Mountain Grove has small-town charm with modern amenities
More than an hour east of Springfield , the Wright County city of Mountain Grove is prized for its privacy and calm atmosphere. With a population of about 4,300, the community enjoys a smaller town vibe without losing access to modern conveniences. “People who move there want to be further away from the big city,” says Shirley Franklin, an agent with Old World Realty who’s served the area since 2010. “But it still has some of the bigger stores and restaurants.” With a full calendar of annual events and its own school district, Mountain Grove encourages neighborliness and local pride.
Most homes sit on large lots and sell below Webster County prices
Set on tree-lined streets, area lots are frequently a third of an acre and larger, often featuring fenced-in backyards and single-car driveways. Midcentury ranch-style homes are the majority, typically priced between $40,000 and $280,000. Turn-of-the-20th-century Cape Cods and bungalows are also popular, and tend to sell between $30,000 and $160,000, depending on condition. Contemporary homes generally have higher square footage on average than other eras of homes, and sell between $130,000 and $340,000. The median price for a single-family home is about $210,000, lower than the $240,000 median of neighboring Webster County.
Local schools offer football pride and small class sizes
Students can start their education at Mountain Grove Elementary School, which has a B-minus, before attending Mountain Grove Middle School, which has a B. Older students can enroll at Mountain Grove High School, which has a B-minus. “They’re probably best known for their football team,” says the local Chamber of Commerce director, Becca Coble. “They typically do really well.” Mountain Grove Christian Academy offers private religious instruction for pre-kindergarten through 12th grade, with no Niche grade. Coble says one of the academy’s advantages is small class size. “They usually have 75 to 100 kids total,” she says. Students may qualify for a private school voucher from the Missouri Empowerment Scholarship Accounts Program. Missouri State University has a campus in Mountain Grove that offers an Associate degree in general studies.
Parks include disc golf, skate areas and swimming pools
At almost 40 acres, Cedar Park is the city’s largest public park. It includes walking trails, picnic shelters and an all-inclusive playground that was finished in 2023. True to its name, Alumni Park honors Mountain Grove High School graduates with a stone monument. It also features picnic shelters, a gazebo and a landscaped field. Ina Crandall Park is home to the municipal pool, a skate park and an 18-hole disc golf course. The Randel-Hinkle Municipal Golf Course is a public, 18-hole course that hosts special events and league play.
Dining includes steakhouses and classic diner-style meals
Most shopping is along Main Avenue, including fast food, locally owned businesses and a Walmart Supercenter. “Our locally owned businesses have done a wonderful job of getting people to come from out of town to visit,” says Coble. Cattlemens Steakhouse offers a contemporary spin on the western grill experience with modern choices like pulled pork nachos served alongside classic cuts of beef. Ma and Pa’s Family Style Restaurant serves no-frills diner favorites like hamburger steak and stacks of pancakes.
Local events celebrate culture, livestock and community
Held the second weekend of every August, the Mountain Grove Heritage Festival celebrates the region with live music, family friendly activities and hundreds of vendors and eateries. “It’s one of the biggest events in the city,” says Coble. The Tri-County Fair invites the surrounding area for a week of livestock exhibitions, rodeos, carnival rides and a fireworks display.
Springfield is about an hour's drive away
The area’s main highways are State Route 95 and U.S. Route 60, the latter leading to Springfield, about 70 miles away. The Ozarks Healthcare Mountain Grove Medical Complex offers emergency and general care.
