Cole County, MO

County

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2021 Population

77,412

1.02% 1-year growth

US Senator

Josh Hawley

Republican Party

US Senator

Eric Schmitt

Republican Party

2021 Median Age

39.1

0.256% 1-year increase

2021 Poverty Rate

9.5%

0.452% 1-year decrease

2021 Median Household Income

$64,715

5.77% 1-year growth

2021 Median Property Value

$174,700

2.95% 1-year growth

2021 Employed Population

38,258

1.57% 1-year growth

About

In 2021, Cole County, MO had a population of 77.4k people with a median age of 39.1 and a median household income of $64,715. Between 2020 and 2021 the population of Cole County, MO grew from 76,630 to 77,412, a 1.02% increase and its median household income grew from $61,184 to $64,715, a 5.77% increase.

The 5 largest ethnic groups in Cole County, MO are White (Non-Hispanic) (80.6%), Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) (11.7%), Two+ (Non-Hispanic) (2.52%), White (Hispanic) (2.12%), and Asian (Non-Hispanic) (1.49%).

None of the households in Cole County, MO reported speaking a non-English language at home as their primary shared language. This does not consider the potential multi-lingual nature of households, but only the primary self-reported language spoken by all members of the household.

98.9% of the residents in Cole County, MO are U.S. citizens.

The largest universities in Cole County, MO are Lincoln University (177940) (312 degrees awarded in 2021) and Missouri College of Cosmetology and Esthetics (37 degrees).

In 2021, the median property value in Cole County, MO was $174,700, and the homeownership rate was 67.6%.

Most people in Cole County, MO drove alone to work, and the average commute time was 18.1 minutes. The average car ownership in Cole County, MO was 2 cars per household.

Cole County, MO borders Boone County, MO, Callaway County, MO, Miller County, MO, Moniteau County, MO, and Osage County, MO.

United States Missouri Jefferson City, MO

Population & Diversity

Cole County, MO is home to a population of 77.4k people, from which 98.9% are citizens. As of 2021, 2.56% of Cole County, MO residents were born outside of the country (1.98k people).

In 2021, there were 6.89 times more White (Non-Hispanic) residents (62.4k people) in Cole County, MO than any other race or ethnicity. There were 9.07k Black or African American (Non-Hispanic) and 1.95k Two+ (Non-Hispanic) residents, the second and third most common ethnic groups.

Population & Diversity

Citizenship

98.9%

2021 Citizenship

98.6%

2020 Citizenship

As of 2021, 98.9% of Cole County, MO residents were US citizens, which is higher than the national average of 93.4%. In 2020, the percentage of US citizens in Cole County, MO was 98.6%, meaning that the rate of citizenship has been increasing.

The following chart shows US citizenship percentages in Cole County, MO compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Diversity

Race and Ethnicity

The 3 largest ethnic groups in Cole County, MO

White (Non-Hispanic)
62.4k ± 324
Black or African American (Non-Hispanic)
9.07k ± 337
Two+ (Non-Hispanic)
1.95k ± 409

2.96%

Hispanic Population

2.29k people

2.96% of the people in Cole County, MO are hispanic (2.29k people).

The following chart shows the 7 races represented in Cole County, MO as a share of the total population.

Global Diversity

The PUMS dataset is not available at the County level, so we are showing data for Missouri.

Most Common Origin

Mexico
38,663 ± 4,812 people
India
21,758 ± 3,615 people
China
18,328 ± 3,319 people

In 2021, the most common birthplace for the foreign-born residents of Missouri was Mexico, the natal country of 38,663 Missouri residents, followed by India with 21,758 and China with 18,328.

Foreign-Born Population

2.56%

2021 Foreign-Born Population

1.98k people

2020 Foreign-Born Population

2.3k people

As of 2021, 2.56% of Cole County, MO residents (1.98k people) were born outside of the United States, which is lower than the national average of 13.6%. In 2020, the percentage of foreign-born citizens in Cole County, MO was 3%, meaning that the rate has been decreasing.

The following chart shows the percentage of foreign-born residents in Cole County, MO compared to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Military

Veterans

Most Common Service Period

Vietnam
1,875 ± 290
Gulf War (2001-)
1,085 ± 293
Gulf War (1990s)
763 ± 193

Cole County, MO has a large population of military personnel who served in Vietnam, 1.73 times greater than any other conflict.

