Missouri

Missouri, the "Show Me State" has wineries, botanical mazes and contemporary sculptures spread across 98 acres. Missouri's nickname has several origins but is now widely used to describe the character of the people of Missouri as conservative. Other Missouri nicknames include the Bullion State, the Lead State and the Ozark State. Where better to reside than in a state where its motto affirms that the welfare of the people shall be the supreme law.

Missouri has a vast number of farms, forests and wildlife for those who want to visit or live in rural areas. For those who wish to live in a more populated area, Missouri has several cities rich in culture and arts including Jefferson City, the capital of Missouri, St. Louis, and Kansas City. Each of these cities has a population greater than 100,000.

If it's politics you fancy Missouri has an active group of political organizations in which to participate including Missourians Against Tax Abuse, a group formed to oppose the rewriting of the State Constitution to increase taxes, and Missourians for Honest Elections, a group opposed to the use of electronic voting machines because they believe the machines are a threat to democracy.

Missouri Real Estate and Demographics

The Midwest and South are still the most affordable areas in the nation to live and to own a home. Missouri is an attractive place to work and live and was recently listed as one of the 10 states with the lowest cost of living in the nation.

The Saint Louis metropolitan region of the state offers an entirely different experience for residents. With an estimated population of 348,198 in the city proper, St. Louis is full of diverse ethnic groups including those of Hispanic and Bosnian backgrounds. More than 50 percent of Saint Louis' population is black and 42.9 percent is white. St. Louis follows the state's lead by being one of the nation's 20 largest metropolitan areas with the lowest cost of living. Slightly more than 80 percent of the areas homes are affordable to those with a median household income of $65,800. The median household income in St. Louis proper as of 2005 is $30,874 and the median price for a home in St. Louis is $103,300. Missouri's overall median household income is much higher, averaging $41,974. The average price of Missouri real estate is slightly higher at $123,100.

But if you want to live in a quieter area, Parkville, MO and Weatherby, MO are the places. If it's the mountains you are looking for Branson, Branson West and Kimberling City are good places to call home. Located in Taney County in southern Missouri the three cities offer a quiet, slow-paced atmosphere. Branson West, as of 2005, had a population of 408 and an estimated household income of $33,108. The median price of a home in Branson West is $120,000.

Missouri Economy

Agriculture is still the number one industry in the state even with a changing economy that now includes aerospace, information technology and pharmaceutical businesses. Missouri produces pork, soybeans, corn and several other products. Soybean production alone was valued at more than $1 billion making Missouri the fifth largest producer in the nation in 2005. Trailing behind soybeans was corn grown for grain. Corn production was valued at more than $600 million.

Statewide, Missouri is experiencing growth with its many industries including iron and steel manufacturing and timber operations. St. Louis, MO is experiencing a growing population of people between the ages of 25 and 34 who work in the city's growing number of high tech and financial services companies. The diversity of people in Saint Louis has also helped produce a number of cultural shops and restaurants that dot the city's streets and enliven its neighborhoods.

Missouri population

Missouri's population has had a substantial increase since Census 2000. Population estimates in 2006 show 5.8 million people living in Missouri, a 4.4 percent increase from April 2000. Slightly more than half of the state's population is female.