Missouri

Jefferson

226,739
2020 population
1820
first census record
21
census records

About Jefferson

Jefferson, Missouri, first appears in the United States federal census in 1820, when it recorded a population of 1,835. At the most recent census, in 2020, its population stood at 226,739.

The county's recorded population has risen across the decades to its highest level in 2020.

On the ground today, 3 documented military engagements have been recorded within the county, among them Jefferson County Guerrilla Action 1862, Hillsboro Skirmish (Jefferson County), Skirmish at De Soto, and 15 places are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

Population by decade

Census YearPopulationChart
2020226,739
2010218,733
2000198,099
1990171,380
1980146,183
1970105,248
196066,377
195038,007
194032,023
193027,563
192026,555
191027,878
190025,712
189022,484
188018,736
187015,380
186010,344
18506,928
18404,296
18302,592
18201,835
Source

Population data from the United States decennial census, U.S. Census Bureau (public domain).

Battles & engagements in Jefferson

Military engagements that took place in Jefferson, Missouri.

Jefferson County Guerrilla Action 1862
1862
Hillsboro Skirmish (Jefferson County)
1862
Skirmish at De Soto
1864

Historic places in Jefferson

National Register of Historic Places listings in Jefferson, Missouri.

Sandy Creek Covered Bridge
Hillsboro
Kimmswick Historic District
Kimmswick
Greystone-Meissner, Gustave, House
Pevely
Central School Campus
De Soto
Kimmswick Bone Bed
Imperial
Windsor Harbor Road Bridge
Kimmswick
Browse all Missourihistoric sites ›

Other counties in Missouri

Explore census history and historic records for more Missouri counties.

StoneSullivanTaneyTexasVernonWarrenWashingtonWayneWebsterWorthWrightAdairAndrewAtchisonAudrainBarryBartonBatesBentonBollinger
Unlimited access

Everything a full report reveals about Jefferson County, Missouri

This page charts the census history of Jefferson County, Missouri. A full Aubrey report for an address here pulls together everything the historical record holds about the ground, from the earliest settlement to the twentieth century:

Overview
An interactive map of the location with historic sites, battles and Native heritage plotted, and its full story era by era.
The Land
The historic sites and place names around the location, and how this land was settled and used.
Geology
The bedrock beneath the site, its age and rock type, reaching back millions of years.
LiDAR Terrain
Laser-scanned terrain that reveals earthworks and old features hidden in the landscape.
Conflict & War
The battles, raids and skirmishes fought near here, across every era of American conflict.
The Civil War
The Civil War on this ground, 1861 to 1865: who held it, and the battles, camps and regiments nearby.
The Soldiers
The men who marched from here in the Civil War, named and traced where the record allows.
Native Heritage
The Native nations who held this land, mapped across time from before European contact to today.
Settlement
Who claimed and held this ground, from Indigenous homelands through the colonial powers to the United States.
The Community
How the town grew, who came, and what kind of place it became, traced through the census record.
Rivers & Rail
The rivers, canals and railroads that connected this place between 1830 and 1911.
Notable People
The people born, buried or genuinely tied to this exact place, with their stories.
Historical Maps
Historic maps of the location layered over how it looks today.
Finds & Access
Museum objects tied to the area, and the laws on searching, collecting and access here.
Literature
The old books, county histories and archives that mention this place, quoted with their sources.
Spotlight
A deep dive into the most remarkable, lesser-known history of the place, traced back to the record.
Points of Interest
The most significant historic sites and landmarks near the location, and why they matter.
Timeline
The whole story of the location told era by era, from first peoples to the present day.
First month just $5.99, then $11.99 a month. Unlimited locations, cancel anytime.

Every location is different. Not every section appears for every place, only what the historical record actually holds turns up in a report.

Start your Jefferson County, Missouri report
Or see a real report first

Explore Missouri records

Missourihistory ›NRHP historic sites ›Notable people from Missouri›

Frequently asked about Jefferson

When does Jefferson first appear in the US census?
Jefferson, Missouri first appears in the federal census in 1820, with a recorded population of 1,835.
What is the population of Jefferson?
At the most recent federal census (2020), Jefferson had a recorded population of 226,739.
Were any battles fought in Jefferson?
3 documented military engagements took place in Jefferson, including Jefferson County Guerrilla Action 1862, Hillsboro Skirmish (Jefferson County), Skirmish at De Soto.
How many historic places are in Jefferson?
15 sites are listed on the National Register of Historic Places in Jefferson, Missouri.
Aubrey Research

Research the history of any US location

Aubrey searches federal archives, archaeological records, historic registers, and primary sources to build a full historical report for any address or place in the United States.

Research your locationView a free sample report