Economy

The economy of Cole County, MO employs 38.3k people. The largest industries in Cole County, MO are Public Administration (6,108 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,951 people), and Retail Trade (4,484 people), and the highest paying industries are Utilities ($88,250), Mining, Quarrying, & Oil & Gas Extraction ($71,250), and Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($57,011).

Males in Missouri have an average income that is 1.34 times higher than the average income of females, which is $51,079. The income inequality in Missouri (measured using the Gini index) is 0.457, which is lower than than the national average.

Employment

Occupations

38.3k

2021 Value

± 1,538

1.57%

1 Year growth

± 5.69%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Cole County, MO grew at a rate of 1.57%, from 37.7k employees to 38.3k employees.

The most common job groups, by number of people living in Cole County, MO, are Office & Administrative Support Occupations (5,304 people), Management Occupations (3,962 people), and Sales & Related Occupations (3,508 people). This chart illustrates the share breakdown of the primary jobs held by residents of Cole County, MO.

Unemployment Insurance Claims

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

This chart shows weekly unemployment insurance claims in Missouri (not-seasonally adjusted) compared with the four states with the most similar impact.

The most recent data point uses Advance State Claims data, which can be revised in subsequent weeks.

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Industries

Employment by Industries

38.3k

2021 Value

± 1,538

1.57%

1 Year growth

± 5.69%

From 2020 to 2021, employment in Cole County, MO grew at a rate of 1.57%, from 37.7k employees to 38.3k employees.

The most common employment sectors for those who live in Cole County, MO, are Public Administration (6,108 people), Health Care & Social Assistance (4,951 people), and Retail Trade (4,484 people). This chart shows the share breakdown of the primary industries for residents of Cole County, MO, though some of these residents may live in Cole County, MO and work somewhere else. Census data is tagged to a residential address, not a work address.

Median Earnings by Industry

$44,902

Median earning men ± $2,669

$34,298

Median earning women ± $1,669

The industries with the best median earnings for men in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($60,417), Transportation & Warehousing, & Utilities ($57,955), and Finance & Insurance, & Real Estate & Rental & Leasing ($54,716).

The industries with the best median earnings for women in 2021 are Agriculture, Forestry, Fishing & Hunting, & Mining ($55,577), Professional, Scientific, & Management, & Administrative & Waste Management Services ($44,550), and Public Administration ($42,478).

Employment by Industry Sector

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for false.

Y-Axis

2.75%

Year-over-year growth

Employment change between February 2022 and February 2023

As of February 2023, there are 155M people employed in Missouri. This represents a 2.75% increase in employment when compared to February 2022.

The following chart shows monthly employment numbers for each industry sector in Missouri.

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Establishments by Size

The industries with the most establishments

929
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
629
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing
539
Other Services, Except Public Administration

The visualization shows the distribution of establishments by industry and by size according to the number of employees.

Payroll by Industry Sector

The industries with the highest total annual payroll

$781k
Educational Services, Health Care & Social Assistance
$423k
Manufacturing
$413k
Finance & Insurance, and Real Estate, Rental & Leasing

The chart shows the total annual payroll and the average annual payroll by industry.

Domestic Trade

Domestic Production & Consumption

Domestic production and consumption consists of products and services shipped from Missouri to other states, or from other states to Missouri.

Top Domestic Production in Dollars

In 2020, the top outbound Missouri product (by dollars) was Motorized vehicles with $32.3B, followed by Mixed freight ($30.8B) and Pharmaceuticals ($30.3B).

The following chart shows the share of these products in relation to all outbound Missouri products.

Domestic Trade Growth

Showing data for Missouri.

$303B

2020 Value in Missouri

$614B

Projected 2050 Value in Missouri

103% growth

In 2020, total outbound Missouri trade was $303B. This is expected to increase 103% to $614B by 2050.

The following chart shows how the domestic outbound Missouri trade is projected to change in comparison to its neighboring states.

Interstate Trade

Interstate trade consists of products and services shipped from Missouri to other states, or from other states to Missouri.

