Area Codes: 314, 417, 557, 573, 636,
660, 816, 975
The borders Iowa to the north, Illinois, Kentucky and
Tennessee to the east, Arkansas to the south and Oklahoma,
Kansas, and Nebraska to the west.
State Flag
On March 22, 1913, nearly 100 years after achieving statehood, Missouri
adopted an official flag. The flag was designed by Mrs. Marie Elizabeth
Watkins Oliver, wife of former State Senator Robert B. Oliver. The
Olivers’ nephew, Sen. Arthur L. Oliver, introduced a bill to the General
Assembly in 1909, 1911 and again in 1913 when it was finally adopted.
The flag consists of three horizontal stripes of red, white and blue:
the three colors of the United States flag. The Missouri coat of arms is
centered over the stripes and encircled by a blue band containing 24
stars, which denotes that Missouri was the 24th state to join the Union.
Marie Oliver’s original flag was donated to the Missouri Secretary of
State (SOS) in 1961 by the Olivers’ son Allen. The flag is silk with a
hand-painted coat of arms. It was displayed in the Capitol Building from
1961 to 1980 when it was removed because of its fragile condition. Eight
years later, SOS Roy Blunt, with the help of a penny drive by Missouri’s
elementary school students, sent the flag to a conservator for
restoration and conservation. Today, the SOS is proud to display the
original state flag permanently in its lobby in Jefferson City.
State Seal
Great
Seal of the State of Missouri
On January 11, 1822, the General Assembly adopted an act providing for
the Great Seal of the State of Missouri. The legislation specifically
described the symbols on the seal and their placement. The Secretary of
State serves as the official keeper of the Great Seal. A few variations
have appeared over the last 200 years (see the photo gallery below), but
the whole has remained the same.
The Great Seal was designed by Judge Robert William Wells. The center of
the seal is composed of two parts. On the right is the United States
coat of arms containing the bald eagle. In its claws are arrows and
olive branches, signifying that the power of war and peace lies with the
U.S. federal government. On the left side are a grizzly bear and a
silver crescent moon from the Missouri coat of arms. The crescent
symbolizes Missouri at the time of the state seal’s creation: a state of
small population and wealth that would increase like a waxing crescent
moon. It also symbolizes the “second son,” meaning Missouri was the
second state formed out of the Louisiana Territory.
The coat of arms is encircled by a belt inscribed with the phrase,
“united we stand divided we fall,” implying that not only should
Missourians work together, but Missourians should work with all other
states and the federal government. Two grizzly bears on either side of
the coat of arms symbolize the state’s strength and its citizens’
bravery. The bears stand atop a scroll bearing the state motto, “salus
populi suprema lex esto.” Below this scroll are the Roman numerals for
1820, the year Missouri began its functions as a state.
The helmet above the coat of arms represents state sovereignty, and the
large star atop the helmet surrounded by 23 smaller stars signifies
Missouri’s status as the 24th state. The cloud around the large star
indicates the difficulties Missouri went through to become a state. The
whole seal is enclosed by a scroll bearing the words, “The Great Seal of
the State of Missouri.”
State Motto
Salus Populi Suprema
Lex Esto
Missouri’s state motto emerged in 1822 when it was approved
as part of the Great Seal of the State of Missouri. The
Latin phrase salus populi suprema lex esto can be
traced back to Cicero’s De Legibus. There has been
much debate over the years regarding the correct and
intended English translation of this Latin motto.
Great Seal designer William Wells proposed the motto,
translating it in 1847 as “Let the good of the people be the
supreme law.” He went on to explain, “This motto being that
upon which the supporters stand, was intended to represent
the foundation of the government of the State. That
foundation is ‘the good of the people’ or the
public good.” The current 2019-2020 Official Manual of
the State of Missouri, printed by the Great Seal’s
official keeper, the Missouri Secretary of State, translates
it as “The welfare of the people shall be the supreme law.”
State Tree
Flowering Dogwood
(Cornus florida L.)
In 1955, the flowering dogwood (Cornus florida L.) became
Missouri’s official arboreal emblem, also known as the state tree. The
tree is small, rarely growing over 40 feet in height or 18 inches in
trunk diameter. The dogwood sprouts tiny greenish-yellow flowers in
clusters, with each flower surrounded by four large, white (or sometimes
pink) bracts (colorful features that provide protection for the flowers
and resemble petals). The paired oval leaves are olive green above and
covered with silvery hairs underneath. In the fall, the upper part of
the leaves turns scarlet or orange. Bright red fruits seasonally grow on
the tree. Dogwoods are found in southern and central Missouri, and they
are slowly making their way farther north.
