Why go
- City in Missouri, U.S.
- Served by Omar N Bradley Airport (MBY).
History
Columbia is a city in Boone County, Missouri, United States, and its county seat. It was founded in 1821 and had a population of 126,254 as recorded in the 2020 United States census, making it the fourth-most-populous city in Missouri. Columbia is a Midwestern college town, home to the University of Missouri, a major research institution also known as MU or Mizzou. In addition to the university and surrounding downtown Columbia are Stephens College and Columbia College, giving the city its educational focus and nearly 40,000 college students. It is the principal city of the Columbia metropolitan area, population 215,811, and the central city of the nine-county Columbia–Jefferson City–Moberly combined statistical area, with 415,747 residents. The city is the fastest-growing municipality in Missouri, with a growth of almost 40% since 2000, and a population estimated at 130,900 in 2024. Columbia is among the most-educated cities in the United States, with about half of citizens being college graduates and about a quarter holding advanced degrees.
Airports
✈ Airlines & flight paths — 2 airlines, 2 direct destinations
- American Airlines AA (ERJ-145, ERD) · 2 routes: Chicago*, Dallas-Fort Worth*
- US Airways US (ERJ-145, ERD) · 2 routes: Chicago*, Dallas-Fort Worth
Routes and aircraft from OpenFlights (open data; a point-in-time snapshot). * = codeshare. Linked destinations open their own guidebook. Flight numbers are not in the open data — they come from the airline or a paid schedule feed.
Where things are
Photographs
credit: Wikipedia / Wikimedia Commons · See source page
When to go
The warmer, longer-day half of the year is the safest bet for a first visit.
Cooler and quieter, with fewer visitors and better value.
Short days and the coldest weather — check local conditions before travelling.
Getting there & around
Getting there. The nearest airport on record is Omar N Bradley Airport (MBY); 25 other airports serve the wider area. Check rail and road links from the tourism sources below. By air: COU has direct flights to 2 destinations on 2 airlines (incl. Chicago, Dallas-Fort Worth).
Getting around. Use the map above to orient yourself; nearby hotels, attractions and places to eat are listed from the live Ultimate data for Columbia, Missouri. Local transit details will be added as the guide is expanded.