# Jefferson City

> capital city of the U.S. state of Missouri and seat of Cole County

**Wikidata**: [Q28180](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q28180)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jefferson_City,_Missouri)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jefferson-city

## Summary
Jefferson City is the capital of Missouri, United States, and the county seat of Cole County. Founded in 1821 and named after Thomas Jefferson, it serves as the political and administrative center of the state. As of the 2020 census, its population is 43,228, with a metropolitan area encompassing broader regional influence.

## Key Facts
- Capital of Missouri since 1821 and county seat of Cole County.
- Population: 43,228 (2020 census), 43,079 (2010 census), and 34,000 (1980 estimate).
- Area: 97.513546 km² (2020), with 93.380109 km² land and 4.133437 km² water (2020).
- Coordinates: 38.576666666667° N, -92.173611111111° W.
- Elevation: 192 meters above sea level.
- Named after Thomas Jefferson, third U.S. President.
- Located in Cole County and Callaway County, bordered by the Missouri River.
- Timezone: Central Time Zone.
- Official website: [https://www.jeffersoncitymo.gov/](https://www.jeffersoncitymo.gov/).
- Identifiers: VIAF ID 264239222, GND ID 4232047-1, GNIS feature IDs 758233 and 2395462.
- Postal codes: 65101–65111, with specific designations for post office boxes and state departments.

## FAQs
- **When was Jefferson City founded?**  
  It was founded in 1821 as the designated capital of Missouri, replacing St. Charles.

- **What is the population of Jefferson City?**  
  As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the population is 43,228, up from 43,079 in 2010.

- **Why is it named Jefferson City?**  
  The city is named after Thomas Jefferson, the third President of the United States and principal author of the Declaration of Independence.

- **Which counties is Jefferson City part of?**  
  It is primarily located in Cole County but also extends into Callaway County.

- **What are Jefferson City’s key geographic features?**  
  It is situated along the Missouri River, with a total area of 97.5 km², of which approximately 4.3% is water.

- **What is Jefferson City’s role in Missouri?**  
  As the state capital, it houses key governmental institutions, including the Missouri State Capitol building.

## Why It Matters
Jefferson City is central to Missouri’s governance, serving as the seat of state legislative and executive branches since 1821. Its founding reflected westward expansion and the strategic importance of the Missouri River. As a metropolitan area, it anchors regional economic and cultural activity, blending historical significance with modern administrative functions. Its role as a county seat for Cole County further solidifies its dual importance in local and state affairs.

## Notable For
- **Capital Status**: Sole capital of Missouri since 1821.
- **Namesake**: Honors Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father and U.S. President.
- **Geographic Position**: Strategically located along the Missouri River, influencing historical development.
- **Statistical Significance**: Anchor of the Jefferson City metropolitan area.
- **Historical Designations**: Documented in encyclopedias such as the 1911 Encyclopædia Britannica and Meyer’s Universum (1852).
- **Unique Identifiers**: GNIS feature IDs for both human settlement and administrative entity.

## Body

### History
Jefferson City was founded in 1821 as the permanent capital of Missouri, succeeding St. Charles. The site was chosen for its central location and access to the Missouri River. The city was named after Thomas Jefferson, reflecting his political legacy. Incorporation followed in 1823, with the state capitol building completed in 1917 after a fire destroyed the prior structure in 1911.

### Geography
- **Area**: 97.5 km² (2020), with 93.4 km² of land and 4.1 km² of water (4.3% water coverage).
- **Elevation**: 192 meters above sea level.
- **Counties**: Primarily in Cole County, with portions in Callaway County.
- **Waterways**: Bordered by the Missouri River, a critical historical transportation route.

### Demographics
- **Population**: 43,228 (2020 census), with 16,882 households reported in the 2016–2020 American Community Survey.
- **Income**: Median per capita income of $29,567 (2016–2020 survey).
- **Growth**: Steady increase from 34,000 (1980) to 43,228 (2020), with a 2007 estimate of 35,200.

### Government
- **Administration**: Led by Mayor Ron Fitzwater (since 2023).
- **Websites**: Official portals include [www.jeffcitymo.org](http://www.jeffcitymo.org) and [www.jeffersoncitymo.gov](http://www.jeffersoncitymo.gov).
- **Jurisdiction**: Serves as the county seat for Cole County, housing local administrative offices.

### Economy and Infrastructure
- **Postal Codes**: 65101–65111, with specific codes for state departments (e.g., 65103 for the Department of Social Services).
- **Telecommunications**: Local dialing code 573.
- **Transportation**: Central location along the Missouri River facilitated early growth, with modern infrastructure supporting regional connectivity.

### Culture and Recognition
- **Documentation**: Featured in historical encyclopedias such as *The American Cyclopædia* (1879) and *Collier’s New Encyclopedia* (1921).
- **Digital Presence**: Identified in platforms like GeoNames (ID 4392388) and OpenStreetMap (relation ID 140392).
- **Educational References**: Included in *The New Student’s Reference Work* and *Meyer’s Universum* (1852).

### Related Entities
- **Capital Of**: Missouri (since 1821).
- **Overlaps With**: Jefferson City urban area (primary place).
- **Connected Projects**: Referenced in the 2016–2020 American Community Survey and the 2020 U.S. Census.

### Identifiers and Classifications
- **Classifications**: Instance of "city in the United States," "capital city" (qualifier: Missouri), and "county seat" (qualifier: Cole County).
- **External IDs**: VIAF 264239222, GND 4232047-1, GNIS 758233/2395462, and Library of Congress Authority ID n79063986.

## References

1. [Source](https://www.jeffersoncitymo.gov/meetings_and_agendas/mayor.php)
2. archINFORM
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
5. Czech National Authority Database
6. MusicBrainz
7. 2010 U.S. Gazetteer Files
8. [2010 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?g=0100000US%241600000&y=2010&d=DEC%20Redistricting%20Data%20%28PL%2094-171%29)
9. [Explore Census Data – Jefferson City city, Missouri. United States Census Bureau](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/profile?g=1600000US2937000)
10. [2020 United States Census](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Populations%20and%20People&g=0100000US,%241600000&y=2020)
11. [Great Russian Encyclopedia](https://old.bigenc.ru/geography/text/1952243)
12. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?d=ACS%205-Year%20Estimates%20Detailed%20Tables)
13. GeoNames
14. [Source](https://service.unece.org/trade/locode/us.htm)
15. 2016 U.S. Gazetteer Files
16. [Gazetteer Files – 2020. United States Census Bureau](https://www.census.gov/geographies/reference-files/time-series/geo/gazetteer-files.2020.html)
17. [Source](https://www.tripadvisor.com.br/Tourism-g44526-Jefferson_City_Missouri-Vacations.html)
18. 2023 U.S. Gazetteer Files
19. [Source](https://www.google.com/maps?cid=12891493785496246701)
20. [archINFORM](https://www.archinform.net/service/wd_aiort.php)
21. [2016–2020 American Community Survey](https://data.census.gov/cedsci/table?t=Income%20and%20Poverty&g=0100000US,%241600000&tid=ACSST5Y2020.S1902)