Jefferson City is the capital of the State of Missouri and the county seat of Cole County. It is the principal city of the Jefferson City, Missouri Metropolitan Statistical Area which encompasses both Callaway and Cole counties. As of 2006, the population is 39,274. Jefferson City was named after the third president of the United States of America, Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson City is in the Ozarks on the Missouri River near the geographic center of the state, and is dominated by a domed Capitol, rising from a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. Lewis and Clark passed beneath that bluff on their historic expedition.
History
In pre-Columbian times, this region was home of an ancient people known only as the Mound Builders. By the time European settlers began arriving here, the Mound Builders had already vanished into history and the indigenous peoples were called the Osage Indians. When the Missouri Territory was organized in 1812, St. Louis was the seat of government. St. Charles served as the capital until Jefferson City was chosen as the new capital in 1821. In 1821 Jefferson City was known as Lohman's Landing. When the city was first chosen to be the state capital, they proposed the name "Missouriopolis", but later settled on Jefferson City. It was little more than a trading post located in the wilderness about midway between St. Louis and Kansas City. In 1826 the Missouri legislature first met here and in 1839 the site was incorporated as a city. Jefferson City was occupied by Union troops during the American Civil War.
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 39,636 people, 15,794 households, and 9,207 families residing in the city. The population density was 561.6/km squared (1,454.4/mi squared). There were 16,987 housing units at an average density of 240.7/km squared (623.3/mi squared). The racial makeup of the city was 81.50% White, 14.70% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 15,794 households out of which 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 all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 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% who were 65 years of age 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 income for a household in the city was $39,628, and the median income for a family 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 the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.
Education
Jefferson City is served by the Jefferson City Public School District, which operates Jefferson City High School. There is also Helias, a Catholic high school. Lincoln University, a historically black college (HBCU), is also located in Jefferson City.
Transportation
- Jefferson City (Amtrak station)
- U.S. Route 50
- U.S. Route 54
- U.S. Route 63
Notable sites
- The Missouri State Capitol
- The Missouri State Museum.
- The Museum of Missouri Military History
- Jefferson City is a point along the Katy Trail.
- Jefferson City is sister city to the German (Northern Bavaria) City of Muenchberg (Münchberg), Hof County (Landkreis Hof).
- A submarine, the USS Jefferson City (SSN-759), is named for the State Capital of Missouri.
Notable Citizens
- James T. Blair, Jr. was the mayor of Jefferson City in 1947 and then later a governor of Missouri.
- Lorenzo Greene Lincoln University faculty and civil rights pioneer
- Jack S. Kilby was born in Jefferson City.
- Cedric the Entertainer (Cedric Kyle) was born in Jefferson City.
- William Rose (screenwriter) was born in Jefferson City.