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Bolivar

Bolivar

Located in Polk County

$238,233 Average Value
$170 Average Price per Sq Ft
44 Homes For Sale

30 miles from Springfield, Bolivar’s expansion is gaining attention

Bolivar is a rural town in southwestern Missouri, about 30 miles north of Springfield. As the seat of Polk County, it was named after South American revolutionary Simon Bolivar, sharing the same name and origin as a Tennessee town. “Bolivar is a nice place to live and somewhat rural. The big industry here is cattle production, and that’s one of the main things we’re known for,” says Darren Sapp, a real estate agent with Sturdy Real Estate for about five years. “But we have a lot of other assets beyond our major employers. Strong local schools, nearby colleges, parks and plenty of land are just some of what’s great about Bolivar.”

Bolivar residents enjoy easy access to local shopping and dining options along Springfield Avenue.
Bolivar residents enjoy easy access to local shopping and dining options along Springfield Avenue.
The city of Bolivar takes it's name from the Columbian revolutionary hero.
The city of Bolivar takes it's name from the Columbian revolutionary hero.
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Welcoming new business while honoring anchor industries

With a population of about 11,000, Bolivar is in the heart of Missouri's Ozark Mountains. Its leading industries are healthcare, education, technology, meat processing and retail. “While some residents commute to Springfield, there are plenty that work here in town for 3M, Kraft-Heinz and Bass Pro Shops, to name a few,” says Sapp. “Newcomers move here for lifestyle reasons, such as wanting to retire with a few acres of land, or for jobs, which are definitely growing around here.” The largest employers include Citizen Memorial Hospital, Tracker Boats, Walmart and Bolivar School District.

CMH is one of Bolivar's largest employers.
CMH is one of Bolivar's largest employers.
Tracker Boats in Bolivar is a large manufacturer.
Tracker Boats in Bolivar is a large manufacturer.
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New suburban homes and plenty of rural properties

The median home price of $270,000 is higher than the Polk County median but lower than the national point at which half the homes sell for less and half sell for more. Lots range from $49,000 to $127,000 per acre. Century-old farmhouses sell from $36,000 to $100,000, while homes in new subdivisions can sell from $400,000 to $750,000. “With so much vacant land, it’s not uncommon to find a fair number of equestrian properties around Bolivar, as well,” Sapp says.

A row of newer construction ranch homes in Polk County.
A row of newer construction ranch homes in Polk County.
A large national style 2 story home with meticulous landscaping sits on a street in Polk County.
A large national style 2 story home with meticulous landscaping sits on a street in Polk County.
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Dunnegan Memorial Park is a popular year-round destination

Dunnegan Memorial Park features a small lake, wildlife and a mile-long trail that leads to playgrounds, pavilions and open fields. The holiday season's Light The Park opens in late November and runs through December. The glass-walled Bolivar Aquatic Center is a hard-to-miss destination on Broadway Street, and the city maintains a nine-hole public golf course. On weekends, Pomme de Terre Reservoir & State Park and Stockton Lake are nearby for swimming, boating, camping, fishing and hiking.

The Dunnegan Memorial Park offers a wide range of outdoor activities for young and old.
The Dunnegan Memorial Park offers a wide range of outdoor activities for young and old.
Bolivar Golf Course draws local golfers with outdoor activity.
Bolivar Golf Course draws local golfers with outdoor activity.
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Bolivar School District broke ground on two expansion projects in early 2025

The city is zoned for Bolivar R-I School District, which is graded B-plus by Niche. In January 2025, the district broke ground on several expansion projects. A new agriculture education center is under way at Bolivar High, while a four-classroom addition at Bolivar Intermediate also broke ground. Bolivar Technical College offers comprehensive nursing programs with a 100% job-placement rate for its licensed graduates. Southern Baptist University is a four-year Christian college founded in 1878. It has four campuses, with Bolivar being the largest.

Some students in Polk County attend Bolivar Public School including Bolivar High School.
Some students in Polk County attend Bolivar Public School including Bolivar High School.
Bolivar Intermediate School shares a campus with Bolivar High School.
Bolivar Intermediate School shares a campus with Bolivar High School.
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Polk County Courthouse anchors downtown

Polk County Courthouse is the tallest landmark in Bolivar, and its Goddess of Justice statue is hard to miss. It anchors the town square and overlooks art galleries, restaurants, coffee shops and small businesses. Tractor Supply, Walmart, Aldi and Bass Pro Shops are the largest retailers in downtown. Long-standing local restaurants include Springfield Avenue Café and Basil & Bourbon.

