Warren County, Missouri

Warren County is a county located in the eastern portion of the U.S. state of Missouri. As of the 2020 census, the population was 35,532.^[1] The county is located on the north side of the Missouri River. Its county seat is Warrenton.^[2] The county was established on January 5, 1833, and was named for General Joseph Warren, who died in the Battle of Bunker Hill during the American Revolutionary War.^[3]

Warren County
County
The Warren County Courthouse in Warrenton
Location within the U.S. state of Missouri
Missouri's location within the U.S.
Coordinates: 38°46′N 91°10′W
Country	United States
State	Missouri
Founded	January 5, 1833
Named after	General Joseph Warren
Seat	Warrenton
Largest city	Warrenton
Area
• Total	438 sq mi (1,130 km2)
• Land	429 sq mi (1,110 km2)
• Water	9.2 sq mi (24 km2)  2.1%
Population  (2020)
• Total	35,532
• Density	81/sq mi (31/km2)
Time zone	UTC−6 (Central)
• Summer (DST)	UTC−5 (CDT)
Congressional districts	2nd, 3rd
Website	www.warrencountymo.org

Warren County is part of the St. Louis, MO-IL Metropolitan Statistical Area. The county is traversed by Route 94, called the "Missouri Weinstrasse" because of the many vineyards from Marthasville east into St. Charles County. Warren County is also part of the Missouri Rhineland, with award-winning wineries located on both sides of the Missouri River.

Geography

According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the county has a total area of 438 square miles (1,130 km²), of which 429 square miles (1,110 km²) is land and 9.2 square miles (24 km²) (2.1%) is water.^[4]

Adjacent counties

• Lincoln County (north)
• St. Charles County (east)
• Franklin County (south)
• Gasconade County (southwest)
• Montgomery County (west)

Major highways

• Interstate 70
• U.S. Route 40
• Route 47
• Route 94

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1840	4,253		—
1850	5,860		37.8%
1860	8,839		50.8%
1870	9,673		9.4%
1880	10,806		11.7%
1890	9,913		−8.3%
1900	9,919		0.1%
1910	9,123		−8.0%
1920	8,490		−6.9%
1930	8,082		−4.8%
1940	7,734		−4.3%
1950	7,666		−0.9%
1960	8,750		14.1%
1970	9,699		10.8%
1980	14,900		53.6%
1990	19,534		31.1%
2000	24,525		25.6%
2010	32,513		32.6%
2020	35,532		9.3%
2024 (est.)	38,478		8.3%
U.S. Decennial Census[5] 1790-1960[6] 1900-1990[7] 1990-2000[8] 2010[9]

As of the census^[10] of 2000, there were 24,525 people, 9,185 households, and 6,888 families residing in the county. The population density was 57 inhabitants per square mile (22/km²). There were 11,046 housing units at an average density of 26 units per square mile (10/km²). The racial makeup of the county was 95.89% White, 1.94% Black or African American, 0.45% Native American, 0.24% Asian, 0.02% Pacific Islander, 0.44% from other races, and 1.02% from two or more races. Approximately 1.28% of the population were Hispanic or Latino of any race. Among the major ancestries reported in Warren County were 41.4% German, 13.8% American, 10.2% Irish and 7.0% English ancestry.

There were 9,185 households, out of which 34.70% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 62.20% were married couples living together, 8.90% had a female householder with no husband present, and 25.00% were non-families. 20.80% of all households were made up of individuals, and 8.80% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.64 and the average family size was 3.05.

In the county, the population was spread out, with 26.90% under the age of 18, 7.60% from 18 to 24, 28.80% from 25 to 44, 23.70% from 45 to 64, and 13.00% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 37 years. For every 100 females there were 98.60 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 96.10 males.

The median income for a household in the county was $41,016, and the median income for a family was $46,863. Males had a median income of $36,315 versus $23,443 for females. The per capita income for the county was $19,690. About 6.40% of families and 8.60% of the population were below the poverty line, including 10.50% of those under age 18 and 10.40% of those age 65 or over.

2020 Census

Warren County Racial Composition^[11]

Race	Num.	Perc.
White (NH)	31,103	87.53%
Black or African American (NH)	718	2%
Native American (NH)	116	0.33%
Asian (NH)	143	0.4%
Pacific Islander (NH)	0	0%
Other/Mixed (NH)	2,052	5.8%
Hispanic or Latino	1,400	4%

Politics

Local

All of the elected positions in the county are held by Republicans.

