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Frequently asked questions

Columbia, MO

Columbia 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. 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.

As a Midwestern college town, Columbia maintains high-quality healthcare facilities, cultural opportunities, and a low cost of living. The tripartite establishment of Stephens College (1833), the University of Missouri (1839), and Columbia College (1851), which surround the city's Downtown to the east, south, and north, has made Columbia a center of learning. At its center is 8th Street (also known as the Avenue of the Columns), which connects Francis Quadrangle and Jesse Hall to the Boone County Courthouse and the City Hall. Originally an agricultural town, education is now Columbia's primary economic concern, with secondary interests in the healthcare, insurance, and technology sectors; it has never been a manufacturing center. Companies like Shelter Insurance, Carfax, Veterans United Home Loans, and Slackers CDs and Games, were founded in the city. Cultural institutions include the State Historical Society of Missouri, the Museum of Art and Archaeology, and the annual True/False Film Festival, and the Roots N Blues Festival. The Missouri Tigers, the state's only college athletic program that sponsors FBS football, play football at Faurot Field and basketball at Mizzou Arena as members of the rigorous Southeastern Conference.

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 that 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 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, with 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".

Columbia, in northern mid-Missouri, is 120 miles (190 km) away from both St. Louis and Kansas City, and 29 miles (47 km) north of the state capital of Jefferson City. The city is near the Missouri River, between the Ozark Plateau and the Northern Plains.

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.

Columbia places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. University Hospital - MU Health Care and Landmark Hospital provides a range of medical and wellness services. Rock Bridge Memorial State Park is perfect for outdoor enthusiasts, providing beautiful trails for hiking and exploring. The Activity & Recreation Center (ARC) offers comprehensive fitness facilities and wellness programs. For a tranquil escape, Oasis Massage provides soothing massage therapies. Riversong Spa and Salon combines luxury spa treatments with a serene atmosphere. Fitness buffs can enjoy state-of-the-art workouts at Orangetheory Fitness.   

Top sites in Columbia, MO are Stephens Lake Park, Shelter Gardens, Museum of Art and Archaeology, and David R. Francis Quadrangle Historic District.

Population: 129,330 (2023). ZIP codes: 65201, 65202, 65203, 65211. Area code: 573. Elevation: 761 ft (232 m). Area: 67.45 sq mi (174.70 km2).

FAQs

What is Columbia MO known for?

Columbia has been known as the "Athens of Missouri" for its classic beauty and educational emphasis, but is more commonly called "CoMo". 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 Jesse Hall and the neo-gothic Memorial Union have become icons of the city. The David R. Francis Quadrangle is an example of Thomas Jefferson's academic village concept.

What is the crime rate in Columbia, Missouri?

With a crime rate of 33 per one thousand residents, Columbia has one of the highest crime rates in America compared to all communities of all sizes - from the smallest towns to the very largest cities. One's chance of becoming a victim of either violent or property crime here is one in 31. Within Missouri, more than 88% of the communities have a lower crime rate than Columbia.

What is the cost of living in Columbia, MO?

The cost of living in Columbia, MO is 1% lower than the state average and 9% lower than the national average. Columbia, MO housing is 16% cheaper than the U.S. average, while utilities are about 8% less pricey. When it comes to necessities such as food and clothing, groceries are around 6% less in Columbia, MO than in the rest of the country, while clothing costs around 6% less. Healthcare services such as doctor check-ups and dentistry cost 7% less here compared to the U.S. average. At the same time, non-necessary expenses such as entertainment and grooming services are 6% cheaper in Columbia, MO.

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Columbia

Neighborhood Scout

Rentcafe

Stephens Lake Park 

Shelter Gardens 

Museum of Art and Archaeology 

David R. Francis Quadrangle Historic District

University Hospital - MU Health Care

Landmark Hospital

Rock Bridge Memorial State Park

Activity & Recreation Center (ARC)

Oasis Massage

Riversong Spa and Salon

Orangetheory Fitness

The content herein is provided for general informational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Medical information changes constantly, and therefore the content on this website should not be assumed to be current, complete or exhaustive. Always seek the advice of your doctor before starting or changing treatment. If you think you may have a medical emergency, please call your doctor or 9-1-1 (in the United States) immediately.