Moniteau County is a county in Missouri, United States, part of the Jefferson City metropolitan area in the central part of the state. It had a population of 15,473 at the 2020 census and covers 419 square miles (1,090 km2), of which 415 square miles are land and 3.8 square miles are water, centred near 38°38′N 92°35′W.
California is the county seat, and its postal code is 65018. The county has five incorporated cities and towns, two census-designated places, and several unincorporated communities. It observes Central Time.
Towns & Villages in Moniteau County
Moniteau County has five incorporated places, two census-designated places (CDPs), and a handful of unincorporated crossroads communities. The table below lists every named place carried forward from county records; population figures are shown where the 2020 census reports them separately, and — marks places without a standalone census count.
| Place | Type | Pop. | ZIP |
|---|---|---|---|
| California | City · seat | — | 65018 |
| Tipton | City | — | 65081 |
| Jamestown | City | — | 65046 |
| Clarksburg | City | — | 65025 |
| Lupus | City | — | — |
| Fortuna | CDP | — | — |
| Latham | CDP | — | 65050 |
| Bacon | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Cedron | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Corticelli | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Enon | Unincorp. | — | — |
| High Point | Unincorp. | — | 65042 |
| Kliever | Unincorp. | — | — |
| McGirk | Unincorp. | — | 65055 |
| Renfro | Unincorp. | — | — |
| Sandy Hook | Unincorp. | — | — |
California is by far the largest place and the only city with a full-service business district; Tipton, on the old Missouri Pacific line, is the county’s second town. Lupus, on the Missouri River bluffs, is Missouri’s smallest incorporated city by population and has no dedicated post office of its own today — mail there routes through a neighboring ZIP.
ZIP Codes
- 65018 — California (also serves the county’s eastern townships)
- 65081 — Tipton
- 65046 — Jamestown
- 65025 — Clarksburg
- 65050 — Latham
- 65042 — High Point (PO Box only)
- 65055 — McGirk (PO Box only)
Bacon, Cedron, Corticelli, Enon, Fortuna, Kliever, Lupus, Renfro, and Sandy Hook have no ZIP code of their own and are served by the nearest listed post office.
Geography
Moniteau County sits on the rolling uplands between the Missouri River to the north and the Ozark foothills to the south, drained by Moniteau Creek, the Moreau River, and their tributaries. The terrain is a mix of cropland, pasture, and hardwood timber along the creek bottoms.
It borders Cooper County to the northwest, Boone County to the northeast, Cole County to the southeast, Miller County to the south, and Morgan County to the southwest.
Demographics
The 2020 census counted 15,473 residents, giving the county a density of about 37 people per square mile. California and Tipton are the county’s two largest communities and together account for roughly half the population. Median household income runs below the Missouri median of $68,545, typical of the county’s farming and small-manufacturing economic base.
Economy & Local Life
Agriculture, particularly cattle, hogs, and row crops, remains the backbone of the county’s economy, supplemented by light manufacturing and trucking around California and Tipton. Proximity to Jefferson City, the state capital, gives many residents access to state-government and healthcare jobs outside the county. The Moniteau County Fair, held in California each summer, is the area’s biggest annual gathering.
History
Moniteau County was organized on February 14, 1845, carved from parts of Cole and Cooper Counties, and named for Moniteau Creek. “Moniteau” is a French rendering of the Algonquian word “Manitou,” meaning “Great Spirit,” reflecting a Native American name applied to a bluff along the creek. California, the county seat, was platted in 1849 and later became a stop on the Missouri Pacific Railroad, which shaped the growth of Tipton and Jamestown as well.
Getting There
U.S. Route 50 crosses the county through California and Tipton, connecting to Sedalia to the west and Jefferson City to the east; Missouri Route 87 runs north-south through the county.
- Jefferson City — 20 miles east
- Sedalia — 25 miles west
- Columbia — 30 miles northeast
- Boonville — 20 miles north
The nearest commercial airport is Columbia Regional Airport (COU), about 35 miles northeast.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where is Moniteau County, Missouri?
It is in central Missouri, part of the Jefferson City metropolitan area, between the Missouri River and the Ozark foothills.
What is the population of Moniteau County?
15,473 people, according to the 2020 census.
How big is Moniteau County?
419 square miles (1,090 km2), of which 415 square miles are land.
What is the Moniteau County seat?
California is the county seat.
How many towns are in Moniteau County?
Five incorporated cities and towns — California, Tipton, Jamestown, Clarksburg, and Lupus — plus the CDPs of Fortuna and Latham and several unincorporated communities.
What ZIP codes are in Moniteau County?
65018 (California), 65081 (Tipton), 65046 (Jamestown), 65025 (Clarksburg), 65050 (Latham), plus the PO-Box-only codes 65042 (High Point) and 65055 (McGirk).
Why is it called Moniteau County?
It is named for Moniteau Creek, itself a French spelling of the Algonquian word “Manitou,” meaning “Great Spirit.”
More counties in this state: Towns and villages in Missouri.