State Flower
Hawthorn
(Crataegus)
In 1923, Gov. Arthur M. Hyde signed a bill naming the hawthorn blossom
the official Missouri state floral emblem. There are approximately 75
separate species of hawthorn plants found in the state. All of these
varieties have white blossoms with five petals that are similar in
appearance to apple blossoms. In the fall, the trees sprout small
clusters of red fruit, which is where the hawthorn gets its nickname
“red haw.” Hawthorns are found statewide.
State Bird
Eastern Bluebird
(Sailia sialis)
The Eastern bluebird has been the official state bird of Missouri since
1927. The bluebird is considered a symbol of happiness. This songbird is
smaller than a robin and gets its name from the male’s bright blue
feathers on its wings, tail, back and head. The bluebird typically
visits Missouri from the early spring to the late fall; some areas of
the state see bluebirds year round, especially in the south where they
are considered permanent residents. The birds breed in the spring and
summer, and many Missourians attract the birds to their property by
installing bluebird houses. The bird’s red, white and blue coloring
makes it a natural choice for an American symbol.
Popular Iconic Missouri Foods
Missouri is famous for the following foods:
St. Louis-Style Pizza
Toasted Ravioli
Gooey Butter Cake
Slinger
St. Paul Sandwich
Pork Steaks
Red Hot Riplets
St. Louis-Style Ribs
Famous People Born In Missouri
Nobel Prize Winners
T.S. Eliot (Literature, 1948)
Steven Chu (Physics, 1997)
Jack Kilby (Physics, 2000)
Roger D. Kornberg (Chemistry, 2006)
Michael Rosbash (Physiology or Medicine, 2017)
United States Presidents
Ulysses S. Grant (18h President)(1869 to 1877): Ulysses
S. Grant (April 27, 1822 – July 23, 1885). Known
primarily for his roles as a Civil War general and 18th
President of the United States, he was far more than an
acclaimed solider or politician. Grant’s role in
Reconstruction and the establishment of civil rights
policies is still relevant today. He was a son, husband,
father, and friend whose often-contradictory actions
were shaped by his background and sense of
responsibility.
Harry S. Truman (33rd President)(1945
to 1953): Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884 – December 26,
1972) was the 33rd president of the United States,
serving from 1945 to 1953. Serving as the 34th vice
president in 1945, he assumed the presidency upon the
death of Franklin D. Roosevelt. Truman implemented the
Marshall Plan in the Aftermath of World War II to
rebuild the economy of Western Europe, and established
both the Truman Doctrine and NATO to contain the
expansion of Soviet communism. A member of the
Democratic Party, he proposed numerous New Deal
coalition liberal domestic reforms, but few were enacted
by the conservative coalition that dominated the United
States Congress.
Pro Football Hall Of Fame Members
Jim Finks (Administrator. Inducted in 1955)
Cal Hubbard (Tackle. Inducted in 1963)
Jimmy Conzelman (Quarterback, Coach. Inducted in 1964)
Kellen Winslow (Tight End. Inducted in 1995)
Roger Wehrli (Cornerback. Inducted in 2007)
Baseball Hall Of Fame Players
Carl Hubbell (Pitcher. Inducted in 1947)
Zack Wheat (Left Fielder. Inducted in 1959)
Pud Galvin (Pitcher. Inducted in 1965)
Jake Beckley (First Baseman. Inducted in 1971)
Yogi Berra (Catcher. Inducted in 1972)
Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall Of Fame Players
Ed Macauley (Center-Forward. Inducted in 1960)
Forrest DeBernardi (Center. Inducted in 1961)
Bob Kurland (Center. Inducted in 1961)
Bill Bradley (Guard-Forward. Inducted in 1983)
Jo Jo White (Guard. Inducted in 2015)
Cotton Fitzsimmons (Coach. Inducted in 2021)
Gene Bess (Coach. Inducted in 2023)
Hockey Hall Of Fame Members
Pat LaFontaine (Center. Inducted in 2003)
Famous Actors And Actresses
Wallace Beery
John Goodman
Geraldine Page
Ginger Rogers
Jane Wyman
Famous Singers
Helen Cornelius
Sheryl Crow
Eminem
Other Famous Missourians
Josephine Baker (entertainer) (Born
1906; died 1975) - Born in the Mill Creek Bottom area of St.
