Springfield, Missouri

Springfield, Missouri
Nicknames: 
The "Queen City of the Ozarks"
"Birthplace of Route 66"
Interactive map of Springfield, Missouri
Springfield
Springfield
Coordinates: 37°12′55″N 93°17′54″W / 37.21528°N 93.29833°W / 37.21528; -93.29833
Country United States
State Missouri
Counties
Founded1834
Incorporated1838
Government
 • TypeCouncil–manager
 • MayorJeff Schrag
Area
 • City
83.70 sq mi (216.78 km2)
 • Land83.11 sq mi (215.26 km2)
 • Water0.59 sq mi (1.52 km2)
 • Metro
3,021 sq mi (7,824 km2)
Elevation
1,299 ft (396 m)
Population
 (2020)
 • City
169,176
 • Estimate 
(2024)
170,596
 • RankUS: 152nd
 • Density2,035.5/sq mi (785.91/km2)
 • Urban
282,651 (US: 143rd)
 • Urban density2,104/sq mi (812.4/km2)
 • Metro
475,432 (US: 111th)
DemonymSpringfieldian
Time zoneUTC−6 (CST)
 • Summer (DST)UTC−5 (CDT)
ZIP codes
65801-65810, 65814, 65817, 65890, 65897-65899
Area code417
FIPS code29-70000
GNIS feature ID0735864
Websitespringfieldmo.gov

Springfield is the third most populous city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County. The city's population was 169,176 at the 2020 census. Out of all cities in the US with the name Springfield, this city is the largest one. It is the principal city of the Springfield metropolitan area, which had an estimated population of 487,061 in 2022 and includes the counties of Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk, and Webster. Springfield is the largest city in the Ozarks region, and sits on the Springfield Plateau, which ranges from nearly level to rolling hills.

Springfield's nicknames include "Queen City of the Ozarks" and "The Birthplace of Route 66". The city has been called the "Buckle of the Bible Belt" due to its association with evangelical Christianity. The city is the headquarters for Bass Pro Shops and the adjoining Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium. It is also home to O'Reilly Auto Parts, which began as a family business with 13 employees in 1957. Springfield is close to Wilson's Creek National Battlefield and is along the national historic Trail of Tears. In 2020, Springfield's largest ethnicities were 87.6% white, 4% black, and 5% two or more races, placing it among the least diverse cities in the United States. The city is a regional center of medical care, with the two largest hospitals, CoxHealth and Mercy, being the largest employers in the city. Springfield hosts several universities and colleges, including Missouri State University, Drury University, and Evangel University. Springfield is an important regional center for distribution, logistics, and manufacturing.