Cole County is located in the central part of the U.S. state of

Missouri Missouri is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most with Tennessee): Iowa to the north, Illinois, Kentucky and Tennessee to the east, Arkansas t ...

. As of the 2020 census, its population was 77,279. Its

county seat A county seat is an administrative center, seat of government, or capital city of a county or civil parish. The term is in use in Canada, China, Hungary, Romania, Taiwan, and the United States. The equivalent term shire town is used in the US ...

and largest city is Jefferson City, the state capital. The county was organized November 16, 1820 and named after pioneer William Temple Cole who built Cole's Fort in Boonville. Cole County is in the Jefferson City, MO

Metropolitan Statistical Area In the United States, a metropolitan statistical area (MSA) is a geographical region with a relatively high population density at its core and close economic ties throughout the area. Such regions are neither legally incorporated as a city or tow ...

. 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 United States Census Bureau (USCB), officially the Bureau of the Census, is a principal agency of the U.S. Federal Statistical System, responsible for producing data about the American people and economy. The Census Bureau is part of the ...

, the county has a total area of , of which is land and (2.0%) is water. It is the third-smallest county in Missouri by area.

Adjacent counties

* Boone County (north) * Callaway County (northeast) * Osage County (southeast) * Miller County (southwest) * Moniteau County (northwest)

Major highways

* U.S. Route 50 * U.S. Route 54 *

U.S. Route 63 U.S. Route 63 (US 63) is a , north–south United States Highway primarily in the Midwestern and Southern United States. The southern terminus of the route is at Interstate 20 (I-20) in Ruston, Louisiana; the northern terminus is at US ...

* Route 17 * Route 179

Demographics

As of the

census A census is the procedure of systematically acquiring, recording and calculating information about the members of a given population. This term is used mostly in connection with national population and housing censuses; other common censuses inc ...

of 2000, there were 71,397 people, 27,040 households, and 17,927 families residing in the county. The

population density Population density (in agriculture: standing stock or plant density) is a measurement of population per unit land area. It is mostly applied to humans, but sometimes to other living organisms too. It is a key geographical term.Matt RosenberPopu ...

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 White is the lightest color and is achromatic (having no hue). It is the color of objects such as snow, chalk, and milk, and is the opposite of black. White objects fully reflect and scatter all the visible wavelengths of light. White ...

, 9.92%

Black Black is a color which results from the absence or complete absorption of visible light. It is an achromatic color, without hue, like white and grey. It is often used symbolically or figuratively to represent darkness. Black and white ha ...

African American African Americans (also referred to as Black Americans and Afro-Americans) are an ethnic group consisting of Americans with partial or total ancestry from sub-Saharan Africa. The term "African American" generally denotes descendants of ens ...

, 0.33% Native American, 0.88% Asian, 0.04%

Pacific Islander Pacific Islanders, Pasifika, Pasefika, or rarely Pacificers are the peoples of the Pacific Islands. As an ethnic/ racial term, it is used to describe the original peoples—inhabitants and diasporas—of any of the three major subregions of O ...

, 0.54% from other races, and 1.23% from two or more races. Approximately 1.28% of the population were

Hispanic The term ''Hispanic'' ( es, hispano) refers to people, cultures, or countries related to Spain, the Spanish language, or Hispanidad. The term commonly applies to countries with a cultural and historical link to Spain and to viceroyalties for ...

or Latino of any race. 40.1% were of

German German(s) may refer to: * Germany (of or related to) **Germania (historical use) * Germans, citizens of Germany, people of German ancestry, or native speakers of the German language ** For citizens of Germany, see also German nationality law **Ge ...

, 13.6%

American American(s) may refer to: * American, something of, from, or related to the United States of America, commonly known as the "United States" or "America" ** Americans, citizens and nationals of the United States of America ** American ancestry, pe ...

, 7.8%

English English usually refers to: * English language * English people English may also refer to: Peoples, culture, and language * ''English'', an adjective for something of, from, or related to England ** English national ...

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 Marriage, also called matrimony or wedlock, is a culturally and often legally recognized union between people called spouses. It establishes rights and obligations between them, as well as between them and their children, and between ...

