City Profile

Ash Grove is the epitome of small town living. It's a small but growing rural town of approximately 1,430 residents, located 17 miles northwest of Springfield in southwest Missouri. Its proximity to Springfield allows for an easy drive to jobs, shopping, entertainment, and the best medical facilities in the region. But that same distance provides an escape from the hustle and bustle of bigger city life.

Seventy businesses serve the people of Ash Grove.  Friendly, service oriented businesses provide a wide range of services and products.  There is a bank, professional medical services (including rehabilitation and special services), a pharmacy, and a veterinarian.  We are the center for area seniors with a new Senior Community Center, two Senior Housing units, a new 82-bed nursing home and residential care units.

Popular city facilities include as the swimming pool and city park.  The Ozarks Afro-American Heritage Museum, featured in National Geographic, is a major draw to the city.  Among other things to see and do in Ash Grove are the Berry Cemetery, the Gilmore Octagonal Barn, the Phenix Marble Quarry, the 1800s Original Quarry of Ash Grove Cement Company, and the Abandoned "Leaky Roof" Rail Line, and the Nathan Boone Homestead State Historic Site. 

Popular annual events include Car Shows, the Spring Frolic, Concerts, Story Telling, the Hunt, Nathan Boone Homestead Days, the Christmas Open House, and the Christmas Parade.

The city of Ash Grove provides sewer and water services.  A private company (Advantage Waste Service) offers trash collection services.  AT&T provides telephone service and DSL high-speed internet, Empire District Electric Company provides electric service, and Missouri Gas Energy provides natural gas service.

Ash Grove is characterized by attractive residential neighborhoods and beautiful new subdivisions in various stages of planning and development. 

The local city government is composed of an elected Mayor and four Aldermen.  The City Clerk, Utility Billing Clerk, Public Works Director, Chief of Police, and Director of Emergency Management are appointed by the Mayor with the consent of the Board of Alderman.  The Board of Aldermen meets at the City Hall at 7:00 p.m. the first Monday of the month.  The City Hall office hours are 8:30 a.m.  to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Nearby Springfield

Missouri's third-largest city, Springfield, is 17 miles southeast of Ash Grove. Springfield was projected by the Bureau of the Census to be the fastest growing metro area in the state.  Agriculture and related products and services, retail trade, transportation, higher education, manufacturing, and healthcare are all contributors to growth.  A city that feels right at home in the country, Springfield is the Ozark's only large metropolitan area.