Warren County’s population grew by 33 percent in the past decade, the third-fastest rate in the state, according to new population figures released by the U.S. Census Bureau last Thursday. The county’s population increased from 24,525 in 2000 to 32,513 in 2010. The census data wasn’t surprising considering that the county has been a popular destination for residents looking to move farther away from the metro area. “People are moving this way,” Presiding Commissioner Arden Engelage said. “It’s interesting to see the growth. By sitting on Highway 47 and Interstate 70, we’re sitting on an area that will only explode.” The county’s two biggest cities grew substantially over the past 10 years. Warrenton’s population increased from 5,284 in 2000 to 7,880 last year. Wright City grew from 1,532 residents in 2000 to 3,119 last year. Marthasville saw a big gain as well. The city’s population rose to 1,136 last year from 837 in 2000. Elsewhere in the county, Truesdale nearly doubled its population as it grew to 732 residents in the latest census. In 2000, the city’s population was 397. The Village of Innsbrook also jumped to 552 from 469, while the portion of Foristell that sits in the county rose to 260 residents from 27. With the recession slowing the construction of new homes and the housing market also stalled for at least the past two years Northern District Commissioner Dan Hampson predicts the county is on the verge of more population gains once the economy turns around. “You will see it (the growth) again,” he said. The county’s population by racial background in 2010 was: White, 30,685; Black or African-American, 621; American Indian or Alaska Native, 133; Asian, 136; Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander, 11; some other race, 352; two or more races, 575; and Hispanic or Latino, 957. Christian County, located between Branson and Springfield, was the fastest growing county in the state after its population increased 43 percent. Its population rose from 54,285 to 77,422. Neighboring Lincoln County, to the north, was the second-fastest at a 35 percent clip. Its population increased from 38,944 to 52,566. Rounding out the top five behind Warren County were Taney County, whose population jumped by 30 percent, and Pulaski and St. Charles counties, who tied at 27 percent. Missouri’s population is 5,988,927 as of April 1, 2010, and showed a growth of 393,716 persons, or 7 percent, in the past decade. The state’s population in 2000 was 5,595,211. Kansas City remains the largest city in the state as its population grew to 460,000 in the latest census. The gap was widened over St. Louis, whose population dipped by more than 29,000 to 319,294. The nation’s population had grown at a rate of 10 percent during the same period. Missouri and the nation grew at a slightly slower pace this last decade than in the 1990s. Missouri grew at a rate of 9 percent in the 1990s, while the nation’s growth rate was 13 percent during the same period. State lawmakers need the updated census figures to begin redistricting. That duty will be the responsibility of the Missouri Legislature. Missouri will lose one seat in the U.S. House of Representatives, so the state will need to be redistricted to include only eight House districts. The new population figures also will aid in redrawing of state House and Senate lines and local government political boundaries. All states must receive census data by April 1, according to public law.