Cole County, Missouri: commercial real estate data.
Cole County, Missouri had an estimated 77,625 residents on July 1, 2024, up 0.5 percent since the 2020 census base of 77,273, across 394 square miles. County output reached $7.42 bn in 2024, 2,224 establishments operate here, and the SBA record carries 59 7(a) approvals worth $40.8 m since FY2020.
Underlined figures are computed by MMCG Analytics, not published by the agency.
Cole County
How many people live in Cole County
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202477,032
- Households31,086
- Average household size2.48
- Median household income$74,876
- Median age39.9
- Median gross rent$834 per month
- Median owner-occupied home value$229,600
- Home value to household income3.1 times
- Annual rent as a share of median income13.4 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a bachelor degree or higher38.9 percent
- Adults 25 and over with a graduate degree14.1 percent
- Adults 25 and over53,203
- Population under 1817,011
- Share under 1822.1 percent
- Population 65 and over13,890
- Share 65 and over18.0 percent
- Working age population, 18 to 6446,131
- Civilian labor force39,160
- Unemployment rate2.9 percent
- Labor force participation, adults 18 and over65.2 percent
- Rank by population among Missouri counties16th of 115
- Rank by population among US county-equivalents, Puerto Rico included745th of 3,222
Cole County is the 16th largest of 115 Missouri counties by population. A median home costs 3.1 times median household income, which is moderately unaffordable by national standards. Residents under 18 outnumber those 65 and over, at 22.1 percent against 18.0 percent, a household formation profile rather than a retirement one.
US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Cole County
Is Cole County's population growing?
- Population, July 1, 202477,625
- Census 2020 base population77,273
- Population change since the 2020 census base0.46 percent
- Population change, 2023 to 2024307
- Births, 2024792
- Deaths, 2024768
- Natural change, 202424
- Net domestic migration, 202474
- Net international migration, 2024210
- Total net migration, 2024284
- Cumulative net domestic migration, 2021 to 2024495
- Rank by growth among US county-equivalents1667th of 3,144
The county has grown 0.46 percent since the 2020 census base. The population grew in 2024 from both sources: births exceeded deaths and more people moved in than left.
US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
Cole County
Where are people moving to Cole County from?
- Tax returns filed by households arriving2,138
- People arriving, from those returns3,706
- Tax returns filed by households leaving2,167
- Net household movement-29
- Adjusted gross income arriving$106.9 m
- Net adjusted gross income movement$-4.1 m
- Average income of an arriving household$49,982
- Average income of a leaving household$51,204
- Largest single originCallaway County (289 households)
- Largest single destinationCallaway County (301 households)
| Origin | Households | People | Adjusted gross income |
|---|---|---|---|
| Callaway County | 289 | 526 | $18.3 m |
| Boone County | 211 | 361 | $10.4 m |
| Osage County | 104 | 157 | $4.2 m |
| Moniteau County | 101 | 181 | $3.2 m |
| St. Louis County | 87 | 145 | $4.2 m |
| Miller County | 67 | 136 | $3.1 m |
| Camden County | 51 | 95 | $2.5 m |
| Jackson County | 44 | 78 | $1.8 m |
Households arriving report $1,222 less average income than households leaving, which drains spending power even where headcount holds up. The largest single source of arrivals is Callaway County, which is the catchment a retail or multifamily study should look at first.
US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Cole County
What is the Cole County economy?
- County GDP, 2024$7.42 bn
- County GDP, 2023$6.93 bn
- GDP change, 2023 to 20247.1 percent
- GDP change over five years30.7 percent
- Rank by GDP among the Missouri areas BEA publishes10th of 115
- Rank by GDP among the US county areas BEA publishes560th of 3,127
- GDP per resident$96,323
Output grew 7.1 percent in the latest year and 30.7 percent over five, which is the trend line a lender will read behind any single year figure.
US Bureau of Economic Analysis, Regional, table CAGDP2, CAGDP2, through 2024.
Cole County
Employment by industry in Cole County
- Covered employment, annual average54,302
- Establishments reporting2,500
- Average annual pay$55,952
- Average weekly wage$1,076
- Retail trade, employment6,002
- Retail trade, average annual pay$35,108
- Health care and social assistance, employment5,237
- Health care and social assistance, average annual pay$62,614
- Accommodation and food services, employment3,761
- Accommodation and food services, average annual pay$22,364
- Construction, employment2,933
- Construction, average annual pay$73,821
- Manufacturing, employment2,714
- Administrative and support and waste management services, employment2,342
| Sector | Employment | Establishments | Average annual pay |
|---|---|---|---|
| Retail trade | 6,002 | 255 | $35,108 |
| Health care and social assistance | 5,237 | 388 | $62,614 |
| Accommodation and food services | 3,761 | 197 | $22,364 |
| Construction | 2,933 | 267 | $73,821 |
| Manufacturing | 2,714 | 65 | $64,774 |
| Administrative and support and waste management services | 2,342 | 152 | $41,047 |
| Finance and insurance | 1,886 | 173 | $74,561 |
| Professional, scientific and technical services | 1,873 | 268 | $82,964 |
Retail trade is the largest private sector at 6,002 jobs, 11.1 percent of covered employment.
