Townapedia
West Plains Washington Avenue
West Plains Washington Avenue · Truett Ray, CC BY-SA 4.0
International Shoe Company Building (West Plains, Missouri) 11
International Shoe Company Building (West Plains, Missouri) 11 · Doncram, CC BY-SA 4.0
International Shoe Company Building (West Plains, Missouri) 10
International Shoe Company Building (West Plains, Missouri) 10 · Doncram, CC BY-SA 4.0
International Shoe Company Building (West Plains, Missouri) 9
International Shoe Company Building (West Plains, Missouri) 9 · Doncram, CC BY-SA 4.0
International Shoe Company Building (West Plains, Missouri) 12
International Shoe Company Building (West Plains, Missouri) 12 · Doncram, CC BY-SA 4.0
International Shoe Company Building (West Plains, Missouri) 8
International Shoe Company Building (West Plains, Missouri) 8 · Doncram, CC BY-SA 4.0

West Plains, Missouri

West Plains is a city of 12,441 people in Howell County, Missouri, founded in 1832.

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Population12,441 +1.7% since 2019
CountyHowell County
Elevation1,004 ft 306 m
Founded1832
Land area13.3 sq mi
ZIP code65775
Nearest airportSharp County Regional Airport (CKK) 37 mi

Why visit West Plains

Townapedia lists 15 museums and landmarks, 19 parks and trails, 42 places to eat, 6 places to stay and 3 attractions in and around town.

Highlights include Glass Sword Theatre, Avenue Theatre, Courthouse Square Historic District and Elledge Arcade Buildings.

July is the warmest month, with average highs of 89°F; January lows average 22°F.

About West Plains

West Plains is a city in and the county seat of Howell County, Missouri, United States. The population was 12,184 at the 2020 census.

From the Wikipedia article West Plains, Missouri (this version), under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Things to do3

Glass Sword Theatre

Cinema and theater · 2.1 mi

1001 Lanton Road, West Plains

Mo-Fr 19:00+ "closing time unknown"

Open in Google Maps · +1 417-256-8686

Avenue Theatre

Cinema and theater · 1.0 mi

307 Washington Avenue, West Plains

Open in Google Maps

Hines Hill

Scenic view · 1.3 mi

Open in Google Maps

Museums and landmarks15

Courthouse Square Historic District

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.1 mi

Building in Missouri, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Elledge Arcade Buildings

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi

Building in Missouri, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

International Shoe Company Building

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 0.6 mi

Building in West Plains, United States of America

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

Mount Zion Lodge Masonic Temple

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.2 mi

West Plains, Missouri

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

W. J. and Ed Smith Building

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi

Building in Missouri, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

West Plains Bank Building

Monument and historic site · National Register of Historic Places · 1.0 mi

Building in Missouri, United States

Open in Google Maps · Wikipedia

James P. Harlin Museum

Museum · 1.0 mi

505 Worcester Street, West Plains

Tu-Sa 12:00-16:00

Open in Google Maps

Yellow House Community Arts Center

Museum · 0.9 mi

209 West Trish Knight Street, West Plains

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Historic Downtown West Plains

Monument and historic site · 1.0 mi

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Civil War Skirmish

Monument and historic site · 1.1 mi

Open in Google Maps

Grizzly Statue

Monument and historic site · 0.9 mi

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Howell County War Memorial

Monument and historic site · 1.7 mi

Open in Google Maps

3 more on the map.

Parks, trails and playgrounds19

Heart of the Ozarks Fairgrounds

Park · 1.8 mi

Open in Google Maps · +1 417 256-2198

James Monroe Memorial Park

Park · 2.2 mi

Formerly Buck Park

06:00-22:00

Open in Google Maps

West Plains Country Club

Golf course · 0.7 mi

Open in Google Maps · +1 417 256 7197

West Plains Municipal Golf Course

Golf course · 1.8 mi

Open in Google Maps · +1 417 256 9824

Gene Jones Park

Park · 1.3 mi

06:00-22:00

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Heselton Park

Park · 1.3 mi

06:00-22:00

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Kelly Park

Park · 3.2 mi

06:00-22:00

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Lincoln Park

Park · 0.9 mi

06:00-23:00

Open in Google Maps

Lofton Park

Park · 0.7 mi

06:00-22:00

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Buck Park

Park · 2.2 mi

Open in Google Maps

Butler Children's Park

Park · 0.4 mi

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Carmichael Field

Park · 0.6 mi

Open in Google Maps

7 more on the map.

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Restaurants and cafes42

Ozark Pizza & Bread Company

Restaurant · Pizza, Bread · 1.0 mi

111 Washington Avenue, West Plains

Mo-Th 11:00-19:00, Fr 11:00-20:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-417-204-4808

Skillets

Restaurant · 0.6 mi

1613 Porter Wagoner Boulevard, West Plains

Mo-Su 06:00-15:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-417-256-7500

Colton's Steak House & Grill

Restaurant · Steak House, Burger · 1.9 mi

1421 Preacher Roe Boulevard, West Plains

Open in Google Maps · +1 417-255-9090

Grump's Grub

Restaurant · Breakfast, Diner · 1.0 mi

804 Saint Louis Street, West Plains

Mo-Fr 05:30-14:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-417-256-5017

Jimmie's Walleye & Catfish

Restaurant · Fish, American

805 Porter Wagoner Boulevard, West Plains

Mo-Sa 06:00-20:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-417-256-1538

