Greene County
Greene County,
Missouri is named one of the “Top 10 Places to
Live” by
Employment Review Magazine. Boasting a strong economic base, low
unemployment, crime and tax rate, excellent schools and low cost of living
index, Greene County residents enjoy an enviable lifestyle.
Greene County’s first settlers arrived in the 1820’s, to find the region
inhabited by the
Delaware Indians. Congress ordered the removal of all Missouri tribes in
1930, and officially organized Greene County in 1833. During the turbulent
Civil War years, both Federal and Confederate forces controlled Greene
County. The second major battle of the war was fought here in 1861, the
Battle of Wilson's Creek.
Located in southwest Missouri, in the lovely and mysterious
Ozark Mountain Range, Greene County has served as the hideaway for several
notorious outlaws including
Bonnie and Clyde and the
Barrow Gang, and the
Barker Family. The
Young Brothers Massacre occurred in 1932, just west of the county seat of
Springfield. Six law officers died trying to apprehend Harry and Jennings
Young. Greene County also was the occasional home of gunfighter and lawman
Wild Bill Hickock.
Greene County, MO reported its population as just over 240,000 in the
2000 Census. The city of
Springfield held over 151,000 residents, though 2005 estimates show a slight
decline in both populations. Springfield is Missouri’s 3rd largest
city. The
Springfield Metropolitan Area extends into
Webster,
Christian,
Dallas and
Polk Counties, reporting a 2004 estimated population of 248,000, showing
more than a 3% increase since 2000.
Greene County’s second largest city is
Republic, with almost 9000 citizens. Found here is the
General Sweeney's Civil War Museum.
Willard, population 3200, is a designated
Tree City USA. The remaining Green County communities contain less than
3000 citizens and include
Ash Grove,
Battlefield,
Brookline,
Fair Grove,
Strafford,
Walnut Grove. Fair Grove hosts the annual
Heritage Reunion, one of the largest arts and crafts shows in Southwest
Missouri. Ash Grove is home to the
Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site, Nathan Boone being
Daniel Boone's son.
Springfield is Greene County’s cultural heart, with a variety of
attractions, museums and plenty of
nightlife. Springfield hosts numerous festivals such as the Greater Ozarks Blues Fest,
Cider Days, the
Firefall Festival and the
Ozark Empire Fair. All of Greene County’s eight
institutes of higher learning are in Springfield, including
Drury University and the
Forest Institute of Professional Psychology.
Greene County,
Missouri enjoys a lower cost of living than the rest of the state, and a low
tax rate. Lower living costs, lower crime rates, beautiful surroundings,
and a solid economy adds up to an excellent quality of life.
|
