County in Missouri, United States
County in Missouri
Cole County is located in the central part of theU.S. state ofMissouri . As of the2020 census , its population was 77,279.[ 1] county seat and largest city isJefferson City , the state capital.[ 2] [ 3]
Cole County is in theJefferson City , MOMetropolitan Statistical Area . It is south of theMissouri River .
In 2010, the center of the population of Missouri was in Cole County, near the village ofWardsville .[ 4]
According to theU.S. Census Bureau , the county has a total area of 402 square miles (1,040 km2 ), of which 394 square miles (1,020 km2 ) is land and 8.2 square miles (21 km2 ) (2.0%) is water.[ 5]
Historical population Census Pop. Note %± 1830 3,023 — 1840 9,286 207.2% 1850 6,696 −27.9% 1860 9,697 44.8% 1870 10,292 6.1% 1880 15,515 50.7% 1890 17,281 11.4% 1900 20,578 19.1% 1910 21,957 6.7% 1920 24,680 12.4% 1930 30,848 25.0% 1940 34,912 13.2% 1950 35,464 1.6% 1960 40,761 14.9% 1970 46,228 13.4% 1980 56,663 22.6% 1990 63,579 12.2% 2000 71,397 12.3% 2010 75,990 6.4% 2020 77,279 1.7% U.S. Decennial Census[ 6] [ 7] [ 8] [ 9] [ 10]
As of thecensus [ 11] 2 ). There were 28,915 housing units at an average density of 74 units per square mile (29/km2 ). The racial makeup of the county was 87.06%White , 9.92%Black orAfrican American , 0.33%Native American , 0.88%Asian , 0.04%Pacific Islander , 0.54% fromother races , and 1.23% from two or more races. Approximately 1.28% of the population wereHispanic orLatino of any race. 40.1% were ofGerman , 13.6%American , 7.8%English and 6.9%Irish ancestry.
There were 27,040 households, out of which 33.60% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 53.00% weremarried couples living together, 10.00% had a female householder with no husband present, and 33.70% were non-families. 28.70% of all households were made up of individuals, and 9.30% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.43 and the average family size was 3.00.
In the county, the population was spread out, with 24.20% under the age of 18, 9.80% from 18 to 24, 32.30% from 25 to 44, 22.40% from 45 to 64, and 11.30% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 36 years. For every 100 females, there were 105.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 106.50 males.
The median income for a household in the county was $42,924, and the median income for a family was $53,416. Males had a median income of $33,769 versus $25,189 for females. Theper capita income for the county was $20,739. About 5.80% of families and 8.70% of the population were below thepoverty line , including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.
TheMissouri Department of Corrections (MDOC) operates theJefferson City Correctional Center inJefferson City .[ 13] [ 14] Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City.[ 13]
School districts including sections of the county, no matter how slight, even if the relevant schools and/or administration buildings in another county:[ 15]
Blair Oaks R-II School District –Jefferson City [ 16] Blair Oaks Elementary School (K-02) Blair Oaks Intermediate School (03-05) Blair Oaks Middle School (06-08) Blair Oaks High School (09-12) Cole County R-I School District –Russellville [ 17] Cole County R-I Elementary School (PK-06) Russellville Junior/Senior High School (07-12) Cole County R-V School District –Eugene [ 18] Eugene Elementary School (PK-06) Eugene High School (07-12) Jefferson City Public School District –Jefferson City [ 19] Southwest Early Childhood Education Center (PK) Callaway Hills Elementary School (K-05) –Holts Summit South Elementary School (K-05) Thorpe J. Gordon STEM Elementary School (K-05) East Elementary School (K-05) North Elementary School (K-05) –Holts Summit Cedar Hill Elementary School (K-05) West Elementary School (K-05) Moreau Heights Elementary School (K-05) Belair Elementary School (K-05) Pioneer Trail Elementary School (K-05) Clarence Lawson Elementary School (K-05) Thomas Jefferson Middle School (06-08) Lewis & Clark Middle School (06-08) Jefferson City High School (09-12)Capital City High School (09-12) Post-secondary education [ edit ] Missouri River Regional Library[ 22] Census-designated place [ edit ] Unincorporated communities [ edit ] Government and politics [ edit ] Like many other counties in Mid-Missouri, Cole County is mostly Republican. The last Democratic to win the county in a presidential election wasHarry S Truman in1948 .
In 2004, state residents voted ona constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman . This passed Cole County with 74.24% of the vote.[ 23] [ 24] same-sex marriage .
