Republic is evolving at a rapid pace
The people have spoken in Republic, and more and more are casting their vote to live and work in this southwestern Missouri city. The population here has grown around 27% since 2010 and is expected to continue ballooning into the next decade. Newcomers are drawn by job opportunities courtesy of companies like Amazon, and new construction properties to support them. “The city itself is very, very growth-minded,” says Blake Cantrell, owner of Blake Cantrell Real Estate and a native of the region. “They want to do anything they can to be better and to bring in as much commerce and money so that they can provide all types of the different amenities.”
New construction homes trying to keep up with population growth
One of Republic’s persistent trends is construction. New houses are filling space on the city’s outskirts, in subdivisions like Emerald Valley and Valley Trail, boosting the city’s inventory. “Probably in the last five years, I bet I’ve sold 800 houses,” Cantrell says. These new traditional-style houses sell for between $200,000 and $500,000. Neighborhoods like Morningside and Birchwood Estates house Republic’s broad base of midcentury ranch-style homes, most priced from $140,000 to $400,000. “Even though it’s got a large volume of new construction, there’s still plenty of existing inventory. The normal kind of home that the average family can afford for the wages in that area — the three-bedroom, two-bathroom, two-car garage home," says Elaine Montgomery, a Realtor with Murney Associates and a native of nearby Springfield. "And if they don’t have to have a brand-new one, they can get a little more square footage for the same price if they buy an existing home.” Collectively, houses across the city sell for an average of $314,200, which is up 16% year over year. Still, homes tend to sell more quickly than the national average, at roughly 38 days on the market.
Amazon is altering the area’s economy
Amazon opened a 1.3-million-square-foot fulfillment center in 2021, and it’s the city’s largest employer, with more than 1,700 people. Walmart is working on a new pharmaceutical distribution center in town, scheduled to open in 2026. “There’s a lot of enterprise coming into town — job opportunities that are good-paying jobs,” Cantrell says. McLane, a grocery and retail distribution company, and Red Money Foods, specializing in spices, are among Republic’s other major employers. It’s also common for people to live in Republic but commute 15 miles to the larger city of Springfield for work, Cantrell says.
The Rush can offer a dose of adrenaline
Republic’s park system includes spots like Brookline Park, a place to escape to take in a scenic creek and a series of four trails. The Rush, the city operated water park, is open from May to early September. The facility was recently expanded, expanding the pool area, a lazy river and slides. The city is extending its Shuyler Creek Trail by more than a mile in a project set to be completed in 2025. The region offers opportunities for more outdoor exploration. “You’re right smack, almost in the middle, between Springfield and Joplin, Missouri,” Montgomery says. “So it gives you a lot of choices. You’re about an hour from Stockton Lake. It’s a great family spot for boating, recreational watercraft, fishing, picnicking and camping.”
The city puts on multiple celebrations throughout the year. Have-A-Blast Patriotic Celebration in late June at J.R. Martin Park is a favorite. The event includes live music and a kid’s zone before fireworks.
Republic’s climate includes warm summers and cold winters, with an average about a foot of snow. Missouri has averaged 55 tornadoes a year since 2010, according to data compiled by the Springfield News-Leader.
Route 60 is ripe with businesses
One of Republic’s main roads, U.S. Route 60, doubles as a commercial hub, lined with big-box stores and restaurants. The city has a historic downtown, which is home to city hall plus a smattering of small businesses - like florist, a clothing and home goods store. The city has held meetings toward revitalization efforts downtown, too. “I know they are working on trying to bring in more anchor attractions,” Cantrell says.
OATS offers public transit around the county
OATS, short for Operating Above the Standard, is a public transportation option in the region. Locals can schedule rides around the wider Greene County by phone and for less than $5 per trip. Drivers can take Main Street toward Interstate 44, a connection to Springfield. The Springfield-Branson National Airport, 12 miles away, facilitates nonstop flights to 13 cities. Route 60 links people to the 868-bed Cox North Hospital, a 14-mile trip.
Republic flies high with Air Force program
The Republic School District earns an A-minus grade on Niche. The district serves more than 5,000 students and is building a new, $47 billion intermediate school for fifth and six grades that’s set to open ahead of the 2025-26 school year.
Ozarks Technical Community College has a campus in Republic. The school has programs in English, criminal justice, behavioral science, social work and clinical science.
Crime
The Republic Police Department reported a drop in property crime from 2022 to 2023. The city’s rates of violent and property crime are below national levels, according to the FBI Crime Data Explorer.
Written By
Wayne Epps Jr.
Photography Contributed By
Kenyon Gerbrandt
