Living Here / Climate / Quality of Life / Education / Housing / Points of Interest

No matter what you’re looking for – big city conveniences, entertainment and amenities or the appeal of small town values and charms – an A-Plus education for your children or a place to build your business and watch it grow - you’ll find it here, in West Plains.

Entrepreneurs with big ideas will appreciate being at the center of economic growth and activity for the entire region. Retirees with simpler goals have chosen to spend the best years of their lives here. Newcomers enjoy a thriving job market, affordable housing and a decent, safe place to raise their children. And, vacationers seduced by the abundance of outdoor activities return year after year to immerse themselves in the soul-soothing beauty of the Ozarks.

Everyone is welcome here. The people of West Plains are warm, the economy is hot, the climate forgiving and the landscape is nothing short of spectacular. Whether you’ve come for business or pleasure, putting down roots or just passing through, you’ll find what you’re looking for, right here…in West Plains.

In West Plains the climate is characterized by an abundance of sunshine, low wind velocity and mild temperatures. You will experience spring temperatures that range from 50-70 degrees, summers in the 70’s-90’s, fall temperatures that match the spring, and mild winters that usually don’t dip below 20.

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West Plains neighborhoods are safe and secure. A well-trained police and fire department, County Sheriff department, and Missouri State Highway Patrol all watch over West Plains. Crime rates are among the lowest in the country. Medical facilities are modern and efficient with ground and air ambulance services. The health care community is comprised of more than 70 physicians, four chiropractors, 10 dentists and orthodontists. West Plains is also home to three of the finest, most caring nursing homes in the county.

Ozarks Medical Center (OMC) is a 114 bed, not-for-profit medical center employing approximately 1,100 people in a 12-county area. OMC is accredited by the Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations and licensed by the Missouri Department of Health.

OMC’s medical staff consists of more than 70 active and associate physicians. Specialties include anesthesiology, cardiology, cancer treatment (radiation oncology, medical oncology, and hematology), child psychiatry, emergency medicine, family practice, gastroenterology, general practice, general surgery, geriatrics, internal medicine, neurology, obstetrics/gynecology, oncologic surgery, ophthalmology, orthopedics, pathology, pediatrics, podiatry, pulmonology, psychiatry, radiology and urology.

The emergency department is certified as a Level III Trauma Center by the Missouri Bureau of Emergency Medical Services. It provides 24-hour service, seven days a week and physicians trained in emergency medicine are on duty at all times. OMC manages four ambulance services in Missouri-Oregon County Ambulance, with bases in Alton and Thayer; Ozark County Ambulance, based in Gainesville, West Carter County Ambulance, based in Van Buren and Willow Springs. Air Evac, a local helicopter ambulance service, is based at the medical center.

The Urgent Care Clinic is located at 308 David Drive, just off the 63 Bypass in West Plains. It is open evenings and weekends for patients needing primary care services after physicians’ offices are closed.

OMC Surgical Services opened in January 2001. The 20,000 square-foot facility houses six spacious suites for both inpatient and outpatient surgery. It more than doubled OMC’s surgical capabilities and has a dedicated entrance, admitting and waiting area to provide convenience and easy access for patients.

The OMC Cancer Treatment Center is a state-of the-art facility featuring a linear accelerator for radiation treatment, as well as chemotherapy and hematology services. Located in the Shaw Medical Building, virtually all cancer treatment can be provided close to home.

Occupying the entire second floor of the Shaw Medical Building is OMC Rehabilitation Services, featuring physical therapy, occupational therapy and speech pathology services for adult and pediatric patients. Other rehabilitation services offered in the Shaw Medical Building include sports medicine, industrial work conditioning and ergonomics; massage therapy, lymph edema therapy, audiology (hearing tests) and the hand clinic.

Outpatient imaging services, featuring magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), mammography and sterotactic mammography for outpatient breast biopsies also are housed in the Shaw Medical Building. Other diagnostic imaging services offered include radiographic (X-ray), fluoroscopic, nuclear medicine, ultrasound and CAT Scan. Cardiac diagnostic services include a cardiac catheterization laboratory, a cardiac diagnostic laboratory and cardiopulmonary rehabilitation.

OMC Behavioral Healthcare offers a comprehensive network of mental health services, providing, outpatient counseling, community support, medication services, psychological testing, children and youth services, day treatment and home-based care. The Missouri Department of Mental Health contracts with OMC to provide state-funded metal health services in a seven county region.

There’s another factor that sets West Plains apart from the rest of the country. The people who live and work here are what make this community such a special place. They’re honest, open, and dependable and take pride in a job well done. West Plains is united in its efforts to bring prosperity to its residents and the business community. Old-fashioned values like integrity, hard work and neighborliness are not forgotten. They’re the norm, not the exception to the rule. So, if you’re searching for a place to call home, a place to do business or the perfect vacation spot, you don’t have to look any farther than West Plains. It’s all right here!