Most Common Trade Partners

Illinois
$24.9B
Kansas
$14.6B
Texas
$14.6B

In 2020, the top outbound Missouri domestic partner for goods and services (by dollars) was Illinois with $24.9B, followed by Kansas with $14.6B and Texas and $14.6B.

The following map shows the amount of trade that Missouri shares with each state (excluding itself).

Civics

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Cole County, MO went to Donald J. Trump with 66% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (32.1%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.53%).

Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt are the senators currently representing the state of Missouri. In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

Missouri is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house, and members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms.

Presidential Elections

Presidential Popular Vote Over Time

2020 Election Results

Donald J. Trump (66%)
Republican Party
Joseph R Biden Jr. (32.1%)
Democratic Party
Jo Jorgensen (1.53%)
Libertarian Party

In the 2020 presidential election, the popular vote in Cole County, MO went to Donald J. Trump with 66% of the vote. The runner-up was Joseph R Biden Jr. (32.1%), followed by Jo Jorgensen (1.53%).

The following chart shows the popular vote results in Cole County, MO for each registered party from 1976 to 2020.

Senator Elections

US Senators from Missouri

Senatorial voting results are only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.

Josh Hawley

Senator from Missouri

Assumed office on January 3, 2019

Eric Schmitt

Senator from Missouri

Assumed office on January 3, 2023

Josh Hawley and Eric Schmitt are the senators currently representing Missouri.

In the United States, senators are elected to 6-year terms with the terms for individual senators staggered.

The following chart shows elected senators in Missouri over time, excluding special elections, colored by their political party.

US Representative Elections

US Representatives from Missouri

Missouri is currently represented by 8 members in the U.S. house.

Members of the House of Representives are elected to 2-year terms, and the following chart shows the how the members for Missouri have changed over time starting in 2008.

Education

In 2021, universities in Cole County, MO awarded 349 degrees. The student population of Cole County, MO in 2021 is skewed towards women, with 731 male students and 1,131 female students.

Most students graduating from Universities in Cole County, MO are White (169 and 50.8%), followed by Black or African American (123 and 36.9%), Unknown (17 and 5.11%), and Two or More Races (12 and 3.6%).

The largest universities in Cole County, MO by number of degrees awarded are Lincoln University (177940) (312 and 89.4%) and Missouri College of Cosmetology and Esthetics (37 and 10.6%).

The most popular majors in Cole County, MO are Registered Nursing (43 and 12.3%), General Business Administration & Management (32 and 9.17%), and General Food, Nutrition, & Wellness Studies (26 and 7.45%).

The median tuition cost in Cole County, MO for a public four year colleges is $6,720 for in-state students and $13,710 for out-of-state students.

Admissions & Enrollments

Enrollments by Gender and Races

In 2021 there were 1,862 students enrolled in Cole County, MO, 39.3% men and 60.7% women.

By race, the largest number of students enrolled was concentrated in Black or African American with 825 records, of which 57.1% were women and 42.9% men.

Completions

Concentrations

Most Common

General Food, Nutrition, & Wellness Studies
26 degree-majors awarded
General Business Administration & Management
22 degree-majors awarded
Registered Nursing
28 degree-majors awarded

In 2021, the most common concentation for Bachelors Degree recipients in Cole County, MO was General Food, Nutrition, & Wellness Studies with 26 degrees awarded.

This visualization illustrates the percentage of students graduating with a Bachelors Degree from schools in Cole County, MO according to their major.

Universities

Gender

Race

Largest Universities by degrees awarded

Lincoln University (177940)
312 degrees awarded
Missouri College of Cosmetology and Esthetics
37 degrees awarded

In 2021, the institution with the largest number of graduating students was Lincoln University (177940) with 312 degrees awarded.

Student Diversity

In 2021, 101 men were awarded degrees from institutions in Cole County, MO, which is 0.407 times less than the 248 female students who received degrees in the same year.

In 2021 the most common race/ethnicity group awarded degrees at institutions was White students. These 169 degrees mean that there were 1.37 times more degrees awarded to White students then the next closest race/ethnicity group, Black or African American, with 123 degrees awarded.

Awarded Degrees over Time

The graph shows the evolution of awarded degrees by degrees. Under the paragraphs, the average number of awarded degrees by university in each degree is shown.

