber Music Competition"[66] is a biennial competition held in March/April of odd-numbered years, considered to be one of the finest, top five chamber music competitions in the nation.
Theater
Columbia has multiple opportunities to watch and perform in theatrical productions. Ragtag Cinema is one of the most well known theaters in Columbia. The city is home to Stephens College, a private institution known for performing arts. Their season includes multiple plays and musicals. The University of Missouri and Columbia College also present multiple productions a year.
The city's three public high schools are also known for their productions. Rock Bridge High School performs a musical in November and two plays in the spring. Hickman High School also performs a similar season with two musical performances (one in the fall, and one in the spring) and 2 plays (one in the winter, and one at the end of their school year). The newest high school, Battle High, opened in 2013 and also is known for their productions. Battle presents a musical in the fall and a play in the spring, along with improv nights and more productions throughout the year.
The city is also home to the indoor/outdoor theatre Maplewood Barn Theatre in Nifong Park and other community theatre programs such as Columbia Entertainment Company, Talking Horse Productions, Pace Youth Theatre and TRYPS.
Sports
The University of Missouri's sports teams, the
Columbia also hosts the Show-Me State Games, a non-profit program of the Missouri Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Health. They are the largest state games in the United States.[69][70]
Situated midway between St. Louis and Kansas City, Columbians will often have allegiances to the professional sports teams housed there, such as the St. Louis Cardinals, the Kansas City Royals, the Kansas City Chiefs, the St. Louis Blues, Sporting Kansas City, and St. Louis City SC.[71]
Cuisine
Columbia has many bars and restaurants that provide diverse styles of cuisine, due in part to having three colleges.[72] The oldest is the historic Booches bar, restaurant, and pool hall, which was established in 1884 and is frequented by college students.[73] Shakespeare's Pizza was founded in Columbia and is known for its college town pizza.[74]
Parks and recreation
Throughout the city are many parks and trails for public usage. Among the more popularly frequented is the MKT which is a spur that connects to the Katy Trail, meeting up just south of Columbia proper. The MKT ranked second in the nation for "Best Urban Trail" in the 2015 USA Today's 10 Best Readers' Choice Awards. This 10-foot wide trail built on the old railbed of the MKT railroad begins in downtown Columbia in Flat Branch Park at 4th and Cherry Streets. The all-weather crushed limestone surface provides opportunities for walking, jogging, running, and bicycling.[75] Stephens Lake Park is the highlight of Columbia's park system and is known for its 11-acre fishing/swimming lake, mature trees, and historical significance in the community. It serves as the center for outdoor winter sports, a variety of community festivals such as the Roots N Blues Festival, and outdoor concert series at the amphitheater. Stephens Lake has reservable shelters, playgrounds, swimming beach and spraygrounds, art sculptures, waterfalls, and walking trails.[76] Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is open year-round giving visitors the chance to scramble, hike, and bicycle through a scenic environment. Rock Bridge State Park contains some of the most popular hiking trails in the state, including the Gans Creek Wild Area.[77] Columbia is home to Harmony Bends Disc Golf Course (https://www.como.gov/contacts/harmony-bends-championship-disc-golf-course-strawn-park/), which was named the 2017 Disc Golf Course of the Year by DGCourseReview.com. As of June, 2022, Harmony Bends still continues to rank on DGCourseReview.com as the No. 1 public course, and #2 overall course in the United States
Media
The city has two daily morning newspapers: the Columbia Missourian and the Columbia Daily Tribune. The Missourian is directed by professional editors and staffed by Missouri School of Journalism students who do reporting, design, copy editing, information graphics, photography, and multimedia. The Missourian publishes the monthly city magazine, Vox Magazine.[78] The University of Missouri has the independent official bi-weekly student newspaper called The Maneater, and the quarterly literary magazine, The Missouri Review. The now-defunct Prysms Weekly was also published in Columbia. In late 2009, KCOU News launched full operations out of KCOU 88.1 FM on the MU Campus. The entirely student-run news organization airs a weekday newscast, The Pulse.
The city has 4 television channels.[79] Columbia Access Television (CAT or CAT-TV) is the public access channel. CPSTV is the education access channel, managed by Columbia Public Schools as a function of the Columbia Public Schools Community Relations Department. The Government Access channel broadcasts City Council, Planning and Zoning Commission, and Board of Adjustment meetings.
