Cole County | |
---|---|
![]() The Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City | |
![]() Location within the U.S. state of Missouri | |
![]() Missouri's location within the U.S. | |
Coordinates: 38°31′N92°17′W / 38.51°N 92.28°W | |
Country | ![]() |
State | ![]() |
Founded | 1820 |
Named for | Stephen Cole |
Seat | Jefferson City |
Largest city | Jefferson City |
Area | |
• Total | 402 sq mi (1,040 km2) |
• Land | 394 sq mi (1,020 km2) |
• Water | 8.2 sq mi (21 km2) 2.0% |
Population (2020) | |
• Total | 77,279 |
• Density | 190/sq mi (74/km2) |
Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
• Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
Congressional district | 3rd |
Website | www |
Cole County is located in the central part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, its population was 77,279. [1] Its county seat and largest city is Jefferson City, the state capital. [2] The county was organized November 16, 1820, and named after pioneer William Temple Cole who built Cole's Fort in Boonville. [3]
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. [4]
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. [5] It is the third-smallest county in Missouri by area.
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] 1790-1960 [7] 1900-1990 [8] 1990-2000 [9] 2010-2015 [10] |
As of the census [11] 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.
Race | Num. | Perc. |
---|---|---|
White (NH) | 61,474 | 79.54% |
Black or African American (NH) | 8,041 | 10.4% |
Native American (NH) | 175 | 0.23% |
Asian (NH) | 965 | 1.3% |
Pacific Islander (NH) | 56 | 0.07% |
Other/Mixed (NH) | 3,907 | 5.1% |
Hispanic or Latino | 2,661 | 3.44% |
The Missouri Department of Corrections (MDOC) operates the Jefferson City Correctional Center in Jefferson City. [13] [14] The current JCCC was opened on September 15, 2004, replacing the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City. [13]
Like many other counties in Mid-Missouri, Cole County is mostly Republican. The last Democratic to win the county in a presidential election was Harry S Truman in 1948.
In 2004, state residents voted on a constitutional amendment to define marriage as the union between a man and a woman. This passed Cole County with 74.24% of the vote. [22] The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters; [23] Missouri became the first state to ban same-sex marriage.
The Republican 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. [24] [25]
Cole County, Missouri | |||
---|---|---|---|
Elected countywide officials | |||
Assessor | Chris Estes | Republican | |
Circuit Clerk | Dawnel P. Davidson | Republican | |
County Clerk | Steve Korsmeyer | Republican | |
Collector | Larry Vincent | Republican | |
Commissioner (Presiding) | Sam Bushman | Republican | |
Commissioner (District 1) | Jeff Hoelscher | Republican | |
Commissioner (District 2) | Harry Otto | Republican | |
Coroner | Carl R. Doerhoff | Independent | |
Prosecuting Attorney | Locke Thompson | Republican | |
Public Administrator | Ralph Jobe | Republican | |
Recorder | Judy Ridgeway | Republican | |
Sheriff | John P. Wheeler | Republican | |
Treasurer | Eric Peters | Republican |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
---|---|---|---|
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 |
Cole County is divided into five legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, all of which elected Republicans.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Travis Fitzwater | 963 | 96.59% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Travis Fitzwater | 918 | 100.00% | +35.66 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Travis Fitzwater | 692 | 69.69% | ||
Democratic | Lisa Buhr | 300 | 30.21% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Travis Fitzwater | 442 | 64.34% | −5.57 | |
Democratic | Gracia Yancey Backer | 245 | 35.66% | +5.57 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jeanie Riddle | 704 | 69.91% | ||
Democratic | Pam Murray | 303 | 30.09% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Sara Walsh | 691 | 81.29% | ||
Democratic | Kari Chesney | 159 | 18.71% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Sara Walsh | 536 | 76.90% | ||
Democratic | Michela Skelton | 161 | 23.10% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Caleb Jones | 684 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Caleb Jones | 426 | 100.00% | 0.00 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Caleb Jones | 611 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Rudy Viet | 13,613 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Rudy Veit | 15,592 | 98.27% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Rudy Veit | 11,226 | 76.05% | ||
Democratic | Linda Ellen Greeson | 3,518 | 23.83% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Bernskoetter | 14,923 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Bernskoetter | 8,396 | 88.59% | +7.84 | |
Constitution | Michael Eberle | 1,081 | 11.41% | +11.41 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Bernskoetter | 12,604 | 80.75% | ||
Democratic | Vonnieta Trickey | 3,005 | 19.25% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Dave Griffith | 7,577 | 62.20% | ||
Democratic | J. Don Salcedo | 4,605 | 37.80% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Dave Griffith | 11,404 | 63.66% | ||
Democratic | Joshua Dunne | 6,483 | 36.19% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Dave Griffith | 8,944 | 57.57% | ||
Democratic | Sara Michael | 6,572 | 42.30% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jason (Jay) Barnes | 11,139 | 64.24% | −35.76 | |
Democratic | Kevin Nelson | 6,202 | 35.76% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jason (Jay) Barnes | 9,041 | 100.00% | −39.89 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Jason (Jay) Barnes | 10,674 | 60.11% | ||
Democratic | Thomas Minihan | 7.084 | 39.89% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Bruce Sassmann | 955 | 83.63% | ||
Democratic | Nancy Ragan | 187 | 16.37% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Tom Hurst | 774 | 83.50% | ||
Democratic | Ashley Fajkowski | 153 | 16.50% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Tom Hurst | 991 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Tom Hurst | 592 | 100.00% | −25.51 |
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 the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Mike Bernskoetter (R-Jefferson City).
