About West Plains
West Plains, MO, located in south-central Missouri, is nestled within the “Heart of the Ozarks”, (near Springfield & Branson, MO). Whether you’re looking for big-city conveniences, entertainment, and amenities or the appeal of small-town values and charms – an A-Plus education for your children or a place to build your practice and watch it grow – you’ll find it here, in West Plains.
West Plains is the county seat of Howell County and has a population of 12,000. This is a 7.7% increase since 2000. The largest city within a 100-mile radius, West Plains is the trade center for south-central Missouri. More than 125,00 people shop in the area and retail sales have averaged an 8 percent growth rate annually, pumping 225 million dollars into the local economy.
West Plains, Mo. has been selected as one of America’s 10 Best Small Towns in 2013 by Livability.com, a national website that ranks America’s most livable small and mid-sized cities based on quality of life. Livability.com referenced West Plains’ ability to attract “nature lovers, entrepreneurs, and families searching for an authentic small-town” as one of the reasons for its selection. It also mentioned the city’s Ozarks Small Business Incubator and its Governor’s Award recognition, the city’s extensive park system, the historic downtown Courthouse Square, the West Plains Civic Center, the city’s antique stores, the annual Old-Time Music/Ozark Heritage Festival, and its proximity to rivers, lakes, and streams.
Other national accolades:
- 2013 #9 Best Small Town in America by Livability.com
- 2014 MSU-WP #6 Best Community College by Washington Monthly
- 2014 West Plains School District -Top 10 Percent Missouri Academic Performance
- 2014 Old-Time Music Ozark Heritage Festival Top 100 Event by American Bus Association
- 2015 Top 10 Missouri Commuter Cities by Obrella
- 2015 Top 10 Best Towns for Retirees in Missouri by Niche.com
- 2015 Top 20 Best Towns to Raise a Family in Missouri by Niche.com
- 2015 Top 25 Best Small Towns in Missouri by Niche.com
Other Helpful Links
http://westplains.net/index.php - City of West Plains
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Plains,_Missouri – Wikipedia
http://westplainschamber.org/ - West Plains Chamber of Commerce
http://www.city-data.com/city/West-Plains-Missouri.html - City Data (West Plains cost of living index is 79.9. U.S. average is 100.)
https://wp.missouristate.edu/ - Missouri State University-West Plains
http://www.westplainsdailyquill.net/ - Local Newspaper
http://wpr7.schoolwires.net/site/default.aspx?PageID=1 – West Plains Public Schools
https://www.facebook.com/ExploreWestPlains/ - West Plains Facebook page
