Jefferson City, Missouri

History

In pre-Columbian times, this region was home of an ancient people known today as the Mound Builders, likely related to the Mississippian societies. They were subsequently replaced by Osage Native Americans. In the late 17th century, frontiersmen began to inhabit the area, including Antoine de la Mothe Cadillac, Louis Jolliet, Jacques Marquette, Robert de LaSalle, and Daniel Boone, with the latter having the greatest influence on the region. Famed Western explorer and settler Daniel Boone's son, Daniel Morgan Boone (1769–1839), would later lay out and plat Jefferson City in the early 19th century.

When the Missouri Territory was organized in 1812, St. Louis was Missouri's seat of government for the territorial governor and territorial legislature. Later St. Charles would serve as the next capital town of the old Territory. Jefferson City was chosen as the new state capital in 1821, after Missouri was admitted to the Union as the 24th State. The village on the southern banks of the Missouri River was first called "Lohman's Landing", and when the new state legislature decided to relocate there, they proposed the name "Missouriopolis" before settling on "Jefferson" to honor former President Thomas Jefferson, who would still live at his Virginia home estate of Monticello for the next five years.

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 and Kansas City. In 1825, the settlement was formally incorporated, and a year later, the state legislature of the General Assembly of Missouri moved to Jefferson City, where they would continue to meet.

Jefferson City was also chosen by the lawmakers as the site of a state prison. This prison, named the Missouri State Penitentiary, opened in 1836. This prison was the unfortunate home to multiple infamous Americans, including former heavyweight boxing champion Sonny Liston, Martin Luther King Jr. assassin James Earl Ray, and infamous 1930s bank robber Pretty Boy Floyd.

During the American Civil War (1861–1865), Jefferson City was occupied by Union / Federal troops. The elected state legislature of the General Assembly were driven from Jefferson City by Union Army General Nathaniel Lyon (1818–1861). Some of the rebelling legislators later reconvened in nearby Neosho and passed an ordinance of secession from the Federal Union.

Missouri was claimed by both the southern Confederacy and the Federal Union of the remaining United States, as was neighboring border state of Kentucky to the east, also split by the impending conflict of civil 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's Little Dixie were strongly pro-Confederate, further west along the Missouri 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 to Marthasville, 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.

2019 tornado

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 tornado caused extensive damage on the southwest side of the city. At least 20 people were injured, but none were killed due to this tornado. The tornado originally touched down west of Eldon before heading its way to Jefferson City.

Geography

According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 37.58 sqmi, of which 35.95 sqmi is land and 1.63 sqmi is water.

Climate

Jefferson City has a humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa) with hot, rainy summers and cold winters. The city borders on having a humid subtropical climate but falls just short due to January having a mean temperature of 30 F which is below the 32 F 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.

| Jan record high F = 79 | Feb record high F = 89 | Mar record high F = 97 | Apr record high F = 96 | May record high F = 102 | Jun record high F = 107 | Jul record high F = 114 | Aug record high F = 111 | Sep record high F = 107 | Oct record high F = 96 | Nov record high F = 88 | Dec record high F = 79 | year record high F = 114

|Jan avg record high F = 65.3 |Feb avg record high F = 71.7 |Mar avg record high F = 79.8 |Apr avg record high F = 85.8 |May avg record high F = 89.6 |Jun avg record high F = 93.8 |Jul avg record high F = 97.5 |Aug avg record high F = 97.6 |Sep avg record high F = 92.2 |Oct avg record high F = 86.4 |Nov avg record high F = 75.7 |Dec avg record high F = 68.3 |year avg record high F = 99.2

|Jan avg record low F = 1.4 |Feb avg record low F = 7.2 |Mar avg record low F = 16.0 |Apr avg record low F = 29.2 |May avg record low F = 39.8 |Jun avg record low F = 52.7 |Jul avg record low F = 58.1 |Aug avg record low F = 56.1 |Sep avg record low F = 42.8 |Oct avg record low F = 29.8 |Nov avg record low F = 19.0 |Dec avg record low F = 7.9 |year avg record low F = -2.2

| Jan record low F = −23 | Feb record low F = −25 | Mar record low F = −16 | Apr record low F = 13 | May record low F = 24 | Jun record low F = 38 | Jul record low F = 42 | Aug record low F = 41 | Sep record low F = 29 | Oct record low F = 14 | Nov record low F = 1 | Dec record low F = −24 | year record low F = -25 | access-date = July 22, 2021 | archive-date = June 5, 2021 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210605094500/https://w2.weather.gov/climate/xmacis.php?wfo=lsx | url-status = dead | access-date = July 22, 2021}}

Demographics

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2020 census

The 2020 United States census counted 43,228 people, 16,882 households, and 9,327 families in Jefferson City. The population density was 1,199.1 /mi2. There were 18,942 housing units at an average density of 525.4 /mi2. 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) from other races, and 6.32% (2,731) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino 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-year American Community Survey 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 the poverty line, including 17.8% of those under the age of 18 and 6.9% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census, there were 43,079 people in 17,278 households, including 9,969 families, in the city. The population density was 1198.3 PD/sqmi. There were 18,852 housing units at an average density of 524.4 /mi2. The racial 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%.