Television
Station | Channel | Network | Subchannels |
---|---|---|---|
KMOS-TV | 6 | PBS | 6.2 Create
6.3 KMOS Emerge
6.4 PBS Kids |
KOMU-TV | 8 | NBC | 8.3 The CW+ |
KRCG | 13 | CBS | 13.2 Comet
13.3 Charge! 13.4 TBD |
KMIZ | 17 | ABC | 17.2 MeTV
17.3 MyNetworkTV 17.4 Fox 17.5 Bounce TV |
KQFX-LD | 22 | Fox | 22.2 Laff
22.3 Grit 22.4 Court TV Mystery
22.5 Dabl |
KFDR | 25 | CTN | 25.2 CTNi
25.4 CTN Lifestyle |
K35OY-D | 35 | Azteca America | 35.2 Infomercials
35.3 Infomercials 35.4 Infomercials |
KGKM-LD | 36 | Telemundo | 36.2 Ion Television
36.3 Court TV 36.4 Defy TV 36.5 TrueReal 36.6 Newsy
|
Radio
Columbia has 19 radio stations as well as stations licensed from
AM
- KFAL 900 kHz • Country
- KWOS 950 kHz • News/Talk
- KFRU 1400 kHz • News/Talk
- KTGR 1580 kHz • Sports (ESPN Radio)
FM
- KCOU 88.1 MHz • College
- KOPN 89.5 MHz • Public
- KMUC 90.5 MHz • Classical
- KBIA 91.3 MHz • News (NPR)
- KMFC 92.1 MHz • Christian (K-Love)
- KWJK 93.1 MHz • Variety (JACK FM)
- KSSZ 93.9 MHz • News/Talk
- KWWR 95.7 MHz • Country
- KCMQ 96.7 MHz • Classic Rock
- KDVC 98.3 MHz • Classic Hits
- KCLR 99.3 MHz • Country
- KPLA 101.5 MHz • Variety
- KBXR 102.3 MHz • Alternative
- KZZT 105.5 MHz • Classic Rock
- KOQL 106.1 MHz • Top 40
- KTXY 106.9 MHz Top 40
Government and politics
Columbia's current government was established by a
Columbia is the county seat of Boone County, and houses the county court and government center. The city is in
The population generally supports progressive causes, such as recycling programs and the decriminalization of cannabis[82][83] both for medical and recreational use at the municipal level, though the scope of the latter of the two cannabis ordinances has since been restricted.[84] The city is one of only four in the state to offer medical benefits to same-sex partners of city employees.[85] The new health plan extends health benefits to unmarried heterosexual domestic partners of city employees.
On October 10, 2006, the city council approved an ordinance to prohibit smoking in public places, including restaurants and bars. The ordinance was passed over protest, and several amendments to the ordinance reflect this.[86] Over half of residents possess at least a bachelor's degree,[87] while over a quarter hold a graduate degree.[88] Columbia is the 13th most-highly educated municipality in the United States.[88] In February 2024, the Columbia City Council voted to legally make and declare the entire city a safe haven for transgender people and cisgender homosexuals.[89]
Education
Almost all of the Columbia city limits, and much of the surrounding area, lies within the Columbia Public School District.[90] The district enrolled more than 18,000 students and had a budget of $281 million for the 2019–20 school year.[91]
While 95.4% of adults age 25 and older in the city have a high school diploma.
CPS also manages seven middle schools: Jefferson, West, Oakland, Gentry, Smithton, Lange, and John Warner. John Warner Middle School first opened for the 2020/21 school year.
A very small portion of the city limits is in Hallsville R-IV School District.[90] The sole high school of that district is Hallsville High School.
The United States census estimated that 55.3% of adults ages 25 and up in Columbia hold a bachelors degree or higher.[92] While only 31.2% of Missourians hold a bachelor’s degree.[97]
The city has three institutions of higher education: the University of Missouri,
Infrastructure
Transportation
The
The city is served by
Columbia is also known for its MKT Trail, a spur of the Katy Trail State Park, which allows foot and bike traffic across the city, and, conceivably, the state. It consists of a soft gravel surface for running and biking. Columbia also is preparing to embark on construction of several new bike paths and street bike lanes thanks to a $25 million grant from the federal government.[102] The city is also served by American Airlines at the Columbia Regional Airport, the only commercial airport in mid-Missouri.
