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St. Joseph, MO

Frequently asked questions

St. Joseph, MO

St. Joseph is a city in Andrew and Buchanan counties and the county seat of Buchanan County, Missouri, United States. Located on the Missouri River, it is the principal city of the St. Joseph Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Buchanan, Andrew, and DeKalb counties in Missouri and Doniphan County, Kansas. As of the 2020 census, St. Joseph had a total population of 72,473, making it the 8th most populous city in the state, and the 3rd most populous in Northwest Missouri. St. Joseph is located roughly thirty miles north of the Kansas City, Missouri, city limits and approximately 125 miles (201 km) south of Omaha, Nebraska.

The city was named after the town's founder Joseph Robidoux and the biblical Saint Joseph. St. Joseph is home to Missouri Western State University. It is the birthplace of rapper and songwriter Eminem, who grew up in and has made his career in Detroit, Michigan. In the nineteenth century, it was the death place of American outlaw Jesse James. It was also the starting point of the Pony Express serving the West.

Saint Joseph is located on the Missouri/Kansas border in northwestern Missouri, also close to Nebraska; Iowa is another 70 miles farther north. The nearest major metropolitan area to St. Joseph is the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, which begins approximately 30 miles (48 km) to the south. The nearest major airport is Kansas City International Airport, which is approximately 35 miles (56 km) to the south. According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 44.77 square miles (115.95 km2), of which 43.99 square miles (113.93 km2) is land and 0.78 square miles (2.02 km2) is water.

St. Joseph was founded on the Missouri River by Joseph Robidoux, a local fur trader of French Canadian descent. It was officially incorporated in 1843. In its early days, it was a bustling outpost and rough frontier town, serving as a last supply point and jumping-off point for travelers on the Missouri River toward the "Wild West". It was the westernmost point in the United States accessible by rail until after the American Civil War.

The main east-west downtown streets were named for Robidoux's eight children: Faraon, Jules, Francois (Francis), Felix, Edmond, Charles, Sylvanie, and Messanie. The street between Sylvanie and Messanie was named for his second wife, Angelique.

St. Joseph, or "St. Joe", as it was called by many, was a "Jumping-Off Point" for those migrants headed to the Oregon Territory in the mid-1800s. Such cities, including Independence, and St. Joseph, were where pioneers would stay and purchase supplies before they headed out in wagon trains across the Great Plains. The town was a very lively place.

St. Joseph places a strong emphasis on health and wellness for its residents. The Mosaic Medical Center and St. Joseph Medical Center provide a wide range of outpatient and acute–care services to Northwest Missouri. For a comprehensive fitness experience, Genesis Health Clubs - St Joseph provides top-notch gym facilities and a range of classes. The Joyce Raye Patterson 50+ Activity Center is perfect for seniors looking to stay active with its fitness center, billiards, and more. For yoga enthusiasts, Evolve Studio provides energizing yoga sessions. Ameliore Medispa & Laser and Reveal Wellness and Med Spa offer a wide range of beauty and wellness services.

Top sites in St. Joseph, MO are Pony Express National Museum, Patee House Museum And Jesse James Homes, and Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art.

Population: 70,634 (2023). ZIP codes: 64501-64508. Area codes: 816, 975. Elevation: 889 ft (271 m). Area: 44.82 sq mi (116.09 km2).

FAQs

What is St. Joseph, MO famous for?

Between April 3, 1860, and late October 1861, St. Joseph was one of the two endpoints of the Pony Express, which operated for a short period over the land then inaccessible by rail, to provide fast mail service. Today the Pony Express Museum hosts visitors in the former stables of the company. St. Joseph is identified by the slogan, "Where the Pony Express started and Jesse James ended." The town's main hotel was Patee House. In the post-Civil War years, when the economy was down, the hotel was used for a time by the Patee Female College. It was occupied by the St. Joseph Female College up to 1880.

Is St. Joseph, MO a good place to live?

According to an article on the popular home improvement site 'All Star Home,' St. Joseph is ranked as one of the best small cities to live in America. With its charming architecture and historical roots, many say St. Joseph is a great place to live in as well as visit. The statewide survey was based on historical buildings, farmers markets, state diversity, and win percentage of high school football teams. Among these categories, St. Joseph was given an overall score of 60, putting it in 12th place out of 42 towns.

Who is the largest employer in St. Joseph, MO?

While St. Joseph’s largest single employer is the hospital system, the city has a diversified employment base which helps to maintain a healthy and growing economy. Major employers range from education to automotive battery production, aerial work platform manufacturing, and animal pharmaceutical research and production. Numerous global leaders have operations in St. Joseph and continue to invest and expand, including Nestle Purina Petcare, Hillyard Companies, and Boehringer Ingelheim.

Sources

City of St. Joseph

Wikipedia

Kq2

Choose Saint Joseph

Pony Express National Museum

Patee House Museum And Jesse James Homes

Albrecht-Kemper Museum of Art

Mosaic Medical Center

St. Joseph Medical Center 

Genesis Health Clubs - St Joseph

Joyce Raye Patterson 50+ Activity Center

Evolve Studio

Ameliore Medispa & Laser

Reveal Wellness and Med Spa

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.