Moving to Ozark, MO

Moving to Ozark, MO: What to Know Before You Buy

Ozark sits on US-65 about 28 minutes south of downtown Springfield, and it is the county seat of Christian County. Here is what I actually tell buyers about Ozark: the commute, the school district, what homes cost, and the two things I want you to know before you sign anything.

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Quick factsWhy people move hereMy hot takeFAQ

At a glance

Quick facts for Ozark, MO

Population

23,544

Census estimate, July 2025. Up 10.6% since 2020 and more than double the 2000 count.

Drive time

~28 min

To downtown Springfield via US-65, about 18 miles. About 38 minutes to Branson Landing.

School district

Ozark R-VI

6,000+ students in 8 schools, per the district. Niche grade A-, #24 of 453 Missouri districts (November 2026).

Median sale price

$349,000

October 2026, 47 sales. Ozark had 590 sales in the 12 months ending October 2026.

County

Christian

County seat. ZIP code 65721.

Main roads

US-65 & MO-14

US-65 is now six lanes through Ozark. Plus Route CC/J and Route F.

Utilities

City water & sewer

Liberty electric, Spire natural gas and Republic Services trash, per the City of Ozark.

Trails

Chadwick Flyer

A trail bridge over US-65 opened in May 2026, linking Ozark and Springfield trails.

Monthly medians move around. Ask me for a 12-month look at the exact neighborhood you are considering.

The long answer

Why are people moving to Ozark, MO?

Most buyers I show in Ozark are weighing three things: a straight shot up US-65 to Springfield or down to Branson, the Ozark school district, and a growing list of places to shop and eat close to home. The city has more than doubled since 2000.

You are on US-65, between Springfield and Branson

Downtown Springfield is about 18 miles and roughly 28 minutes away without traffic, and I-44 is about 23 minutes up US-65. MoDOT finished widening US-65 to six lanes through Ozark in late 2025, about a $30.3 million project. Branson Landing is about 38 minutes south, and Table Rock State Park is under 50 minutes.

If you are comparing towns, I also wrote up Nixa and Republic, and my Areas We Serve page lines up every town we cover side by side.

The Ozark school district

Ozark R-VI reports more than 6,000 students from preschool through 12th grade, with more than 1,000 staff, across 8 schools: Ozark High School, the Junior High, the Middle School, East, West, North and South Elementary, and the Tiger Paw Early Childhood Center. As of November 2026, Niche gives the district an overall A- and ranks it #24 of 453 districts in Missouri, with a 13 to 1 student-teacher ratio.

The district’s long-range plan lists a $19 million no-tax-increase bond from April 2022 for storm shelters at Tiger Paw, the Middle School and the high school.

Always verify the attendance area for the exact address with the district before you make an offer. A school nearby may not be the one your address is assigned to.

What homes cost in Ozark

The median sale price in Ozark was $349,000 in October 2026, based on 47 sales. Over the past year the monthly median ranged from about $309,000 to $363,000, and 590 homes sold in the 12 months ending October 2026. You will find older homes near the historic square, newer subdivisions and acreage just outside city limits.

157 homes · median $370K

See current homes for sale in Ozark, or use our mortgage calculator to see what a payment looks like.

The growth is bringing jobs, not just rooftops

Ozark Marketplace is a roughly 40-acre development off US-65 and South Street, with Aldi, McDonald’s, Plaza Tire, Casey’s and Dutch Bros, more phases planned for 2027 and 2029, and an estimated 250 to 400 jobs.

Roads are catching up too. Highway 14 (South Street) is set to widen to four lanes plus a turn lane between 6th and 14th Avenues, an $8.6 million project scheduled from spring 2027 to winter 2028.

Parks, trails and things to do

Ozark has 8 parks covering about 143.5 acres and 9.3 miles of trails, and the city approved a new parks and recreation master plan in July 2026. The Chadwick Flyer trail bridge over US-65 opened in May 2026 and connects Ozark to the Springfield trail system, and Garrison Springs Community Forest opened in 2024.

The Ozark Community Center has an indoor lap pool, a lazy river and a slide, and the Grubaugh outdoor pool is open May through August. The Ozark Craft Fair at Finley River Park marked its 52nd year in October 2026 with more than 350 vendors, and the city runs the Festival of Lights from mid-November through December.

