Economy is military/college-dependent
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2/16/2007
Warrensburg is a typical small town, but one that is on the edge of a much larger metro area---Kansas City. I have lived here, on and off, for over 32 years. At first there was little traffic, and it had the ambience of a town from the 1950s. That has all changed now, thanks to 2 changes that have taken place.
First, the nearby Whiteman Air Force Base expanded and became home of the B-2 Stealth bomber. The increased military population, mostly officers, needed or wanted off-base housing. Some found it in Sedalia to the east, and some moved to Warrensburg to the west of the base. The increased population caused an increase in housing developments on the town's edges, but the housing was geared to those with lots of disposable income. The central parts of the town got older and more run-down.
In addition, Warrensburg is home of the University of Central Missouri, formerly Central Missouri State University, and before that Central Missouri State College. There is no shortage of substandard housing, and its not uncommon to find a 1950s era house, designed for a small family, to be occupied now by 5 or 6 college students who barely known each other. The university enrollment has grown over the years and is now about 10,000. A large number commute daily to Kansas City, which increases the traffic problems. Some of the faculty and administration also commute, but those who don't live on the outskirts of town with their neighbors, Air Force officers.
The economy is definitely service (servant?) oriented. Lots of fast-food joints, there are several low-end strip malls, and the only shopping to be had locally is at WalMart. There is a new Lowe's home improvement store also. There are only 3 laundromats for this town of nearly 20,000 population, but one is hardly ever used because it is overpriced. The other two are across the main north-south street (state route 13) from each other. One is dirty, old, run-down and getting worse, and the other is newer, cleaner, but becoming run-down.
In addition to the transient college and military population, which the locals have to serve and please, Warrensburg has also become subject to a large meth problem, and growing ruffianism in general. Recently there was a brawl in the streets which sent several policemen to the hospital.
Warrensburg is not a good place to live unless you are a state employee (the college), a federal employee (Air Force), or are retired from either and collect a pension.
Rick | Warrensburg, MO