The arrival of the Kansas City, Springfield, & Memphis Railroad in 1883 set West Plains charging toward a stature it hasn’t relinquished. The rail line helped make West Plains a regional nerve center for commerce. Today, this city of 12,600 is still the largest in a 100-mile radius. As such, the community offers an assortment of homes, jobs, retail and dining attractions, and more. Local Realtor Debra Smith, a resident of the region, believes the diversity of this area’s offerings to be its biggest draw. “We also have the outdoors,” says Smith, of United Country Missouri Ozarks Realty. “We also have a university, we have good schools. We have a hospital; we have good health care. So we have the amenities that a larger city offers with the benefits of small-town life.”
West Plains serves as the county seat for Howell County.
The railroad remains an active and important part of the West Plains community.
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Homes range from antique to new, from the inside out
Buyers seeking a classic home, perhaps for a restoration project, can find one in the middle of West Plains. That section of the city has options dating to the late 1800s, from modest bungalows to multistory Victorians, priced from $100,000 to $200,000. Houses tend to get newer toward the outskirts of town, including brand-new options in subdivisions like Stoneybrook and Westway Hills. West Plains’ recent builds go for $200,000 to $400,000. “There’s a mixture of homes — kind of like timber,” Smith says. “Whenever you’re dealing with timber on a property, you’ve got a mixture of timber — hardwood and cedar and other types of wood. You’ve got that with West Plains, because you’ve got starter homes, you’ve got flipper homes, you’ve got restored, historic homes.” Homes across the city hit the market for a median price of about $250,000.
Newer subdivisions in West Plains bring new housing options.
Older homes in West Plains include a number of smaller investment and starter options.
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Service industries account for a significant slice of employment
Service industries cover almost 50% of West Plains’ job sector. That includes health care — Ozarks Healthcare is the city’s largest employer. Ozarks includes the 114-bed Ozarks Medical Center. Leonardo DRS, a maker of military equipment, has a plant in town that’s another top employer.
Ozarks Healthcare offers vital services and employment for West Plains and the region.
DRS Technologies is one of West Plains largest employers.
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West Plains students have access to Southern Missouri Technical Institute
The city’s West Plains School District is a draw to the area for some families, with its B-plus rating on Niche. “Because parents are concerned about their children and want their kids to feel safe and secure in their school,” Smith says. “And you want your teachers to be quality. And you want your school to be neat and clean. And you want your kids to be happy in school.” Students at A-minus-rated West Plains High can take courses at Southern Missouri Technical Institute. SoMoTech’s main campus has programs in topics ranging from carpentry to culinary arts. There’s also a second SoMoTech location on West Plain High’s campus, with programs in agriculture, family and consumer sciences, and business.
The four-year Missouri State University has a campus in West Plains as well, offering two-year programs. Nursing is among the popular programs at MSU-West Plains.
Students at West Plains Middle School go on to attend the neighboring high school.
The Missouri State University West Plains campus is an important part of the community.
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Ozarks provide basis outdoor fun
West Plains’ location in the hills of the Ozark Mountains means outdoor recreation is ingrained in the area. “We love showcasing the Ozarks,” Smith says. There’s a trailhead for the 390-mile Ozark Trail 8 miles from West Plains in the nearby community of Pomona. Multiple trails are available within town, too, including the 6-mile Galloway Loop, a paved bike path. Kids can explore spots like Butler Children’s Park, which has a sprawling playground. West Plains Aquatic Center provides a spot to cool down during the summer months, while the West Plains Civic Center can be a place to escape to when the weather’s not cooperative, home to an indoor pool and fitness center. In June, the Civic Center hosts the annual Old-Time Music, Ozark Heritage Festival, a celebration of folk music.
West Plains experiences four seasons, whether warm summers or cold winters, which average a foot of snow. The state experiences 55 tornadoes a year, according to Springfield News-Leader data.
West Plains families enjoy playing at centrally located Butler Park.
The Ozark Trail and 27 miles of hiking can be accessed just north of West Plains.
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Downtown West Plains is an eclectic destination
Downtown West Plains, lined with classic, tall brick brick buildings, has been the site of recent investment. West Plains Downtown, a local nonprofit, organized the installation of new lights in the area in the summer of 2024. Multiple new businesses have opened up downtown as well, in a district home to multiple local bookstores, message studios, restaurants, clothing stores and more. The West Plains Downtown group has encouraged shopping here with a small business passport program during the holidays that can lead to a prize. The city also has a smattering of big-box stores and chain restaurants, some clustered along a stretch of Preacher Roe Boulevard on the south side of town.
West Plains serves as the county seat for Howell County.
Residents in West Plains frequent local shops in downtown.
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West Plains offers public transit
The city has a curb-to-curb bus service, the West Plains Transit System, that operates Monday through Friday. Rides are available for $1.50 per person. U.S. Routes 160 and 63 are the most prominent thoroughfares in town. Routes 63 and 60 are links to Springfield, 110 miles away and the largest city in the region at roughly 170,000 people. The Springfield-Branson National Airport, 118 miles away, is the closest major airport.
Crime
According to Missouri State Highway Patrol, West Plains saw drops in both violent and property crime from 2023 to 2024.
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