Warrensburg, Missouri

Warrensburg, Missouri
City
City of Warrensburg
Johnson County Courthouse
Flag
Nickname:  The Burg
Location of Warrensburg, Missouri
Warrensburg, Missouri
Coordinates: 38°45′47″N93°44′6″W / 38.76306°N 93.73500°W / 38.76306; -93.73500
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	Johnson
Founded	1835
Incorporated	1837
Government
• Mayor	Jim Kushner
Area [1]
• Total	9.47 sq mi (24.53 km2)
• Land	9.41 sq mi (24.36 km2)
• Water	0.07 sq mi (0.17 km2)
Elevation	863 ft (263 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	20,313
• Density	2,055.60/sq mi (793.69/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (CST)
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	64093
Area code	660
FIPS code	29-77092 [2]
GNIS feature ID	0728362 [3]
Website	www.warrensburg-mo.com

Warrensburg is a city in and the county seat of Johnson County, Missouri, United States. ^[4] The population was 20,313 at the 2020 census. The Warrensburg Micropolitan Statistical Area consists of Johnson County. The city is a college town as it is home to the University of Central Missouri.

History

Warrensburg was founded in 1835 by European-American settlers John and Martin D. Warren, who gave the town their last name. ^[5] A post office called Warrensburg has been in operation since 1837. ^[6]

The phrase "Man's best friend" is based on a famous trial over the killing of Old Drum, a dog who was shot in Warrensburg. ^[7] In 1958, a statue of Old Drum was erected on the Johnson County Courthouse lawn containing a summation of US Senator George G. Vest's closing speech, “A man’s best friend is his dog.” ^{[8] [9]}

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1850	241		—
1860	982		307.5%
1870	2,945		199.9%
1880	4,049		37.5%
1890	4,706		16.2%
1900	4,724		0.4%
1910	4,689		−0.7%
1920	4,811		2.6%
1930	5,146		7.0%
1940	5,868		14.0%
1950	6,857		16.9%
1960	9,689		41.3%
1970	13,125		35.5%
1980	13,807		5.2%
1990	15,244		10.4%
2000	16,340		7.2%
2010	18,838		15.3%
2020	20,313		7.8%
U.S. Decennial Census [10] [11]

The current mayor is Jim Kushner. ^[12]

Race and ethnicity

Racial Composition	2017	2010	2000
Non-Hispanic White	81.0%	85.3%	86.9%
Black or African American	8.0%	7.5%	6.46%
Hispanic or Latino	3.4%	3.1%	2.44%
Asian	2.9%	2.8%	2.79%
American Indian	1.1%	0.5%	0.64%
Pacific Islander	0.1%	0.2%	0.14%
Other	0.2%	0.7%	0.78%

2020 census

The 2020 United States census ^[13] counted 20,313 people, 7,398 households, and 3,418 families in Warrensburg. The population density was 2,054.9 inhabitants per square mile (793.4/km²). There were 8,202 housing units at an average density of 871.6 per square mile (336.5/km²). The racial makeup was 79.07% (15,290) white, 7.78% (1,504) black or African-American, 0.55% (106) Native American or Alaska Native, 2.7% (522) Asian, 0.58% (112) Pacific Islander, 1.41% (272) from other races, and 7.92% (1,531) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.5% (924) of the population.

Of the 7,398 households, 24.7% had children under the age of 18; 33.7% were married couples living together; 34.8% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 34.5% consisted of individuals and 12.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.4 and the average family size was 3.1.

19.1% of the population was under the age of 18, 33.6% from 18 to 24, 24.5% from 25 to 44, 16.0% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 24.9 years. For every 100 females, the population had 98.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 96.2 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey ^[14] estimates show that the median household income was $48,306 (with a margin of error of +/- $5,061) and the median family income was $73,995 (+/- $4,609). Males had a median income of $23,972 (+/- $2,489) versus $14,801 (+/- $2,763) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $18,108 (+/- $3,142). Approximately, 7.7% of families and 22.9% of the population were below the poverty line, including 9.2% of those under the age of 18 and 12.8% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

As of the census ^[15] of 2010, there were 18,838 people, 6,803 households, and 3,400 families living in the city. The population density was 2,128.6 inhabitants per square mile (821.9/km²). There were 7,450 housing units at an average density of 841.8 per square mile (325.0/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 85.3% White, 7.5% African American, 0.5% Native American, 2.8% Asian, 0.2% Pacific Islander, 0.7% from other races, and 3.1% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.1% of the population.

There were 6,803 households, of which 26.5% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 36.1% were married couples living together, 10.4% had a female householder with no husband present, 3.5% had a male householder with no wife present, and 50.0% were non-families. 31.2% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.1% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.32 and the average family size was 2.96.

The median age in the city was 23.7 years. 17.6% of residents were under the age of 18; 36.2% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 21.8% were from 25 to 44; 15% were from 45 to 64; and 9.5% were 65 years of age or older. The gender makeup of the city was 49.5% male and 50.5% female.

