Careers, Jobs and Education Resources for: Columbia, MO

Columbia (pronounced /kəˈlʌmbiə/) is the fifth-largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With an estimated population of 99,174 in 2007, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 162,314 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the location of the University of Missouri. The college town is politically liberal and known by the nicknames "The Athens of Missouri," "College Town USA," and "CoMo." Over half of Columbians possesses a bachelor's degree and over a quarter hold graduate degrees, making it the thirteenth most highly educated municipality in the United States. Columbia was settled in Pre-Columbian times by the mound building Mississippian culture of Native Americans. In 1818, ... (from wikipedia)
 
 
 
Enter your zip code to find
 

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:

In General:  Missouri includes 34 public institutions and 89 private institutions of higher learning.  The state’s most well known schools include the University of Missouri, Washington University in St. Louis and St. Louis University. There are also many junior colleges, trade schools and church universities scattered across the state.

In the Rankings:  U.S. News and World Report rankings:  National Rankings – Washington University in St. Louis (#12) St Louis University (#80), University of Missouri, Columbia, (#96).

Online Education:  There are many accredited online universities offering degrees in the state of Missouri.

A Closer Look:  Missouri funds a $2,000 renewable merit-based scholarship known as “Bright Flight,” which is given to the top three percent of Missouri high school graduates who attend an in-state university.

Did You Know?  St. Louis is renowned for its Budweiser beer and for having some of the most ‘knowledgeable’ baseball fans in the country rooting for the St. Louis Cardinals.

 

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.