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Bernskoetter | 23,302 | 100.00% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Bernskoetter | 23,058 | 69.49% | ||
Democratic | Nicole Thompson | 9,473 | 28.55% | ||
Libertarian | Steven Wilson | 625 | 1.88% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Mike Kehoe | 17,157 | 75.64% | ||
Democratic | Mollie Kristen Freebairn | 5,526 | 24.36% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Josh Hawley | 20,738 | 61.95% | ||
Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 11,718 | 35.01% | ||
Independent | Craig O'Dear | 448 | 1.34% | ||
Libertarian | Japheth Campbell | 380 | 1.14% | ||
Green | Jo Crain | 158 | 0.47% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Roy Blunt | 21,940 | 58.54% | +6.77 | |
Democratic | Jason Kander | 14,216 | 37.93% | −4.19 | |
Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 800 | 2.13% | −3.98 | |
Green | Johnathan McFarland | 311 | 0.83% | +0.83 | |
Constitution | Fred Ryman | 206 | 0.55% | +0.55 | |
Write-In | Patrick Lee | 3 | 0.01% | +0.01 |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Todd Akin | 18,918 | 51.77 | ||
Democratic | Claire McCaskill | 15,394 | 42.12 | ||
Libertarian | Jonathan Dine | 2,233 | 6.11 |
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.
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Blaine Luetkemeyer | 20,116 | 70.79% | ||
Democratic | Bethany Mann | 8,203 | 29.21% |
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% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Blaine Luetkemeyer | 23,049 | 69.29% | ||
Democratic | Katy Geppert | 9,649 | 29.00% | ||
Libertarian | Donald Stolle | 549 | 1.65% |
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 |
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% |
Party | Candidate | Votes | % | ±% | |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Republican | Blaine Luetkemeyer | 25,576 | 70.35% | ||
Democratic | Eric C. Mayer | 9,901 | 27.24% | ||
Libertarian | Steven Wilson | 877 | 2.41% |
Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
2024 | 26,686 | 66.46% | 12,874 | 32.06% | 592 | 1.47% |
2020 | 26,086 | 65.80% | 12,694 | 32.02% | 865 | 2.18% |
2016 | 24,616 | 65.37% | 10,913 | 28.98% | 2,127 | 5.65% |
2012 | 24,490 | 65.85% | 12,005 | 32.28% | 695 | 1.87% |
2008 | 24,385 | 62.79% | 13,959 | 35.95% | 490 | 1.26% |
2004 | 24,752 | 67.44% | 11,753 | 32.02% | 196 | 0.53% |
2000 | 20,167 | 61.53% | 12,056 | 36.78% | 552 | 1.68% |
1996 | 16,140 | 55.01% | 10,857 | 37.00% | 2,345 | 7.99% |
1992 | 15,270 | 48.78% | 10,201 | 32.59% | 5,833 | 18.63% |
1988 | 18,023 | 68.16% | 8,359 | 31.61% | 59 | 0.22% |
1984 | 20,366 | 75.24% | 6,702 | 24.76% | 0 | 0.00% |
1980 | 16,373 | 61.96% | 9,210 | 34.86% | 840 | 3.18% |
1976 | 14,370 | 63.86% | 7,949 | 35.32% | 184 | 0.82% |
1972 | 16,685 | 77.83% | 4,754 | 22.17% | 0 | 0.00% |
1968 | 11,575 | 60.55% | 5,916 | 30.95% | 1,625 | 8.50% |
1964 | 10,068 | 55.33% | 8,127 | 44.67% | 0 | 0.00% |
1960 | 9,763 | 53.36% | 8,532 | 46.64% | 0 | 0.00% |
1956 | 9,323 | 55.79% | 7,388 | 44.21% | 0 | 0.00% |
1952 | 9,700 | 56.36% | 7,507 | 43.62% | 3 | 0.02% |
1948 | 6,909 | 46.60% | 7,891 | 53.23% | 25 | 0.17% |
1944 | 7,364 | 50.76% | 7,139 | 49.21% | 4 | 0.03% |
1940 | 7,664 | 48.23% | 8,219 | 51.72% | 9 | 0.06% |
1936 | 6,180 | 40.91% | 8,831 | 58.46% | 95 | 0.63% |
1932 | 5,636 | 38.26% | 9,068 | 61.56% | 27 | 0.18% |
1928 | 6,637 | 50.54% | 6,481 | 49.35% | 15 | 0.11% |
1924 | 6,205 | 52.49% | 5,033 | 42.58% | 583 | 4.93% |
1920 | 5,878 | 58.31% | 4,167 | 41.34% | 36 | 0.36% |
1916 | 2,746 | 48.15% | 2,915 | 51.11% | 42 | 0.74% |
1912 | 2,103 | 43.22% | 2,447 | 50.29% | 316 | 6.49% |
1908 | 2,402 | 48.58% | 2,494 | 50.44% | 48 | 0.97% |
1904 | 2,081 | 47.48% | 2,244 | 51.20% | 58 | 1.32% |
1900 | 2,157 | 47.84% | 2,320 | 51.45% | 32 | 0.71% |
1896 | 2,033 | 47.53% | 2,198 | 51.39% | 46 | 1.08% |
1892 | 1,752 | 47.82% | 1,844 | 50.33% | 68 | 1.86% |
1888 | 1,708 | 48.13% | 1,824 | 51.39% | 17 | 0.48% |
Former U.S. Senator and President 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.