2000 census

As of the census ^[2] of 2000, there were 16,340 people, 5,951 households, and 3,035 families living in the city. The population density was 1,938.5 inhabitants per square mile (748.5/km²). There were 6,380 housing units at an average density of 756.9 per square mile (292.2/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 90% White, 6.46% African American, 0.64% Native American, 2.79% Asian, 0.14% Pacific Islander, 0.78% from other races, and 2.28% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 2.44% of the population.

There were 3,951 households, out of which 26.6% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 38.5% were married couples living together, 9.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 49.0% were non-families. 30.8% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.29 and the average family size was 2.93.

In the city, the population was spread out, with 18.0% under the age of 18, 36.5% from 18 to 24, 22.8% from 25 to 44, 12.9% from 45 to 64, and 9.7% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 23 years. For every 100 females, there were 95.8 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 95.4 males.

The median income for a household in the city was $29,332, and the median income for a family was $45,845. Males had a median income of $30,354 versus $22,154 for females. The per capita income for the city was $14,714. About 13.6% of families and 24.3% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.1% of those under age 18 and 11.4% of those age 65 or over.

Education

Public elementary and secondary schools in Warrensburg are part of the Warrensburg R-VI School District. The district includes four elementary schools for grades preschool through fifth grade. Maple Grove and Ridgeview Elementary schools are for grades preschool through second grade while Martin Warren and Sterling elementary schools house students in grades three through five. Warrensburg Middle School serves students in grades six through eight and Warrensburg High School is for grades nine through 12. The district also operates the Reese Education Center, which houses the Gateway Alternative School and the district's special needs and gifted education programs. The Warrensburg Area Career Center specializes in vocational education for high school-aged students in Warrensburg and Johnson County. ^[16]

The city is also home of the University of Central Missouri (UCM), known as Central Missouri State University until 2006. The university offers programs in 150 areas of study and serves approximately 12,500 students as of 2014.

Warrensburg has a public library, a branch of the Trails Regional Library. ^[17]

Transportation

Major roads

• US 50 - Links to Lee's Summit and further to Kansas City to the west and Sedalia to the east.
• Route 13 - or Maguire Street, essentially divides the town in half though Old Highway 13 or Holden Street forms the division between east and west. This is a highway linking Warrensburg to Interstate 70 to the north, and Truman Lake to the south.

Air

• Skyhaven Airport

Other

• The Warrensburg Amtrak station provides Amtrak service between Kansas City and St. Louis via the Missouri River Runner.
• Jefferson Lines bus service to/from Kansas City and Springfield, Missouri
• "Emergency Taxi Service" – Taxi service serving the Johnson County area.

Media

Newspapers

• Warrensburg Star-Journal – twice a week (Tuesday and Friday)

Television

• KMOS-TV (PBS), PBS 6.1, CREATE CHANNEL 6.2 and PBS WORLD 6.3. The city of license is Syracuse, MO. The offices and studios are located on the campus of UCM in Warrensburg.

Radio

KWKJ-FM, 98.5FM Operated in Windsor, but headquartered in Warrensburg with a Country format KOKO (AM), 1450 AM Oldies radio along with 98.5 make up WarrensburgRadio.com

Notable people

See also: List of University of Central Missouri people

• John William 'Blind' Boone (1864–1927), concert pianist, composer and principal for the Blind Boone Concert Company
• Francis M. Cockrell, Confederate military commander and politician
• Curtis Niles Cooper, mathematician and professor at the University of Central Missouri
• Errett Lobban Cord, automobile manufacturer and advocate of front-wheel-drive vehicles
• Cena Christopher Draper, children's book author and playwright
• Ada and Minna Everleigh, proprietors of the Everleigh Club brothel in Chicago
• Mary Fallin, Governor of Oklahoma and former lieutenant governor of Oklahoma
• Douglas Eads Foster, member of the Los Angeles City Council
• Archie Scott Gobber, visual artist
• Dan Houx, member of the Missouri House of Representatives
• Dean Hughes (born 1943), children's author and academic
• Henry Warren Ogden (1842–1905), member of the United States House of Representatives and Louisiana House of Representatives
• Shawn Pelton (born 1963), musician
• Butch Reed, professional wrestler
• Aaron Rehkop, state senator
• U.S. Grant Tayes (1885–1972), African American painter, educator, musician, and newspaper columnist ^[18]
• Sidney Toler (April 28, 1874 –February 12, 1947), actor and writer
• Kimberly Wyatt, former member of female pop group The Pussycat Dolls

In popular media

Warrensburg was mentioned in the 1983 American television movie The Day After , which largely takes place in eastern Kansas and western Missouri. The city was one of the locations considered for the principal filming location and setting before the production team chose Lawrence, Kansas. ^[19]

Geography

Warrensburg is located at 38°45′47″N93°44′06″W / 38.763101°N 93.734956°W / 38.763101; -93.734956 . ^[20] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 8.92 square miles (23.10 km²), of which, 8.85 square miles (22.92 km²) is land and 0.07 square miles (0.18 km²) is water. ^[21]

