RANK #64 / 1001 NAT · #4 / 22 MO · POP 77,032
1YR FORECAST: +3.5%
5YR OUTLOOK: +38%
Cole County, Missouri, is defined by its role as home to Jefferson City, the state capital, which features the prominent Missouri State Capitol building overlooking the Missouri River. Located in central Missouri, the county is about a two-hour drive from both St. Louis and Kansas City. The community maintains a balance between urban and rural characteristics. Commutes within Cole County are shorter than the state average, with an average travel time of 18.4 minutes. The Missouri River forms the county's northern border, offering opportunities for water sports, fishing, and hiking along trails like the Katy Trail. Local parks, such as Binder Park, provide additional outdoor recreation with trails, fishing lakes, and disc golf courses.
Life in Cole County is characterized by a stable community with a focus on public services and education. The county is served by several public school districts, including Jefferson City Public Schools and Blair Oaks R-II School District, which are considered above average. The economy is largely driven by government, education, and healthcare sectors due to Jefferson City's status as the state capital and home to Lincoln University. Recent economic developments include investments in infrastructure and the redevelopment of the Missouri State Penitentiary site, which aims to create new business opportunities. There is also a growing interest in expanding sales tax to include services, which could impact county revenue.
Cole County is one of 145 U.S. counties in this market profile — stronger than typical on the BoomTown Index. Within this cohort, its recent home-price change of +7.5% runs above the profile's typical +4.9%.
See all 145 Heartland Steady Growth counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Moderate climate & terrain
Above national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 5.5x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Amazon Web Services (AWS) "Project Green" Data Center Campus
Amazon Web Services (AWS)
|
$35,000M | Proposed |
|
Google Data Center
Google
|
$500M | Proposed |
|
Cole County Capital Improvements Program (Roads, Bridges, Stormwater)
Cole County
|
$33M | Planned |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
Cole County ranks #64 out of 1001 U.S. counties on the Boom Town Index with a score of 94/100, placing it in the top tier nationally. Median household income is $74,876 and the underlying growth metrics (housing, migration, income) hold up against peer counties.
Housing in Cole County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $229,600 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.33, with rents averaging $834/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Population and employment in Cole County are both close to flat — population +0.1% YoY and jobs +0.4%. Home values shifted +7.5% over the past 12 months. A steady-state county, neither expanding quickly nor shrinking.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.14% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Cole County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.
Home values climbed +7.5% year-over-year, which is a solid pace of appreciation. The median home in Cole County is now valued at $229,600. That kind of growth typically reflects sustained demand rather than speculative frenzy.