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 Per capita income (PCI) or total income measures the average income earned per person in a given area (city, region, country, etc.) in a specified year. It is calculated by dividing the area's total income by its total population. Per capita i ...

for the county was $20,739. About 5.80% of families and 8.70% of the population were below the

poverty line The poverty threshold, poverty limit, poverty line or breadline is the minimum level of income deemed adequate in a particular country. The poverty line is usually calculated by estimating the total cost of one year's worth of necessities for ...

, including 11.50% of those under age 18 and 7.30% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

Government and infrastructure

The Missouri Department of Corrections (MDOC) operates the

Jefferson City Correctional Center The Jefferson City Correctional Center (JCCC) is a maximum security prison in Jefferson City, Missouri operated by the Missouri Department of Corrections. It houses up to 1996 inmates, with a staff of 660. It is located at Jefferson City Corre ...

in Jefferson City.Jefferson City Correctional Center
" Missouri Department of Corrections. May 7, 2006. Retrieved on September 18, 2010. The current JCCC was opened on September 15, 2004, replacing the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City.

Education

Public schools

*Blair Oaks R-II School District – Jefferson City **Blair Oaks Elementary School (K-04) **Blair Oaks Middle School (05-08) **Blair Oaks High School (09-12) *Cole County R-I School District – Russellville **Cole County R-I Elementary School (PK-05) **Cole County R-I Middle School (06-08) **Russellville High School (09-12) *Cole County R-V School District – Eugene **Eugene Elementary School (PK-06) **Eugene High School (07-12) * Jefferson City Public School District – Jefferson City **Southwest Early Childhood Education Center (PK) **Southwest Elementary School (K-05) **Callaway Hills Elementary School (K-05) – Holts Summit **South Elementary School (K-05) **Thorpe J. Gordon 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 (PK-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)

Private schools

*Central Baptist Christian Academy – Jefferson City (K-12) –

Baptist Baptists form a major branch of Protestantism distinguished by baptizing professing Christian believers only ( believer's baptism), and doing so by complete immersion. Baptist churches also generally subscribe to the doctrines of soul c ...

(Emphasis on Special Education) *Concord Christian School – Jefferson City (K-06) –

*Immaculate Conception School – Jefferson City (K-09) –

Roman Catholic Roman or Romans most often refers to: * Rome, the capital city of Italy *Ancient Rome, Roman civilization from 8th century BC to 5th century AD * Roman people, the people of ancient Rome *'' Epistle to the Romans'', shortened to ''Romans'', a let ...

*Immanuel Lutheran School – Jefferson City (K-09) –

Lutheran Lutheranism is one of the largest branches of Protestantism, identifying primarily with the theology of Martin Luther, the 16th-century German monk and reformer whose efforts to reform the theology and practice of the Catholic Church launched ...

*Kids in Montessori School – Jefferson City (K-02) – Nonsectarian *Lighthouse Preparatory Academy – Jefferson City (06-12) – Nonsectarian *Moreau Montessori School – Jefferson City (PK-05) – Nonsectarian *St. Francis Xavier School –

Taos Taos or TAOS may refer to: Places * Taos, Missouri, a city in Cole County, Missouri, United States * Taos County, New Mexico, United States ** Taos, New Mexico, a city, the county seat of Taos County, New Mexico *** Taos art colony, an art colo ...

(K-09) –

*St. Joseph Cathedral School – Jefferson City (PK-08) –

*St. Martin School – St. Martins (K-09) –

*St. Peter Interparish School – Jefferson City (K-09) –

*St. Stanislaus Catholic School – Wardsville (K-09) –

*Trinity Lutheran School – Jefferson City (PK-09) –

*St. Thomas The Apostle School – Saint Thomas (K-09) –

*Calvary Lutheran High School – Jefferson City (09-12) –

* Helias Catholic High School – Jefferson City (09-12) –

Post-secondary education

* Lincoln University – Jefferson City – A public, four-year historically black university.

Public libraries

*Missouri River Regional Library

Politics

Local

The

Republican Party Republican Party is a name used by many political parties around the world, though the term most commonly refers to the United States' Republican Party. Republican Party may also refer to: Africa * Republican Party (Liberia) *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.

