Cole County, Missouri
County in Missouri, United States
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 most populous 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, Missouri | |
|---|---|
The Cole County Courthouse in Jefferson City | |
 Seal | |
 Location within the U.S. state of Missouri | |
| Coordinates: 38°31′N 92°17′W | |
| Country |  United States |
| State |  Missouri |
| Founded | 1820 |
| Named after | William Temple 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 |
• Estimate (2025) | 77,908  |
| • Density | 196/sq mi (75.7/km2) |
| Time zone | UTC−6 (Central) |
| • Summer (DST) | UTC−5 (CDT) |
| Congressional district | 3rd |
| Website | www |
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]
Geography
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.
Adjacent counties
- Boone County (north)
- Callaway County (northeast)
- Osage County (southeast)
- Miller County (southwest)
- Moniteau County (northwest)
Major highways
Demographics
| 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% | |
| 2025 (est.) | 77,908 | [6] | 0.8% |
| U.S. Decennial Census[7] 1790-1960[8] 1900-1990[9] 1990-2000[10] 2010-2015[11] | |||
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.[12]
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.[13]
65.7% of residents lived in urban areas, while 34.3% lived in rural areas.[14]
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.[12]
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%.[12]
| Race / Ethnicity (NH = Non-Hispanic) | Pop 1980[15] | Pop 1990[16] | Pop 2000[17] | Pop 2010[18] | Pop 2020[19] | % 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 [20] | x [21] | 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 [22] | x [23] | 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[24] 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.
Infrastructure
The Missouri Department of Corrections (MDOC) operates the Jefferson City Correctional Center in Jefferson City.[25][26] The current JCCC was opened on September 15, 2004, replacing the Missouri State Penitentiary in Jefferson City.[25]
Education
School districts including sections of the county, no matter how slight, even if the relevant schools and/or administration buildings in another county:[27]
- 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
Public schools
- Blair Oaks R-II School District – Jefferson City[28]
- Blair Oaks Elementary School (K-02)
- Blair Oaks Intermediate School (03-05)
- Blair Oaks Middle School (06-08)
- Blair Oaks High School (09-12)
- Cole County R-I School District – Russellville[29]
- Cole County R-I Elementary School (PK-06)
- Russellville Junior/Senior High School (07-12)
- Cole County R-V School District – Eugene[30]
- Eugene Elementary School (PK-06)
- Eugene High School (07-12)
- Jefferson City Public School District – Jefferson City[31]
- Southwest Early Childhood Education Center (PK)
- Callaway Hills Elementary School (K-05) – Holts Summit
- South Elementary School (K-05)
- Thorpe J. Gordon STEM 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 (K-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
- Immaculate Conception School – Jefferson City (PK-08) – Roman Catholic
- Immanuel Lutheran School – Jefferson City (PK-08) – Lutheran
- Moreau Montessori School – Jefferson City (PK-03) – Nonsectarian
- River Oak Christian Academy– Jefferson City (PK-08) – Nondenominational Christian[32]
- St. Francis Xavier School – Taos (K-08) – Roman Catholic
- St. Joseph Cathedral School – Jefferson City (PK-08) – Roman Catholic
- St. Martin School – St. Martins (K-08) – Roman Catholic
- St. Peter Interparish School – Jefferson City (PK-08) – Roman Catholic
- St. Stanislaus Catholic School – Wardsville (K-08) – Roman Catholic
- St. Thomas The Apostle School – Saint Thomas (PK-08) – Roman Catholic
- Trinity Lutheran School – Jefferson City (PK-08) – Lutheran
- Calvary Lutheran High School – Jefferson City (09-12) – Lutheran[33]
- Helias Catholic High School – Jefferson City (09-12) – Roman Catholic
- Lighthouse Preparatory Academy – Jefferson City (PK-12) – Nondenominational Christian
Post-secondary education
- Lincoln University – Jefferson City – A public, four-year historically black university.
Public libraries
- Missouri River Regional Library[34]
Communities
Cities
- Jefferson City (county seat and state capital; a small portion extends into Callaway County)
- Lohman
- Russellville
- St. Martins
- St. Thomas
- Taos
Villages
Census-designated place
Unincorporated communities
Government and politics
Political culture
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.[35] The initiative passed the state with 71 percent of support from voters;[36] Missouri became the first state to ban same-sex marriage.