Tuition

Average Net Price by Sector

Public, 4-year or above ($6,720) is the sector with the highest median state tuition in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($1,650) is the sector with the highest median state fee in 2021.

Public, 4-year or above ($2,000) is the sector with the highest average net price of books and supplies.

The graph shows the average net price by sector and year.

Working Population

Educational Pyramid

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.

Measure

In 2021, 0.644% of men over 25 years of age had not completed any academic degree (no schooling), while 0.544% of women were in the same situation.

This visualization shows the gender distribution of the population according to the academic level reached.

Educational Attainment

Data is only available at the state level. Showing data for Missouri.

Race

The most common educational levels obtained by the working population in 2021 were High School or Equivalent (1.47M), Some college (1.12M), and Bachelors Degree (844k).

This visualization illustrates the percentage distribution of the population according to the highest educational level reached. You can filter the data by race by using the selector above.

Housing & Living

The median property value in Cole County, MO was $174,700 in 2021, which is 0.713 times smaller than the national average of $244,900. Between 2020 and 2021 the median property value increased from $169,700 to $174,700, a 2.95% increase. The homeownership rate in Cole County, MO is 67.6%, which is approximately the same as the national average of 64.6%.

People in Cole County, MO have an average commute time of 18.1 minutes, and they drove alone to work. Car ownership in Cole County, MO is approximately the same as the national average, with an average of 2 cars per household.

Median household income in Cole County, MO is $64,715. In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income in Cole County, MO was Census Tract 202 with a value of $101,078, followed by Census Tract 201.98 and Census Tract 206, with respective values of $94,074 and $77,868.

In 2022, 9.06% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Cole County, MO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.559%.

Housing

Property

$174,700

Median Property Value 2021

±$6,302

$20,198

Median Property Taxes

±$957

The following chart display owner-occupied housing units distributed between a series of property tax buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. In Cole County, MO the largest share of households pay taxes in the $800 - $1,499 range.

The chart underneath the paragraph shows the property taxes in Cole County, MO compared to it's parent and neighbor geographies.

Rent vs Own

67.6%

Homeownership

2021

66.3%

Homeowners with Mortgage

2021

In 2021, 67.6% of the housing units in Cole County, MO were occupied by their owner. This percentage grew from the previous year's rate of 67.1%.

This chart shows the percentage of owner in Cole County, MO compared it's parent and neighboring geographies.

Equity

Income by Location

Use the dropdown to filter by race/ethnicity.

Race/Ethnicity

Highest Median Household Income (Total)

Census Tract 202
Census Tract 201.98
Census Tract 206

In 2021, the tract with the highest Median Household Income (Total) in Cole County, MO was Census Tract 202 with a value of $101,078, followed by Census Tract 201.98 and Census Tract 206, with respective values of $94,074 and $77,868.

The following map shows all of the tracts in Cole County, MO colored by their Median Household Income (Total).

Household Income

Please note that the buckets used in this visualization were not evenly distributed by ACS when publishing the data.

$64,715

Median Household Income

± $2,365

29.9k

Number of Households

± 1,313

In 2021, the median household income of the 29.9k households in Cole County, MO grew to $64,715 from the previous year's value of $61,184.

The following chart displays the households in Cole County, MO distributed between a series of income buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households have an income in the $75k - $100k range.

Wage Distribution

The closest comparable wage GINI for Cole County, MO is from Missouri.

0.457

2021 Wage GINI in Missouri

0.457

2020 Wage GINI in Missouri

In 2021, the income inequality in Missouri was 0.457 according to the GINI calculation of the wage distribution. Income inequality had a 0.0667% growth from 2020 to 2021, which means that wage distribution grew somewhat less even. The GINI for Missouri was lower than than the national average of 0.478. In other words, wages are distributed more evenly in Missouri in comparison to the national average.

This chart shows the number of workers in Missouri across various wage buckets compared to the national average.

Transportation

Commuter Transportation

Most Common Commute in 2021

Drove Alone (83.4%)
Carpooled (8.63%)
Worked At Home (4.69%)

In 2021, 83.4% of workers in Cole County, MO drove alone to work, followed by those who carpooled to work (8.63%) and those who worked at home (4.69%).

The following chart shows the number of households using each mode of transportation over time, using a logarithmic scale on the y-axis to help better show variations in the smaller means of commuting.