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Straight from me

Your agent’s hot take: what I’d want you to know before moving to Ozark

Lexi Maes, REALTOR with KW Local in Springfield, MO

Lexi Maes
KW Local

Ozark has a lot going for it: a widened US-65, a school district Niche grades an A-, and new shopping and trails that keep more of life close to home. That said, I do my best to inform my buyers so there is no sticker shock after purchase. Two things I would want you to know.

Water and sewer rates just went up

The Ozark Board of Aldermen approved a 17.5% increase for both water and sewer rates, effective April 1, 2026. The city estimated sewer bills would rise just over $6.50 a month for customers inside city limits and about $10 a month outside. Inside the city, water is now $14.69 for the first 1,000 gallons and $3.88 for each 1,000 after, and sewer is $11.75 for the first 1,000 gallons and $9.40 for each 1,000 after.

Here is the other side of it. Sewer rates had not gone up since 2020 and water rates since 2015, and the money goes to maintenance and upgrades on aging water and sewer lines. Ask the seller for a few recent utility bills on any home we look at so you know what to budget.

The Finley River floods

The Finley River runs right through Ozark, and it does flood. In May 2025 it overflowed into the Career Center, parks and a business parking lot, and the city closed Finley River Park for rising water again in June 2026.

This one is about the specific property, not the whole town. Before you make an offer on anything near the river or a creek, check the address on FEMA’s flood map, ask the seller about any past water, and get a flood insurance quote early. I will help you pull that together on every home we look at.

Weigh it for your situation. For a lot of my buyers, a higher water bill and a flood check on the right homes are a fair trade for what Ozark offers. If you want to talk it through, I am happy to.

Questions buyers ask me

Ozark, MO: frequently asked questions

How far is Ozark, MO from Springfield?

About 18 miles and roughly 28 minutes to downtown Springfield via US-65, without traffic. I-44 is about 23 minutes away.

What county is Ozark, MO in?

Ozark is the county seat of Christian County, and its ZIP code is 65721.

What school district is Ozark, MO in?

Ozark R-VI, which reports more than 6,000 students in 8 schools. Niche gives the district an overall A- and ranks it #24 of 453 Missouri districts as of November 2026. Verify the attendance area for the exact address with the district before you make an offer.

How much do homes cost in Ozark, MO?

The median sale price was $349,000 in October 2026, based on 47 sales, per the Southern Missouri Regional MLS. Ozark had 590 sales over the 12 months ending October 2026.

Is Ozark, MO growing?

Yes. Ozark has more than doubled since 2000 and reached an estimated 23,544 people in 2025, up 10.6% since the 2020 Census.

Did water and sewer rates go up in Ozark, MO?

Yes. The city approved a 17.5% increase for water and sewer, effective April 1, 2026. The city estimated in-city sewer bills would rise just over $6.50 a month. Ask the seller for recent bills before you buy.

Does Ozark, MO flood?

The Finley River runs through town and has flooded parks and nearby property, most recently in 2025 and 2026. Check any address on FEMA’s flood map and get a flood insurance quote before you make an offer.

Is traffic bad in Ozark, MO?

US-65 was widened to six lanes through Ozark in late 2025, which helps the drive to Springfield. Highway 14 (South Street) is busy and is set to widen between 6th and 14th Avenues from spring 2027 to winter 2028.

Where can I find crime statistics for Ozark, MO?

The Ozark Police Department is the local source, and the Missouri State Highway Patrol publishes data through the state crime reporting site at showmecrime.mo.gov. I share these same sources with every buyer so you can look at the numbers and draw your own conclusions.

What is there to do in Ozark, MO?

Finley River Park, the Chadwick Flyer trail, Garrison Springs Community Forest, the Ozark Community Center pools, the Ozark Craft Fair every fall and the Festival of Lights in winter.

Should I buy in Ozark or Nixa?

It depends on your commute, your budget and the home you want. Ozark’s October 2026 median was $349,000 and Nixa’s was $320,000, and Ozark sits on US-65 while Nixa sits on US-160. Book a time with me and I will walk you through both, or read my Nixa page.

Let’s talk

Thinking about Ozark?

I will pull the homes that match your list, check the flood map and utility bills on each one, and talk through the tradeoffs with you.

Book a consultationSee Ozark homesWhat is my home worth?

Sources

Where these numbers come from

Last updated November 2026. Home prices are from the Southern Missouri Regional MLS (residential, city of Ozark). Drive times are estimates without traffic; map your own route before you buy.

Based on active residential listings from the Southern Missouri Regional MLS as of November 12, 2026. Information deemed reliable but not guaranteed. Counts and median list prices update every few hours.