Rail service is provided by the city-owned Columbia Terminal Railroad (COLT), which runs from the north side of Columbia to Centralia and a connection to the Norfolk Southern Railway. Columbia would be at the center of the proposed Missouri Hyperloop, reducing travel times to Kansas City and St. Louis to around 15 minutes.[103]
Health systems
Health care is a big part of Columbia's economy, with nearly one in six people working in a health-care related profession[104][105] and a physician density that is about three times the United States average.[106][107] The city's hospitals and supporting facilities are a large referral center for the state, and medical related trips to the city are common.[108] There are three hospital systems within the city and five hospitals with a total of 1,105 beds.[104][107]
The University of Missouri Health Care operates three hospitals in Columbia: the University of Missouri Hospital, the University of Missouri Women's and Children's Hospital (formerly Columbia Regional Hospital), and the Ellis Fischel Cancer Center. Boone Hospital Center is administered by BJC Healthcare and operates several clinics as well as outpatient locations. The Harry S. Truman Memorial Veterans' Hospital, adjacent to University Hospital, is administered by the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.
There are a large number of medical-related industries in Columbia. The
Sister cities
In accordance with the Columbia Sister Cities Program, which operates in conjunction with
See also
- List of people from Columbia, Missouri
- History of the University of Missouri
- National Register of Historic Places listings in Boone County, Missouri
- USS Columbia (SSN-771)
- The Big Tree
Notes
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
- ^ Mean monthly maxima and minima (i.e. the highest and lowest temperature readings during an entire month or year) calculated based on data at said location from 1991 to 2020.
- ^ Official records for Columbia kept at downtown from August 1889 to December 1947, Columbia Municipal Airport from January 1948 to October 1969 and at Columbia Regional Airport since November 1969.[37]
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Bibliography
- Stephens, E. W. (1875) "History of Boone County." An Illustrated Historical Atlas of Boone County, Missouri. Philadelphia: Edwards Brothers
- OCLC 2881554.
- OCLC 205808.
- Havig, Alan R. (1984). From southern village to Midwestern city : an illustrated history of Columbia. ISBN 9780897811385.
- Crighton, John C. (1987). A History of Columbia and Boone County. Columbia, Missouri: Computer Color-Graphics. OCLC 16960014.
- Sapp, David (2000) "Boone County Chronicles" Columbia: Boone County Historical Society
- Brownlee, Richard S. 1956 The Big Moniteau Bluff Pictographs in Boone County, MO. Missouri Archaeologist 18(4): 49-54
- Paten, Marty (2012). The Columbia Branch Railroad: A Chronological History of the Short Line Railroad from Centralia, Missouri to Columbia, Missouri. Columbia, Missouri: HAGR Publishing. ISBN 978-0-615-52810-6.
- Daniels, Francis Potter (1907). The Flora of Columbia, Missouri and Vicinity: An Ecological and Systematic Study of a Local Flora. Columbia, Missouri: OCLC 69404603.
- Hunt, Doug (2010). The Lynching of James Scott and the Trial of George Barkwell. The author. ISBN 9781453611852.
- Hunt, Doug (2010). Black and White Justice in Little Dixie. CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform. ISBN 9781460911037.
- Batterson, Jack A. (1998). Blind Boone, Missouri's Ragtime Pioneer. Columbia, Missouri: ISBN 0826211984.
- Stephens, Frank F. (1965). History of the Missouri Methodist Church. Columbia, Missouri: OCLC 1144689380.
- Dains, Mary K. (1996). Guided by the Hand of God: The History of First Christian Church Columbia, MIssouri 1832-1996. Columbia, Missouri: First Christian Church.
- Batterson, Paulina A. (2001). Columbia College: 150 Years of Courage, Commitment, and Change. Columbia, Missouri: ISBN 9780826213242.
- Hale, Allean Lemmon (1956). Petticoat Pioneer: The Christian College Story 1851-1951. Columbia, Missouri: Artcraft Press.
- Crighton, John Clarke (1970). Stephens: A Story of Educational Innovation. Columbia, Missouri: American Press.
- Stephens, Frank Fletcher (1962). A History of the University of Missouri. Columbia, Missouri: ISBN 9781258386566.
- Olsen, James and Vera (1988). The University of Missouri An Illustrated History. Columbia, Missouri: ISBN 9780826206787.
- Viles, Jonas The University of Missouri, 1839–1939, E.W. Stephens Publishing Company
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External links
- Official city government website
- Columbia Convention & Visitors Bureau
- Columbia Chamber of Commerce
- Historic maps of Columbia in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri