Education, Employment and Housing

Greene County, MO, offers quality education through 19 public high schools and numerous private institutions. About 29% of adults hold a bachelor’s degree or higher, above the statewide average. The Springfield Public Schools district, Missouri’s largest, reports an average graduation rate of around 91% and an ACT composite score of 20.9. School safety initiatives include SROs and mental health programs. Adult education is provided by Ozarks Technical Community College and extension programs. Students benefit from Advanced Placement, STEM, and vocational tracks, supporting diverse career pathways.

As of 2023, Greene County, MO, has an employment rate of approximately 96.6%. Major industries include health care and social assistance (employing around 19%), retail trade (13.5%), and educational services (10%). Common occupation types are office and administrative support (16%), sales (11%), and management (10%). The average commute time is about 20 minutes, with 86% of workers commuting by car; most work within the county, especially in Springfield, which is the primary employment hub.

Greene County, MO, features a homeownership rate of approximately 58%, with median home values around $210,000 and median monthly rents near $950. The housing market shows steady appreciation, with property values rising by about 5% year-over-year. Housing types include single-family homes, apartments, and townhouses, especially in neighborhoods like Springfield, Battlefield, and Republic. Property taxes average 0.85% of a home’s assessed value. Springfield, the largest city, offers diverse options from historic districts to suburban developments, catering to families, young professionals, and retirees alike.

Elections

Greene County, MO, has about 187,000 registered voters as of 2024. Elections include federal, state, county, and local, plus ballot issues. In the 2020 presidential election, 56.6% voted Republican, 41.1% Democrat. The Greene County Clerk administers elections, oversees 68 precinct polling locations, and manages absentee/mail ballots. Major parties are Republican and Democrat; minor parties and independents also run. Recent issues include school funding and marijuana legalization. Voter turnout for major elections averages around 65%.

Demographics

As of the 2020 U.S. Census, Greene County, MO, had a population of approximately 298,915. The median age is 37.5 years, with 51% female and 49% male residents. Racially, the county is 86.2% White, 4.3% Black or African American, 2% Asian, 0.7% Native American, and 2.8% reporting two or more races; Hispanic or Latino individuals comprise 4.5% of the population.

County Crime & Safety

Greene County, MO, reported a crime rate of about 41.6 per 1,000 residents in 2023, notably higher than the national average. Violent crime included 6.1 incidents per 1,000 residents, while property crime was 35.5 per 1,000. Springfield, the county seat, is a hotspot with higher rates compared to the rest of the county. Local law enforcement encourages public crime reporting through online and phone channels, aiding in crime reduction initiatives. Although law enforcement efforts have led to slight declines in recent years, safety rates remain a significant community concern.