City of Warrensburg
102 S. Holden
Warrensburg, MO 64093
Office 660-747-9131 FAX 660-747-8927

Is Your Number Up?

Starting in April, Warrensburg city officials and the local 2010 Census Committee are stressing the importance of having address numbers clearly installed on all houses and apartment units.

Clearly displayed, visible address numbers allow emergency vehicles, utility trucks, postal and delivery trucks, and out-of-town visitors to find homes and businesses more quickly and efficiently. 

 “The address numbering of residences and businesses is critical for quick and accurate response to calls for service.  This is especially true in cases of emergencies when seconds may mean the difference between catching a criminal and in some cases the difference between life and death.  Our officers need to be able to find the address numbers in all types of weather conditions as well as in daytime and darkness,” states Chief of Police Bruce Howey.

Members of the local 2010 Census Committee are concerned about homes and apartment units having house numbers displayed as well.  Starting now, census employees will be going door-to-door to update address lists for the Warrensburg area.  When address numbers are clearly displayed, census workers can get a more accurate and complete address list. 

For instance, if a structure has been converted into two or more units on the inside, but appears to be a single family house from the outside, the worker may only note one address for the structure and only one census form will mailed to the address.  If house numbers indicate multiple units on the inside, then a census form can be sent to each address. 

A complete address list is vital to the success of the census and getting an accurate count of the number of people living in Warrensburg.  Census data determines the distribution of more than $300 billion annually of government funding for critical community services nationwide.

Fire Chief, Phil Johnston, notes Warrensburg’s ordinances require house numbers be installed.

“Address numbers are required by the Warrensburg Fire Code.  The digits need to be at least 4” high and have a stroke width of 0.5”.  If the location is back from the street, the address numbers need to be increased in height by a minimum of 2” for each 50’ the building is back from the street,” states Johnston. 

Johnston continues, “When people call 9-1-1 to report an emergency, they always have to give the location of the emergency.  If the emergency responders can’t find the location of the emergency that was just reported, minutes lost while searching for the location can result in tragic consequences.  Hopefully, every address for every location in Warrensburg will be properly identified with legible and accurate street numbers.”

For more information contact:

Barbara Carroll

Director of Community Development

660-747-9135

bcarroll@warrensburg-mo.com