Jefferson City: Demographics & People
Jefferson City is home to 42,488 people, in 17,529 households. Population shrank 0.2% from 42,565 (2022) to 42,488 (2024). Median age 38.9 years. (1.0y younger than Cole County; 1.7y older than Missouri). Children under 18 are 20% of the population. Population is 71% White (non-Hispanic) and 16% Black. The community is moderately diverse (Simpson index 0.41). 54% of households are family-led. County is gaining 1,269 residents per year (2022-2023). County health: 42% adult obesity, 22% smoke.
- 2.4 people per household (vs Missouri avg 2.4).
- 46% non-family households (singles, roommates) (vs Missouri 42%).
- 60 dependents per 100 working-age (youth + seniors / 18-64) (vs Missouri 67).
Population & Trend
Population shrank 0.2% from 42,565 (2022) to 42,488 (2024). Estimated 2026 population: ~42,411 (extrapolated at -0.1%/yr trend).
| Census data vintage | 2024 |
|---|---|
| Population | 44,283 people |
| Annual growth rate · Population change | -0.2% |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2022) | 42,565 |
| Annual growth rate · Population (2024) | 42,488 |
| Annual growth rate · Trend category | stable |
| Population | 42,488 people (vs Missouri 29,363) |
| Population Estimate | 42,310 |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023, Table B01003 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Age Distribution
Median age 38.9y is 0.0 years matches the U.S. median (38.9y). Children under 18 make up 20% — below the U.S. share of ~22%.
| Age Summary · Median age | 38.9 years (vs Missouri 37.2y) |
|---|---|
| Age Summary · Children Pct | 19.9% |
| Age Summary · Character | family-oriented |
| Age Summary · Total Pop | 42,488 |
| Age Summary · Under 18 | 8,443 |
| Age Summary · 18 To 34 | 10,503.0× |
| Age Summary · 35 To 64 | 16,116.0× |
| Age Summary · 65 Plus | 7,426 |
| Population under 18 | 8,443 |
| Median age | 38.9 years (vs Missouri 37.2y) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2024 — place-level B01001 query · Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-29
Race, Ethnicity & Diversity
Of 42,488 residents, race / ethnicity breaks down by Census ACS counts (a person can identify with one or more groups). The Simpson diversity index is 0.41 (0 = single group, 1 = perfectly even distribution); this is read as moderately diverse.
| White residents | 30,857 |
|---|---|
| Black residents | 7,421 |
| Asian residents | 1,175 |
| Hispanic or Latino residents | 1,785 |
| Diversity Index · Diversity index (Simpson) | 40.5% |
| Diversity Index · Diversity label | moderately diverse |
| Diversity Index · Groups counted | 4 |
| Diversity Index · Largest group share | 74.8% |
| Asian population | 2.4% (vs Missouri 1.9%) |
| Black population | 16.0% (vs Missouri 6.6%) |
| Hispanic or Latino population | 4.0% (vs Missouri 5.3%) |
| White (non-Hispanic) population | 71.4% (vs Missouri 77.7%) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Ancestry
Self-reported ancestry from Census ACS — what residents report as their ethnic origin, separate from race. Counts can exceed population because people can list multiple ancestries.
Top (8)
Citizenship & Origin
Where residents were born and their citizenship status (Census ACS). 0.3% are foreign-born — below the U.S. average of 13.9%. 4% have naturalized to U.S. citizenship.
| Residents born in this state | 30,173 |
|---|---|
| Residents born in another state | 10,477 |
| Share born in this state | 71.0% |
| Share born in another state | 29.0% |
| Native-born U.S. citizens | 24.7% |
| Foreign-born residents | 0.3% |
| Naturalized citizens | 4.0% |
| Total foreign-born residents | 1,787 |
| From Europe | 125 |
| From Africa | 774 |
Households & Family Composition
17,529 households. Averaging 2.2 people each — smaller than the U.S. average of 2.5. 54% are family households — below the U.S. share of ~65%. Of 9,408 families, 27% are married couples with children.
| Children under 18 | 8,427 |
|---|---|
| Total families | 9,408 |
| Married couples with children | 2,585 |
| Single-parent households | 210 |
| Average household size | 2.23 |
| Women who gave birth (past year) | 16.7% |
| Grandparents living with grandchildren | 198 |
| Grandparents responsible for grandchildren | 110 |
| Family households | 9,391 households (vs Missouri 7,284) |
| Households that are families | 53.6% (vs Missouri 58.3%) |
| Total households | 17,529 households (vs Missouri 11,992) |
Sources: Census ACS 5-Year 2023 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Residential Stability & Migration
How long residents have lived here and where they came from. 13.8% moved within the county in the past year — the U.S. baseline is roughly 8–10%. The surrounding county is gaining 1,269 residents per year on net (IRS migration data).
| Moved within the county (past year) | 13.8% |
|---|---|
| Migration · People moving in (annual) | 40,936 |
| Migration · People moving out (annual) | 39,667 |
| Migration · Net migration (in − out) | 1,269 |
| Migration · Population growing | Yes |
| Migration · Year | 2022-2023 |
Sources: IRS SOI Migration 2021-2022 · Refreshed 2026-04-12
Disability
Census ACS measures self-reported functional limitations — vision, hearing, mobility, cognitive, self-care, or independent-living. The U.S. baseline disability rate is about 12–13%; rates trend higher with median age.
| Residents with a disability | 2,220 |
|---|---|
| Disability rate | 5.7% |
Group Quarters
Group quarters are non-household living arrangements counted by the Census — college dormitories, nursing homes, military barracks, group homes, correctional facilities, and similar institutional or shared housing. 4,060 residents live in group quarters (9.6% of population).
| Living in group quarters | 4,060 |
|---|
Other
| Congressional District · District | 3 |
|---|---|
| Congressional District · Congress | 118th |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Fips | 29027 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · State Fips | 29 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County Fips | 027 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · County | Callaway |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Birth Rate | 18.7% |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Lower Ci | 15.70 |
| Cdc Birth Rate · Upper Ci | 22.10 |
| Cdc Mortality · Fips | 29027 |
| Cdc Mortality · County | Callaway County |
| Cdc Mortality · Urban Rural | Small metro |
| Cdc Mortality · Total Deaths 2020 2023 | 986 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Fips | 29027 |
| Cdc Vaccination · County | Callaway County |
| Cdc Vaccination · Dose1 Pop Pct | 56.6% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Series Complete Pct | 50.3% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Booster Pct | 50.4% |
| Cdc Vaccination · Population 2019 | 44,743 |
| Cdc Vaccination · Metro Status | Metro |
| Family Score · Score | 10 |
| Family Score · Schools | 24 |
| Family Score · Childcare Centers | 27 |
| Family Score · Youth Sports Orgs | 1 |
| Family Score · Children Pct | 19.9% |
| Family Score · Rating | excellent |
| Town Summary · Key Facts | population 42,488, stable, family-oriented, middle-class, mixed |
| Town Summary · Population | 42,488 people (vs Missouri 29,363) |
| Town Summary · County | Callaway County |
Sources: NCES school congressional district assignment · federal dataset cascade