Commute Time

18.1 minutes

Average Travel Time

Using averages, employees in Cole County, MO have a shorter commute time (18.1 minutes) than the normal US worker (26.8 minutes). Additionally, 1.49% of the workforce in Cole County, MO have "super commutes" in excess of 90 minutes.

The chart below shows how the median household income in Cole County, MO compares to that of it's neighboring and parent geographies.

Car Ownership

2 cars

Average Number

The following chart displays the households in Cole County, MO distributed between a series of car ownership buckets compared to the national averages for each bucket. The largest share of households in Cole County, MO have 2 cars.

Poverty

Severe Housing Problems

In 2022, 9.06% of the population was living with severe housing problems in Cole County, MO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator grew 0.559%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the population living with severe housing problems.

Poverty & Diversity

9.5% of the population for whom poverty status is determined in Cole County, MO (6.91k out of 72.7k people) live below the poverty line, a number that is lower than the national average of 12.6%. The largest demographic living in poverty are Females 25 - 34, followed by Females 55 - 64 and then Females 18 - 24.

The most common racial or ethnic group living below the poverty line in Cole County, MO is White, followed by Black and Two Or More.

The Census Bureau uses a set of money income thresholds that vary by family size and composition to determine who classifies as impoverished. If a family's total income is less than the family's threshold than that family and every individual in it is considered to be living in poverty.

Children in Poverty

In 2022, 10.7% of the children was living in poverty in Cole County, MO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 7.1%.

The graph shows the trend of the percentage of the children living in poverty.

Social Needs

Data only available at the state level.

Most prevalent states

California
35,798 individuals
New York
5,087 individuals
Florida
4,915 individuals

In 2017, California had the highest estimated number of chronically homeless individuals in the nation, at 35,798. New York has the second highest (5,087), followed by Florida (4,915).

The following map shows the estimated number of chronically homeless individuals by state over multiple years.

Security

Crimes & Accidents

Indicator

In 2022, the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population was 257 in Cole County, MO. From 2014 to 2022, the indicator declined 129 per 100,000 population.

The graph shows the trend in the number of reported violent crimes offenses per 100,000 population.

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Health

92.9% of the population of Cole County, MO has health coverage, with 57.9% on employee plans, 9.57% on Medicaid, 13.1% on Medicare, 10.4% on non-group plans, and 1.85% on military or VA plans.

Primary care physicians in Cole County, MO see 1535 patients per year on average, which represents a 1.93% increase from the previous year (1506 patients). Compare this to dentists who see 1555 patients per year, and mental health providers who see 465 patients per year.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.4% were men and 52.6% were women.

Coverage

Patient to Clinician Ratios

1,535 to 1

Patient to Primary Care Physician Ratio in Cole County, MO

Primary care physicians in Cole County, MO see an average of 1,535 patients per year. This represents a 1.93% increase from the previous year (1,506 patients).

The following chart shows how the number of patients seen by primary care physicians has been changing over time in Cole County, MO in comparison to its neighboring geographies.

Health Care Diversity

In 2021, insured persons according to age ranges were distributed in 24.9% under 18 years, 20.2% between 18 and 34 years, 38% between 35 and 64 years, and 16.9% over 64 years.

By gender, of the total number of insured persons, 47.4% were men and 52.6% were women.

The following chart shows the number of people with health coverage by gender.

Uninsured People

7.11%

Uninsured

57.9%

Employer Coverage

9.57%

Medicaid

13.1%

Medicare

10.4%

Non-Group

1.85%

Military or VA

Between 2020 and 2021, the percent of uninsured citizens in Cole County, MO grew by 0.175% from 7.1% to 7.11%.

The following chart shows how the percent of uninsured individuals in Cole County, MO changed over time compared with the percent of individuals enrolled in various types of health insurance.

Health Indicators

Health Outcomes

Indicator

In 2022, the number of deaths among residents under age 18 per 100,000 population was 52.7 in Cole County, MO.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Cole County, MO.

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Health Behaviors

Indicator

In 2022, the percentage of the adult population (age 18 and older) that reports a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 30 kg/m2 (age-adjusted) was 34.9% in Cole County, MO.

The graphic shows the trend of the indicator in Cole County, MO.

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