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Columbia, IL

Frequently asked questions

Columbia, IL

Columbia is a city mainly in Monroe County with a small portion in St. Clair County in the U.S. state of Illinois, about 12 miles (19 km) south of St. Louis, Missouri. The population was 10,999 at the 2020 census.

Columbia is located at 38°26′57″N 90°12′31″W (38.449172, -90.208500). According to the 2010 census, Columbia has a total area of 10.476 square miles (27.13 km²), of which 10.41 square miles (26.96 km²) (or 99.37%) is land and 0.066 square miles (0.17 km²) (or 0.63%) is water.

Columbia is bounded on the west by the Mississippi River. Running in a diagonal line just northeast of Columbia is the border of St. Clair County, beyond which lies Dupo to the north and Millstadt to the east. To the south is Waterloo. Waterloo and Columbia are expected to grow right up to the borders of the other, in effect extending St. Louis's urban sprawl from South St. Louis County across the Jefferson Barracks Bridge into the heart of the formerly rural Monroe County

Columbia was first incorporated in 1859 as a small farming settlement but had been occupied by various Native American cultures for 12,000 years. The earliest group encountered by European settlers were members of what became the Illinois Confederation, though they had moved to the area from the Great Lakes region only a few centuries before.

To get to places in other towns and cities, Columbians rely mostly on the four highways located nearby. Illinois Route 3 is the only highway that runs through the city. It connects Columbia with Dupo and Cahokia in the northwest and Waterloo and Red Bud from the southeast. Illinois Route 158 has its western terminus just south of the city off Route 3 and connects Columbia with Millstadt. Interstate 255 and U.S. Route 50 overlap in St. Louis and continue over the Jefferson Barracks Bridge to Columbia, where they overlap again with Route 3 in an area just north of the city.

As of the census of 2010, there were 9,707 people. 3,792 households and 2,692 families reside in the city. The population density was 932.5 people per square mile. There were 3,977 housing units at an average density of 382 per square mile. The racial makeup of the city was 97.4% White, 0.4% African American, 0.1% Native American, 0.7% Asian, 0.6% from other races, and 0.9% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2% of the population.

Health and wellness are integral aspects of Columbia's community focus. The St. Anthony's Medical Center serves as a healthcare anchor in Columbia, ensuring that residents have access to quality medical services. Explore the parks, facilities, and programs the Columbia Parks and Recreation Department offers. These spaces provide opportunities for outdoor activities such as walking, jogging, sports, and picnicking. Join local fitness centers and gyms to participate in exercise programs, fitness classes, and strength training. Some popular options include PR Fitness, Fit Body Bootcamp, and Monroe County YMCA. Discover the walking and biking trails in and around Columbia, such as the Stemler Cave Woods Interpretive Long Trail and GM&O Heritage Trail. These trails offer opportunities for outdoor exercise and enjoyment of nature.

Top sites in Columbia, IL include the Missouri Civil War Museum, Columbia Golf Club, and Campbell House Museum.

Population: 10,000 (2021). Elevation: 416 ft (127 m). Area: 10.38 sq mi (26.88 km²). ZIP Code: 62236. Area code: 618.

FAQs

Is Columbia, IL a good place to live?

Columbia is in Monroe County and is one of the best places to live in Illinois. Living in Columbia offers residents a sparse suburban feel and most residents own their homes. In Columbia, there are a lot of parks. Many young professionals live in Columbia and residents tend to be conservative. 

What is Columbia, IL is known for?

Located 15 minutes from most locations in the St. Louis region and steeped in small-town charm, Columbia is a world away from the big-city bustle. From our historic downtown Main Street with upscale boutiques and unique restaurants to pristine natural settings for fun and recreation and historical sites for exploring, Columbia is rich in tradition with new reasons to visit every year. The original town, starting with Fort Whiteside and Fort Piggott, was built by a handful of American settlers on high bluffs overlooking the Mississippi River.

Is Columbia, IL safe?

According to NeighborhoodScout's analysis of FBI crime statistics, Columbia is safer than 69% of the cities and towns in the US of all population sizes. In Illinois, only on the order of 47% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Columbia. If you live in Columbia, your chance of becoming a victim of crime in the community is 1 in 169. The US average across communities from the largest to the smallest is 1 in 43.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Columbia

St. Anthony's Medical Center 

Columbia Parks and Recreation Department 

PR Fitness

Fit Body Bootcamp 

Monroe County YMCA

Stemler Cave Woods Interpretive Long Trail 

GM&O Heritage Trail

Missouri Civil War Museum

Columbia Golf Club

Campbell House Museum

Niche

Neighborhoodscout

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