US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
Cole County
How many businesses are in Cole County?
- Establishments, all industries2,224
- Employment at those establishments37,060
- Annual payroll$1.96 bn
- Establishments per 1,000 residents28.9
These are counts of establishments physically operating in the county, not listings, so they are the supply side a feasibility study measures demand against. County Business Patterns counts private establishments with paid employees in March 2023, while the Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages above counts every unemployment-insured employer, public ones included, as a 2024 annual average, so the two establishment and employment counts differ.
US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Cole County
Building permits in Cole County
- Housing units authorized by permit, 2024171
- Declared construction value permitted$51.9 m
- Single family units authorized157
- Multifamily units authorized14
- Multifamily share of units8.2 percent
- Average declared value per unit$303,412
- Units authorized per 1,000 households5.5
Single-family homes are 91.8 percent of units authorized, so the pipeline is predominantly single-family.
US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
Cole County
SBA loans in Cole County (7(a) and 504)
- 7(a) approvals recorded59
- 7(a) gross approval dollars$40.8 m
- Average 7(a) approval$691,368
- Median 7(a) approval$150,000
- 10th percentile approval$30,200
- 90th percentile approval$1,992,000
- Largest single approval$5,000,000
- Jobs reported supported, 7(a)718
- Jobs per approval12.2
- Distinct 7(a) lenders active15
- Distinct industries receiving approvals34
- Median 7(a) term120 months
- Share of loans on real estate terms, 240 months or longer11.9 percent
- Loans on real estate terms7
- Loans on working capital terms, 120 months or shorter47
- Franchise loans3
- Franchise share of approvals5.1 percent
- Most active lenderHawthorn Bank (18)
- 504 approvals recorded22
- 504 gross approval dollars$13.7 m
- Average 504 approval$620,682
- Median 504 approval$408,000
- Distinct CDCs active3
- 504 jobs per approval14.3
- 504 jobs per million dollars approved23.1
- Most active CDCRural Missouri, Inc. (17)
- Combined SBA approval dollars, 7(a) FY2020 to FY2026 and 504 FY2010 to FY2026$54.4 m
The average approval of $691,368 sits well above the median of $150,000, pulled up by a few larger deals, so the median is the better guide to what a typical borrower here gets. Only 11.9 percent of approvals run on real estate terms, so SBA credit here is mostly working capital and equipment rather than property acquisition.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30. US Small Business Administration, 504 FOIA release, FY2010 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Cole County
SBA loan default and charge-off rates in Cole County
Do SBA loans in Cole County get paid back?
- Loans with a final outcome recorded15
- Paid in full14
- Charged off1
- Status: Paid in full14
- Status: Exempt from disclosure34
- Status: Charged off1
- Status: Cancelled10
Only 15 loans have reached a final outcome, fewer than the 30 a charge-off rate needs, so no rate is published.
Compare against the national and state SBA charge-off rates, computed the same way over resolved loans only.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Cole County
SBA lending by place in Cole County
- Borrower cities with recorded lending5
- Jefferson City, approvals53
- Russellville, approvals2
- Centertown, approvals2
- Eugene, approvals1
- Jeferson City, approvals1
| Borrower city | Approvals | Gross approval dollars |
|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City | 53 | $38,410,800 |
| Russellville | 2 | $1,090,000 |
| Centertown | 2 | $677,400 |
| Eugene | 1 | $580,000 |
| Jeferson City | 1 | $32,500 |
Jefferson City accounts for 53 approvals against 2 in Russellville. County level figures average over that gap, which is why a site decision is made at the submarket rather than the county.
US Small Business Administration, 7(a) FOIA release, FY2020 to FY2026 year to date, as of 2026-06-30.
Cole County
How large is Cole County?
- Land area394 sq mi
- Rank by land area among Missouri counties112th of 115
- Width, east to west29.8 mi
- Height, north to south27.9 mi
- Geographies sharing a boundary5
- Residents per square mile of land196
- Establishments per square mile5.64
US Census Bureau county boundary geometry, TIGER, adjacency computed from shared boundary vertices, TIGER county boundaries. US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year. US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
Cole County
Flood risk in Cole County
- Participation of the county's own NFIP community Cole County, unincorporated areasParticipating, community 290107
- Communities in the county in the NFIP Community Status Book8
- Of those, participating in the NFIP5
- NFIP participation rate62.5 percent
- Communities carrying a CRS class0
- Radon levels in Cole County, EPA zone predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/LZone 2
The county's own community in the status book, unincorporated Cole County (community 290107), participates in the National Flood Insurance Program and carries no Community Rating System class, so no CRS premium discount applies there. The EPA places Cole County in radon zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. The zone is a screening prediction for the county and does not substitute for a test at an address. 62.5 percent of the county's listed communities participate in the National Flood Insurance Program, per Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26.
