Best Small Places for Business and Careers 2019Best Places to Retire 2023
Columbia, MO
Missouri
Columbia, MO
Missouri
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gross metro product
$10.1B
population
180.0K
median household income
$52,681
median home price
$205,000
cost of living
8% below nat'l avg
college attainment
45.7%
net migration
70 (year: 2018)
unemployment
2.3%
As of October 2019
population
132.0K
median home price
$279,000
cost of living
90
As of May 2023
Columbia is home to the main campus of the University of Missouri, which has helped earn the college town the nickname the "Athens of Missouri," in reference to the politically liberal leaning students who make up a majority of the population and have significant influence over the town. The economy has historically been dominated by education, health care and the insurance industry, with the University being the city's largest employer. The art scene within the city is showcased in several venues including the Missouri
Theatre Center for the Arts, the Jesse Auditorium, the University of Missouri's Museum of Art and Archeology and the Columbia Public Library. The city hosts events throughout the year such as the "We Always Swing" Jazz Series, the Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival and the Ragtag Cinema's popular True/False Film Festival.
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College town (University of Missouri, Stephens College, Columbia College) of 132,000, midway between St. Louis and Kansas City. Median home price $277,000, 26% below national median. Cost of living 10% below national average. PROS: High ratio of doctors per capita, good air quality. Somewhat bikeable. Comfortable climate. No state estate tax. Low FEMA natural hazard risk rating. CONS: Serious crime rate above national average. Not very walkable. NOTED: Elevation 750 feet. State weighing end to state taxation of Social
Security benefits. County voted Democratic in 2020 presidential election. On list last year. TRIVIA: Original name was Smithton, after a local land company.
Sources: Moody's Analytics; Sperling's BestPlaces; U.S. Census.
Numbers as of October 2019
a - Value of 100 means that a family with the median income has exactly enough income to qualify for a typical mortgage on a median-priced single-family home. An index above 100 signifies that the family has surplus income.
Facing ongoing campus protests over the Israel-Hamas war, Columbia University cancelled live classes Monday. That decision came as unrest began to engulf other campuses.
Fierceness came up with the goods, and then some, in a blistering 13-and-a-half length victory in the Florida Derby, cementing a Kentucky Derby appearance.
Proposed restrictions on enrollment 'permissions' by DC leadership threaten the good charters have brought: improved grad rates, and stronger and safer neighborhoods.
Join The BC Bird Trail this spring to spot warblers, swallows & more during the peak migration season. It's a perfect march break adventure for the family.
Columbia is set for space with its updated Omni-Heat Infinity technology, which launches as part of Intuitive Machines’ Nova-C lunar lander this month.