Warren County, Missouri
Elected countywide officials
Assessor	Wendy Nordwald	Republican
Circuit Clerk	Tim Beard	Republican
County Clerk	Denise Stotler	Republican
Collector	Julie Schaumberg	Republican
Commissioner (presiding)	Joe Gildehaus	Republican
Commissioner (district 1)	Daniel Hampson	Republican
Commissioner (district 2)	Hubert Kluesner	Republican
Coroner	Glenn Craig	Republican
Prosecuting Attorney	Kelly King	Republican
Public Administrator	Melissa Dempsey	Republican
Recorder	Deborah Engemann	Republican
Sheriff	Kevin Harrison	Republican
Surveyor	Robert L. Lewis	Republican
Treasurer	Jeff Hoelscher	Republican

State

Past Gubernatorial Elections Results

Year	Republican	Democratic	Third Parties
2024	74.39% 14,719	23.47% 4,644	2.04% 423
2020	70.52% 12,892	26.91% 4,920	2.57% 469
2016	57.58% 9,056	38.50% 6,055	3.93% 618
2012	50.34% 7,338	46.78% 6,819	2.88% 419
2008	49.26% 7,617	49.07% 7,587	1.68% 259
2004	56.08% 7,488	42.61% 5,689	1.31% 175
2000	56.76% 6,060	40.45% 4,318	2.79% 298
1996	49.93% 4,298	47.67% 4,103	2.40% 207

Warren County is divided into two legislative districts in the Missouri House of Representatives, both of which are held by Republicans.

• District 42 — Bart Korman (R-High Hill). Consists of most of the entire county, including the communities of Marthasville, Pendeleton, Truesdale, and Warrenton.

There were no incumbents in this race.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 42 — Warren County (2018)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jeff Porter	10765	69.6
	Democratic	Joseph Widner	4698	30.4

Missouri House of Representatives — District 42 — Warren County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Bart Korman	9,880	100.00%	+25.74

Missouri House of Representatives — District 42 — Warren County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Bart Korman	4,210	74.26%	−25.74
	Democratic	Rod Sturgeon	1,459	25.74%	+25.74

Missouri House of Representatives — District 42 — Warren County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Bart Korman	8,812	100.00%

• District 63 — Bryan Spencer (R-Wentzville). Consists of the communities of Foristell, Innsbrook, and Wright City.

Missouri House of Representatives — District 63 — Warren County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Bryan Spencer	3,039	70.67%	+0.88
	Democratic	Liz Gattra	1,261	29.33%	−0.88

Missouri House of Representatives — District 63 — Warren County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Bryan Spencer	1,423	69.79%	+11.67
	Democratic	Bryan Pinette	616	30.21%	−11.67

Missouri House of Representatives — District 63 — Warren County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Bryan Spencer	2,233	58.12%
	Democratic	Bill Stinson	1,609	41.88%

Warren County is a part of Missouri's 10th District in the Missouri Senate and is currently represented by Jeanie Riddle (R-Fulton). The 10th Senatorial District consists of all of Audrain, Callaway, Lincoln, Monroe, Montgomery, and Warren counties.

Missouri Senate — District 10 — Warren County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Jeanie Riddle	5,475	70.78%
	Democratic	Ed Schieffer	2,260	29.22%

Federal

U.S. Senate — Missouri — (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Roy Blunt	8,918	56.69%	+8.24
	Democratic	Jason Kander	5,928	37.68%	−7.68
	Libertarian	Jonathan Dine	445	2.83%	−3.36
	Green	Johnathan McFarland	183	1.16%	+1.16
	Constitution	Fred Ryman	257	1.63%	+1.63

U.S. Senate — Missouri — (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Todd Akin	7,040	48.45%
	Democratic	Claire McCaskill	6,591	45.36%
	Libertarian	Jonathan Dine	899	6.19%

Warren County is included in Missouri's 3rd Congressional District and is represented by Blaine Luetkemeyer (R-St. Elizabeth) in the U.S. House of Representatives.

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Warren County (2016)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Blaine Luetkemeyer	10,884	70.55%	−1.61
	Democratic	Kevin Miller	3,847	24.94%	+0.96
	Libertarian	Dan Hogan	480	3.11%	−0.75
	Constitution	Doanita Simmons	216	1.40%	+1.40

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Warren County (2014)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Blaine Luetkemeyer	5,587	72.16%	+6.07
	Democratic	Courtney Denton	1,857	23.98%	−6.53
	Libertarian	Steven Hedrick	299	3.86%	+0.46

U.S. House of Representatives — Missouri's 3rd Congressional District — Warren County (2012)

Party		Candidate	Votes	%	±%
	Republican	Blaine Luetkemeyer	9,429	66.09%
	Democratic	Eric Mayer	4,352	30.51%
	Libertarian	Steven Wilson	485	3.40%

Political culture

United States presidential election results for Warren County, Missouri^[12]

