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Mexico, MO

Frequently asked questions

Mexico, MO

Mexico, formerly known as New Mexico, is a city in and the county seat of Audrain County, Missouri. It is home to the Missouri Military Academy and annually hosts the Miss Missouri Pageant. The city's population was 11,469 at the 2020 census. The micropolitan statistical area consists of Audrain County. It is a part of the Columbia, Missouri metropolitan area.

Mexico was laid out as "New Mexico" in 1836 and was a major stop for settlers heading to the Republic of Texas (thus the name "New Mexico"), and it became the county seat under its present name in 1837. The word "New" was dropped after the Mexican War which saw Texas become a part of the United States.

There is an apocryphal story about the name. When a University of Missouri student, who was questioned on radio, was unable to give an account of her hometown's name, the question was put to L. Mitchell White, then editor and publisher of the Mexico Ledger: "'The first settlers found a wooden sign along the trail. It pointed southwest, and on it had been painted Mexico.'" To avoid unnecessary labor, the sign was left in place. "It was easier to call their town 'Mexico' than to take down the old sign."

Mexico was incorporated as a town in 1855, was served by the Wabash Railroad in 1858 and by the Alton Railroad in 1872, and was first chartered as a city in 1874. The city is in the bluegrass region of Missouri and was a shipping point for horses and mules. Mexico was a one-time major source for the nation's fire brick production, so much so that it adopted the moniker "Fire Brick Capital of the World". Bricks produced in Mexico were used in the construction of the NASA rocket launch site in Cape Canaveral. The industry fell on hard times and both major refractory plants in the area closed in 2002. There is no active quarrying for clay used in fire brick or refractory production in the area.

Mexico is located approximately 100 miles northwest of St Louis at the intersection of US Route 54 and state routes 22 and 15. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 12.38 square miles (32.06 km2), of which 12.01 square miles (31.11 km2) is land and 0.37 square miles (0.96 km2) is water.

Mexico places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents with its healthcare facilities such as SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital – Audrain providing quality medical services to the community. Enjoy a scenic walk or jog around Teal Lake Park or Lakeview Park for outdoor exercise and a picnic. Mexico Area Family YMCA offers fitness classes, aquatics, and youth programs. Kingdom Fitness and Colaw Fitness provide gym facilities and various fitness classes for all levels. 
 

Top sites in Mexico, MO: Green Estate Park, America's National Churchill Museum, and Auto World Museum.
 

Population: 11,496 (2022). ZIP code: 65265. Area code: 573. Elevation: 761 ft (232 m). Area: 12.38 square miles (32.06 km2). Incorporated: March 5, 1855. Major airport: Mexico Memorial Airport. Named for: Nuevo México (English: New Mexico).
 

FAQs

Is Mexico, MO a good place to live?

Mexico is in Audrain County. Living in Mexico offers residents a suburban rural mix feel and most residents own their homes. Many families live in Mexico and residents tend to be conservative.

How did Mexico, MO get its name?

Mexico, city, seat (1837) of Audrain county, central Missouri, U.S. It is situated on the South Fork Salt River, 28 miles (45 km) northwest of Columbia. Founded (1836) by the Reverend Robert C. Mansfield and James H. Smith, it was named for a tavern sign reading “Mexico that-a-way.” Its commercial development was stimulated by the arrival (1858) of the railroad. Ulysses S. Grant was appointed a brigadier general of the Union Army while stationed there in 1861.

What is the industry in Mexico, MO?

From 2021 to 2022, employment in Mexico, MO declined at a rate of −0.538%, from 5.39k employees to 5.36k employees. The most common job groups, by number of people living in Mexico, MO, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (668 people), Production Occupations (662 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (452 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Mexico, MO. From 2021 to 2022, employment in Mexico, MO declined at a rate of −0.538%, from 5.39k employees to 5.36k employees. The most common employment sectors for those who live in Mexico, MO, are Manufacturing (902 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (836 people), and Retail Trade (737 people).

Sources

Wikipedia

City of Mexico

Niche

Britannica

Data USA

Green Estate Park

America's National Churchill Museum

Auto World Museum

SSM Health St. Mary's Hospital – Audrain

Teal Lake Park

Lakeview Park

Mexico Area Family YMCA

Kingdom Fitness

Colaw Fitness

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