Ozark, Missouri

Not to be confused with Ozark County, Missouri.

Ozark, Missouri
City
City of Ozark
Location of Ozark in Christian County, Missouri.
Ozark Location within Missouri Show map of Missouri Ozark Location within the Contiguous U.S. Show map of the United States
Coordinates: 37°1′38″N93°12′34″W / 37.02722°N 93.20944°W / 37.02722; -93.20944
Country	United States
State	Missouri
County	Christian
Incorporated	1890
Named for	Ozark Mountains
Government
• Mayor	Don Currence
• City Clerk	Chandra Hodges
• City Administrator	Stephen Childers
Area [1]
• Total	12.22 sq mi (31.64 km2)
• Land	12.15 sq mi (31.46 km2)
• Water	0.07 sq mi (0.18 km2)
Elevation [2]	1,168 ft (356 m)
Population  (2020)
• Total	21,284
• Density	1,752.20/sq mi (676.50/km2)
Time zone	UTC-6 (Central (CST))
• Summer (DST)	UTC-5 (CDT)
ZIP code	65721
Area code	417
FIPS code	29-55766 [3]
GNIS feature ID	0723933 [2]
Website	Official website

Ozark is a city in and the county seat of Christian County, Missouri. ^[4] Its population was 21,284 as of the 2020 census. ^[5] Ozark is also the third largest city in the Springfield, Missouri Metropolitan Area, and is centered along a business loop of U.S. Route 65, where it intersects with Missouri Route 14.

History

Ozark was named after the Ozark Mountains, in which it is situated. ^[6] The Ozark Courthouse Square Historic District was listed on the National Register of Historic Places in 2009. ^[7]

The name Ozarks is believed to have begun sometime in the late 1700s or early 1800s from those living in the Arkansas area who were heading north and said they were going to the Ozarks.

The first settler to visit the area is believed to be Henry Schoolcraft, who arrived in 1818. During that time he studied extensively the geological makeup of the area and noted the high concentration of lead and zinc. Notably, in the Elk Valley area. Schoolcraft noted on the abundance of elk, bear and other wildlife in the area. This later became the area's hunting grounds, until the elk were hunted to extinction in the 1880s.

Most of the lead and zinc mines functioned until the early 1900's. The majority of the mining done in Ozark, Missouri was done in the Elk Valley area. ^[8]

Geography

Ozark is located at 37°1′38″N93°12′34″W / 37.02722°N 93.20944°W / 37.02722; -93.20944 (37.027111, −93.209572). ^[9] According to the United States Census Bureau, the city has a total area of 11.15 square miles (28.88 km²), of which 11.10 square miles (28.75 km²) is land and 0.05 square miles (0.13 km²) is water. ^[10]

Climate

Climate data for Ozark, Missouri, 1991–2020 normals, extremes 2001–present
Month	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec	Year
Record high °F (°C)	73 (23)	81 (27)	85 (29)	93 (34)	94 (34)	105 (41)	106 (41)	109 (43)	102 (39)	90 (32)	82 (28)	75 (24)	109 (43)
Mean maximum °F (°C)	63.7 (17.6)	67.6 (19.8)	78.3 (25.7)	84.0 (28.9)	87.9 (31.1)	93.5 (34.2)	96.7 (35.9)	97.7 (36.5)	92.1 (33.4)	85.0 (29.4)	73.9 (23.3)	65.7 (18.7)	100.1 (37.8)
Mean daily maximum °F (°C)	44.3 (6.8)	48.7 (9.3)	58.2 (14.6)	68.2 (20.1)	76.1 (24.5)	84.3 (29.1)	89.1 (31.7)	88.9 (31.6)	82.1 (27.8)	70.1 (21.2)	57.4 (14.1)	46.9 (8.3)	67.9 (19.9)
Daily mean °F (°C)	32.8 (0.4)	36.9 (2.7)	46.1 (7.8)	55.8 (13.2)	64.9 (18.3)	73.5 (23.1)	78.0 (25.6)	76.9 (24.9)	69.6 (20.9)	57.6 (14.2)	45.1 (7.3)	36.4 (2.4)	56.1 (13.4)
Mean daily minimum °F (°C)	21.2 (−6.0)	25.1 (−3.8)	33.9 (1.1)	43.3 (6.3)	53.7 (12.1)	62.7 (17.1)	66.8 (19.3)	64.8 (18.2)	57.1 (13.9)	45.0 (7.2)	32.8 (0.4)	25.8 (−3.4)	44.4 (6.9)
Mean minimum °F (°C)	6.1 (−14.4)	11.5 (−11.4)	18.1 (−7.7)	27.8 (−2.3)	39.5 (4.2)	51.4 (10.8)	59.0 (15.0)	55.3 (12.9)	45.1 (7.3)	31.0 (−0.6)	20.1 (−6.6)	12.4 (−10.9)	2.3 (−16.5)
Record low °F (°C)	−11 (−24)	−16 (−27)	3 (−16)	17 (−8)	30 (−1)	39 (4)	51 (11)	46 (8)	35 (2)	19 (−7)	10 (−12)	−8 (−22)	−16 (−27)
Average precipitation inches (mm)	2.44 (62)	2.41 (61)	4.24 (108)	4.70 (119)	5.34 (136)	4.68 (119)	4.06 (103)	3.16 (80)	4.20 (107)	3.58 (91)	3.71 (94)	2.75 (70)	45.27 (1,150)
Average snowfall inches (cm)	2.8 (7.1)	3.2 (8.1)	0.4 (1.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.0 (0.0)	0.4 (1.0)	6.8 (17.2)
Average precipitation days (≥ 0.01 in)	4.5	5.2	7.5	7.7	8.5	7.3	6.1	5.1	5.5	6.0	6.0	4.7	74.1
Average snowy days (≥ 0.1 in)	1.0	0.9	0.1	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.0	0.1	0.0	0.3	2.4
Source 1: NOAA [11]
Source 2: National Weather Service (mean maxima/minima 2006–2020) [12]

