Vandalia, Missouri is a city located in Audrain County in the central region of the U.S. state of Missouri. It is part of the Mexico, Missouri Micropolitan Statistical Area. According to the United States Census Bureau, the population of Vandalia was 2,255 at the 2020 census.
History
Vandalia was platted in 1858 concurrent with the extension of the Chicago, Rock Island and Pacific Railroad through the area. The settlement was incorporated as a city in 1875. Its name is derived from Vandalia, Illinois, which itself was named after the proposed 18th‑century western colony of the same name. Early economic activity centered on agriculture and railroad commerce.
Geography
Vandalia lies in the northeastern part of Audrain County at coordinates 39°01′N 91°55′W. The city occupies a total area of approximately 2.0 square miles (5.2 km²), all of which is land, according to the United States Census Bureau. The city is situated near the intersection of Missouri Route 54 and U.S. Route 54, providing connections to regional centers such as Mexico, Missouri (approximately 15 mi to the west) and Columbia, Missouri (approximately 45 mi to the west‑northwest).
Demographics
As of the 2020 United States Census, Vandalia had a population of 2,255. The racial composition was reported as predominantly White, with smaller percentages of African American, Native American, Asian, and individuals of two or more races. The median age of residents was in the late thirties, and the gender distribution was approximately equal. Household and family structures reflected typical patterns for a small Midwestern city, with a mix of married-couple families, single-parent households, and non‑family units.
Government
Vandalia operates under a mayor‑council form of municipal government. The city council members are elected from wards or at‑large, and the mayor serves as the chief executive officer. Municipal services include public safety (police and fire), water and wastewater utilities, and street maintenance.
Education
Public education for primary and secondary students in Vandalia is administered by the Vandalia R‑III School District. The district operates Vandalia Elementary School and Vandalia High School, serving students from kindergarten through twelfth grade. The schools participate in Missouri State High School Activities Association (MSHSAA) athletics and academic competitions.
Notable People
- Roy C. "Skip" Barksdale – former Missouri state legislator who represented Audrain County.
- John W. Bostwick – early 20th‑century agricultural leader recognized in the Audrain County Historical Society.
References
- United States Census Bureau, "2020 Census Redistricting Data (Public Law 94-171) Summary File."
- Audrain County Place Names, The State Historical Society of Missouri.
- Vandalia R‑III School District official website.