Climate

Climate data for Warrensburg, Missouri, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 1893–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	75 (24)	82 (28)	92 (33)	94 (34)	103 (39)	108 (42)	116 (47)	111 (44)	107 (42)	96 (36)	86 (30)	75 (24)	116 (47)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	63.3 (17.4)	68.8 (20.4)	77.3 (25.2)	84.0 (28.9)	87.6 (30.9)	93.6 (34.2)	98.0 (36.7)	98.0 (36.7)	92.5 (33.6)	85.6 (29.8)	73.3 (22.9)	66.2 (19.0)	99.6 (37.6)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	40.4 (4.7)	45.1 (7.3)	56.7 (13.7)	67.2 (19.6)	76.4 (24.7)	85.0 (29.4)	89.8 (32.1)	88.8 (31.6)	81.3 (27.4)	69.4 (20.8)	55.9 (13.3)	44.7 (7.1)	66.7 (19.3)
Daily mean °F (°C)	29.4 (−1.4)	33.6 (0.9)	44.4 (6.9)	54.8 (12.7)	64.9 (18.3)	73.9 (23.3)	78.3 (25.7)	76.8 (24.9)	68.4 (20.2)	56.4 (13.6)	44.3 (6.8)	33.9 (1.1)	54.9 (12.8)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	18.4 (−7.6)	22.2 (−5.4)	32.0 (0.0)	42.3 (5.7)	53.4 (11.9)	62.8 (17.1)	66.8 (19.3)	64.7 (18.2)	55.4 (13.0)	43.4 (6.3)	32.6 (0.3)	23.1 (−4.9)	43.1 (6.2)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	−1.9 (−18.8)	4.1 (−15.5)	14.6 (−9.7)	27.3 (−2.6)	38.2 (3.4)	51.4 (10.8)	58.0 (14.4)	54.8 (12.7)	41.3 (5.2)	28.0 (−2.2)	16.7 (−8.5)	6.3 (−14.3)	−4.4 (−20.2)
Record low °F (°C)	−20 (−29)	−26 (−32)	−9 (−23)	16 (−9)	23 (−5)	39 (4)	49 (9)	43 (6)	29 (−2)	18 (−8)	−3 (−19)	−17 (−27)	−26 (−32)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	1.18 (30)	1.80 (46)	3.01 (76)	4.32 (110)	5.52 (140)	5.36 (136)	4.91 (125)	4.08 (104)	4.12 (105)	3.31 (84)	2.55 (65)	1.95 (50)	42.11 (1,071)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	0.9 (2.3)	1.8 (4.6)	0.9 (2.3)	0.0 (0.0)	0.2 (0.51)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.2 (0.51)	1.0 (2.5)	5.0 (13)
Average extreme snow depth inches (cm)	1.9 (4.8)	1.9 (4.8)	1.1 (2.8)	0.0 (0.0)	0.1 (0.25)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.3 (0.76)	1.6 (4.1)	3.4 (8.6)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	3.8	4.7	7.9	10.0	10.6	10.2	7.8	7.8	7.0	7.7	6.5	4.0	88.0
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	1.4	1.3	0.6	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.2	0.3	3.8
Source: NOAA [22] [23]

References

• Missouri portal

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
2. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
3. "US Board on Geographic Names". United States Geological Survey. October 25, 2007. Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
5. Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp.  181.
6. "Post Offices". Jim Forte Postal History. Retrieved October 19, 2016.
7. "Why Are Dogs Called 'Man's Best Friend'?". The Dog People by Rover.com. February 8, 2017. Retrieved October 2, 2019.
8. Coren, Stanley (October 21, 2009). ""A Man's Best Friend is his Dog": The Senator, the Dog, and the Trial". Psychology Today . Retrieved September 27, 2010.
9. Staff of The New York Times, ed. (June 5, 2003). The New York Times Television Reviews 2000. Taylor & Francis. ISBN   978-0-203-50830-5.
10. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
11. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved January 5, 2022.
12. "City Council". City of Warrensburg. Retrieved April 28, 2017.
13. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
14. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 18, 2023.
15. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 8, 2012.
16. "Warrensburg Schools". Warrensburg R-VI School District. 2015. Retrieved May 1, 2015.
17. "Locations". Trails Regional Library. Retrieved March 25, 2018.
18. "U.S. Grant Tayes". Missouri Remembers. Retrieved December 26, 2023.
19. Nicholas Meyer (director) (November 20, 1983). The Day After (Motion Picture). ABC Circle Films. Retrieved February 17, 2009.
20. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
21. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
22. "NowData – NOAA Online Weather Data". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 2, 2021.
23. "Station: Warrensburg 4NW, MO". U.S. Climate Normals 2020: U.S. Monthly Climate Normals (1991-2020). National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved August 2, 2021.

External links

• "Warrensburg"  . Encyclopædia Britannica . Vol. 28 (11th ed.). 1911. p. 331–332.
• Official website
• Warrensburg Chamber of Commerce