Missouri Fast Facts:
Location, Location, Location...: Missouri is located in the midwest region of the U.S.; it was originally acquired from France as part of the Louisiana Purchase and later admitted into the union as the 24th state on August 10, 1821.
Cities: Missouri’s capital is Jefferson City and its largest urban areas include St. Louis, Kansas City, Springfield and Columbia.
Behind the Name: Rod Tidwell, whose call to “Show me the money’ made headlines in the movie “Jerry McGuire,” would feel right at home in Missouri, nicknamed the “Show Me State.”
A Closer Look: Missouri serves as a transition between the eastern and western United States, with St. Louis often called the “western-most eastern city” and Kansas City the “eastern-most western city.”
Did You Know? Was Nostradamus from Missouri? Over the one hundred year period between 1904 and 2004 Missouri’s voting results have accurately predicted the next President in every election except 1956.
Missouri Careers and Employment:
Population: 5,911,605 (5.6% increase since 2000) - 51.2% Female, 48.8% Male (2008 U.S. Census Bureau).
Business Environment: Ranked 30th in Forbes Magazine’s “Best States for Business,” 2008.
Top Industries: In terms of paid employees, according to a 2008 U.S. Census Bureau study: (1) health care and social assistance; (2) manufacturing; (3) retail trade; (4) accommodation and food services; and (5) construction.
Taxes: Income Tax, 1.5% to 6.0% and Sales Tax, 4.225% (Federation of Tax Administrators).
Cost of Living: 90.3 in relation to the “National Average” of 100 (Federal Cost of Living Index).
Quality of Life: Ranked 41st of 50 states by CNBC, 2009.
Weather: Average Temperature (In °F) – Jan: 28.83; Apr: 54.70; July: 77.54; Oct: 56.33 (National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration).
K-12: Ranked 32nd of 50 states in “Academic Achievement” by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, 2009.
Missouri Economics:
In General: While most of Missouri’s workforce is employed in service related positions, there are many career opportunities available in other industries, such as finance, insurance and real estate, wholesale and retail trade, manufacturing and agricultural services.
Service Industry: The community, business and personal services sector is Missouri’s leading service group, providing private health care, hotels, data processing services and professional sports franchises.
Agriculture: Livestock and livestock products are responsible for over one-half of Missouri’s agricultural production. Missouri is a leading state in the production of beef cattle, hogs and turkeys. A source of oil and many other products, soybeans are the state’s most important crop, as Missouri ranks seventh in the nation in the soybean production.
Manufacturing: Transportation equipment is unquestionably Missouri’s leading manufacturing sector, including such products as airplanes, barges, railroad cars, truck and bus bodies and truck trailers. In fact, Missouri is considered a national leader in the production of automobiles and trucks. Missouri leads American production of lead and limestone and coal are also important mined products in the state.
A Closer Look: More than a dozen major railroads transport goods through the state.
Did You Know? Missouri is the only state to host two Federal Reserve Banks, one in Kansas City and one in St. Louis.
Missouri Education:
Find Colleges and Universities in Missouri, here.
Sources: In addition to specific citations noted in this “Career Information” section, supplementary source materials include: the U.S. Department of Agriculture Economic Research Service; Netstate.com; Education-Portal.com; USCollegeSearch.org; and Wikipedia.com.
