Saint Joseph is the county seat and largest city in Buchanan County and the sixth largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri. The St. Joseph Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Buchanan, Andrew, and DeKalb counties in Missouri and Doniphan County, Kansas. Saint Joseph is also home to Missouri Western State University.

The nearest major metropolitan area to Saint Joseph is the Kansas City Metropolitan Area, which begins approximately 20 miles to the south. The nearest major airport is Kansas City International Airport, which is approximately 25 miles to the south.

Saint Joseph is the trade center of a rich agricultural and farming area. The city is a large market for livestock and grain, and has meatpacking and food- and leather-processing plants. Among its manufactures are electrical products, machinery, chemicals, clothing, and pet food. The city was laid out c.1843 on the site of a trading post founded (1826) by Joseph Robidoux. In 1860, St. Joseph became the eastern terminus of the pony express. The city was also an early, important railroad center until bypassed by the transcontinental railroad. Of interest are the pony-express stables (now a museum), the poet Eugene Field's home, and the city museum with noted Native American relics. Missouri Western State College is there.

St. Joseph shares with the university a fertile blend of old and new. Founded in 1826 as a trading post, the city was an important jumping-off point for the westward expansion. Named after Joseph Robidoux, an explorer who established the trading post, St. Joseph is the place where the Pony Express began and the life of Jesse James ended. The 72,000 current residents of St. Joseph are recipients of a rich heritage and are working to build a strong economic and cultural future. Art and historical museums, over a thousand acres of parks and recreational areas, concerts and plays in the restored Missouri Theatre, a community symphony, and drama groups all provide an enjoyable atmosphere for St. Joseph residents and Missouri Western students.

Housing Cost

Estimated median house/condo value in 2005: $89,900

Demographics

Estimated population in July 2006: 72,651. St. Joseph covers 43.8 square miles. It sits at an elevation of 885 feet above sea level.

Zip codes: 64507 - Area code commonly used in this area: 913

Weather

St. Joseph, 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 20's.

The warmest month of the year is July with an average maximum temperature of 89.90 degrees Fahrenheit, while the coldest month of the year is January with an average minimum temperature of 15.90 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 21 degrees Fahrenheit.

The annual average precipitation at St. Joseph is 35.24 Inches. Rainfall in is fairly evenly distributed throughout the year. The wettest month of the year is May with an average rainfall of 4.95 Inches.

Information provided by idcide.com and city data.com