2020 census
As of the 2020 census, the county had a population of 77,279. The median age was 39.8 years. 22.1% of residents were under the age of 18 and 17.4% of residents were 65 years of age or older. For every 100 females there were 102.9 males, and for every 100 females age 18 and over there were 101.8 males age 18 and over. [11]
The racial makeup of the county was 80.5% White, 10.5% Black or African American, 0.3% American Indian and Alaska Native, 1.3% Asian, 0.1% Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander, 1.3% from some other race, and 6.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino residents of any race comprised 3.4% of the population. [12]
65.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 34.3% lived in rural areas. [13]
There were 30,478 households in the county, of which 29.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them and 28.2% had a female householder with no spouse or partner present. About 30.7% of all households were made up of individuals and 12.2% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. [11]
There were 33,211 housing units, of which 8.2% were vacant. Among occupied housing units, 67.1% were owner-occupied and 32.9% were renter-occupied. The homeowner vacancy rate was 1.6% and the rental vacancy rate was 8.4%. [11]
Cole County, Missouri – Racial and ethnic composition
Note: the US Census treats Hispanic/Latino as an ethnic category. This table excludes Latinos from the racial categories and assigns them to a separate category. Hispanics/Latinos may be of any race.| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980 [14] | Pop 1990 [15] | Pop 2000 [16] | Pop 2010 [17] | Pop 2020 [18] | % 1980 | % 1990 | % 2000 | % 2010 | % 2020 |
|---|
| White alone (NH) | 51,766 | 57,837 | 61,684 | 63,247 | 61,474 | 91.36% | 90.97% | 86.40% | 83.23% | 79.55% |
| Black or African American alone (NH) | 4,203 | 4,776 | 7,049 | 8,421 | 8,041 | 7.42% | 7.51% | 9.87% | 11.08% | 10.41% |
| Native American or Alaska Native alone (NH) | 77 | 226 | 219 | 214 | 175 | 0.14% | 0.36% | 0.31% | 0.28% | 0.23% |
| Asian alone (NH) | 187 | 255 | 621 | 956 | 965 | 0.33% | 0.40% | 0.87% | 1.26% | 1.25% |
| Native Hawaiian or Pacific Islander alone (NH) | x [19] | x [20] | 20 | 44 | 56 | x | x | 0.03% | 0.06% | 0.07% |
| Other race alone (NH) | 132 | 38 | 65 | 69 | 305 | 0.23% | 0.06% | 0.09% | 0.09% | 0.39% |
| Mixed race or Multiracial (NH) | x [21] | x [22] | 824 | 1,244 | 3,602 | x | x | 1.15% | 1.64% | 4.66% |
| Hispanic or Latino (any race) | 298 | 447 | 915 | 1,795 | 2,661 | 0.53% | 0.70% | 1.28% | 2.36% | 3.44% |
| Total | 56,663 | 63,579 | 71,397 | 75,990 | 77,279 | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% | 100.00% |
2000 census
As of the census [23] of 2000, there were 71,397 people, 27,040 households, and 17,927 families residing in the county. The population density was 182 inhabitants per square mile (70/km2). 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 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.
United States
Missouri 