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.

2000 census

At the 2000 census, there were 39,636 people in 15,794 households, including 9,207 families, in the city. The population density was 1,454.4 PD/sqmi. There were 16,987 housing units at an average density of 623.3 /mi2. The racial 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 were Hispanic or Latino of any race.

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 the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Jefferson City's economy is driven by its residents, citizens of surrounding communities, and tourists.

Business

Jefferson City's economy relies on government, health care, manufacturing, retail, education, and tourism. In 2016, Jefferson City's gross metropolitan product was $7.366 billion and Missouri's real total gross domestic product was $260.309 billion; 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 their headquarters in Jefferson City. Jefferson City is also home to Central Dairy, whose products are shipped statewide.

Tourism

Tourists are drawn to the Missouri State Capitol, St. Peter Church (adjacent to the capitol), Missouri State Penitentiary, Missouri Governor's Mansion, and Missouri State Museum. Lincoln University, ranked by U.S. News & World Report in 2007 as a top educational institution for international students, also helps draw students and tourists from other states and countries.

Government

State government

The State Capitol is located in Jefferson City. In addition, state agencies are headquartered in Jefferson City. The Missouri State Archives is located in Jefferson City.

The Missouri Department of Corrections (MDOC) operates the Jefferson City Correctional Center (JCCC) and the Algoa Correctional Center (ACC) in Jefferson City. JCCC replaced the Missouri State Penitentiary in September 2004, which until its closure was the oldest operating penal facility west of the Mississippi River. It served as the State of Missouri's primary maximum security institution, and it housed male death row prisoners until April 1989, when they were moved to the Potosi Correctional Center.

Federal government

The United States Postal Service operates several postal facilities. The Jefferson City Main Post Office building previously shared occupancy with the U.S. District Court from its dedication in November 1934 until September 2011, when it moved into the Christopher S. Bond Court House. The 118,000-square-foot courthouse is named for the former Governor and United States Senator from Missouri.

The courthouse, which is occupied by the Central Division of the United States District Court for the Western District of Missouri and under the appellate jurisdiction of the United States Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit, was designed to achieve the U.S. Green Building Council's LEED 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.

Education

Schools

Jefferson City Public School District operates Jefferson 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. There are five private elementary schools and three private high schools, including Helias High School and Calvary Lutheran High School in the city.

Colleges and universities

Lincoln University is a public historically black university with open enrollment and certificate, associate, bachelor, and graduate programs.

Columbia College, William Woods University, Metro Business College, and Merrell University have campuses in the city, with varying degree levels and options.

The University of Missouri, the state's flagship university, is 30 miles to the north in Columbia.

Public library

Jefferson City has a public library, the Missouri River Regional Library.

Media

Print

The major daily English-language newspaper in the area is the Jefferson City News Tribune. Several monthly magazines cover Jefferson City and/or the surrounding areas: Jefferson City Magazine, Her Magazine, Capital Lifestyles, and Professional Day.

Television

Jefferson City, along with Columbia, is part of the Mid-Missouri television market. KRCG, the region's CBS affiliate, and KFDR, a station owned by the Christian Television Network (CTN), are both licensed to the city.

Radio

Infrastructure

Transportation

Highways

Federal highways are U.S. Routes 50, 54, and 63. Missouri Routes 179 and 94 also run through the city. Jefferson City is one of the four state capitals that is not served by an Interstate highway. The others are Dover, Delaware; Juneau, Alaska; and Pierre, South Dakota. Interstate 70 passes by the city 30 mi to the north in Columbia.

Airports

The city is served by Columbia Regional Airport and nearby Jefferson City Memorial Airport.

Public transportation

Local transit

JeffTran, the city operated public transit system, provides year-round bus service during traditional weekday business hours, but is currently considering the extension of service hours to include evenings and weekends.

Intercity transit

The Jefferson City station, located in the former Union Hotel at Jefferson Landing State Historic Site, is one of the Missouri River Runner train stops between Kansas City and St. Louis, provided by Amtrak.

A Greyhound bus stop near the Eastland Drive Convenient Food Mart also provides intercity transit. Jefferson City Memorial Airport, which is located in the Jefferson City limits of Callaway County, Missouri, serves general aviation but has no scheduled commercial airline service.

Healthcare

Jefferson City is home to SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital, which has 154 beds. Capital Region Medical Center, an affiliate of University of Missouri Health Care, is located in the city.

Notable people

Main article: List of people from Jefferson City, Missouri

Sister city

Jefferson City is the sister city to the German city of Münchberg. Around 200 years ago, settlers from Münchberg founded a neighborhood south of downtown Jefferson City, which is still known as "Old Munichburg".

References

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