Cole County Public RecordsMissouri

Cole County, Missouri, hosts 28 public schools serving about 11,000 students, including two main high schools: Jefferson City High and Capital City High. Approximately 89% of adults hold a high school diploma, while 23% possess a bachelor’s degree or higher. Average public school scores hover around 7/10 on GreatSchools. The county prioritizes safety, employing resource officers and emergency training. Educational programs feature AP, dual credit, and vocational-technical options. Adult education is available through the Jefferson City Academic Center and local partnerships, supporting workforce readiness and continuing education.

As of 2023, Cole County, MO, has an employment rate of approximately 96%. Key industries include Public Administration (28%), Health Care & Social Assistance (15%), and Retail Trade (10%). Major occupation types are office/administrative support (17%), management (13%), and sales (11%). The median commute time is about 16 minutes, with 91% of workers commuting by car and over 80% working within the county. Jefferson City, the county seat, is the primary employment hub.

Cole County, MO, has a homeownership rate of around 70%, with median home values at approximately $210,000 as of 2023. Median gross rent is about $850 per month. The housing market has seen modest annual value increases of 4–5%. Housing types range from historic homes in Old Munichburg and Downtown Jefferson City to newer developments in west Jefferson City. Property tax rates average 0.85% of assessed value, lower than the national average. Popular neighborhoods include Wardsville, Cedar City, and Apache Flats, each offering distinct living environments.

Cole County, MO has about 54,000 registered voters as of 2024. Elections include local, state, and federal races, with recent turnout around 63% in general elections. Results often favor Republican candidates—Donald Trump received 66% of the county vote in 2020. Major parties are Republican and Democrat. Cole County Clerk’s office oversees 19 polling locations, and early/absentee voting is available. Recent ballot issues included sales tax renewals and school funding propositions. Election administration emphasizes voter ID compliance and poll worker training to ensure integrity.

Cole County, Missouri, has a population of approximately 77,000. The median age is around 39 years, with about 49% male and 51% female residents. Racially, the county is predominantly White (82%), followed by Black or African American (10%), and smaller percentages of Hispanic or Latino (3%), Asian (1%), and other groups. The population shows moderate diversity, reflecting both urban and rural community characteristics.

Cole County, MO, reported a total crime rate of 2,480 incidents per 100,000 people in 2023, which is slightly above the Missouri state average. Violent crimes, such as assault and robbery, accounted for 310 per 100,000, while property crimes, including burglary and theft, reached 2,170 per 100,000. The Cole County Sheriff’s Office and Jefferson City Police actively encourage community reporting and transparency. Crime rates have remained relatively stable over recent years, with ongoing efforts to improve public safety and neighborhood watch programs yielding modest reductions in theft-related incidents.