Louis, Baker’s childhood, like many other black Americans
who lived at that time, dealt with poverty and white
America’s racist attitudes. In France, where racism was not
as common, Josephine Baker became an entertainer. Her career
as a dancer, singer, and actress lasted 50 years. Baker
fought racism most of her life through her role as a civil
rights activist in the 1950’s and 1960’s. Baker was known
for refusing to entertain segregated audiences, and worked
to desegregate Las Vegas nightclubs.
Thomas Hart Benton (artist) (Born
1889; died 1975) - Born in Neosho, Benton was a famous
artist. Two of his best-known works appear in wall painting
form at the State Capitol in Jefferson City and the Truman
Library in Independence. The Capitol painting shows scenes
of Missouri history; the Truman Library painting shows
Independence, Missouri’s role in opening the West.
Thomas Hart Benton (senator) (Born
1782; died 1858) - Benton has been called the “most
distinguished statesman accredited to Missouri.” He was a
fighter for the common man, which earned him the nickname
“Old Bullion.” Benton was one of Missouri’s first senators
in 1820. He served five terms or thirty years. Benton was
involved in important national issues including Missouri’s
statehood through the slavery crisis of the 1850’s. Benton
became a leader during those early statehood years, and was
a supporter of Jacksonian Democracy.
George Caleb Bingham(artist) (Born
1811; died 1879) - Many believe Bingham was the greatest
American-born artist; Bingham is well known for his
portraits and his paintings of life on the Missouri
frontier. He held a variety of public service positions
including Missouri State Representative, state treasurer and
the chief administrative officer of the Missouri military.
Susan Elizabeth Blow(educator) (Born
1843; died 1916) - Born in St. Louis, she is sometimes
called the founder of public kindergarten in America.
Through her efforts, the first public kindergarten began in
September 1873 at the Des Peres School in St. Louis. She
also trained teachers and published books on the subject.
Daniel Boone (adventurer) (Born
1734; died 1820) - Boone was a pioneer, scout, Indian
fighter and, in later years, a Missourian. He came to
Missouri from Kentucky in 1799 and served as a local judge.
From his home at Defiance, which he built with his son,
Nathan, he explored much of the state. He died in his
Defiance home.
Omar N. Bradley (military leader) (Born
1893; died 1981) - General Bradley was born in Clark,
Missouri. He commanded the largest American force ever
united under one man’s leadership during World War II.
Bradley became the first chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff (in charge of all military), after the war. He served
as a five star general; he served in the military longer
than any other soldier in U.S. history, 69 years.
George Washington Carver(scientist) (Born
1864; died 1943) - Carver was born a slave near Diamond; he
overcame many problems to become one of America’s greatest
scientists. He is best remembered for his research on better
soil for farmers. A national monument in southwest Missouri
preserves the area where Carver was born and spent his
childhood.
Christopher (Kit) Carson (adventurer) (Born
1809; died 1868) - Born in Kentucky, Kit Carson moved to the
Boonslick district of Missouri in 1811, an area he called
home for nearly half his life. He led an adventurous life as
a Santa Fe Trail teamster, trapper, scout, and Indian
fighter. Carson served as a guide for Lt. John Charles
Fremont’s western expeditions and helped in the California
conquest in 1846 during the Mexican War. In 1853, Carson was
appointed as Indian agent in charge of the Ute nation.
William Clark (explorer) (Born
1770; died 1838) - As part of the famous duo, Lewis and
Clark, Clark is best known for his part in the exciting
expedition he and Meriwether Lewis led westward to the
Pacific. Clark returned with information about the western
region of the United States. In 1806, Clark began a long and
successful Missouri career when he was appointed the
principal U.S. Indian agent for tribes in the territory.
From 1813 to 1820, he served as governor of Missouri. In
1822, he moved to St. Louis as U.S. Superintendent of Indian
Affairs, a post he held until his death.
Samuel Clemens (author) (Born
1835; died 1910) - Growing up in Hannibal, Clemens watched
riverboats on the Mississippi. From riverboat language he
took a name- Mark Twain- that would become famous worldwide
for his books involving characters like Huckleberry Finn and
Tom Sawyer. One of America’s greatest writers, Mark Twain is
remembered today at his boyhood home in Hannibal and at his
nearby birthplace in Florida, Missouri.