At the heart of Bolivar is the court house.
At the heart of Bolivar is the court house.
Downtown Bolivar is a bustling hub of activity throughout the day.
Downtown Bolivar is a bustling hub of activity throughout the day.
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Crime rates are below state and national figures

According to FBI data, Bolivar’s rates of reported violent and property crimes have been mostly lower than national and state average since 2020. The city experiences hot, muggy summers and wet, cold winters. Temperatures rarely exceed 89 degrees or dip below 10 degrees. Polk County is in southwest Missouri, historically seeing more tornadoes in spring and summer than other parts of the state.

Getting around Bolivar

Traffic in and around Bolivar is rarely congested. Missouri Route 13 and Route 83 are north-south highways through the city. Commutes to Springfield take about 30 minutes. State Route 32 is an east-west highway that bisects the city. OATS Transit provides bus service and transportation for disabled people. The closest commercial airport is Springfield-Branson Airport, about 30 miles south.

Sarah Albiston
Written By
Sarah Albiston
Kenyon Gerbrandt
Photography Contributed By
Kenyon Gerbrandt
Amon Parson
Video By
Amon Parson

Interested in learning more about homes in this area? Reach out to Elaine Montgomery, an experienced agent in this area.

Agents Specializing in this Area

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Schools

Source:
GreatSchools: The GreatSchools Rating helps parents compare schools within a state based on a variety of school quality indicators and provides a helpful picture of how effectively each school serves all of its students. Ratings are on a scale of 1 (below average) to 10 (above average) and can include test scores, college readiness, academic progress, advanced courses, equity, discipline and attendance data. We also advise parents to visit schools, consider other information on school performance and programs, and consider family needs as part of the school selection process. View GreatSchools Rating Methodology

Parks in this Area

Area Facts

Number of Homes
1,823
Number of Homes for Sale
44
Median Year Built
1988
Months of Supply
3.10
Average Single Family Home Size Sq Ft
1,736
Below the national average
1,930
Average 2 Bedroom Size Sq Ft
1,126
Median Lot Size Sq Ft
12,196

Open Houses

  • Saturday, Mar 21
    Open Sat 9AM - 6PM

    1138 Forest Ridge Dr, Bolivar, MO 65613

    $359,900

    • 4 Beds
    • 3 Baths
    • 2,376 Sq Ft
    • 1138 Forest Ridge Dr
    • New 17 days ago

    Beautiful 4-bedroom, 3-bath home situated on 2.6 acres and serviced by Southwest Electric and Generator Backup. This property has just undergone an extensive refresh, including new carpet, refinished kitchen cabinets, quartz countertops, an enlarged bedroom, updated decks and porches, tasteful landscaping, and new concrete walkways. Enjoy the peaceful country feel while being only minutes outside

    Christopher Aug United Country Farm & Home Sales

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Homes for Sale

Homes for Rent

Distribution of Home Values

Source: Public Records

Average Home Value





Source: Public Records

Property Mix - Square Feet

Bolivar Has More Owners

Demographics

Total Population
11,389
Median Age
34
Population under 18
27.4%
On par with the national average
23.8%
Population over 65
18%
On par with the national average
19.1%

Finances

Median Household Income
$41,396
Significantly below the national average
$79,601
Average Household Income
$60,704

Education and Workforce

High School Graduates
91.7%
College Graduates
25.8%
Below the national average
34.1%
Advanced Degrees
10.2%
% Population in Labor Force
58.4%
Below the national average
64.9%

Weather

Annual Precipitation
45''
Average Winter Low Temperature
25°F
Average Summer High Temperature
89°F
Annual Snowfall
3''

Area Factors

Somewhat friendly

Bike Score®®

20 / 100

Somewhat friendly

Walk Score®®

20 / 100
Source: Local Logic
Sources: Local Logic

Local Logic measures the walkability, access to public transit and bikeability of any address. CAP Index provides objective, accurate, and consistent data to help measure, compare, and mitigate crime risks.

Disclaimer: Certain information contained herein is derived from information provided by parties other than Homes.com. Our sources include: Accuweather, Public Records and Neustar. All information provided is deemed reliable, but is not guaranteed to be accurate and should be independently verified.
Bolivar