The annual One Night Count early Friday morning found 73 homeless individuals in Renton, almost identical to last year’s number.

The 73 included 15 men and 2 women, while the gender of the rest wasn’t known. The volunteers were not to disturb the individuals, just observe.

No children under 18 were found; last year, one child was counted.Last year 71 homeless individuals were counted.

Countywide, 2,594 homeless were counted, a 6 percent increase over last year that also includes new areas added to the count.

In Seattle 1,898 homeless individuals were counted. Kent had the largest number of homeless – 104 – of the four South King County cities in the count.

This is the 32nd year for the countywide count. It’s coordinated by the Seattle/King County Coalition on Homelessness. The idea is to document how many lack basic shelter, according to the coalition.

“There’s another reason for the count,” said Alison Eisinger, count organizer and coalition executive director, in a news release.

“When hundreds of people see their neighbors sleeping on cardboard or riding buses to keep warm, they are shocked and saddened. We want them to be inspired to urge their local and state officials to address these needs with resources.”

Most of the homeless found in Renton – 55 – were observed living in cars and trucks. Others were found in much lesser numbers in structures, under roadways, doorways, alleys, parks and even in the bushes. Three people were simply walking around.

Organizers point out the number of people living without shelter is undercounted, because only a portion of the county is included and many homeless live in hard-to-reach areas.

“The street count is only a snapshot, which can be influenced by a number of factors,” said Bill Block, director of the Committee to End Homeless, which implements the Ten Year Plan to End Homelessness in King County.

“We know without our prevention and housing programs, thousands more people would be on the streets. Even in the face of the recession, we know that our investments can reduce the number of people who are homeless – that happened last year and the year before,” he said.

The count was conducted in 13 cities by about 800 volunteers during the early hours of Friday morning.