Demographics

Historical population

Census	Pop.	Note	%±
1880	235		—
1890	490		108.5%
1900	830		69.4%
1910	813		−2.0%
1920	798		−1.8%
1930	885		10.9%
1940	961		8.6%
1950	1,087		13.1%
1960	1,536		41.3%
1970	2,384		55.2%
1980	2,980		25.0%
1990	4,243		42.4%
2000	9,665		127.8%
2010	17,820		84.4%
2020	21,284		19.4%
U.S. Decennial Census [13]

In 2012, press reports described Ozark as the fastest-growing city in Missouri. ^[14]

2020 census

The 2020 United States census ^[15] counted 21,284 people, 7,648 households, and 5,238 families in Ozark. The population density was 1,751.8 per square mile (676.5/km²). There were 8,132 housing units at an average density of 669.3 per square mile (258.5/km²). The racial makeup was 88.86% (18,913) white, 0.92% (196) black or African-American, 0.58% (123) Native American, 0.58% (124) Asian, 0.09% (19) Pacific Islander, 1.3% (276) from other races, and 7.67% (1,633) from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race was 4.2% (850) of the population.

Of the 7,648 households, 33.7% had children under the age of 18; 51.5% were married couples living together; 30.0% had a female householder with no husband present. Of all households, 25.2% consisted of individuals and 9.5% had someone living alone who was 65 years of age or older. The average household size was 2.6 and the average family size was 3.1.

27.4% of the population was under the age of 18, 7.8% from 18 to 24, 26.0% from 25 to 44, 21.9% from 45 to 64, and 11.8% who were 65 years of age or older. The median age was 34.1 years. For every 100 females, the population had 84.8 males. For every 100 females ages 18 and older, there were 82.1 males.

The 2016-2020 5-year American Community Survey ^[16] estimates show that the median household income was $58,995 (with a margin of error of +/- $4,275) and the median family income was $67,842 (+/- $9,725). Males had a median income of $39,931 (+/- $2,397) versus $27,374 (+/- $4,454) for females. The median income for those above 16 years old was $33,969 (+/- $3,180). Approximately, 10.4% of families and 13.8% of the population were below the poverty line, including 24.3% of those under the age of 18 and 18.3% of those ages 65 or over.

2010 census

At the 2010 census there were 17,820 people, 6,603 households, and 4,689 families living in the city. The population density was 1,605.4 inhabitants per square mile (619.8/km²). There were 7,311 housing units at an average density of 658.6 per square mile (254.3/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 95.2% White, 0.8% African American, 0.5% Native American, 0.5% Asian, 0.1% Pacific Islander, 0.8% from other races, and 2.0% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 3.2%. ^[17]

Of the 6,603 households 43.4% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 52.6% were married couples living together, 14.0% had a female householder with no husband present, 4.4% had a male householder with no wife present, and 29.0% were non-families. 23.1% of households were one person and 7.8% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.65 and the average family size was 3.14.

The median age was 30.9 years. 30.2% of residents were under the age of 18; 9.1% were between the ages of 18 and 24; 31.6% were from 25 to 44; 19.1% were from 45 to 64; and 10.1% were 65 or older. The gender makeup of the city was 47.3% male and 52.7% female.

2000 census

At the 2000 census there were 9,665 people, 3,635 households, and 2,599 families living in the city. The population density was 1,280.8 inhabitants per square mile (494.5/km²). There were 3,853 housing units at an average density of 510.6 per square mile (197.1/km²). The racial makeup of the city was 96.36% White, 0.71% Native American, 0.33% African American, 0.30% Asian, 0.07% Pacific Islander, 0.59% from other races, and 1.63% from two or more races. Hispanic or Latino of any race were 1.70%. ^[3]

Of the 3,635 households 40.9% had children under the age of 18 living with them, 55.2% were married couples living together, 12.9% had a female householder with no husband present, and 28.5% were non-families. 23.2% of households were one person and 7.7% were one person aged 65 or older. The average household size was 2.57 and the average family size was 3.04.

