Columbia is a city located in Boone County, Missouri. It is the county seat of Boone County, Missouri.Columbia is located roughly equidistant from St. Louis and Kansas City on Interstate 70.
The city was founded in 1819; its name 'Columbia', from Christopher Columbus, is a poetical name for the United States.
Columbians take their recreation seriously. The City of Columbia Parks and Recreation Department is dedicated to the fitness of their citizens. They operate and maintain over 2,000 acres of land spread over 51 sites throughout town. They offer a handy compilation of trails located in neighborhoods, community parks, along greenbelts, in nature areas and adjacent to wetlands. Additionally, a newly announced initiative by the PedNet Coalition is striving to develop biking and pedestrian friendly routes to connect the downtown area to the edges of town.
It has the reputation of combining the quality and culture of larger metropolitan areas with the warm hospitality of the Midwest. Columbia is consistently ranked as one of the top places in the United States to live by outfits such as Money Magazine because of its excellent quality of life. The University of Missouri - Columbia, the flagship campus for the University of Missouri System, is located in Columbia. The city is also home to Stephens College, a traditionally-female college, and Columbia College, which led in the past to Columbia being known by the nickname "College Town USA".
As a whole the city has a very young and active population. The downtown area--upon which the city council has spent much money getting residents to call it "The District," only to still have it be known as "Downtown"--is filled with businesses catering to a young population including over 75 restaurants and bars. Downtown is also host to many events including the True/False Film Festival, Art in the Park, The Blind Boone Ragtime and Early Jazz Festival, and the Twilight Festivals in June and September.
Numerous private schools including Columbia Independent School, Christian Fellowship Academy, Good Shepard Lutheran School, Columbia Catholic School, and Fellowship Academy. Columbia also boasts an active homeschooling community.
Columbia has a great sense of pride and accomplishment that you can share! We invite you to become part of the dynamic growth and excitement that makes Columbia one of the nation's most livable cities.
Housing Cost
Abundant and affordable housing is also available in Columbia. If you are seeking majestic estates, a condo on the golf course or the traditional family neighborhood, Columbia has something to fit both your lifestyle and your pocketbook. Whatever your reason for looking for a new place, we're sure you will find what you are looking for in Columbia, Missouri.
Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $139,900
Demographics
Estimated population in July 2006: 94,428. Columbia covers 53.1 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 758 feet above sea level.
Zip codes: 65201, 65202, 65203 - Area code: 573
Weather
Columbia, MO climate is warm during summer when temperatures tend to be in the 70's and very cold during winter when temperatures tend to be in the 30's.
The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 88.60 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 18.20 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature variations between night and day tend to be moderate during summer with a difference that can reach 23 degrees Fahrenheit, and moderate during winter with an average difference of 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
The annual average precipitation at Columbia is 40.28 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is May with an average rainfall of 4.87 Inches.
Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com