Walt Disney (cartoonist) (Born
1901; died 1966) - Disney, the well-known cartoonist and
creator of animated films, grew up in Marceline and Kansas
City. Disney created the first animated cartoon with sound,
“Steamboat Willie,” which introduced the world to Mickey
Mouse. Disney’s first animated feature film was “Snow White
and the Seven Dwarfs.”
St. Rose Philippine Duchesne (missionary) (Born
1769; died 1852) - She came to St. Louis from her home in
France at age 48 to work as a missionary to the Indians. In
1818, she started a school at St. Charles, which became the
first free school west of the Mississippi. At the time of
her death, she had started schools and seminaries for white,
black and Indian children in Missouri, Kansas and Louisiana.
She was made a Saint on July 3, 1988.
Eugene Field (children’s author) (Born
1850; died 1895) - Field, born in St. Louis, created some of
the world’s best-loved children’s poems. He wrote Little
Boy Blue and Wynken, Blyken, and Nod. Know as
“The Children’s Poet,” Field is remembered by hundreds of
schoolhouses across the country, are named in his honor. He
also was a newspaper writer.
Phoebe Apperson Hearst (volunteer,
children’s activist) (Born 1842; died 1919) - Born in
Franklin County and married in Steelville, she moved to San
Francisco with her husband George Hearst, also a Missourian,
who amassed a fortune in the mining fields of Nevada.
Although Mrs. Hearst supported the arts, she is best
remembered for her early support of kindergartens and as a
co-founder of the National Congress of Mothers, know today
as the PTA. She is the mother of publisher William Randolph
Hearst.
Edwin Powell Hubble (astronomer) (Born
1889; died 1953) - Hubble was born in Marshfield and became
one of the world’s leading astronomers. In 1925, he
presented the first system for classifying galaxies. By
1929, Hubble discovered that galaxies always expand. This
fact became known as the “Hubble Law.” In 1990, the Hubble
Space Telescope was named in his honor.
James Langston Hughes (musician) (Born
1902; died 1967) - Hughes was born in Joplin, Missouri.
Hughes was an author, anthologist, librettist, songwriter,
columnist, founder of theaters and jazz founding father. His
African heritage inspired his work. Hughes received the
Anisfeld-Wolf Award in 1953 for the year’s best book on race
relations, the Spingarn Medal in 1960 and was elected to the
National Institution of Arts and Letters in 1961.
Jesse James (outlaw) (Born 1847;
died 1882) - James was a famous outlaw in Missouri and the
western Border States. He was born at Kearney. His childhood
home and gravesite are there. The best-known site associated
with Missouri’s most famous citizen is his St. Joseph home
where he was shot and killed. The small frame home is on the
grounds of Patee House Museum in St. Joseph.
Scott Joplin (musician) (Born
1868; died 1917) - Joplin was born in Texas, but spent most
of his life in Missouri. He was a piano player who helped
develop a style of music called “ragtime.” Joplin’s father
was a former slave. Joplin wrote such popular songs as “The
Maple Leaf Rag” and “The Entertainer.”
Emmett Kelly (clown) (Born 1898;
died 1979) - Kelly was “America’s most famous clown.” He was
best known for his hobo character “Weary Willie,” invented
during the Great Depression. Born in Cabool, Kelly
accidentally became an entertainer after moving to Kansas
City in 1917 to be a cartoonist. When he did not succeed as
a cartoonist, Kelly toured with circuses in the 1920’s and
1930’s. Kelly joined the Ringling Brothers- Barnum and
Bailey Circus in 1942, becoming a star attraction over his
15-year career with the circus.
James Cash (J.C.) Penney (businessman) (Born
1875; died 1971) - Penney founded the J.C. Penney Company.
Penney was born in Caldwell County. Penny started as a dry
goods clerk and bought stock in a store that he named the
Golden Rule Store, from his employer. He bought more stores
in 1904, which led to a nationwide chain of stores. In 1912
Penney named the stores J.C. Penney Stores.
John J. Pershing (military leader) (Born
1860; died 1948) - Pershing, a six star general, born near
Laclede, is the only American to be named General of the
Armies. His career included service in the Spanish American
War and in the fight against Mexican bandit Pancho Villa. In
World War I, he commanded the American Expeditionary Force
in Europe.
Joseph Pulitzer (newspaperman) (Born
1847; died 1911) - Pulitzer made his way from his birthplace
in Mako, Hungary to St. Louis in 1865, a city he called home
for almost 20 years. In 1869 he was elected to the Missouri
Legislature. In 1878 Pulitzer bought the newspaper the St.
