Learn about the city of Columbia, Missouri and explore Columbia auto shipping companies. Whether you are relocating to Columbia, MO to work, study or raise a family, AutoShipping.com can help you get free quotes from Columbia auto transport companies!
Columbia is the fifth largest city in Missouri, with a population of just over 110,000. Originally inhabited by the Mississippi Indian culture that flourished throughout the region in pre-European times, Columbia was formally founded as a city in 1818 under the name Smithton. Renamed after the poetic name for the United States, Columbia quickly established itself as the premier college city in Missouri. Home of the first college in the state in 1839, Columbia won the competition to host the first university in the state by raising three time as much money as the nearest competitor. Today, Columbia is one of the quintessential college towns in the country, and the state leader in many positive metrics.
The official home of the Missouri state university system, the Columbia state university system, and the state’s flagship University of Missouri, Columbia is very serious about its reputation as an educated city. Its location is equidistant between the states two borders and the large metropolises of Kansas City and St. Louis, Columbia has been a haven for students and educated professionals alike for over 150 years. The city is known for its liberal atmosphere, and its official nickname is ‘The Athens of Missouri,’ lending weight to this disposition. Over half of Columbia’s residents possess bachelor’s degrees, and an astonishing 25% have a master’s degree or higher, leading to a highly educated populace that drives a diverse and high tech economic base.
Columbia frequently finds itself near the top of the national charts in cost of living, economic growth, health care, and numerous other positive social and economic factors. Thanks in large part to large education, technology, insurance, and medical job sectors, Columbia boasts a higher GDP than the Bahamas. Its low crime rates, high income, and low unemployment rate make it one of the most desired places to live in Missouri, and it has been ranked in Money’s top places to live lists multiple times over the past decade.
The college culture that defines the town leads to a very robust arts and music community which rivals cities five times its size. The Roots ‘N Blues ‘N BBQ Festival combines every quintessential Missouri activity in one large festival, which draws some of the best blues and jazz acts in the world, as well as some of the finest BBQ in the country. The University of Missouri Tigers are the major sports draw in the city, though five major league teams are within two hours drive in Kansas City and St. Louis.
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