Springfield is the third most populous city in the U.S. state of Missouri and the county seat of Greene County.[4] The city's population was 169,176 at the 2020 census.[5] It is the principal city of the Springfield metropolitan area, which had an estimated population of 487,061 in 2022[6] and includes the counties of Christian, Dallas, Greene, Polk, and Webster,[7] The city sits on the Springfield Plateau of the Ozarks, which ranges from nearly-level to rolling hills. Springfield is the second-largest urban area in the Ozarks.
Springfield's nicknames include "Queen City of the Ozarks" and "The Birthplace of Route 66".[8][9] The city has been called the "Buckle of the Bible Belt" due to its association with evangelical Christianity.[10][11] The city is the headquarters for Bass Pro Shops[12] and the adjoining Wonders of Wildlife Museum & Aquarium.[13] 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.[14] In 2020, Springfield's largest ethnicities were 87.6% White, 4% Black, and 5% two or more races,[15] placing it among the least diverse cities in the United States.[16] The city is a regional center of medical care, with the two largest hospitals, CoxHealth and Mercy, being the largest employers in the city.[17] 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.[18]