TheRepublican Party controls politics at the local level in Cole County. Republicans hold all but one of the elected positions in the county. The Democratic Party do not hold any elected positions on the county level.[ 25] [ 26]
Past Gubernatorial Elections Results Year Republican Democratic Third Parties 2024 71.03% 28,418 26.67%10,671 2.39%917 2020 67.94% 26,886 29.63%11,726 2.43%961 2016 55.58% 20,872 42.09%15,806 2.33%877 2012 51.85% 19,099 45.64%16,810 2.51%926 2008 49.87% 19,285 48.98%18,941 1.15%447 2004 63.13% 23,147 36.08%13,229 0.80%292 2000 51.14% 16,673 47.23%15,397 1.63%532 1996 33.77%9,902 63.80% 18,708 2.43%713
Missouri House of Representatives [ edit ] Cole County is divided into five legislative districts in theMissouri House of Representatives , all of which elected Republicans.
District 49 —Travis Fitzwater (R-Holts Summit ). Consists of a small unincorporated area of the county just west of the city of Jefferson City. Missouri House of Representatives — District 49 — Cole County (2020)[ 25] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Travis Fitzwater 963 96.59%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 49 — Cole County (2016)[ 27] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Travis Fitzwater 918 100.00% +35.66
Missouri House of Representatives — District 49 — Cole County (2018)[ 26] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Travis Fitzwater 692 69.69% Democratic Lisa Buhr 300 30.21%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 49 — Cole County (2012)[ 29] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Jeanie Riddle 704 69.91% Democratic Pam Murray 303 30.09%
District 50 —Sara Walsh . Consists of unincorporated areas in the northwest corner of the county. Missouri House of Representatives — District 50 — Cole County (2020)[ 25] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Sara Walsh 691 81.29% Democratic Kari Chesney 159 18.71%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 50 — Cole County (2018)[ 26] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Sara Walsh 536 76.90% Democratic Michela Skelton 161 23.10%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 50 — Cole County (2016)[ 27] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Caleb Jones 684 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 50 — Cole County (2014)[ 28] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Caleb Jones 426 100.00% 0.00
Missouri House of Representatives — District 50 — Cole County (2012)[ 29] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Caleb Jones 611 100.00%
District 59 —Rudy Veit (R-Jefferson City ). Consists of the communities of Centertown, Eugene, Lohman, Russellville, St. Martins, Taos, and Wardsville. Missouri House of Representatives — District 59 — Cole County (2022)[ 30] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Rudy Viet 13,613 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 59 — Cole County (2020)[ 25] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Rudy Veit 15,592 98.27%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 59 — Cole County (2018)[ 26] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Rudy Veit 11,226 76.05% Democratic Linda Ellen Greeson 3,518 23.83%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 59 — Cole County (2016)[ 27] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Mike Bernskoetter 14,923 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 59 — Cole County (2014)[ 28] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Mike Bernskoetter 8,396 88.59% +7.84 Constitution Michael Eberle 1,081 11.41% +11.41
Missouri House of Representatives — District 59 — Cole County (2012)[ 29] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Mike Bernskoetter 12,604 80.75% Democratic Vonnieta Trickey 3,005 19.25%
District 60 — Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson City ) Consists of the city of Jefferson City. Missouri House of Representatives — District 60 — Cole County (2022)[ 30] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Dave Griffith 7,577 62.20% Democratic J. Don Salcedo 4,605 37.80%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 60 — Cole County (2020)[ 25] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Dave Griffith 11,404 63.66% Democratic Joshua Dunne 6,483 36.19%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 60 — Cole County (2018)[ 26] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Dave Griffith 8,944 57.57% Democratic Sara Michael 6,572 42.30%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 60 — Cole County (2016)[ 27] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Jason (Jay) Barnes 11,139 64.24% −35.76 Democratic Kevin Nelson 6,202 35.76%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 60 — Cole County (2014)[ 28] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Jason (Jay) Barnes 9,041 100.00% −39.89
Missouri House of Representatives — District 60 — Cole County (2012)[ 29] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Jason (Jay) Barnes 10,674 60.11% Democratic Thomas Minihan 7.084 39.89%
District 62 —Tom Hurst (R-Meta ) Consists of the community of St. Thomas. Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Cole County (2020)[ 25] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Bruce Sassmann 955 83.63% Democratic Nancy Ragan 187 16.37%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Cole County (2018)[ 26] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Tom Hurst 774 83.50% Democratic Ashley Fajkowski 153 16.50%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Cole County (2016)[ 27] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Tom Hurst 991 100.00%
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Cole County (2014)[ 28] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Tom Hurst 592 100.00% −25.51
Missouri House of Representatives — District 62 — Cole County (2012)[ 29] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Tom Hurst 765 74.49% Democratic Greg Stratman 262 25.51%
Cole County is a part of Missouri's 6th District in theMissouri Senate and is currently represented by Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City ).