State

Cole County is divided into five legislative districts in the Missouri 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. *District 50 — Sara Walsh. Consists of unincorporated areas in the northwest corner of the county. *District 59 — Rudy Veit (R- Jefferson City). Consists of the communities of Centertown, Eugene, Lohman, Russellville, St. Martins, Taos, and Wardsville. *District 60 — Dave Griffith (R- Jefferson City) Consists of the city of Jefferson City. *District 62 �
Tom Hurst
(R-

Meta Meta (from the Greek μετά, '' meta'', meaning "after" or "beyond") is a prefix meaning "more comprehensive" or "transcending". In modern nomenclature, ''meta''- can also serve as a prefix meaning self-referential, as a field of study or end ...

) Consists of the community of St. Thomas. Cole County is a part of Missouri's 6th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Mike Bernskoetter (R- Jefferson City).

Federal

All of Cole County is included in

Missouri's 3rd congressional district Missouri's third congressional district is in the eastern and central portion of the state. It surrounds but does not include St Louis City. Its current representative is Republican Blaine Luetkemeyer. The district took its current form in 20 ...

and is currently represented by Blaine Luetkemeyer (R- Saint Elizabeth) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Political culture

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

Former

U.S. Senator The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States. The composition and power ...

and

President President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university * President (government title) President may also refer to: Automobiles * Nissan President, a 1966–2010 Japanese ...

Barack Obama Barack Hussein Obama II ( ; born August 4, 1961) is an American politician who served as the 44th president of the United States from 2009 to 2017. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party, Obama was the first Af ...

(D-

Illinois Illinois ( ) is a state in the Midwestern United States. Its largest metropolitan areas include the Chicago metropolitan area, and the Metro East section, of Greater St. Louis. Other smaller metropolitan areas include, Peoria and Rock ...

) 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.

Communities

Cities

* Jefferson City (county seat and state capital; a small portion extends into Callaway County) * Lohman * Russellville * St. Martins * St. Thomas *

Villages

* Centertown * Wardsville

Unincorporated communities

* Apache Flats *

Bass Bass or Basses may refer to: Fish * Bass (fish), various saltwater and freshwater species Music * Bass (sound), describing low-frequency sound or one of several instruments in the bass range: ** Bass (instrument), including: ** Acoustic bass gui ...

* Brazito * Elston * Eugene *

Henley Henley may refer to: Places United Kingdom * Henley, Dorset, a location * Henley, Gloucestershire, a location * Henley-on-Thames, a town in South Oxfordshire, England ** Henley (UK Parliament constituency) ** Henley Rural District, a former ru ...

* Hickory Hill * Honey Creek * Marion * Millbrook * Osage Bend * Osage Bluff * Osage City * Schubert *

Scott Scott may refer to: Places Canada * Scott, Quebec, municipality in the Nouvelle-Beauce regional municipality in Quebec * Scott, Saskatchewan, a town in the Rural Municipality of Tramping Lake No. 380 * Rural Municipality of Scott No. 98, Sask ...

* Scrivner * Stringtown

Education

School districts include:
Text list
/ref> * Blair Oaks R-II School District * Cole County R-I School District * Cole County R-V School District * Jamestown C-1 School District * Jefferson City Public Schools

References

External links

Cole County government's websiteMissouri River Regional Library

from

University of Missouri The University of Missouri (Mizzou, MU, or Missouri) is a public land-grant research university in Columbia, Missouri. It is Missouri's largest university and the flagship of the four-campus University of Missouri System. MU was founded in ...

Division of Special Collections, Archives, and Rare Books {{Coord, 38.51, -92.28, display=title, type:adm2nd_region:US-MO_source:UScensus1990 1820 establishments in Missouri Territory Populated places established in 1820 Missouri Rhineland Jefferson City metropolitan area Missouri counties on the Missouri River

Geography

Adjacent counties

Major highways

Demographics

2020 Census

Government and infrastructure

Education

Public schools

Private schools

Post-secondary education

Public libraries

Politics

Local

State

Federal

Political culture

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

Communities

Cities

Villages

Unincorporated communities

See also

Education

References

Further reading

External links