Columbia is the fifth-largest city in Missouri, and the largest city in Mid-Missouri. With a population of 108,500 as of the 2010 Census, it is the principal municipality of the Columbia Metropolitan Area, a region of 164,283 residents. The city serves as the county seat of Boone County and as the location of the University of Missouri, Stephens College and Columbia College.
Columbia is roughly in the middle of St. Louis and Kansas City on Interstate 70. St. Louis is 70 miles to the East, and Kansas City is 100 miles to the West. Columbia has a highly diversified economy, and is often ranked high for its business atmosphere. The city’s economic base relies on the education, medical, technology and insurance industries. Studies consistently rank Columbia as a top city in which to live for educational facilities, health care, technological savvy, economic growth, cultural opportunities and cost of living. The city has been ranked as high as the second-best place to live in the United States by Money Magazine‘s annual list and is regularly in the top 100.
Schools
Columbia offers public and private education options. Columbia schools consistently rank high among the best schools in Missouri.
The Columbia Public Schools website supplies information about individual schools, attendance areas, performance and demographics.
Columbia Catholic School is Catholic school for ages K – 8