Missouri Senate — District 6 — Cole County (2022)[ 30] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Mike Bernskoetter 23,302 100.00%
Missouri Senate — District 6 — Cole County (2018)[ 26] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Mike Bernskoetter 23,058 69.49% Democratic Nicole Thompson 9,473 28.55% Libertarian Steven Wilson 625 1.88%
Missouri Senate — District 6 — Cole County (2014)[ 28] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Mike Kehoe 17,157 75.64% Democratic Mollie Kristen Freebairn 5,526 24.36%
US House of Representatives [ edit ] All of Cole County is included inMissouri's 3rd congressional district and is currently represented byBlaine Luetkemeyer (R-Saint Elizabeth ) in theU.S. House of Representatives .
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Cole County (2022)[ 30] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer 20,116 70.79% Democratic Bethany Mann 8,203 29.21%
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Cole County (2020)[ 25] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer 27,676 70.78% Democratic Megan Rezabek 10,385 26.56% Libertarian Leonard J Steinman II 1,002 2.56%
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Cole County (2018)[ 26] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer 23,049 69.29% Democratic Katy Geppert 9,649 29.00% Libertarian Donald Stolle 549 1.65%
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Cole County (2016)[ 27] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer 26,481 71.61% −0.51 Democratic Kevin Miller 9,368 25.33% +1.19 Libertarian Dan Hogan 815 2.20% −1.54 Constitution Doanita Simmons 314 0.85% +0.85
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Cole County (2014)[ 28] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer 16,401 72.12% +1.77 Democratic Courtney Denton 5,491 24.14% −3.10 Libertarian Steven Hedrick 851 3.74% +1.33 Write-In Harold Davis 1 >0.00%
U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri’s 3rd Congressional District — Cole County (2012)[ 29] Party Candidate Votes % ±% Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer 25,576 70.35% Democratic Eric C. Mayer 9,901 27.24% Libertarian Steven Wilson 877 2.41%
United States presidential election results for Cole County, Missouri[ 31] Year Republican Democratic Third party(ies) No. % No. % No. % 1888 1,708 48.13% 1,824 51.39% 17 0.48% 1892 1,752 47.82% 1,844 50.33% 68 1.86% 1896 2,033 47.53% 2,198 51.39% 46 1.08% 1900 2,157 47.84% 2,320 51.45% 32 0.71% 1904 2,081 47.48% 2,244 51.20% 58 1.32% 1908 2,402 48.58% 2,494 50.44% 48 0.97% 1912 2,103 43.22% 2,447 50.29% 316 6.49% 1916 2,746 48.15% 2,915 51.11% 42 0.74% 1920 5,878 58.31% 4,167 41.34% 36 0.36% 1924 6,205 52.49% 5,033 42.58% 583 4.93% 1928 6,637 50.54% 6,481 49.35% 15 0.11% 1932 5,636 38.26% 9,068 61.56% 27 0.18% 1936 6,180 40.91% 8,831 58.46% 95 0.63% 1940 7,664 48.23% 8,219 51.72% 9 0.06% 1944 7,364 50.76% 7,139 49.21% 4 0.03% 1948 6,909 46.60% 7,891 53.23% 25 0.17% 1952 9,700 56.36% 7,507 43.62% 3 0.02% 1956 9,323 55.79% 7,388 44.21% 0 0.00% 1960 9,763 53.36% 8,532 46.64% 0 0.00% 1964 10,068 55.33% 8,127 44.67% 0 0.00% 1968 11,575 60.55% 5,916 30.95% 1,625 8.50% 1972 16,685 77.83% 4,754 22.17% 0 0.00% 1976 14,370 63.86% 7,949 35.32% 184 0.82% 1980 16,373 61.96% 9,210 34.86% 840 3.18% 1984 20,366 75.24% 6,702 24.76% 0 0.00% 1988 18,023 68.16% 8,359 31.61% 59 0.22% 1992 15,270 48.78% 10,201 32.59% 5,833 18.63% 1996 16,140 55.01% 10,857 37.00% 2,345 7.99% 2000 20,167 61.53% 12,056 36.78% 552 1.68% 2004 24,752 67.44% 11,753 32.02% 196 0.53% 2008 24,385 62.79% 13,959 35.95% 490 1.26% 2012 24,490 65.85% 12,005 32.28% 695 1.87% 2016 24,616 65.37% 10,913 28.98% 2,127 5.65% 2020 26,086 65.80% 12,694 32.02% 865 2.18% 2024 26,686 66.46% 12,874 32.06% 592 1.47%
[ edit ] FormerU.S. Senator andPresident Barack Obama (D-Illinois ) received more votes, a total of 4,642, than any candidate from either party in Cole County during the 2008 presidential primary. Cole County was one of only six counties (including the independent city of St. Louis) that backed Obama in Missouri.
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Places adjacent to Cole County, Missouri
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38°31′N 92°17′W / 38.51°N 92.28°W /38.51; -92.28
United States
Missouri
