Jefferson City is the capital of the State of Missouri and the county seat of Cole County. It is the principal city of the Jefferson City metropolitan area which encompasses both Callaway and Cole counties. As of 2006, the population is 39,274. Jefferson City was named after the third president of the United States of America, Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson City is in the Ozarks on the Missouri River near the geographic center of the state, and is dominated by a domed Capitol, rising from a bluff overlooking the Missouri River. Lewis and Clark passed beneath that bluff on their historic expedition.

History
Jefferson City is located at 38°38′58″N, 92°12′52″W (38.572954, -92.189283). According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 73.2 km² (28.3 mi²). 70.6 km² (27.2 mi²) of it is land and 2.6 km² (1.0 mi²) of it (3.61%) is water.

Geography
As of the census of 2000, there were 39,636 people, 15,794 households, and 9,207 families residing in the city. The population density was 561.6/km² (1,454.4/mi²). There were 16,987 housing units at an average density of 240.7/km² (623.3/mi²). The racial makeup of the city was 81.50% White, 14.70% Black or African American, 0.38% Native American, 1.23% Asian, 0.05% Pacific Islander, 0.62% from other races, and 1.52% from two or more races. 1.55% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race.
There were 15,794 households out of which 27.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 44.4% were married couples living together, 10.8% had a female householder with no husband present, and 41.7% were non-families. 36.1% of all households were made up of individuals and 11.9% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.21 and the average family size was 2.90.
In the city the population was spread out with 20.9% under the age of 18, 11.0% from 18 to 24, 32.1% from 25 to 44, 22.0% from 45 to 64, and 14.0% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females there were 105.3 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.6 males.
The median income for a household in the city was $39,628, and the median income for a family was $52,627. Males had a median income of $35,050 versus $25,521 for females. The per capita income for the city was $21,268. About 7.3% of families and 11.5% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 7.1% of those age 65 or over.

Demographics
Jefferson City is served by the Jefferson City Public School District, which operates Jefferson City High School. There is also Helias, a Catholic high school. Lincoln University, a historically black college (HBCU), is also located in Jefferson City.

Education

Jefferson City (Amtrak station)
U.S. Route 50
U.S. Route 54
U.S. Route 63