Cole County | |
---|---|
Coordinates: 38°31′N92°17′W / 38.51°N 92.28°W | |
Country | United States |
State | Missouri |
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 | 26,649 | 66.53% | 12,842 | 32.06% | 567 | 1.42% |
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.
St. Francois County is a county in the Lead Belt region in the U.S. state of Missouri. At the 2020 census, the population was 66,922. The largest city and county seat is Farmington. The county was officially organized on December 19, 1821. It was named after the St. Francis River. The origin of the river's name is unclear. It may refer to St. Francis of Assisi. Another possibility is that Jacques Marquette, a Jesuit who explored the region in 1673, named the river for the Jesuit missionary Francis Xavier; Marquette had spent some time at the mission of St. François Xavier before his voyage and, as a Jesuit, was unlikely to have given the river a name honoring the Franciscans.
Scott County is a county located in the southeastern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 38,059. Its county seat is Benton. The county was organized in 1821 and named for U.S. Representative John Scott, the first federal representative from Missouri. Scott County comprises the Sikeston, MO Micropolitan Statistical Area, which is also included in the Cape Girardeau-Sikeston, MO-IL Combined Statistical Area. The county is home to Scott County Central High School, which has won 18 state championships in boys basketball—the most of any high school in the state.
Platte County is a county located in the northwestern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri and is part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 106,718. Its county seat is Platte City. The county was organized December 31, 1838, from the Platte Purchase, named for the Platte River. The Kansas City International Airport is located in the county, approximately one mile west of Interstate 29 between mile markers 12 and 15. The land for the airport was originally in an unincorporated portion of Platte County before being annexed by Platte City, and eventually Kansas City.
Osage County is a county in the central part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 13,274. Its county seat is Linn. The county was organized January 29, 1841, and named from the Osage River.
Morgan County is a county located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 21,006. Its county seat is Versailles. The county was organized January 5, 1833, and named for General Daniel Morgan of the American Revolutionary War.
Moniteau County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 15,473. Its county seat is California. The county was organized February 14, 1845, and named for the Moniteau Creek. 'Moniteau' is a French spelling of Manitou, Algonquian for the Great Spirit.
Miller County is a county located in the northern Ozarks region of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 24,722. Its county seat is Tuscumbia. The county was organized February 6, 1837, and named for John Miller, former U.S. Representative and Governor of Missouri.
Maries County is a county located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, its population was 8,432. Its county seat is Vienna. The county was organized March 2, 1855, and named for the Maries River and Little Maries River. The word "Maries" is derived from the French word marais, which means "marsh, lake, or pond".
Lawrence County is located in the southwest portion of the U.S. state of Missouri, in the area of the Ozarks. As of the 2020 census, the population was 38,001. Its county seat is Mount Vernon. The county was organized in 1845 and named for James Lawrence, a naval officer from the War of 1812 known for his battle cry, "Don't give up the ship!"
Lafayette County is a county in the western portion of Missouri, part of the Kansas City metropolitan area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 32,984. Its county seat is Lexington. The county was organized November 16, 1820, from Cooper County and originally named Lillard County for James Lillard of Tennessee, who served in the first state constitutional convention and first state legislature. It was renamed Lafayette County on February 16, 1825, in honor of Revolutionary War hero the Marquis de La Fayette, who was then visiting the United States.
Jefferson County is located in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. It is a part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Area. As of the 2020 census, the population was 226,739, making it the sixth-most populous county in Missouri. Its county seat is Hillsboro. The county was organized in 1818 and named in honor of former president Thomas Jefferson. In 1980, according to the U.S. census held that year, the county contained the mean center of U.S. population. Notably, this was the first census in which the center of population was west of the Mississippi River. Jefferson County is part of the St. Louis Metropolitan Statistical Area and encompasses many of the city's southern suburbs.
Jasper County is located in the southwest portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 122,761. Its county seat is Carthage, and its largest city is Joplin. The county was organized in 1841 and named for William Jasper, a hero of the American Revolutionary War.
Greene County is located in the southwest part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, its population was 298,915. making it the fourth most-populous county in Missouri.
Gasconade County is a county located in the east-central portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 14,794. The county seat has been Hermann since 1842. The county was named after the Gasconade River.
Cooper County is located in the central portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 United States census, the population was 17,103. Its county seat is Boonville. The county was organized December 17, 1818, and named for Sarshell Cooper, a frontier settler who was killed by Native Americans near Arrow Rock in 1814. It is a part of the Columbia, Missouri metropolitan area.
Buchanan County is located in the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 United States Census, the population was 84,793. Its county seat is St. Joseph. When originally formed in 1838, the county was named Roberts County, after settler Hiram Roberts. It was renamed in 1839 for James Buchanan, then a U.S. Senator and later President of the United States. The county was formed from land annexed to Missouri, as were five other counties. Buchanan County is included in the Kansas City CSA.
Boone County is located in the U.S. state of Missouri. Centrally located the state's Mid-Missouri region, its county seat is in Columbia, which is Missouri's fourth-largest city and location of the University of Missouri. As of the 2020 U.S. Census, the county's population was listed as 183,610, making it the state's eighth-most populous county. The county was organized November 16, 1820, removed from the former larger Howard County of the old federal Missouri Territory of 1812-1821, and named for the famous Western explorer and settler of Kentucky, then recently deceased Daniel Boone (1734-1820), whose kin largely populated the Boonslick area, having arrived in the 1810s on the Boone's Lick Road.
Benton County is a county located in the west central part of the U.S. state of Missouri. The population was 19,394 as of the 2020 Census. Its county seat is Warsaw. The county was organized January 3, 1835, and named for U.S. Senator Thomas Hart Benton of Missouri.
St. Charles County is a county in the central eastern part of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 405,262, making it Missouri's third-most populous county. Its county seat is St. Charles. The county was organized October 1, 1812, and named for Saint Charles Borromeo, an Italian cardinal.
The Jefferson City metropolitan statistical area, as defined by the United States Census Bureau, is an area consisting of four counties – Cole, Callaway, Moniteau, and Osage – in central Missouri anchored by the city of Jefferson City. As of the 2020 census, the MSA had a population of 150,316. The Jefferson City MSA consists of four counties, and borders the Columbia metropolitan area to the north.