Springfield Mo

Living in Springfield, MO is a natural choice for college students who don't wish to commute from home to school, but many families also choose to settle in Springfield or outlying areas. Springfield has more job opportunities than many towns in the area combined, making it a natural choice for those looking for employment. Let's look at some of Springfield's most important demographics as they pertain to both families and commuters or students.

Population
All of the following population demographics are from the 2000 census conducted in the Springfield area. The population at that time was 151,580 with 48% being male and 52% female. The majority of the population at that time was in the 25-34 age range and the median age was 33.5. Of the households in the Springfield area, 55% were family type households with at least one child under the age of 18.

Housing
One great thing about Springfield is the huge number of places to live. Whether you are renting an apartment in the city or buying a house in the suburbs, real estate in this area is booming. In 2000 there were more than 69,000 housing units in Springfield, and of those over 64,000 were occupied. About 54% of these housing units were owner occupied and 46% were rented.

Employment
Amazingly, in 2004 jobs in Springfield, MO accounted for almost 1/3 of Missouri's work force. With an annual growth rate of 2.2% people are obviously flocking to Springfield for the employment opportunities. Area unemployment has rested at 4.5% for over ten years, providing a stable working environment for those in the Springfield area. Because two of the largest hospitals in the state (Cox and St. Johns) are located in Springfield their employees make up about 15% of the city's work force.

Schools
For families living in Springfield, schooling for their children is always a top concern. There are both private and public elementary, middle, and high schools in the city. State sponsored, private, and community colleges can also be found in town. There are 35 elementary schools and 5 high schools located in Springfield, MO. In these schools there is a 79% graduation rate and a 7% drop out rate. There are over 10 colleges, universities, and trade schools located in Springfield.

Traffic
Traffic in Springfield can sometimes be a bear, but if you aren't out at rush hour times, then it is usually smooth going. Right now the city of Springfield and MODOT are undergoing a huge project that involves both I-44 and Highway 65. When this project is finished those driving on I-44 will have a much smoother transition when going around town.