Students of all ages and walks of life will find a wide variety of educational opportunities to choose from on campuses scattered across the city. One of the building blocks that is essential to community development is a quality educational system. West Plains has forged a strong commitment to learning. Nearly 3,000 students attend public school. However, the district boasts an enviable 16.5 student-to-teacher ratio. That’s just one of the reasons why the schools consistently achieve Triple A ratings. Approximately 50 percent of all teachers have their master degrees. Every student has access to current technology with roughly 700 computers in the classrooms. The teachers are dedicated, the dropout rate is low and the completion rate is high. The goal of West Plains High School, a certified A+ school, is to provide a comprehensive program for college-bound students and technical preparations for furthering their education.

A valuable partner with the business community, the South Central Career Center offers a full slate of work-related courses. The cooperation between industry and the school helps maintain the well-educated workforce of the future. Complementing this effort is the Missouri Customized Training Program. MCTP recruits, tests and trains employees to meet the ever-changing needs of business. The custom designed courses are free of charge and MCTP will even pay half the employee’s wages in many circumstances.

An impressive selection of college courses and degrees are offered on the Missouri State University-West Plains campus. The college also provides a variety of continuing education courses and select occupational programs. The enhanced Technology Center offers degree programs in cutting-edge technology. The MSU-West Plains Grizzly women’s volleyball and men’s basketball athletic programs are thriving. Both sports are affiliated with the National Junior College Athletic Association at the Division One level.

William Woods University is a private, professions-oriented institutuion of 3,000 students. The University offers undergraduate and graduate degrees in a variety of disciplines on the main campus in Fulton and in outreach settings, such as West Plains. Since its founding in 1870, the mission of William Woods has been to provide a quality education while ensuring the development of the individual. The university is accredited by the Higher Learning Commission and is a member of the North Central Association.

The Chamber’s close partnerships with all educational institutions lead to a seamless connection with business people. Enhancement of programs at all educational levels is a top Chamber priority.

West Plains offers ample choices in housing. Regardless of your budget and square footage needs, there is something here for everyone. Our neighborhoods provide a safe, clean place to raise a family.
The average cost of a new home ranges between $69,000-$150,000 for three bedrooms, two baths, and a two-car garage.

For renters, there is a vast selection of housing to choose from with rates starting at $250 a month. Rents on most new units fall into the $350-$450 range. During the past five years new construction inside the city limits has averaged 20 million dollars annually.

A popular local saying has it that the third time you visit the Ozarks, you bring your furniture. West Plains, nestled in the “Heart of the Ozarks”, is where you’ll find breathtaking scenery to soothe your spirit and plenty of warm, gracious people who make it difficult for you to leave. When it comes to the best the Ozarks has to offer, West Plains has it all…and we’d like to share it with you. But be careful…we do become habit-forming.

The Mark Twain National Forest, named for Missouri’s favorite son, provides much of the scenic beauty in the Ozarks Heritage Region. But it’s not just another pretty place. You’ll discover a wealth of outdoor recreational activities within its borders. With more than 40 campgrounds and picnic sites, 350 miles of floatable streams, 63,000 wilderness acres, and 125 miles of trails for hikers, bikers and horseback riders, you’ll be hard-pressed to decide what you want to explore first. Whether you hunt, trout fish, raft, kayak, explore springs, or tour the many gristmills; you’re only a stone’s through away from a relaxing West Plains hotel or eatery.

Pick up the pace at one of the finest dirt track facilities in the nation. The West Plains Motor Speedway’s premier event is the “Show Me 100”, where late model drivers from across the country compete to start the Memorial Day weekend race. The season begins mid-March and runs through August with events for crowds as large as 17,000.

Country western stars Porter Wagoner and Jan Howard both called West Plains home, as did baseball greats Bill Virdon and Tedd Gullic. Preacher Roe, legendary left-handed pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers, still makes his home in West Plains. The Harlin Museum has the honor of preserving the accomplishments of these hometown heroes, along with displaying the work of emerging Ozarks artists.

People come from miles away to attend concerts and family activities at the West Plains Civic Center. With 30,000 square feet of exhibit space, 7,400 square feet of meeting rooms, a 2,900-seat arena and a 450-seat theater, there’s certainly room for everybody. The center boasts a collegiate-sized swimming pool, hot tub, sauna, and a professionally designed fitness room. The state-of-the art Civic Center hosts expos and conventions, athletic events, stage shows and performing arts theatre. The Civic Center has developed a solid reputation for staging quality family entertainment and cultural events.

Other recreational opportunities in West Plains include a new Aquatic Park with a collegiate-sized swimming pool, leisure pool, sunbathing area and pavilion. City parks provide areas for picnics, play and exercise as well as tennis courts and batting cages. There’s even a Winter Sports Complex. From golf courses and basketball courts to art exhibits and roller-skating, we truly have the finest recreational facilities for outdoor activities.