Louis Dispatch and merged it with the St. Louis
Post and created St. Louis’s leading newspaper known
today as the St. Louis Post-Dispatch. He covered
shocking stories to sell newspapers this approach was
nicknamed “yellow journalism.” He also bought the New
York World and became know as a publisher around the
world. The Pulitzer Prize Award is named after him. This
award is an important award for journalists.
Stuart Symington (public official) (Born
1901; died 1988) - Symington was born in Massachusetts,
however he was best known for being a U.S. Senator for
Missouri from 1953 to 1977. During the Truman presidency,
Symington was Assistant Secretary of War for Air; he also
became the nation’s first Secretary of the Air Force in
1947. Symington ran for president twice but did not win.
Laura Ingalls Wilder (author) (Born
1867; died 1957) - Wilder was famous for writing books such
as: Little House on the Prairie and seven other
“Little House” books. Wilder was born in Wisconsin, but she
was living in Mansfield when she began her writing career in
1932. All her books were written at Rocky Ridge Farm in
Mansfield, where she lived until her death.
People
Facts
Population
Population estimates, July 1, 2024, (V2024)
6,245,466
Population estimates, July 1, 2023, (V2023)
6,196,156
Population estimates base, April 1, 2020, (V2024)
6,154,854
Population estimates base, April 1, 2020, (V2023)
6,154,889
Population, percent change - April 1, 2020 (estimates base)
to July 1, 2024, (V2024)
1.5%
Population, percent change - April 1, 2020 (estimates base)
to July 1, 2023, (V2023)
0.7%
Population, Census, April 1, 2020
6,154,913
Population, Census, April 1, 2010
5,988,927
Age and Sex
Persons under 5 years, percent
5.7%
Persons under 18 years, percent
22.2%
Persons 65 years and over, percent
18.3%
Female persons, percent
50.7%
Race and Hispanic Origin
White alone, percent
82.4%
Black alone, percent
11.7%
American Indian and Alaska Native alone, percent
0.6%
Asian alone, percent
2.3%
Native Hawaiian and Other Pacific Islander alone, percent
0.2%
Two or More Races, percent
2.7%
Hispanic or Latino, percent
5.3%
White alone, not Hispanic or Latino, percent
77.9%
Population Characteristics
Veterans, 2019-2023
354,505
Foreign-born persons, percent, 2019-2023
4.4%
Housing
Housing Units, July 1, 2023, (V2023)
2,844,346
Owner-occupied housing unit rate, 2019-2023
67.9%
Median value of owner-occupied housing units, 2019-2023
$215,600
Median selected monthly owner costs - with a mortgage,
2019-2023
$1,478
Median selected monthly owner costs -without a mortage,
2019-2023
$528
Median gross rent, 2019-2023
$996
Building Permits, 2023
16,781
Families & Living Arrangements
Households, 2019-2023
2,484,834
Persons per household, 2019-2023
2.42
Living in the same house 1 year ago, percent of persons age
1 year+ , 2019-2023
86.9%
Language other than English spoken at home, percent of
persons age 5 years+, 2019-2023
6.6%
Computer and Internet Use
Households with a computer, percent, 2019-2023
94.0%
Households with a broadband Internet subscription, percent,
2019-2023
88.1%
Education
High school graduate or higher, percent of persons age 25
years+, 2019-2023
91.6%
Bachelor's degree or higher, percent of persons age 25
years+, 2019-2023
31.9%
Health
With a disability, under age 65 years, percent, 2019-2023
10.5%
Persons without health insurance, under age 65 years,
percent
9.1%
Economy
In civilian labor force, total, percent of population age 16
years+, 2019-2023
62.7%
In civilian labor force, female, percent of population age
16 years+, 2019-2023
59.1%
Total accommodation and food services sales, 2022 ($1,000)
18,523,356
Total health care and social assistance receipts/revenue,
2022 ($1,000)
59,680,054
Total transportation and warehousing receipts/revenue, 2022
($1,000)
22,731,448
Total retail sales, 2022 ($1,000)
129,387,984
Total retail sales per capita, 2022
$20,946
Transportation
Mean travel time to work (minutes), workers age 16 years+,
2019-2023
23.7
Income & Poverty
Median households income (in 2023 dollars), 2019-2023
$68,920
Per capita income in past 12 months (in 2023 dollars),
2019-2023