What is the capital of Missouri?

The capital of Missouri is Jefferson City, situated on the Missouri River. Kansas City and St. Louis are the two largest metropolitan areas in the state.

How many people live in Missouri?

Missouri has a population of approximately 6.2 million people, making it the 18th most populous state in the U.S.

When was Missouri admitted to the Union?

Missouri was admitted to the Union on August 10, 1821, becoming the 24th state as part of the Missouri Compromise.

What is Missouri known for?

Missouri is known as the Gateway to the West, famous for the iconic Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Kansas City BBQ and jazz, the birthplace of Mark Twain in Hannibal, the starting points of the Oregon and Santa Fe Trails, and borders eight different states.

Missouri

The Show-Me State

TimeLive Clock

Jefferson CityAvg 60°F

Quick Stats

Quick Statistics
Population	6.2M
Rank	#18
Joined	1821
Area (mi²)	69.7k

6.2MPopulation

#18Rank

1821Joined

69.7kArea (mi²)

Map

Seal & Motto

"Salus populi suprema lex esto"

Adopted with Missouri's constitution in 1820, the motto is Latin for "The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law." The Great Seal features two grizzly bears flanking a shield divided between the U.S. and Missouri emblems, encircled by 24 stars marking Missouri's order of entry into the Union.

Flag Meaning

Missouri's flag, adopted in 1913, features three horizontal stripes of red, white, and blue — reflecting the French heritage of the Louisiana Purchase territory. At its center lies the state coat of arms encircled by a ring of 24 stars, symbolizing Missouri as the 24th state admitted to the Union.

Red Stripe — represents valor and hardiness, reflecting the courage of Missouri's settlers and its role in westward expansion.
White Stripe & Coat of Arms — purity and the state seal at center, featuring two grizzly bears and a crescent moon on a divided shield of the U.S. and Missouri.
Blue Stripe — represents vigilance, justice, and the sky, and honors the French influence through the colors of the tricolor.
24 Stars — a ring of stars encircling the coat of arms marks Missouri's admission as the 24th state of the Union in 1821.

State Symbols

🐦BirdEastern Bluebird

🌸FlowerWhite Hawthorn Blossom

🌳TreeFlowering Dogwood

🐟FishChannel Catfish

🫏AnimalMissouri Mule

🐝InsectHoneybee

🎵Song"Missouri Waltz"

Overview

Missouri, the 'Show-Me State,' sits at the geographic and cultural crossroads of the nation, straddling the divide between the Midwest and the South. Home to two major metropolitan powerhouses and defined by the iconic Gateway Arch, it is a leading center for agriculture, aerospace, and financial services today.

Geographically, it shares borders with Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas, and Nebraska, forming a closely connected regional network.

Historical Significance

Missouri officially joined the Union on August 10, 1821, as the 24th state. As the primary departure point for the Oregon, Santa Fe, and California Trails, it served as the literal gateway for Westward Expansion, and later as the birthplace of Mark Twain, it became an enduring symbol of American literary and cultural identity.

Famous Natives

Mark TwainAuthor / HumoristBorn Florida, MO, 1835

Harry S. Truman33rd U.S. PresidentBorn Lamar, MO, 1884

Chuck BerryRock & Roll PioneerBorn St. Louis, 1926

Maya AngelouPoet / AuthorBorn St. Louis, 1928

Sheryl CrowSinger / SongwriterBorn Kennett, MO, 1962

EminemRapper / ProducerBorn St. Joseph, MO, 1972

Top Cities & Hubs

Kansas City

Population: ~509,000

Missouri's largest city and a world-renowned destination for championship BBQ and jazz heritage, featuring one of the nation's most vibrant entertainment districts and a booming tech economy.

St. Louis

Population: ~286,000

The iconic "Gateway to the West," home to the majestic 630-foot Gateway Arch, a storied baseball tradition with the Cardinals, and a nationally recognized craft brewing industry.

Springfield

Population: ~170,000

The "Birthplace of Route 66," the commercial center of the Ozarks, and home to the national headquarters of Bass Pro Shops and a thriving college economy.

Columbia

Population: ~128,000

Home to the University of Missouri, a vibrant and rapidly growing college city recognized as a national leader for startup culture and healthcare research.

Independence

Population: ~122,000

The historic staging point for the Oregon, California, and Santa Fe Trails, and the hometown and final resting place of President Harry S. Truman.

How Missouri Ranks

Compared to all 50 states — bar shows relative standing (#1 = full bar)

Population#18 of 50

6.2 million residents

Land Area#21 of 50

69,707 mi² — a large Midwestern state

Borders Most States#1 of 50

Touches 8 states — tied for the most of any U.S. state

GDP (Economy)#20 of 50

~$380 billion — driven by agriculture, aerospace & finance

Neighbors

Region🌎 Midwest

CapitalJefferson City

Key Landmarks & Economy

Gateway Arch: A 630-foot soaring stainless steel monument in St. Louis, the tallest arch in the U.S., commemorating Missouri as the Gateway to the West and the launch of the Lewis and Clark Expedition.

Kansas City BBQ & Jazz: Kansas City's distinct slow-smoked BBQ style and its legendary role as a jazz capital are globally celebrated cultural treasures, with over 100 BBQ restaurants in the metro.

Route 66 & Trails West: Missouri contains the beginning of historic Route 66 and the departure points of the Oregon, California, and Santa Fe Trails, making it the birthplace of the American road trip.

Did You Know?

Missouri is one of only two states that borders eight other states — the maximum possible for any state in the contiguous U.S., tied only with Tennessee.
Mark Twain, the father of American literature, was born in Florida, Missouri, and grew up in Hannibal along the Mississippi River, which inspired Huckleberry Finn.
The ice cream cone is widely believed to have been invented at the 1904 St. Louis World's Fair, when a waffle vendor rolled his waffles to help an overwhelmed ice cream neighbor.

Additional Information

AbbreviationMO

Postal Codes

63001 (Allenton) → 65899 (Springfield)

~966 ZIP codes statewide

Area Codes

314 / 636 (St. Louis) · 816 (Kansas City) · 417 (Springfield / SW) · 573 (Central / SE) · 660 (Northern MO)

Official WebsiteMissouri.gov