RANK #396 / 1001 NAT · #14 / 22 MO · POP 303,375
1YR FORECAST: +0.6%
5YR OUTLOOK: +30%
Greene County, Missouri, is often recognized for Springfield, its largest city and the "Queen City of the Ozarks," which served as a significant stop on historic Route 66. Located in southwestern Missouri amid the rolling hills and woodlands of the Ozark Mountains, the county offers a blend of urban amenities and natural scenery. Commuting within the county is generally efficient, with an average travel time of under 20 minutes. The Springfield-Greene County Park Board manages over 100 park sites, trails, and facilities, including golf courses, family centers, and the Dickerson Park Zoo, providing extensive outdoor recreation opportunities. Ozark Greenways also offers over 73 miles of trails for biking, walking, and running.
Life in Greene County offers a balance of small-town charm and modern conveniences, with a strong sense of community. The area is considered affordable, with housing costs and overall living expenses lower than national averages. Public schools in Greene County are generally above average, with districts like Republic R-III and Fair Grove R-X receiving high ratings. The economy is diverse, with major sectors including healthcare, education, and manufacturing. Recent economic developments include ongoing investments in infrastructure and commercial projects, alongside efforts to expand high-speed internet access across rural areas.
Greene County's data profile doesn't fit any single market profile cleanly — its housing, labor, and demographic signals pull in different directions (home prices +2.3% YoY, population +0.8%, wages +1.5%). About 414 U.S. counties show this kind of mixed-signal pattern.
See all 414 Idiosyncratic Markets counties →Below national median (11.3x)
Above national median
Moderate climate & terrain
Below national median (15x)
Housing is fairly valued at 6.4x relative to local economic output. The typical U.S. county is 4–6x.
Estimated local headcount ranges. Larger employers shown as floor + "+"; smaller employers show exact counts where reported.
Bars show trailing 12-month growth. The dashed Forecast bars are the model's next-12-month projection; the whisker marks the ±1% range (cooling–accelerating).
Source: Redfin · Census BPS — Browse sales on Redfin →
Source: CDC/NCHS vital statistics via County Health Rankings (2020–2022 avg). Rates per 100,000 population. Grade based on homicide rate relative to national average (~6.3). Learn more →
Source: EPA Air Quality System (2021–2023). Grade based on 3-year average median AQI. Learn about AQI →
| PROJECT | AMOUNT | STATUS |
|---|---|---|
|
Project Hummingbird Data Center Campus
International Electric Power (IEP)
|
$10,000M | Planned |
|
Greene Battery/Storage Project
Sofos Power
|
$199M | Planned |
|
Hecate Energy Greene Solar Farm
Hecate Energy Greene 1 LLC, Hecate Energy Greene 2 LLC, and Hecate Energy Greene County 3 LLC
|
$50M | Approved |
|
Keystone Family Homes Rehabilitation Project
Knight Development and Housing Authority of the City of Springfield, Missouri (HAS)
|
$43M | Under Construction |
Source: public records, news, corporate announcements. Amounts are estimates where noted.
Bars show percentile rank among all 1001 counties.
With a Boom Town Index score of 60/100, Greene County sits in the upper half of all 1001 ranked counties. Employment is expanding at +0.6%, and median household income stands at $61,479 — indicators that suggest solid fundamentals even if it's not among the fastest-growing counties in MO.
Housing in Greene County is roughly in line with national affordability norms. The median home costs $221,300 and the income-to-home-value ratio sits at 0.28, with rents averaging $989/month. Not a bargain, but not a stretch for most local earners either.
Greene County's population is growing — up +0.8% YoY — while the job market is roughly flat (employment change of +0.6%). Home values shifted +2.3% over the past year. In-migration is outpacing local hiring, which often points to remote workers or retirees driving the headcount.
There's a moderate stream of newcomers. About 4.54% of residents moved from another state, which is above average and suggests Greene County has appeal as a relocation destination — though it's not among the highest-inflow counties nationally.