Local
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.[37][38]
| 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 | |
State
Gubernatorial
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third Parties |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | 71.03% 28,418 | 26.67% 10,671 | 2.39% 917 |
| 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 |
Missouri House of Representatives
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.
| 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% | ||
- District 50 — Sara Walsh. Consists of unincorporated areas in the northwest corner of the county.
| 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% | ||
- District 59 — Rudy Veit (R-Jefferson City). Consists of the communities of Centertown, Eugene, Lohman, Russellville, St. Martins, Taos, and Wardsville.
| 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% | ||
- District 60 — Dave Griffith (R-Jefferson City) Consists of the city of Jefferson City.
| 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% | ||
Missouri Senate
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% | ||
Federal
US Senate
| 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 | ||
US House of Representatives
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% | ||
Presidential
| Year | Republican | Democratic | Third party(ies) | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| No. | % | No. | % | No. | % | |
| 1888 | 1,708 | 48.13% | 1,824 | 51.39% | 17 | 0.48% |
| 1892 | 1,752 | 47.82% | 1,844 | 50.33% | 68 | 1.86% |
| 1896 | 2,033 | 47.53% | 2,198 | 51.39% | 46 | 1.08% |
| 1900 | 2,157 | 47.84% | 2,320 | 51.45% | 32 | 0.71% |
| 1904 | 2,081 | 47.48% | 2,244 | 51.20% | 58 | 1.32% |
| 1908 | 2,402 | 48.58% | 2,494 | 50.44% | 48 | 0.97% |
| 1912 | 2,103 | 43.22% | 2,447 | 50.29% | 316 | 6.49% |
| 1916 | 2,746 | 48.15% | 2,915 | 51.11% | 42 | 0.74% |
| 1920 | 5,878 | 58.31% | 4,167 | 41.34% | 36 | 0.36% |
| 1924 | 6,205 | 52.49% | 5,033 | 42.58% | 583 | 4.93% |
| 1928 | 6,637 | 50.54% | 6,481 | 49.35% | 15 | 0.11% |
| 1932 | 5,636 | 38.26% | 9,068 | 61.56% | 27 | 0.18% |
| 1936 | 6,180 | 40.91% | 8,831 | 58.46% | 95 | 0.63% |
| 1940 | 7,664 | 48.23% | 8,219 | 51.72% | 9 | 0.06% |
| 1944 | 7,364 | 50.76% | 7,139 | 49.21% | 4 | 0.03% |
| 1948 | 6,909 | 46.60% | 7,891 | 53.23% | 25 | 0.17% |
| 1952 | 9,700 | 56.36% | 7,507 | 43.62% | 3 | 0.02% |
| 1956 | 9,323 | 55.79% | 7,388 | 44.21% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1960 | 9,763 | 53.36% | 8,532 | 46.64% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1964 | 10,068 | 55.33% | 8,127 | 44.67% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1968 | 11,575 | 60.55% | 5,916 | 30.95% | 1,625 | 8.50% |
| 1972 | 16,685 | 77.83% | 4,754 | 22.17% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1976 | 14,370 | 63.86% | 7,949 | 35.32% | 184 | 0.82% |
| 1980 | 16,373 | 61.96% | 9,210 | 34.86% | 840 | 3.18% |
| 1984 | 20,366 | 75.24% | 6,702 | 24.76% | 0 | 0.00% |
| 1988 | 18,023 | 68.16% | 8,359 | 31.61% | 59 | 0.22% |
| 1992 | 15,270 | 48.78% | 10,201 | 32.59% | 5,833 | 18.63% |
| 1996 | 16,140 | 55.01% | 10,857 | 37.00% | 2,345 | 7.99% |
| 2000 | 20,167 | 61.53% | 12,056 | 36.78% | 552 | 1.68% |
| 2004 | 24,752 | 67.44% | 11,753 | 32.02% | 196 | 0.53% |
| 2008 | 24,385 | 62.79% | 13,959 | 35.95% | 490 | 1.26% |
| 2012 | 24,490 | 65.85% | 12,005 | 32.28% | 695 | 1.87% |
| 2016 | 24,616 | 65.37% | 10,913 | 28.98% | 2,127 | 5.65% |
| 2020 | 26,086 | 65.80% | 12,694 | 32.02% | 865 | 2.18% |
| 2024 | 26,686 | 66.46% | 12,874 | 32.06% | 592 | 1.47% |
Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)
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.