BtoBers

Willow Springs, Missouri Population, Hospitals, Airports, and Schools

by · Published · Updated

Willow Springs, Missouri is a small town located in Howell County in the Ozarks region of the state. It is located near the intersection of U.S. Route 60 and Missouri Route 137, about 80 miles south of Springfield and 130 miles west of St. Louis. The population was estimated at 2,846 in 2020.

Willow Springs was founded in 1819 as a trading post for local Native Americans, and by 1855 it had grown to become a thriving town with several businesses and churches. In its early days, Willow Springs was known for its natural springs that provided fresh drinking water to the area’s residents. During the Civil War, Confederate forces used the springs as a rest stop on their way to battle Union troops in nearby Arkansas.

The town’s economy is largely based on agriculture and tourism today, with many visitors coming to take advantage of the area’s natural beauty and recreational opportunities such as fishing, hunting, camping, hiking and horseback riding. Other popular activities include visiting nearby Mark Twain National Forest or exploring one of the many caves nearby including Onyx Cave or Jacks Fork Cave.

Willow Springs is home to several historic sites including two nineteenth century churches – First Christian Church (1877) and St John’s Lutheran Church (1890) – as well as two former military posts – Fort Wyman (1815-1822) and Camp Redding (1862). The town also houses several museums including the Howell County Historical Museum and Ozark Heritage Center which has exhibits about local history from pre-Civil War times to present day life in Willow Springs.

In addition to its historical sites and museums, Willow Springs offers plenty of shopping opportunities from antiques shops to specialty stores offering an array of goods ranging from handcrafted items to vintage clothing pieces from all over America. There are also several restaurants offering up everything from classic American fare like burgers and fries to more diverse options such as Mexican cuisine at El Farolito or Italian dishes at Mama Rosa’s Pizzeria & Ristorante Italiano.

Willow Springs is a great place for those looking for an authentic small-town experience while enjoying some outdoor activities or taking in some local history. With its unique mix of outdoor recreation opportunities, historic sites, shops & restaurants it’s sure to offer something for everyone who visits.

Population: 2,147. Estimated population in July 2024: 2,116 (-1.4% change)
Males: 971 (45.2%), Females: 1,176 (54.8%)

Howell County

Zip code: 65793

Demographics

Median resident age: 42.1 years
Median household income: $19,894
Median house value: $49,400

Population by Race

Races in Willow Springs:

  • White Non-Hispanic (96.2%)
  • American Indian (1.5%)
  • Two or more races (1.5%)
  • Hispanic (1.1%)

Ancestries: United States (16.3%), Irish (10.4%), German (9.8%), English (9.1%), French (2.2%), Scotch-Irish (1.8%).

Elevation: 1257 feet

Land area: 3.3 square miles

Population by Education

For population 25 years and over in Willow Springs

  • High school or higher: 64.6%
  • Bachelor’s degree or higher: 11.1%
  • Graduate or professional degree: 2.6%
  • Unemployed: 7.2%
  • Mean travel time to work: 19.7 minutes

For population 15 years and over in Willow Springs city

  • Never married: 16.9%
  • Now married: 53.6%
  • Separated: 2.5%
  • Widowed: 16.1%
  • Divorced: 10.8%

0.8% Foreign born

Population change in the 1990s: +39 (+1.9%).

Hospitals

Hospitals/medical centers near Willow Springs:

  • ST FRANCIS HOSPITAL (about 18 miles; MOUNTAIN VIEW, MO)
  • OZARKS MEDICAL CENTER (about 20 miles; WEST PLAINS, MO)
  • TEXAS COUNTY MEMORIAL HOSPITAL (about 23 miles; HOUSTON, MO)

Airports

Airports certified for carrier operations nearest to Willow Springs:

  • WAYNESVILLE RGNL ARPT AT FORNEY FIELD (about 53 miles; FORT LEONARD WOOD, MO; Abbreviation: TBN)
  • LEE C FINE MEMORIAL (about 85 miles; KAISER LAKE OZARK, MO; Abbreviation: AIZ)
  • SPRINGFIELD-BRANSON REGIONAL (about 100 miles; SPRINGFIELD, MO; Abbreviation: SGF)

Other public-use airports nearest to Willow Springs:

  • WILLOW SPRINGS MEMORIAL (about 2 miles; WILLOW SPRINGS, MO; Abbreviation: 1H5)
  • WEST PLAINS MUNI (about 10 miles; WEST PLAINS, MO; Abbreviation: UNO)
  • CABOOL MEMORIAL (about 12 miles; CABOOL, MO; Abbreviation: TVB)

Colleges and Universities

Colleges/universities with over 2000 students nearest to Willow Springs:

  • UNIVERSITY OF MISSOURI-ROLLA (about 63 miles; ROLLA, MO; Full-time enrollment: 4,181)
  • SOUTHWEST MISSOURI STATE UNIVERSITY (about 90 miles; SPRINGFIELD, MO; Full-time enrollment: 14,680)
  • DRURY UNIVERSITY (about 95 miles; Springfield, MO; Full-time enrollment: 3,125)
  • OZARKS TECHNICAL COMMUNITY COLLEGE (about 97 miles; SPRINGFIELD, MO; Full-time enrollment: 3,756)
  • LINCOLN UNIVERSITY (about 108 miles; JEFFERSON CITY, MO; Full-time enrollment: 2,580)
  • SOUTHWEST BAPTIST UNIVERSITY (about 109 miles; BOLIVAR, MO; Full-time enrollment: 2,612)
  • ARKANSAS STATE UNIVERSITY-MAIN CAMPUS (about 120 miles; STATE UNIVERSITY, AR; Full-time enrollment: 8,696)

Schools

Public high school in Willow Springs:

  • WILLOW SPRINGS HIGH (Students: 380; Location: 215 W FOURTH ST; Grades: 09 – 12)

Public primary/middle schools in Willow Springs:

  • WILLOW SPRINGS ELEM. (Students: 561; Location: 215 W FOURTH ST; Grades: PK – 04)
  • WILLOW SPRINGS MIDDLE (Students: 416; Location: 215 W FOURTH ST; Grades: 05 – 08)

Libraries

Library in Willow Springs:

  • WILLOW SPRINGS PUBLIC LIBRARY (Operating income: $15,206; Location: 214 NORTH HARRIS STREET; 29,692 books; 68 audio materials; 657 video materials; 55 serial subscriptions)

Related Posts: