Largest city Jefferson City Time zone Central: UTC-6/-5 Area 1,041 km² Population 76,699 (2013) | Congressional district 3rd Website www.colecounty.org Founded 1820 County seat Jefferson City | |
 | ||
Cities Lohman, Centertown, Russellville, St. Thomas, Wardsville, Taos, St. Martins Colleges and Universities Lincoln University, Nichols Career Center, Metro Business College‑J Points of interest Missouri State Capitol, Jefferson Landing State Hist, Missouri State Penitentiary, Ellis‑Porter Park, Ice Arena‑Washington Park | ||
Cole County is a county in the central part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2010 census, the population was 75,990. Its county seat is Jefferson City, the state capital. The county was organized November 16, 1820 and named after pioneer Captain Stephen Cole, an Indian fighter and pioneer settler, who built Cole's Fort in Boonville.
Contents
- Map of Cole County MO USA
- Geography
- Adjacent counties
- Major highways
- Demographics
- Government and infrastructure
- Public schools
- Private schools
- Post secondary education
- Local
- State
- Federal
- Missouri Presidential Preference Primary 2008
- City
- Towns
- Villages
- Unincorporated communities
- References
Map of Cole County, MO, USA
Cole County is in the Jefferson City, MO Metropolitan Statistical Area. It is south of the Missouri River.
In 2010, the center of the population of Missouri was in Cole County, near the village of Wardsville.
Geography
According to the U.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. It is the third-smallest county in Missouri by area.
Adjacent counties
Major highways
Demographics
As of the census of 2000, there were 71,397 people, 27,040 households, and 17,927 families residing in the county. The population density was 182 people per square mile (70/km²). There were 28,915 housing units at an average density of 74 per square mile (29/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 87.06% White, 9.92% Black or African American, 0.33% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.04% Pacific Islander, 0.54% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. Approximately 1.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. 40.1% were of German, 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% were married 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. The per capita income for the county was $20,739. About 5.80% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the poverty line, including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.
Government and infrastructure
The Missouri Department of Corrections (MDOC) operates the Jefferson City Correctional Center in Jefferson City. The current JCCC was opened on September 15, 2004, replacing the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City.
Public schools
Private schools
Post-secondary education
Local
The Republican Party predominantly controls politics at the local level in Cole County. Republicans hold all but three of the elected positions in the county.
State
Cole County is divided into five legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, all of which are held by Republicans.
Cole County is a part of Missouri’s 6th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Mike Kehoe (R-Jefferson City).
Federal
All of Cole County is included in Missouri's 3rd congressional district and is currently represented by Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-Saint Elizabeth) in the U.S. House of Representatives.