Federal Emergency Management Agency, NFIP Community Status Book (OpenFEMA), as of 2026-09-26. US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Coverage
What this page does not hold.
Traffic counts, zoning and the flood zone at an address are not on this page; they resolve at the address in the platform. How this page was built →
Feasibility studies
When a Cole County site needs a document a lender will accept.
The same data layer behind this page is the one the studies are written from. A study for a Cole County site starts with the figures you are reading, carrying the same source and period into the credit file.
- Population, American Community Survey 2020-202477,032
- Households31,086
- Average household size2.48
- Median household income$74,876
- Median age39.9
Common questions
Cole County questions, answered from the record.
How many people live in Cole County, Missouri?
The Census Bureau estimates 77,625 residents on July 1, 2024 (US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024). The American Community Survey 2020-2024 five-year estimate is 77,032, in 31,086 households, ranking 16th of 115 Missouri counties. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
Is Cole County's population growing?
The population has grown 0.46 percent since the 2020 census base of 77,273, to 77,625 on July 1, 2024. In 2024 there were 792 births against 768 deaths, with net migration of 284. Source: US Census Bureau, Population Estimates Program, Vintage 2024, Vintage 2024, estimates 2020 to 2024.
What is the median household income in Cole County?
$74,876. The median owner-occupied home is valued at $229,600, which is 3.1 times income, and median gross rent is $834 per month. Source: US Census Bureau, American Community Survey 5-Year Estimates, 2020-2024 5-year.
How many businesses are in Cole County?
2,224 establishments, employing 37,060 people with an annual payroll of $1.96 bn. These are establishments physically operating in the county, not listings. Source: US Census Bureau, County Business Patterns, 2023.
What is employment by industry in Cole County?
Retail trade is the largest private sector at 6,002 jobs, 11.1 percent of covered employment. Covered employment averages 54,302 jobs at an average annual pay of $55,952, or $1,076 a week. Source: US Bureau of Labor Statistics, Quarterly Census of Employment and Wages, 2024 annual averages.
How much SBA lending happens in Cole County?
59 7(a) approvals totaling $40.8 m since FY2020, across 15 lenders, with a median approval of $150,000, plus 22 504 approvals worth $13.7 m since FY2010. These are approvals recorded in the release, not loans disbursed.
How many building permits were issued in Cole County?
171 housing units were authorized by permit in 2024, with a declared construction value of $51.9 m. Multifamily was 8.2 percent of units. Source: US Census Bureau, Building Permits Survey, 2024 annual.
What is the radon zone for Cole County?
Zone 2, a predicted average indoor radon screening level from 2 to 4 pCi/L. Source: US EPA, Map of Radon Zones, county spreadsheet, 2024-05 publication, EPA 402/A-16/001.
Where do people moving to Cole County come from?
The largest single origin is Callaway County, with 289 households. Arriving households report an average income of $49,982 against $51,204 for those leaving. Source: US Internal Revenue Service, Statistics of Income county migration flows, 2021 to 2022 filing years.
Are traffic counts available for Cole County on this page?
No. Annual average daily traffic resolves in the platform rather than in this dataset, so no AADT figure is printed here. It is a gap we know about rather than a figure we estimated.
Is zoning published for Cole County?
No. Nothing on this page presents parcel level zoning, and where a statutory framework applies it is marked as the statewide frame, to be confirmed locally.
Cole County
Cities and places in Cole.
9 Census places lie wholly or partly in Cole County. All 9 carry enough published place level data for a page of their own and are linked.
| Place | Type | Population | SBA 7(a) approvals, projects in this county | Lies in |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jefferson City | city | 42,488 | 53 | 88.3 percent here, 11.7 percent Callaway County |
| Wardsville | village | 1,579 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Taos | city | 1,242 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| St. Martins | city | 1,228 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Russellville | city | 833 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Centertown | town | 297 | 2 | Wholly in this county |
| Lohman | city | 243 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| St. Thomas | town | 228 | None recorded | Wholly in this county |
| Eugene | CDP | 158 | 1 | Wholly in this county |
A further 1 of the county's 59 SBA 7(a) approvals are to borrowers in cities that match no Census place in Cole County, the largest being Jeferson City (1). Those are postal cities, unincorporated areas and cities outside the county, so no place row claims them; they are counted in the county total above.
Nearby