Area Code 573
Where Is Area Code 573?
Updated: March 24th 2024
Area code 573 is the area code for most of the eastern half of Missouri outside the St. Louis area. It is also the area code for all of southeastern Missouri and areas adjacent to the Mississippi River. Area code 573 was put into place on January 7, 1996, and was created from a split of area code 314. Area code 573 is located in the Central Time Zone and covers 47 counties of Missouri.
Columbia is the county seat of Boone County and is the fifth most populous city in Missouri. Columbia is known as a Midwestern college town and is the principal city of the Columbia metropolitan area. Going back in history, a man by the name of Robert de La Salle claimed all of Missouri for France in 1678. In 1804, the Lewis and Clark Expedition passed by. In 1806, Daniel Boone’s sons established a salt lick, which led to the area being called Boonslick. In 1818, a group of settlers bought over 2,000 acres and established the village of Smithton, however the settlers moved in 1821 due to the lack of water. The settlers moved east and renamed the settlement Columbia. Starting in 1833, multiple colleges were founded, such as the Columbia Baptist Female College (now Stephens College) and Columbia College (now University of Missouri). By 1839, Boone County’s population and wealth was exceeded only by that of St. Louis County. During the Civil War, Columbia’s infrastructure for the most part was untouched. In 1963, the headquarters of both the University of Missouri System and the Columbia College System were located in Columbia. The insurance industry during the time greatly impacted Columbia’s economy when several insurance companies established their headquarters in the city. During the latter 20th century, Columbia experienced tremendous growth.
Columbia is located in Mid-Missouri near the Missouri River. Prominent tributaries of the Missouri River include Flat Branch Creek, Perche Creek, and Hinkson Creek. The city is made up of hilly terrain and prairie flatland. Columbia falls between a humid continental climate and a humid subtropical climate. The majority of Columbia’s recognizable architectural attributes can be found downtown and within the University of Missouri; they include the Jesse Hall, the Memorial Union, and the David R. Francis Quadrangle.
Columbia has a population of 108,500 and the racial makeup of the city is 79.0% White, 11.3% African American, 5.2% Asian, and 3.4% Hispanic (2010 Census).
Unlike most cities, Columbia’s economy is not based on manufacturing but rather education, healthcare, and the insurance industry. The top three employers in the city are University of Missouri, University of Missouri Health Care, and Columbia Public Schools. Columbia is a center of culture. The largest fine arts venues in the city are the Missouri Theatre and the Jesse Auditorium. Every year the well-known True/False Film Festival is held in Columbia. Some of the country’s finest Jazz and Blues can be heard during the Roots N Blues N BBQ Festival and the “We Always Swing” Jazz Series. When it comes to sports, the University of Missouri’s sports teams, the Missouri Tigers, are the highlight of Columbia’s sports culture. Points of interest in Columbia include Rock Bridge Memorial State Park, Stephens Lake Park, Shelter Gardens, Finger Lakes State Park, and the Museum of Art and Archaeology.
Major Cities In Area Code 573
Jefferson City is the capital of Missouri and is the county seat of Cole County. The city was named for Thomas Jefferson, the third president of the United States. Jefferson City is located in Mid-Missouri and is at the western edge of the Missouri Rhineland. The Missouri State Capitol dominates the city; the Capitol’s dome is the first view of the city for travelers arriving from the north. Like Columbia, Jefferson City falls between a humid subtropical climate and a humid continental climate. Jefferson City has a population of 43,079 and the racial makeup of the city is 78.0% White, 16.9% African American, 2.6% Hispanic, and 1.8% Asian (2010 Census). When it comes to the economy, the majority of the city’s employers are in the service and manufacturing industries. Points of interest in Jefferson City include the Missouri State Penitentiary, the Missouri State Capitol, the Runge Conservation Nature Center, the Museum of Missouri Military History, and the Missouri Governor’s Mansion.
