BOONE COUNTY, MISSOURI

'Boone County' is a county located at the geographical center of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of 2006, the population was 146,048. Its county seat, Columbia, is the fourth largest city in Missouri and the anchor city of the Columbia, Missouri Metropolitan Area.

Contents

History

Geography

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

Cities and towns

History

Boone County was organized on November 16, 1820, from a portion of the territorial Howard County. The area was known as Boone's Lick Country, because of the location of a salt lick that was utilized by the sons of Daniel Boone.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 1,790 km² (691 mi²). 1,775 km² (685 mi²) of it is land and 15 km² (6 mi²) of it (0.85%) is water.

Adjacent counties

★ Randolph County (north)

★ Audrain County (northeast)

★ Callaway County (east)

★ Cole County (south)

★ Moniteau County (southwest)

★ Cooper County (west)

★ Howard County (northwest)

Major highways

★ Interstate 70

★ U.S. Route 40

★ U.S. Route 63

★ Missouri Route 22

★ Missouri Route 124

★ Missouri Route 163

★ Missouri Route 740

Demographics

As of the census² of 2000, there were 135,454 people, 53,094 households, and 31,378 families residing in the county. The population density was 76/km² (198/mi²). There were 56,678 housing units at an average density of 32/km² (83/mi²). The racial makeup of the county was 85.43% White, 8.54% Black or African American, 0.42% Native American, 2.96% Asian, 0.03% Pacific Islander, 0.69% from other races, and 1.93% from two or more races. 1.78% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 24.6% were of German, 12.3% American, 11.2% English and 9.8% Irish ancestry according to Census 2000.
There were 53,094 households out of which 30.30% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 45.50% were married couples living together, 10.40% had a female householder with no husband present, and 40.90% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals and 6.20% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.38 and the average family size was 2.97.
In the county the population was spread out with 22.80% under the age of 18, 19.90% from 18 to 24, 29.90% from 25 to 44, 18.80% from 45 to 64, and 8.60% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females there were 93.50 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 90.90 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $37,485, and the median income for a family was $51,210. Males had a median income of $33,304 versus $25,990 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,844. About 7.60% of families and 14.50% of the population were below the poverty line, including 12.10% of those under age 18 and 5.90% of those age 65 or over.

Cities and towns

★ Ashland ★ Centralia ★ Columbia ★ Hallsville

★ Harrisburg ★ Hartsburg ★ Huntsdale ★ McBaine

★ Pierpont ★ Rocheport ★ Sturgeon