The age distribution was 28.9% under the age of 18, 10.7% from 18 to 24, 34.5% from 25 to 44, 16.1% from 45 to 64, and 9.8% 65 or older. The median age was 30 years. For every 100 females, there were 88.5 males. For every 100 females age 18 and over, there were 83.9 males.

The median household income was $34,210 and the median family income was $40,069. Males had a median income of $30,599 versus $21,794 for females. The per capita income for the city was $15,912. About 10.4% of families and 11.7% of the population were below the poverty line, including 17.3% of those under age 18 and 9.9% of those age 65 or over.

Economy

Ozark was home to Simclar Interconnect Technologies, a 100,000-square-foot (9,300 m²) Simclar Group factory, providing backplane fabrication for telecommunications and data communications customers. ^[18] In 2007, Simclar moved 115 jobs to Ozark from Springfield, lured by a "tax incentive under which the company donated $1 million to a local not-for-profit corporation, which in turn will buy buildings, machinery and equipment and lease them back to Simclar." ^[19] In 2012, Los Angeles-based private equity firm Balmoral Funds LLC acquired the Ozark plant as part of an agreement that included plants in Hialeah, Florida and Matamoros, Mexico. The company was renamed Concurrent Manufacturing Solutions LLC. ^[20]

The Springfield/Ozark Mountain Ducks were an independent baseball team playing in the Central Baseball League from 1998 to 2003; Price Cutter Park, which was built in early 1999, was their home field.

In 2011, B&B Theatres built a cinema between Ozark and Nixa along Route 14. ^[21] The Belltower Chapel, originally the Ozark Christian Church, was built in 1912 and is located off of the Historic Courthouse Square in Ozark; since its 21st-century renovation it serves as a venue for weddings and other events.

Education

Public education in Ozark is administered by the Ozark R-VI School District. ^[22] This includes, Ozark High School, Ozark Junior High School, Ozark Middle School, 4 elementary schools, and a preschool.

Ozark has a public library, the Christian County Library. ^[23]

Notable people

• Lucas Harrell, MLB player for the Toronto Blue Jays ^[24]
• Jake Wesley Rogers, pop singer-songwriter

References

1. "ArcGIS REST Services Directory". United States Census Bureau. Retrieved August 28, 2022.
2. U.S. Geological Survey Geographic Names Information System: Ozark, Missouri
3. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved January 31, 2008.
4. "Find a County". National Association of Counties. Retrieved June 7, 2011.
5. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 5, 2021.
6. Eaton, David Wolfe (1916). How Missouri Counties, Towns and Streams Were Named. The State Historical Society of Missouri. pp.  275.
7. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places . National Park Service. March 13, 2009.
8. "Mining In Christian County, Missouri". The Diggings. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
9. "US Gazetteer files: 2010, 2000, and 1990". United States Census Bureau. February 12, 2011. Retrieved April 23, 2011.
10. "US Gazetteer files 2010". United States Census Bureau. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved July 8, 2012.
11. "U.S. Climate Normals Quick Access – Station: Ozark, MO". National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
12. "NOAA Online Weather Data – NWS Springfield". National Weather Service. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
13. "Census of Population and Housing". Census.gov. Retrieved June 4, 2015.
14. A. G. Sulzberger (February 15, 2012). "British Robbery Suspect Edward Maher Arrested in Missouri". New York Times.
15. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
16. "Explore Census Data". data.census.gov. Retrieved December 17, 2023.
17. "U.S. Census website". United States Census Bureau . Retrieved July 8, 2012.
18. "Simclar USA Missouri". Simclar Group . Retrieved March 30, 2012.
19. Tracy Heffner (January 29, 2007). "Simclar Reports Plant Closures, Relocation". Printed Circuit Design & Fab Magazine. UP Media Group. Retrieved March 30, 2012.
20. Brown, Brian; Olson, Eric (November 5, 2012). "Simclar sells Ozark plant to private equity firm". Springfield Business Journal. Retrieved June 16, 2020.
21. "B & B Ozark-Nixa 12 with Marquee Suites". B&B Theatres . Retrieved March 30, 2012.
22. "Homepage". Ozark R-Vi School District. Retrieved June 4, 2019.
23. "Missouri Public Libraries". PublicLibraries.com. Archived from the original on June 10, 2017. Retrieved June 2, 2019.
24. "Lucas Harrell Stats | Baseball-Reference.com" . Retrieved May 5, 2015.

External links

• Official website
• Official Ozark School District website
• Historic maps of Ozark in the Sanborn Maps of Missouri Collection at the University of Missouri