Year	Republican		Democratic		Third party(ies)
	No.	%	No.	%	No.	%
2024	14,915	73.96%	4,970	24.65%	281	1.39%
2020	13,222	71.80%	4,769	25.90%	425	2.31%
2016	11,111	70.39%	3,915	24.80%	758	4.80%
2012	9,150	62.35%	5,219	35.56%	307	2.09%
2008	8,675	55.69%	6,705	43.05%	196	1.26%
2004	7,883	58.69%	5,461	40.66%	88	0.66%
2000	5,979	55.67%	4,524	42.12%	237	2.21%
1996	3,768	43.78%	3,443	40.00%	1,396	16.22%
1992	2,953	34.10%	3,213	37.11%	2,493	28.79%
1988	4,452	60.07%	2,935	39.60%	24	0.32%
1984	5,150	72.39%	1,964	27.61%	0	0.00%
1980	4,366	64.75%	2,132	31.62%	245	3.63%
1976	3,214	59.19%	2,164	39.85%	52	0.96%
1972	3,530	74.24%	1,225	25.76%	0	0.00%
1968	2,669	62.55%	1,033	24.21%	565	13.24%
1964	2,323	54.97%	1,903	45.03%	0	0.00%
1960	2,946	67.68%	1,407	32.32%	0	0.00%
1956	2,852	70.19%	1,211	29.81%	0	0.00%
1952	2,977	72.66%	1,112	27.14%	8	0.20%
1948	2,380	68.63%	1,071	30.88%	17	0.49%
1944	3,017	78.42%	815	21.19%	15	0.39%
1940	3,403	78.34%	914	21.04%	27	0.62%
1936	2,639	66.96%	1,277	32.40%	25	0.63%
1932	1,974	56.14%	1,513	43.03%	29	0.82%
1928	2,610	72.10%	999	27.60%	11	0.30%
1924	2,667	76.03%	644	18.36%	197	5.62%
1920	3,512	84.97%	545	13.19%	76	1.84%
1916	1,752	76.67%	487	21.31%	46	2.01%
1912	1,067	52.20%	431	21.09%	546	26.71%
1908	1,714	76.14%	484	21.50%	53	2.35%
1904	1,537	75.31%	435	21.31%	69	3.38%
1900	1,599	71.45%	579	25.87%	60	2.68%
1896	1,680	70.65%	691	29.06%	7	0.29%
1892	1,360	64.85%	685	32.67%	52	2.48%
1888	1,498	69.80%	589	27.45%	59	2.75%

At the presidential level, like many exurban counties, Warren County tends to lean Republican. Bill Clinton in 1992 is the solitary Democratic presidential nominee to carry Warren County since Stephen Douglas in 1860,^[13] and Clinton only won with 37.1 percent of the vote.^[14]

Like most rural and exurban areas throughout Northeast Missouri, voters in Warren County generally adhere to socially and culturally conservative principles which tend to influence their Republican leanings. The initiative narrowly passed the state with 51 percent of support from voters as Missouri became one of the first states in the nation to approve embryonic stem cell research. Despite Warren County's longstanding tradition of supporting socially conservative platforms, voters in the county have a penchant for advancing populist causes like increasing the minimum wage. In 2006, Missourians voted on a proposition (Proposition B) to increase the minimum wage in the state to $6.50 an hour—it passed Warren County with 77.48 percent of the vote. The proposition strongly passed every single county in Missouri with 78.99 percent voting in favor. (During the same election, voters in five other states also strongly approved increases in the minimum wage.)

Missouri presidential preference primary (2008)

Main articles: 2008 Missouri Democratic presidential primary and 2008 Missouri Republican presidential primary

Former U.S. Senator Hillary Rodham Clinton (D-New York) received more votes, a total of 1,971, than any candidate from either party in Warren County during the 2008 presidential primary.

Education

Public schools

• Warren County R-III School District - Warrenton
  • Daniel Boone Elementary School (PK-05)
  • Warrior Ridge Elementary School (K-05)
  • Rebecca Boone Elementary School (K-05)
  • Black Hawk Middle School (06-08)
  • Warrenton High School (09-12)
• Wright City R-II School District - Wright City
  • Wright City East Elementary School (K-01) - Foristell
  • Wright City Elementary School (02-05)
  • Wright City Middle School (06-08)
  • Wright City High School (09-12)

Private schools

• Holy Rosary School – Warrenton (K-08) – Roman Catholic
• St. Vincent De Paul School – Marthasville (K-08) – Roman Catholic
• St. Ignatius Loyola School – Marthasville (PK-08) – Roman Catholic

Public libraries

• Warrenton Branch Library^[15]

Communities

Cities

• Foristell (Partly in St. Charles County)
• Marthasville
• Truesdale
• Warrenton (county seat)
• Wright City

Villages

• Innsbrook
• Pendleton
• Three Creeks

Unincorporated communities

• Bernheimer
• Bridgeport
• Case
• Concord Hill
• Dutzow
• Gore
• Holstein
• Hopewell
• Lippstadt
• Macedonia Neighborhood
• New Truxton
• Peers
• Pin Oak
• Pinckney
• Treloar

Media

• KFAV, 99.9 mHz FM station featuring country music, sister station to KWRE
• KWRE, 730 kHz AM station featuring country music, sister station to KFAV

See also

• National Register of Historic Places listings in Warren County, Missouri