On the Edges Area News--Nixa

by Diane Rarick

Don't believe everything the population signs tell you upon entering Nixa. A road sign on State Highway 14 lists the population as 4,707, while a sign on Tracker Road says "Population 9,483 and growing." City officials in Nixa estimate the population is closer to 13,600.

So, why the discrepancy? Brian Bingle, director of Planning and Development for the city of Nixa, said that signs on state highways show the lowest population, while signs on city streets show higher numbers.

Apparently it takes the state longer to verify population figures and make sign changes. "Where we have control of the signs, we're trying to keep those updated for the general public," Bingle said.

Despite the contradictory signage, site locators are taking serious looks at Nixa. "Now that the population is estimated to be 13,600-plus, stores are noticing the market in Nixa. The fact is that the population can support these additional retail sales," he said.