Sniders BBQ

Restaurant · Barbecue

1027 Porter Wagoner Boulevard, West Plains

Mo-Fr 11:00-19:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-417-372-8909

The Fish Shack

Restaurant · Fish, American

613 Porter Wagoner Boulevard, West Plains

Th-Sa 11:00-20:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-417-256-2555

Diamond Head Chinese Buffet

Restaurant · Chinese

1214 Porter Wagoner Boulevard, West Plains

Mo-Fr 11:00-17:00; Sa-Su 11:00-17:30

Open in Google Maps

Hibby's Sports Grille

Bar and pub · 2.7 mi

1729 US 160, West Plains

Open in Google Maps · +1 417-257-0199

Ozark Cafe

Restaurant · 0.5 mi

662 Missouri Avenue, West Plains

Tu-Sa 06:00-19:30

Open in Google Maps · +1 417-255-0623

Shrimp Runner Seafood

Restaurant · 1.1 mi

109 Saint Louis Street, West Plains

Open in Google Maps · +1-417-372-2015

Wildflower Cafe

Cafe · 1.1 mi

207 South Aid Avenue, West Plains

Tu 10:00-14:00; Th 10:00-14:00

Open in Google Maps · +1-417-204-1455

30 more on the map.

History

The history of West Plains can be traced back to 1832, when settler Josiah Howell (after whom Howell County is named) created the first settlement in the region known as Howell Valley. West Plains was so named because the settlement was on a prairie to the west of the nearest town, Thomasville.

The Courthouse Square Historic District, Elledge Arcade Buildings, International Shoe Company Building, Mount Zion Lodge Masonic Temple, W. J. and Ed Smith Building, West Plains Bank Building, and the Lincoln School are listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

From the History section of West Plains, Missouri on Wikipedia, under CC BY-SA 4.0.

Where to stay6

Churches and places of worship26

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Shopping22

Gas and EV charging7

Schools, colleges and libraries16

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Healthcare6

Map of West Plains

162 places. The map loads OpenStreetMap tiles when you open it.

Climate by month

20°40°60°80°January: 3.2 in of rainFebruary: 3.0 in of rainMarch: 4.8 in of rainApril: 5.7 in of rainMay: 5.6 in of rainJune: 3.5 in of rainJuly: 3.7 in of rainAugust: 4.1 in of rainSeptember: 4.0 in of rainOctober: 3.8 in of rainNovember: 4.5 in of rainDecember: 3.5 in of rainJanuary: 44°FFebruary: 49°FMarch: 58°FApril: 68°FMay: 76°FJune: 84°FJuly: 89°FAugust: 87°FSeptember: 80°FOctober: 69°FNovember: 57°FDecember: 46°FJanuary: 22°FFebruary: 26°FMarch: 33°FApril: 43°FMay: 52°FJune: 61°FJuly: 66°FAugust: 64°FSeptember: 56°FOctober: 44°FNovember: 34°FDecember: 26°FJFMAMJJASOND
Average high Average low Rain
Monthly table
MonthHighLowRainSnow
Jan44°F22°F3.2 in2.3 in
Feb49°F26°F3.0 in2.9 in
Mar58°F33°F4.8 in2.4 in
Apr68°F43°F5.7 in0.0 in
May76°F52°F5.6 in0.0 in
Jun84°F61°F3.5 in0.0 in
Jul89°F66°F3.7 in0.0 in
Aug87°F64°F4.1 in0.0 in
Sep80°F56°F4.0 in0.0 in
Oct69°F44°F3.8 in0.1 in
Nov57°F34°F4.5 in0.0 in
Dec46°F26°F3.5 in1.0 in

U.S. Climate Normals 1991-2020 for W Plains 72348 (1 mi away), NOAA NCEI.

People and cost of living

$44,002median household income
$169,900median home value
$810median monthly rent
36.3median age
17.1%of adults have a bachelor's degree or higher
52.1%of homes are owner-occupied
21.3 minaverage commute
Age of residents
Under 1824%18 to 3424%35 to 6432%65 and over19%

American Community Survey 5-year estimates, 2020-2024, U.S. Census Bureau. Estimates have margins of error, larger for small towns.

Disaster history

Howell County has had 21 federal disaster declarations since 2000, most often for severe storms.

  • 2025-05-21: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2025-05-21: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Wildfires (Severe Storm)
  • 2025-01-01: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2024-07-23: Severe Storms, Straight-Line Winds, Tornadoes, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2020-07-09: Severe Storms, Tornadoes, Straight-Line Winds, And Flooding (Severe Storm)
  • 2020-03-26: Covid-19 Pandemic (Biological)

OpenFEMA disaster declarations summaries.

Getting there and nearby towns

Sharp County Regional Airport (CKK) is the nearest airport with scheduled flights listed in OpenStreetMap, 37 miles away.

  • Willow Springs 18 mi north, about 29 min by car
  • Mountain View 20 mi northeast, about 32 min by car
  • Thayer 23 mi southeast, about 38 min by car
  • Viola 24 mi south, about 39 min by car
  • Mammoth Spring 25 mi southeast, about 40 min by car
  • Salem 25 mi south, about 41 min by car
  • Alton 27 mi east, about 43 min by car
  • Birch Tree 27 mi northeast, about 44 min by car
  • Cabool 30 mi northwest, about 48 min by car
  • Mountain Home 40 mi southwest, about 1 h by car

Drive times are estimates from straight-line distance, not routes.

Reviews, tips and questions

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Sources and licences

Photo credits

Page built October 30, 2026. Spotted a mistake? Tell us or suggest a place.